What You Need To Know About Three Yards of Fertile Topsoil
When it comes to improving your lawn or establishing a new garden bed, adding quality topsoil is essential. But how much do you really need? For many landscaping projects, three cubic yards of rich, screened topsoil is just the right amount to get the job done.
You'll learn how to evaluate soil needs for your unique situation, understand what constitutes high quality fertile topsoil, find the most efficient tools and techniques for application, and discover if any amendments are recommended to enrich the new soil layer.
Calculating Precisely How Much Topsoil Your Project Requires
It's important not to underestimate or overbuy the quantity of topsoil required for your particular lawn or garden area. When trying to determine cubic yards, most homeowners struggle with visualizing the difference between area coverage and depth.
Key Measurements That Factor Into Topsoil Volume
- Total square footage of lawn or bed needing soil
- Minimum depth topsoil should be applied (generally between 2-12 inches)
- Type and density of plants being grown (influences depth needed)
- Current quality and composition of existing soil
You'll need to nail down these specifics first before arriving at a cubic yardage amount. Online topsoil calculators can simplify this process greatly. For a small 10 x 10 garden for example, three yards provides around 4 inches of fertile soil - ideal for most vegetables and flowerbeds.
Tips For Estimating Your Unique Volume Requirement
While detailed projects plans and soil tests will give the most accurate picture, you can also use rules of thumb when estimating how many cubic yards of rich topsoil to purchase:
- 1 yard of topsoil covers 324 sq ft with a 1 inch layer
- For lawns: Multiply total sq footage by 0.33, then divide by 27
- For gardens: Multiply bed area by desired depth in feet
Keep in mind that it's better to have a little extra than come up short halfway through the job. Three yards is a very convenient amount for handling, spreading, and budgeting without going overboard.
Recognizing Ideal Properties Of High Quality Screened Topsoil
Now that the right volume has been determined, understanding what constitutes fertile, nutrient-rich topsoil is key to growing thriving gardens, lawns, trees, shrubs and more. But not all bagged, bulk or delivery topsoils are created equal in quality and composition.
Ingredients That Make Up The Best Quality Topsoils
Here are the primary components you want to see in high performance screened topsoil:
- Organic matter - decomposed leaves, mulch, compost; provides nutrients
- Sand - improves drainage and aeration for plant roots
- Silt - tiny mineral particles that help retain moisture
- Clay - binds elements together for stable structure
In ideal proportions, this mineral and organic blend allows for excellent drainage while still retaining enough water and nutrients to feed plants. Testing current soil composition helps determine amendments needed.
Vital Standards Of Quality To Look For
Beyond the structural makeup, these characteristics also define premium three yard batches of topsoil:
- Few stones, sticks and debris - properly screened
- Light, loose, workable texture for spreading
- Pleasant earthy smell
- Rich black or brown color
- pH between 6.0-7.0 for healthy plants
Checking that your topsoil meets these standards ensures your plants get off on the right foot with quality soil. Reputable suppliers should provide recent analysis reports.
Tools And Techniques For Smoothly Spreading Three Yards Of Topsoil
Now the fun part - prepping the area and efficiently distributing approximately 9,000 lbs of rich, screened topsoil over your lawn or garden. Having the right toolkit and techniques makes this large undertaking far more manageable.
Essential Tools To Have On Hand
These basic tools will save hours of backbreaking work:
- Garden rake - Spread soil evenly and break up large clumps
- Shovel - Dig out areas and move soil
- Tamper - Compact soil firmly and flatten surface
- Work gloves - Protect hands from blisters and abrasions
- Tarp/wheelbarrow - Transport soil around the property with minimal dust and spillage
- Landscape blade - Level soil precisely for proper drainage
Having multiple rakes and shovels allows you to enlist help without waiting around. A gas-powered tiller rental also beats manual labor for large areas.
Strategic Techniques For Easier Application
Along with the right equipment, using these strategic methods will help streamline the spreading process:
- Separate into piles first before final leveling
- Apply 1-2 inches initial layer, water well, then add remaining
- Let newly deposited soil settle before compacting and raking
- Gently tamp soil to stabilize structure without over-compacting
- Blend seamlessly into existing lawn or garden soil
Taking the extra time to spread and integrate several thinner layers results in a better final product. Take frequent breaks as this is extremely labor intensive work for the body.
Enriching Soil With Needed Amendments And Fertilizers
Now that approximately three yards of fertile topsoil have been smoothly spread and graded, the final step is determining if any amendments could enrich the new planting foundation.
Where Soil Enhancements May Provide Added Benefits
Even high quality topsoils can be further enhanced with these additives:
- Compost/Manure - Boosts nutrients for hungry plants like vegetables
- Peat moss - Lightens heavy clay soils to improve drainage
- Worm castings - Provides plant-ready micronutrients
- Tree/shrub fertilizer - Encourages root growth for woody stems
- Mycorrhizal fungi - Helps roots absorb more nutrients
- pH adjuster - Correct acidity/alkalinity issues
A soil test guides which specific amendments to mix into the top layer before planting. Bagged composted manure provides an all-around fertilizer boost.
Application Process To Incorporate Soil Additives
Follow this sequence when adding soil enhancements to newly deposited topsoil:
- Spread compost, fertilizer, lime, etc. evenly over layer of topsoil
- Use garden fork to gently turn additive into the top 2-4 inches
- Let mixture sit for 1-2 weeks for materials to fully break down
- Dig holes and transplant new plants into enriched soil
Slowly turning amendments into just the top surface prevents disturbing the soil structure. This gives plants immediate access to nutrients while lower layers provide anchoring.