What's the difference between top soil and flower and vegetable mix?

What do you use topsoil for? I have a place in my garden that needs some soil, so can I use topsoil? Do I mix it into the soil or keep it on top? Can I use both topsoil and the flower mix? Does topsoil have any nutrients in it?

What's the difference between top soil and flower and vegetable mix?
Topsoil is exactly what it says: it's dirt, sits on the top of the ground. It should have SOME nutrients in it, but only looking at the bag (or asking the guy who is selling it) will tell you exactly what. If you want to grow flowers or vegetables in it, you would probably need to add some nutrients, and an even mix of nitrogen, phosphate and potash would not go wrong. Flowers like more potash, as do strawberries and tomatoes. Different vegetables require slightly different combinations, but none are so picky that an even mix of nutrients would not satisfy them.


The flower mix should contain nutrients and be more expensive. You can mix it with the topsoil, or just put it round about individual plants to make it more effective.
Reply:I've seen a lot of stuff called "top soil" but many were of dubious value for use in a garden. If they are a mixture of compost, sand and some dirt then they are okay but I would rather amend a garden soil with a good batch of compost or even potting mix.
Reply:the mix has mulch in it, and some times fertilizer, top soil is just dirt!
Reply:Top soil is just fertal dirt. Flower and vegtable mix has a certain chemical level that makes those grow better... When you look at the vegetable mix you will normally see something on it like 10-20-10 all I can remember is that the fospherus level is the middle nuber... But thats the main difference.