How to Choose the Right Soil for Your Lawn, Garden Beds & Landscaping Projects

Choosing the right soil is one of the most important decisions when starting a gardening or landscaping project. Whether you are installing new turf, creating a vegetable garden, filling raised planter boxes or refreshing an established garden bed, the growing medium you select can influence the success of your project.

With so many products available, including garden soil mixes, turf underlay, lawn top dressing and vegetable garden blends, it can be difficult to know which option is best.

The key is understanding what your project requires.

Different plants have different growing needs, and the existing ground conditions can affect how well a new soil product performs. A blend that works well beneath turf may not be suitable for growing vegetables, while a garden mix intended for open planting areas may not provide the right drainage for pots.

In this guide, we'll explain how to choose soil for different landscaping applications, what to consider before buying and how to prepare your garden for the best possible results.

For a broader understanding of the available varieties, explore our Soil: The Complete Guide to Different Types, Benefits & Choosing the Right Soil for Your Garden.

Why Choosing the Right Soil Matters

Not every garden or landscaping project requires the same growing conditions.

Some plants prefer soil that retains moisture, while others grow best in freer-draining environments.

Lawns require a suitable base for grass roots to establish, while vegetable gardens often benefit from a productive growing medium containing appropriate organic matter.

Choosing an unsuitable product can contribute to problems such as poor drainage, compaction, inconsistent moisture availability and weak root development.

By selecting the right soil from the beginning, you can create a more suitable environment for your plants and reduce the need for corrective work later.

The goal is not simply to purchase good-quality soil, but to choose a product that is appropriate for its intended use.

Step 1: Identify Your Landscaping Project

Before comparing soil products, establish exactly what you need the material for.

This will help narrow down the available options.

Are You Installing a New Lawn?

New turf requires a growing layer that supports root establishment and appropriate drainage.

A turf underlay is generally designed for this application.

Are You Creating a Garden Bed?

General garden beds often benefit from a prepared garden soil mix that provides suitable structure, moisture retention and organic matter.

The ideal blend depends on the plants being grown.

Are You Growing Vegetables?

Vegetable gardens require growing conditions that support productive plant growth and ongoing nutrient availability.

A purpose-designed vegetable garden mix can be a practical starting point.

Are You Filling Raised Planter Boxes?

Raised planting areas have different drainage and moisture conditions from open ground.

A planter box mix may be more appropriate than ordinary garden soil.

Are You Improving an Existing Lawn?

Established lawns may benefit from top dressing rather than a deep layer of new soil.

The correct product and application method depend on the condition of the grass and the purpose of the treatment.

Identifying the application first makes it easier to choose suitable materials.

Step 2: Assess Your Existing Soil Conditions

Before introducing new soil, examine the ground you already have.

This is particularly important when improving existing garden beds or preparing large landscaping areas.

Check Drainage

Observe what happens after rainfall or watering.

Does water soak into the ground, or does it remain on the surface?

Slow drainage may indicate compaction, dense clay or other underlying issues.

Check Compaction

Try gently digging into the ground.

If the soil is extremely hard and difficult to penetrate, roots may also struggle to grow through it.

Compaction can be particularly common in areas exposed to regular foot traffic or construction activity.

Check Moisture Retention

Some soils dry out very quickly, while others remain wet for extended periods.

Understanding how your existing ground manages moisture can help determine whether improvement is needed.

Consider Previous Land Use

For edible gardens, it is important to consider whether the ground may have been exposed to contamination.

Where there is uncertainty, testing or using a suitable contained growing system may be appropriate.

Assessing the existing conditions helps prevent the mistake of adding new soil without addressing the underlying problem.

Step 3: Choose the Best Soil for Your Lawn

A healthy lawn begins with proper ground preparation.

Whether you are laying turf for the first time or renovating an existing lawn, the material beneath and around the grass roots plays an important role.

Choosing Soil for New Turf

For new turf installation, a purpose-designed turf underlay is generally a suitable choice.

Turf underlay helps create a consistent growing layer and supports root establishment.

It can also assist with levelling the prepared surface before turf is installed.

When selecting a turf underlay, consider:

• Drainage characteristics.
• The condition of the existing ground.
• The recommended installation depth.
• The requirements of your turf variety.
• Whether additional fertiliser is recommended.

Landscape Supplies Online offers Turf Underlay designed for new turf installation and lawn improvement.

Four Seasons Nursery

Preparing the Ground Before Laying Turf

Start by removing unwanted vegetation, debris and other material from the area.

Address significant compaction or drainage problems before spreading the underlay.

Next, distribute the material evenly and prepare a level surface.

The recommended depth depends on the product and existing conditions.

Once the surface is prepared, the turf can be installed according to the supplier's instructions.

Watering is particularly important during the establishment period.

Choosing Soil for Existing Lawns

If you already have a lawn, replacing the growing layer is usually unnecessary.

Instead, you may want to address minor uneven areas or improve the surface.

Lawn top dressing is designed for this purpose.

A suitable top-dressing product can help improve the growing surface without requiring the lawn to be removed.

However, it is important to apply the material at the recommended depth.

Applying too much can cover the grass and interfere with healthy growth.

Step 4: Choose the Best Soil for Garden Beds

Garden beds are one of the most common applications for prepared soil mixes.

Whether you are planting flowers, shrubs or ornamental plants, the growing medium should support the needs of the selected species.

General Garden Beds

For mixed ornamental planting, a premium garden mix may be suitable.

These blends are commonly intended to provide workable growing conditions for a range of garden plants.

Before purchasing, consider whether the garden receives full sun, partial shade or significant exposure to wind.

These factors influence moisture requirements and plant selection.

Native Garden Beds

Australian native plants can have different growing requirements from common ornamental species.

Some prefer freer-draining conditions, while certain species are sensitive to excessive phosphorus.

A native garden mix may be appropriate where the product is designed for the plants being grown.

However, not all native plants require the same growing medium.

Check the needs of the individual species before selecting a product.

Established Garden Beds

If you are refreshing an existing garden bed, consider whether the soil needs replacement or simply improvement.

In many cases, adding suitable composted organic matter and addressing compaction may be sufficient.

Where the existing soil is unsuitable, introducing a prepared garden mix may help create better planting conditions.

Landscape Supplies Online stocks several garden soil options, including Premium Garden Mix and Native Garden Mix, within its soil product range.

Four Seasons Nursery

Step 5: Choose the Best Soil for Vegetable Gardens

Vegetable gardens require a growing environment that supports healthy root development and productive growth.

The soil should provide appropriate drainage, moisture retention and nutrient availability.

What to Look for in Vegetable Garden Soil

When selecting a vegetable garden mix, consider:

• Suitable organic matter content.
• Good drainage.
• Moisture retention.
• A workable structure for planting.
• Suitability for growing edible crops.

A prepared vegetable garden mix can simplify the process of establishing a new growing area.

Preparing a Vegetable Garden Bed

Start by selecting a location that receives appropriate sunlight for the crops you intend to grow.

Remove weeds and assess the existing ground.

If you are using an in-ground vegetable bed, consider whether the soil needs loosening or improving before planting.

For raised beds, choose a suitable growing medium and ensure the structure allows excess water to drain.

Once the bed is prepared, you can begin planting according to the needs of your chosen vegetables.

Maintaining Vegetable Garden Soil

Vegetable gardens often require ongoing attention because crops are grown and harvested throughout the year.

Organic matter and suitable fertilisers may be needed to maintain productive growing conditions.

Mulching can also help manage moisture and protect the surface.

Rather than applying the same products repeatedly, monitor plant growth and adjust your approach when necessary.

Step 6: Choose the Best Soil for Raised Garden Beds and Planter Boxes

Raised garden beds and planter boxes offer flexibility when growing plants in areas with unsuitable natural ground.

They can also make gardening more accessible and provide greater control over the growing medium.

However, the correct soil selection remains important.

Raised Garden Beds

A raised garden bed may be used for vegetables, herbs, flowers or ornamental plants.

The ideal growing medium depends on the plants and the depth of the bed.

A suitable blend should provide enough structure to support roots while maintaining appropriate drainage.

Planter Boxes

Planter boxes may have a more restricted growing volume than larger raised beds.

Because of this, moisture and drainage conditions can change more quickly.

A purpose-designed planter box mix may be suitable.

Why Potting Mix and Garden Soil Are Different

Potting mixes are developed for container growing conditions.

Ordinary garden soil may become overly compacted in pots and restrict drainage.

For this reason, it is important to distinguish between open-ground garden mixes, raised-bed products and container potting mixes.

Landscape Supplies Online provides both soil blends for garden and landscaping projects and bagged potting mixes for container plants.

Step 7: Calculate How Much Soil You Need

Once you have selected the appropriate product, the next step is calculating the quantity required.

Ordering the correct amount helps manage costs and avoid unnecessary delays.

How to Calculate Soil Volume

For a rectangular area, use the following formula:

Length × Width × Depth = Volume in cubic metres

All measurements should be in metres.

For example, if you have a garden bed that is:

• 4 metres long.
• 2 metres wide.
• 200 mm deep.

Convert the depth to metres:

200 mm = 0.2 m

Then calculate:

4 × 2 × 0.2 = 1.6 cubic metres

This provides an approximate quantity for the project.

What About Irregular Garden Areas?

For an irregularly shaped garden, divide the space into smaller sections.

Calculate each section separately and add the results together.

Should You Order Extra?

Some projects may require an allowance for settlement, uneven ground or other site conditions.

However, the amount depends on the product and application.

Check the supplier's recommendations rather than automatically adding a large percentage to every order.

Step 8: Prepare the Area Before Adding New Soil

Even the most suitable soil product may perform poorly if the area has not been prepared correctly.

Good preparation helps create better growing conditions and a more consistent finished result.

Remove Weeds and Debris

Clear unwanted vegetation, rubbish, stones and other materials that may interfere with planting.

Where weeds are established, address them before introducing new soil.

Assess Drainage

Check whether water can move through the existing ground.

If there are significant drainage problems, these may need to be corrected before the new growing layer is installed.

Address Compaction

Where appropriate, loosen compacted planting areas to improve root access.

Avoid working the ground when it is excessively wet.

Spread the Soil Evenly

Distribute the material across the prepared area.

Use appropriate tools to achieve the desired depth and levels.

Prepare for Planting

Once the growing layer is ready, follow the recommended planting process for turf, shrubs, vegetables or other plants.

Proper preparation helps ensure the new material can perform its intended function.

Common Mistakes When Choosing Soil for Landscaping

Selecting the wrong soil is a common landscaping mistake, but it is often avoidable.

Buying Based on Price Alone

The cheapest product is not necessarily the most suitable.

Focus on the intended use and product characteristics.

Using Garden Soil in Pots

Ordinary garden soil may not provide suitable drainage in containers.

Use an appropriate potting mix where required.

Using Turf Underlay for Every Garden Project

Turf underlay is designed primarily for lawn applications.

It may not provide the growing conditions required for vegetable gardens or ornamental planting.

Ignoring Drainage

Adding new soil does not automatically fix drainage problems beneath the surface.

Investigate the cause before proceeding.

Ordering Without Measuring

Incorrect quantities can create unnecessary costs and delays.

Measure the area and calculate the required volume before purchasing.

Choosing Soil Without Considering the Plants

Different plants have different moisture, drainage and nutrient requirements.

Select the growing medium according to what you intend to grow.

How to Compare Soil Products Before Purchasing

When reviewing available landscaping materials, use a simple decision-making process.

Project	Soil product to consider	Main purpose
New lawn	Turf Underlay	Support turf establishment
Existing lawn	Lawn Top Dress	Improve the lawn surface
General garden beds	Premium Garden Mix	Support ornamental planting
Native planting	Native Garden Mix	Provide suitable native planting conditions
Vegetable garden	Veggie Garden Mix	Establish edible planting areas
Raised planter	Planter Box Mix	Support plants in raised growing spaces
Container plants	Potting Mix	Provide a suitable container growing medium

The final choice should always reflect the product's specifications and the requirements of your project.

For more information about how different varieties perform, read What Are the Different Types of Soil and What Are They Best Used For?

Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing Soil

What is the best soil for a new lawn?

A suitable turf underlay is generally recommended for preparing a new lawn. The correct product and installation depth depend on the existing ground and turf requirements.

Can I use garden soil for vegetables?

Some garden soil products may be suitable, but a purpose-designed vegetable garden mix can be a more appropriate option for establishing edible planting areas.

What soil should I use for raised garden beds?

Choose a growing medium suited to the plants and the raised-bed design. Vegetable garden or planter box blends may be suitable depending on the application.

Is topsoil the same as turf underlay?

No. Topsoil is a general term for the upper soil layer, while turf underlay is a prepared product designed for lawn establishment.

How do I know how much soil to buy?

Measure the length, width and required depth of the area, then calculate the volume in cubic metres.

Do I need to replace all the soil in my garden?

Not necessarily. Existing soil can often be improved through appropriate preparation and amendments. Replacement may be needed when the material is unsuitable for the intended use.

Choose the Right Soil and Get Your Landscaping Project Started

Whether you are establishing a lawn, preparing garden beds, growing vegetables or creating a new landscaped area, selecting the right soil is an important step towards a successful result.

By considering the plants, existing conditions and intended application, you can choose materials that provide a suitable foundation for your outdoor space.

Explore the range of garden soil, turf underlay and landscaping mixes at Landscape Supplies Online to find the right product for your next project.

Find the Right Soil for Your Lawn, Garden or Landscaping Project