There are various methods to keep a healthy topsoil in your garden, however, which way you choose will depend entirely on the quality of the topsoil in the first place.

One of the most useful things for the gardener to learn is to understand the workings of what is known as topsoil balance. The balance of topsoil is a great way to learn about the chemical and physical properties of topsoil. This also means that topsoil chemistry and physics as well as biology are learnt about further ensuring that nutrients and structure are perfectly balanced.

One system that ensures topsoil balance is correct is known as the Mikhail system. Using this system of topsoil management gives the soil friability and helps living organisms and to survive giving better soil composition and structure. Rather like the human body, it requires a good skeleton on which all the other physical attributes can be held together. Topsoil needs essential chemical elements such as Hydrogen, Potassium, Sodium, Magnesium and Calcium.

Biology and nutrients are kept in order within the topsoil by use of the Mikhail system. The structure then also needs to be balanced. Plant life needs the following vital elements for nutrition; Potassium, Sulphur, Nitrogen and Phosphorous. Fertilisers can be added to provide a needed nutrient boost once the topsoil structure has been improved. The most common fertiliser is known as NPK, and most general fertilisers actually consist of these chemical elements. Trace elements are also important to topsoil.

Testing the topsoil is the best way to discover exactly what is missing, what isn’t and how improvements can be made. This can be done using testing kits for soil, which will provide the necessary information for the gardener. All that’s then required is to purchase and administer the necessary fertiliser, add soil improving materials and lime to the soil, as and when the tests suggest.