What Is Topsoil?
Topsoil is the uppermost layer of earth’s crustwhere all plant life exists.
Topsoil is removed to excavate building sites, including for new home construction.
DonNichols / Getty Images
The consistency of existing topsoil is also important.
Most plants grow best inwell-draining loam.
Now convert the number of inches of topsoil you need for depth into feet.
Multiply these three figures to find out how many cubic feet you need.
How Much Does Topsoil Weigh
Topsoil is sold by the cubic yard and cubic foot.
Bulk topsoil is usually sold by the bucket or truckload.
The bucket of the average front loader holds about 1/2 cubic yards.
A dump truck holds between 10 and 14 cubic yards of topsoil.
A cubic foot of topsoil is most often sold in 40-pound bags.
Other factors include delivery for bulk purchases and labor to spread it.
Topsoil sold by the bag at big box garden centers is often wet or unscreened.
The average cost of topsoil is $2 to $5 per 40-pound bag.
This inexpensive key in is suitable forleveling an area of lawnor filling in holes.
To get turfgrass or plants to grow, you will need toamend it with fertilizer or compost.
Purchase in bulk from a quality landscaping company or look for high-grade bagged topsoil at garden centers and nurseries.
Soil to Fill Raised Beds.
University of Maryland Extension.
Lawn Establishment.Pennsylvania State University Extension.
Soil Erosion and Degradation.
Assessing and Addressing Soil Compaction in your Yard.New Jersey Agricultural Experiement Station, Rutgers University.
Gardening in Clay Soils.
Utah State University Yard and Garden Extension.
Soils and Plants Nutrients.
North Carolina State University Extension.
