Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How Many Yards of Topsoil Do I Need?
How Many Yards of Topsoil Do I Need?. Landscapers and gardeners both use topsoil, however, the exact requirements for the topsoil will vary based upon the ultimate use of the material. For example, engineering landscapers use topsoil to bear the load of construction, whereas horticulturalists use the topsoil for plant growth. If you are purchasing...
Landscapers and gardeners both use topsoil, however, the exact requirements for the topsoil will vary based upon the ultimate use of the material. For example, engineering landscapers use topsoil to bear the load of construction, whereas horticulturalists use the topsoil for plant growth. If you are purchasing topsoil for laying sod on a lawn, you need between 4 to 6 inches of soil to make sure the grass takes root in the soil and not any preexisting grass beneath the soil. Small gardening projects may require less topsoil height.
Calculations
Measure the length and width of the space you wish to cover with topsoil and multiply the number to determine the area. When measuring irregularly shaped places, break up the areas into measurable shapes such as triangles or rectangles.
Take the area measurement and multiply the number by the depth of topsoil you will want. Divide the cubic feet by the number 3 to determine the cubic yards.
For example, to cover an 8-foot by 8-foot area with 6 inches of topsoil, you would multiply 8 x 8 and then multiply the area by 6 inches. Then divide the number by 3 feet. Rounded up to the nearest cubic yard, you would need to order 11 cubic yards of topsoil.
Prices
The University of Connecticut notes that topsoil normally ranges in price from $15 to $25 per cubic yard, although the price may vary based on your region of the country, delivery charges and the quality of the soil. Although you can save some money by buying soil that has not been screened to remove debris, some gardeners think the money savings is not worth the time it would take to remove the rocks yourself.
Considerations
There is no exact definition or standard for topsoil, and frequently the words "topsoil" and "loam" are used interchangeably. Topsoil in it’s truest sense is what the name infers -- the uppermost portion of soil. It is normally darker than subsoil. When shopping for topsoil, look for soil free from rocks or debris larger than 3 inches in diameter. Organic matter is desirable but should not exceed 10 percent of the overall soil mixture. Look for well draining soils that do not contain too much sand or clay.
Tips
Keep in mind that the topsoil you install will settle a bit once it has raked and then rolled. A good rule of thumb is that 6 inches of topsoil will compress to about 5 inches high. Although you may pick up topsoil yourself, many companies require that you purchase at least 3 cubic yards to help cover delivery costs to your home.
