ASTM D5268-02
(Specification)Standard Specification for Topsoil Used for Landscaping Purposes
Standard Specification for Topsoil Used for Landscaping Purposes
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers a physical evaluation of an inorganic soil containing a limited amount of organic material, relative to its use as a topsoil for horticultural purposes in construction. For classification, a full agricultural textural classification may be used.
1.2 The presence in the soil of the correct nutrients and pH status is necessary for healthy plant growth. This specification does not, however, cover a determination of the nutrients, nor their availability.
Note 1—The nutrient content of topsoil is important and the nutrients usually evaluated are nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium. Nutrient deficiencies may be corrected using organic or inorganic fertilizers. Excess soluble salts should be examined as to their desirability. The acidity or alkalinity of the soil is also important. Excess acidity may be corrected by the application of lime. Excess alkalinity may be corrected by the application of sulfur or other suitable acidifying compounds. The latter item, in addition to lowering pH, also could be considered as an aggregate when considering the particle size distribution.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: D 5268 – 02
Standard Specification for
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Topsoil Used for Landscaping Purposes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5268; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
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1. Scope ter of Peat and Other Organic Materials
D 3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
1.1 This specification covers a physical evaluation of an
Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock
inorganic soil containing a limited amount of organic material,
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as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
relative to its use as a topsoil for horticultural purposes in
D 4753 Specification for Evaluating, Selecting, and Speci-
construction. For classification, a full agricultural textural
fying Balances and Scales for Use in Soil, Rock, and
classification may be used.
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Construction Materials Testing
1.2 The presence in the soil of the correct nutrients and pH
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D 4972 Test Method for pH of Soils
status is necessary for healthy plant growth. This specification
D 6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechni-
does not, however, cover a determination of the nutrients, nor
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2 cal Data
their availability.
E 11 Specification for Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Pur-
NOTE 1—The nutrient content of topsoil is important and the nutrients 5
poses
usually evaluated are nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium. Nutrient defi-
ciencies may be corrected using organic or inorganic fertilizers. Excess
3. Terminology
soluble salts should be examined as to their desirability. The acidity or
3.1 Definitions:
alkalinity of the soil is also important. Excess acidity may be corrected by
3.2 Description of Term Specific to This Standard:
the application of lime. Excess alkalinity may be corrected by the
application of sulfur or other suitable acidifying compounds. The latter 3.2.1 topsoil—usually the original surface layer of grass-
item, in addition to lowering pH, also could be considered as an aggregate
land or cultivated land. It does not generally include soil from
when considering the particle size distribution.
peatlands or other special areas, such as land disturbed by
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the industrial activity. Topsoil is usually a darker shade of brown,
standard. grey, or red than the subsoil that lies immediately beneath it,
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the because it contains organic matter intimately mixed with the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the mineral matter. Topsoil tends to be more friable and pervious
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- than inorganic soils.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4. Significance and Use
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 When physically evaluating a soil, relative to its suit-
2. Referenced Documents
ability to support plant growth (primarily grasses), tests must
2.1 ASTM Standards: be made to determine the presence and the amount of organic
D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained matter, inorganic matter (sand, silt and clay), and deleterious
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Fluids materials.
D 1140 Test Method for Amount of Material in Soils Finer 4.2 Typical general ranges of soil content are presented in
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than No. 200 (75 µm) Sieve Table 1. Soils falling within these ranges will generally form a
D 2974 Test Methods for Moisture, Ash, and Organic Mat- suitable topsoil. It must, however, be recognized that in some
geographic regions, concurrence with the values of Table 1
would be most difficult. In such cases, locally acceptable
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specifications would need to be developed.
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil
and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Soil as a
4.3 The quality of the result produced by this standard is
Media for Plant Growth.
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it,
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 2002. Published January 2003. Originally
and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used.
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 1997 as D 5268–92(1997).
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AgenciesthatmeetthecriteriaofPracticeD 3740aregenerally
Nutrient testing procedures are found in: the state Agricultural Experiment
Station recommendations from the state within which the landscape is located,“
Methods of Soil Analysis” Editor-in-Chief: C. A. Black, Agronomy No. 9, Vol 2,
American Society ofAgronomy, Inc., Madison, WI, and Hesse, P. R., A Textbook of
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Soil Chemical Analysis, Chemical Publishing Co., New York, NY, 1972. Annual Book o
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