[kolbasz]

Fixing some spots in the front yard. I need roughly 12 bags of top soil. According to the online calculator, that is roughly 1/2 yard (27 bags is a yard).

I typically buy the $1.50 40# bags at Lowes or HD. I guess the question I have is if this soil is good/good enough or should I be looking at the more expensive bags or even a delivery?

On top of that, a secondary question would be if I am not better off ordering a delivery of a yard or 2. The part that sucks here is delivery and hauling. But the thought here is to use what I need now, but then to also have a surplus for when I need more. Essentially I would haul the excess behind the shed and make a pile for when I need it. The obvious negative here is compaction as it is exposed to the elements making for extra work to loosen it up when I do want to use it.

 

[jessehurlburt]

The $1.50 bags at HD are a mix of sand and soil, good for leveling out major ruts and low spots but not very rich in organic matter. I had an old garden I filled in using these, then a 2-3" topcoat of some other decent quality soil.

 

[NikeFace]

I agree with Jesse. However, recently in a pinch, I bought five bags of Scott's top soil to level two small spots a bit.

Three bags were horrible, ~50% mulch. Once it settled, I needed to rake the mulch out. It probably equates to maybe 1 bag of decent soil. The other two bags were great and I found several worms in them.

All 5 were from the same pallet. It's just so inconsistent that I can't recommend it. I would buy a yard or two of higher quality and keep extras for future use if needed.

 

[social port]

Posting to get more insight rather than provide recommendations, as adding topsoil is something that I've always been on the fence about.
It is something I have not done because
1. I've read of people finding added materials like mulch etc in with the topsoil
2. I've always wondered/worried about introducing weed seeds with the topsoil
3. I've read that non-native topsoil should be avoided because it will make the lawn inconsistent

It would be nice to be able to put these reservations to bed and get on with the business of buying topsoil.

 

[pennstater2005]

If I need topsoil I generally have it delivered. It's cheaper that way and I can find out what's exactly in it before purchasing. I've always needed more when buying by the bag.

Leftover topsoil is never leftover for long!

 

[jessehurlburt]

If I need topsoil I generally have it delivered. It's cheaper that way and I can find out what's exactly in it before purchasing. I've always needed more when buying by the bag.

Leftover topsoil is never leftover for long!

So this brings up another question on buying topsoil in bulk; what do you ask/should you be looking for?

 

[probasestealer]

I would have it delivered, but I would go look at it first. In my area top soil can be screened red clay to compost. Really frustrating and it's always confusing when purchasing. Usually the people on the phone have no idea. Ideally you would have a soil structure test to compare with theirs... but this isn't an idea world and we are growing grass.

Another option would be to buy bags of sand and compost, mix them and spread them in the low spots.

 

[pennstater2005]

Double screened and no mulch, peat moss, or sand added. That's what I usually ask.

@jessehurlburt

 

[kolbasz]

Just called a place, 40$ delivery, so rediculous

 

[probasestealer]

Double screened and no mulch, peat moss, or sand added. That's what I usually ask.

@jessehurlburt

I understand your point here, but the problem with this is you are literally getting what was probably scraped off someones property prior to building (during construction) and full of weed seeds (and has been siting somewhere in a pile collecting more weed seeds). I'm not trying to be argumentative. I realize this is unavoidable and you were answering the question.

 

[pennstater2005]

@probasestealer

Understood. I didn't seem to have issues with significant weed pressure from the last load a few years back. And it was 26 ton. Plus, I ended up blanket spraying various herbicides as needed.

I spread all 26 ton by hand. That was dumb.

 

[kolbasz]

I spread all 26 ton by hand. That was dumb.

I laughed...

For now I will likely end up with 12 bags from the store, need to get seed on the ground ASAP

 

[Rucraz2]

I got 12 bags of that cheap stuff from HD a few years ago to do a partial reno. From what I was told, they are distributed from more local places. The reason I know this was from talking to a regional manager about the amount of glass shards and plastic I got in mine! Yeah, not fun picking that stuff out. I should have gone to a local top soil guy we have, but I was in a pinch and he wasnt open. So buyer beware from my experience. Never again would I buy it. And the top soil Scott's sells is also just as described. Lots of mulch that needed raked up after some time. More bark pieces than I certainly would like to see. Try and find some local stuff that you can actually see and dig into before purchasing.

 

[probasestealer]

@probasestealer

Understood. I didn't seem to have issues with significant weed pressure from the last load a few years back. And it was 26 ton. Plus, I ended up blanket spraying various herbicides as needed.

I spread all 26 ton by hand. That was dumb.

Nice. I did 24 yards at my old house by hand, hardwork!

Im bitter, last year I got a 8 yards before seeding, thankful for tenacity post-emergence.

 

[ryeguy]

Just called a place, 40$ delivery, so rediculous

That's a pretty average price. It's often a flat rate, so for the amount you want it's too much. But if you're leveling your yard or something where you need several yards of soil, it's much cheaper and easier than buying a ton of bags from home depot.

 

[ryeguy]

Double screened and no mulch, peat moss, or sand added. That's what I usually ask.

@jessehurlburt

What's wrong with sand? Most soil has a large percentage of sand in it.

 

[kolbasz]

Just called a place, 40$ delivery, so rediculous

That's a pretty average price. It's often a flat rate, so for the amount you want it's too much. But if you're leveling your yard or something where you need several yards of soil, it's much cheaper and easier than buying a ton of bags from home depot.

Yes, for now I am not leveling, just fixing spots. Will use about 15-20 bags. If I had a truck, then it is a no brainier, but untill I am ready for 2+ yards, bags it is.

Even at 1 yard it is about equal.

 

[pennstater2005]

Double screened and no mulch, peat moss, or sand added. That's what I usually ask.

@jessehurlburt

What's wrong with sand? Most soil has a large percentage of sand in it.

Nothing wrong with sand already in soil. I just didn't want sand added to it. Of course, I'm taking folks at their word.

 

[probasestealer]

@kolbasz

If you're just fixing spots look at the bags of compost. They are usually pretty cheap and much higher quality. Compost also holds moisture and if your seeding is ideal.

 

[ryeguy]

@kolbasz

If you're just fixing spots look at the bags of compost. They are usually pretty cheap and much higher quality. Compost also holds moisture and if your seeding is ideal.

Isn't this a bad idea since compost loses volume over time as it decomposes? Unless the goal is just to topdress.