Filling depressions or holes in a yard is a common maintenance task that helps prevent tripping hazards and standing water after rainfall. The success of the repair depends entirely on selecting the correct type of soil material for the specific depth and purpose of the hole, as generic “dirt” often leads to poor results. Selecting the right material ensures proper drainage and provides the necessary foundation for future grass growth.
Understanding Soil Types for Lawn Repair
The material used for filling is divided into two primary categories. For holes that are deep, extending more than a foot below the existing grade, fill dirt is often the appropriate choice for the lower layers. This material typically consists of subsoil, rocks, and clay, making it low in organic matter and nutrients but suitable for achieving structural stability and bulk leveling.
For the top six to eight inches of the repair, where grass roots will establish, a higher-quality material is required. Topsoil contains a higher concentration of organic matter and microbial life necessary for plant health. This layer must facilitate water retention while also allowing for adequate drainage, preventing the grass from becoming waterlogged.
The ideal product for lawn repair is often a blended topsoil or loam, which is a balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay particles. This specific composition promotes superior texture and aeration compared to heavy clay or pure sand alone. Using a proper loam ensures that the new grass seed or sod can access both the moisture and the nutrients it needs to thrive and blend seamlessly with the surrounding turf.
Primary Sources for Purchasing Soil
The purchasing location is determined by the project’s size and the desired quality. For large-scale repairs requiring more than one cubic yard of material, local landscape supply yards or dedicated soil companies are the most economical option. These vendors sell material in bulk, often by the cubic yard, which significantly reduces the cost per unit compared to bagged products.
Buying in bulk from these yards allows access to specialized, high-quality soil blends, such as custom topsoil/compost mixtures. This requires arranging for a large truck or trailer to haul the material, or paying a separate fee for a direct drop-off at the property. Preparation for the drop-off area is also necessary.
For smaller projects, such as filling minor depressions or thin spots, purchasing bagged soil from big-box home improvement stores offers maximum convenience. These bags, usually containing 1 to 2 cubic feet of material, are easily transported in a personal vehicle and allow for precise application. While the cost is higher per cubic foot, the ease of purchase and lack of delivery logistics make this method suitable for quick patch repairs.
Local garden centers and nurseries often provide a good middle ground, offering both high-quality bagged products and sometimes smaller bulk quantities for pickup. They are an excellent source for expert advice regarding which specific blend of topsoil is best suited to the regional soil conditions.
Calculating Volume and Arranging Transport
Before visiting any supplier, the volume of soil needed must be accurately determined. Calculation requires using the formula: length multiplied by width multiplied by depth (L x W x D). All measurements should be taken in feet to ensure the result is in cubic feet.
Since most landscape suppliers sell in cubic yards, this cubic foot total must be converted by dividing the result by 27. It is advisable to add a small buffer of 5 to 10 percent to the calculated volume to account for soil settling and measurement inaccuracies. This ensures the hole can be slightly mounded to allow for compaction over time.
Transportation logistics depend on the required volume. Small quantities of bagged soil can be safely hauled in a personal vehicle, but attention should be paid to the vehicle’s payload capacity, as soil is remarkably heavy. For bulk orders exceeding half a cubic yard, scheduling a delivery is often the safer and more practical choice.
When arranging a bulk drop-off, the delivery site must be clear of overhead wires and have a firm, accessible surface. The heavy dump truck will deposit the material by lifting its bed, requiring ample overhead and lateral clearance to safely unload the large pile of soil.