Acquiring the correct material is the first step in any successful project involving landscape changes or enhancements. Many people use the term “dirt” and “soil” interchangeably, but commercial products are highly specialized materials with distinct compositions and purposes. Understanding the differences between these products and the logistics of obtaining them is essential.
Identifying the Right Soil Type
The proper material selection depends entirely on the project’s goal, as different soil categories serve fundamentally different functions.
Topsoil
Topsoil is generally the most economical and is best suited for large-scale applications like filling low spots, leveling a yard, or building up grades in non-planting areas. This product is typically the upper layer of the earth, which is screened to remove large rocks and debris, but its organic content can vary widely.
Specialized Blend or Garden Soil
For actively growing plants outdoors, a Specialized Blend or Garden Soil is the preferred choice. This material is topsoil that has been amended with a high concentration of organic matter, such as compost. This blend offers improved structure, better water retention, and a steady supply of nutrients, making it ideal for in-ground flower beds or vegetable patches.
Potting Mix
In contrast, Potting Mix or Container Soil is specifically formulated for use in pots and planters and often contains no actual mineral soil. These mixes are lightweight and composed of materials like peat moss, coir, perlite, and vermiculite to promote superior drainage and aeration in a confined space. Using dense topsoil in a container will compact quickly, suffocating roots and leading to poor plant health.
Methods for Acquiring Soil
Once the correct material is identified, the next step involves deciding between purchasing it in bags or in bulk, a choice primarily driven by the required volume and budget.
Bagged Soil
Bagged soil is the most convenient option for small projects, such as filling a few containers or making minor repairs to a lawn. Bags are easily transported from a local garden center and can be stored indefinitely. However, the cost per cubic foot is significantly higher with bagged products due to packaging and transportation costs.
Bulk Soil
For any project requiring more than a few cubic feet of material, purchasing in bulk from a landscape supply yard or local nursery is far more cost-effective. Bulk soil is sold by the cubic yard (27 cubic feet), which can offer a substantial discount compared to bags. This material is delivered by a dump truck, usually requiring a clear, accessible area like a driveway for the deposit. Bulk delivery typically involves a separate fee and often requires a minimum order, usually one to three cubic yards. While bulk is cheaper, it requires significant manual labor to move the material from the pile to the project site using a wheelbarrow and shovel.
Integrating New Soil with Existing Ground
Proper integration of new material begins with accurately determining the necessary volume to avoid running short or over-ordering. To calculate the required cubic yards, measure the length, width, and desired depth of the area in feet, multiply those three numbers together to get the volume in cubic feet, and then divide that total by 27. It is wise to add 5 to 10% to account for soil settling and compression during application.
Before adding new soil, the existing ground must be prepared to ensure the new material can integrate effectively. Use a garden fork or tiller to loosen the native soil to a depth of at least 6 to 10 inches, and remove any large rocks or construction debris. This step prevents the creation of a distinct layer between the old and new materials, which can impede water movement and root growth, a condition known as the “bathtub effect.”
The new soil should then be spread evenly over the loosened ground, aiming for a layer of 4 to 6 inches for planting areas. Use a shovel or tiller to mix the new material with the existing native soil below to a depth of about 12 to 18 inches. This blending encourages roots to grow past the added layer and establish themselves deeper in the ground.