The recommended depth of topsoil required will depend on the site, the existing soil and what you are going to use the area for. In new properties the soil is often shallow and poor quality, therefore importing the full recommended depth of topsoil may be required. If the soil structure is poor, incorporating a soil improver may be the best option. If your existing soil is reasonably good quality, a shallower layer of new topsoil may be all that’s required to bring it up the required depth or assist with providing a level surface.
Use this topsoil calculator to find out how much topsoil you need to buy for your yard. Enter the area to be covered and the desired thickness, and we’ll tell you how much topsoil you need.
Lawns: The recommended depth of topsoil for creating lawns from turf or seed is 4 to 6 inches.
General: 6 to 9 inches of soil is usually sufficient for most planting.
Vegetables: The depth of topsoil for growing vegetables will vary depending on what you plan to grow. Root vegetables such as potatoes and carrots will need 1 to 1.5ft, whereas vegetables such as salads, beans and courgettes will need a depth of 6 to 8 inches.
FAQs
In order to determine how much topsoil you will need, measure the length and width of the area to be covered and multiply them to get your total square footage. Multiply that amount by the desired depth of topsoil, which will be about 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inches).
How do I calculate how much top soil I need? ›
Length in feet x Width in feet x Depth in feet (inches divided by 12). Take the total and divide by 27 (the amount of cubic feet in a yard). The final figure will be the estimated amount of cubic yards required.
What is the best soil amendment for sod? ›
Turfgrass usually grows best in slightly acid soils (pH of 6.5). Alkaline soils (pH of 7.5 or higher) can be improved by adding sulfur or gypsum. Acidic soils (pH of 6 or lower) can be improved by adding lime. If amendments are added, work them into the top 3-4 inches of the soil.
What area does 1 ton of topsoil cover? ›
How much will 1 tonne of topsoil cover? Topsoils can vary in screening sizes, therefore some topsoils may be denser than others. Generally speaking, 1 tonne of topsoil will cover 0.63 cubic metres or 22 cubic feet or 0.81 cubic yards.
Does sod farming deplete topsoil? ›
Soil erosion from sod production should be minimal; previous research has demonstrated the advantages of handling and rooting sod that is thinly cut (less soil loss, quicker rooting and reduced trucking costs); when sod is harvested, most of the grass root system is left in the soil; sod returns the equivalent of ...
Is 2 inches of topsoil enough to grow grass? ›
For starting a new lawn, if the top 4 to 6 inches of your existing topsoil are rich with organic matter, you can proceed with it. If your garden's soil is too sandy or it contains heavy clay, however, it is advisable to purchase a higher-quality topsoil to ensure that your lawn will grow without problems.
How thick should topsoil be for grass? ›
Lawns: The recommended depth of topsoil for creating lawns from turf or seed is 4 to 6 inches. General: 6 to 9 inches of soil is usually sufficient for most planting. Vegetables: The depth of topsoil for growing vegetables will vary depending on what you plan to grow.
How much is 4 yards of top soil? ›
Topsoil costs between $2 and $5 per bag or around $10 to $50 per cubic yard. Most homeowners spend between $262 and $1,015, depending on factors like location, project size, type of topsoil, and labor costs.
How many cubic feet are in a 40 lb bag of soil? ›
A 40 pound bag of topsoil usually contains about 0.75 Cubic Feet of soil. There are 25.71404638 Dry Quarts in a Cubic Foot, so a 25 quart bag of potting soil would equal approximately 1 Cubic Foot.
Should I put topsoil over sod? ›
If done properly, the technique of “top-dressing,” or adding a thin layer of soil over your lawn, can improve the soil without killing the existing turf. Top-dressing addresses some common lawn problems, including: Low spots due to rotting tree roots, settling after underground pipe or cable installation, or erosion.
While you can lay sod without tilling, you'll have a better chance of success if you place your new sod on top of tilled, irrigated soil. Tilled soil allows for more thorough irrigation and is more likely to bond with new sod over untilled soil.
Should you compact topsoil before laying sod? ›
Compacted soil also absorbs less water than loose soil and can impede the growth of deep root systems. For this reason, you should plan to lay your sod on freshly tilled, loose soil. However, after tilling, the soil that you plan to lay sod over should be slightly compacted with a roller before sod installation.
How much top soil for 1000 sq ft? ›
Prepared topsoil can be spread over existing soil and immediately used as the medium for any type of planting, including bushes, trees, sod, seed, flowers, etc. Rate: 3 CY per 1000 sq ft (equal to 1" of soil) • Example: The area for top dress or fill is 10,000 sq ft. 10,000 ÷ 1000 = 10 x 3 = 30 CY of prepared topsoil.
How many bags is 2 yards of top soil? ›
Bagged Material Conversions
| Cubic Yards | 1 Cubic Foot Sized Bags | 2 Cubic Foot Sized Bags |
|---|
| 1 | 27 | 14 |
| 2 | 54 | 27 |
| 3 | 81 | 41 |
| 4 | 108 | 54 |
6 more rowsBudget Top Soil - £40 per approximate ton - tipped loose.
How much top soil before laying grass? ›
The recommended depth of topsoil for creating lawns from turf or seed is 100 to 150mm. 150 to 200mm of topsoil is usually sufficient for most planting. The depth of topsoil for growing vegetables will vary depending on what you plan to grow.
Can you lay sod on top of hard soil? ›
Don't stress too much about it. With a little extra effort, it's totally possible to install sod over rocky soil. Take a look at some of our top tips for making it work!
