Use a Soil Sifter to Make Nice, Loose, Aerated Topsoil

Sifting soil is important for landscaping, farming, gardening, and a number of other applications.  Even if you are screening soil for a small garden, this can be a daunting task without help.  Large scale mechanical aid is definitely necessary if you are tackling a bigger sifting project.  A heavy duty screener will sort out all the stuff you don’t want like rocks, gravel, and plant debris.  The goal is to leave you with high quality topsoil that works well and looks great anywhere.  If you are looking for a big time soil sifter and need it for more than a onetime rental, you can find these machines at reasonable prices online.  New technology has made soil screeners more effective than ever and prices have been dropping as well.  If you are in the market for a dirt sifter, check online first.

If you enjoy gardening or work on a farm, you know that debris in the soil can make things complicated for plants.  It is easiest for sprouting plants to push through soft topsoil that is not clumped or loaded with rocks.  This topsoil is also easier for people to work with as the growing process occurs over the course of the season.  If you have ever become sore from digging around in a rough soil, you know plenty about this important benefit.  A soil sifter can take care of your screening needs quickly and they are also a snap to use.  Basically, you put the rough soil on a screen and sort through, allowing the fine soil to sift through while the clumped material remains above for easy sorting.  A vibrating screen makes this feasible for large projects by completing the sorting step itself. 

A soil sifter is a great tool for utilizing dirt that is otherwise unusable. Large scale landscapers can save a lot of money by essentially making their own quality soil from low grade, nearby sources.  With the proper screen size, they can be used to sort through gravel as well.  By changing screens, you can create coarse or fine gravel, depending on your needs.  On projects such as these, a screener will pay for itself immediately and save a ton of money over the long term. 

Another benefit of using sifters is aeration of the soil.  Loose, aerated dirt is excellent for plant growth because it aids in both air and water movement.  Aeration is also important for the bacterial decomposition that results in humus.  Screening dirt leads to healthy plants, bacteria, and topsoil.  You can also sift through compost to make sure that the largest material is left out or given more time to decompose.  An important tip is to be sure to screen your soil when it is dry.  Wet soil will clump together easily and can even gum up the screen, which could be a hassle. 

If you are interested in screening soil for a small garden, you may have fun designing your own screener and building it at home.  There are websites with detailed instructions on this type of task.  For larger projects, professional help is recommended.  A large soil sifter will work much more efficiently than a small one, especially if it has a vibrating screen.  These machines are definitely worth the investment, especially if you can find a good deal online.  Oftentimes, people find that the online price plus shipping is still significantly less expensive than the price tag at a local store.  If nothing else, looking online is an excellent way to get a feel for the soil screening market.  In a matter of minutes, you can find out what types of sifters are offered and what you can expect for a price range.  The internet was quickly become the best place to find these extremely useful machines.