C

Garden Soil Calculator

Calculate exact amount of garden soil needed for your project. Enter area and depth to get volume in cubic yards and bags required.

Calculate Soil Needed

Garden Area

Recommended: 4-6 inches for gardens

Pricing (Optional)

📦 Volume Needed

Cubic Yards
1.85
yd³
Cubic Feet
50.0
ft³
Bags Needed
67 bags
0.75 cu ft each
Weight
3704 lbs
Coverage Area
100.0 sq ft
Truck Loads
1 truck(s)
10 yd³ capacity

💰 Cost Comparison

Bulk Delivery
$55.56
Bagged (67 bags)
$335.00

Topsoil

Weight: 2000 lbs/yd³
Bag Size: 0.75 cu ft
Best Uses:
  • Lawn top dressing
  • Garden beds
  • Filling holes
  • Leveling ground

💡 Recommendations

  • 💰 Consider comparing bagged vs bulk delivery costs. Bulk may be cheaper for 1-3 cubic yards.
  • 🌱 Topsoil is best for lawn repair and general gardening. Mix with compost for better results.

Related Calculators

Soil Type Comparison

Soil TypeWeightBag SizeBest Uses
Topsoil2000 lbs/yd³0.75 cu ftLawn repair, general gardening
Compost1000 lbs/yd³1.0 cu ftSoil amendment, enrichment
Garden Soil1800 lbs/yd³1.0 cu ftIn-ground beds, vegetables
Potting Mix800 lbs/yd³1.5 cu ftContainer plants only
Fill Dirt2200 lbs/yd³0.5 cu ftGrading, leveling (not planting)

Note: Weights are approximate. Actual weight varies by moisture content and composition.

How to Calculate Soil Volume

📐 Basic Formula

Volume (cubic yards) = (Length × Width × Depth in feet) ÷ 27

Step-by-step:
1. Measure length and width in feet
2. Convert depth to feet (6 inches = 0.5 ft, 12 inches = 1 ft)
3. Multiply: Length × Width × Depth
4. Divide by 27 to get cubic yards

Example:
Garden bed: 10 ft × 10 ft × 6 inches deep
Depth in feet: 6 ÷ 12 = 0.5 ft
Volume: (10 × 10 × 0.5) ÷ 27 = 1.85 cubic yards
Order: 2 cubic yards (with 10% extra)
📏 Depth Guidelines

Lawn top dressing: 1-2"
Flower beds: 6-12"
Vegetable gardens: 8-12"
Raised beds: 12-18"

📦 Cubic Yard = 27 Cubic Feet

1 cu yd = 27 cu ft
= 36 bags (0.75 cu ft)
= 27 bags (1 cu ft)
= 18 bags (1.5 cu ft)

Bulk vs Bagged Soil

🚚 Bulk Delivery

When to Buy: 2+ cubic yards needed
Cost: $20-50 per cubic yard (delivered)
Pros: 50-70% cheaper, less packaging waste, delivered to driveway
Cons: Minimum order (1-3 yards), need truck access, use quickly (can\'t store long-term)
Best For: Large gardens, multiple beds, lawn projects, renovation
Delivery: $50-100 fee (often free for 5+ yards)

📦 Bagged Soil

When to Buy: <1 cubic yard needed
Cost: $3-8 per bag (0.75-2 cu ft)
Pros: Convenient, car transport, exact amounts, store unused bags, work at own pace
Cons: Expensive for large projects, plastic waste, heavy lifting (many bags)
Best For: Small beds, containers, spot repairs, apartment gardening
Storage: Keep dry, use within 1 year

Cost Comparison (3 cubic yards): Bulk: $90-150 | Bags: $240-650. Bulk saves $150-500 (60%).

Soil Application Tips

1
Prepare Area

Remove weeds, rocks, debris. For existing beds: loosen top 2-3 inches. For new beds: till 6-8 inches deep.

2
Test Existing Soil

pH test ($10-15 kit). Most vegetables need pH 6.0-7.0. Add lime if too acidic, sulfur if too alkaline.

3
Spread Soil Evenly

Use wheelbarrow, spread in piles, rake level. For slopes: build low barrier to prevent erosion.

4
Mix with Existing Soil

For in-ground beds: till new soil into top 6 inches of existing soil. Creates transition zone, better drainage.

5
Allow to Settle

Water lightly, wait 1-2 days before planting. Soil settles 10-20% - expect to add more later.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌
Not Ordering Enough Soil

Soil settles 10-20% after application and watering. Always order 10-15% extra. Running out mid-project = extra delivery fees or mismatched soil batches.

❌
Using Potting Mix in Ground

Potting mix is for containers only - too light and expensive for ground use. Drains too fast, blows away. Use topsoil or garden soil for in-ground beds.

❌
Buying Fill Dirt for Planting

Fill dirt lacks nutrients and organic matter - plants won\'t grow. Only use for grading/filling. For planting layers, need topsoil or garden soil minimum 6 inches deep.

❌
Soil Too Shallow

Shallow soil (<4 inches) = weak roots, plants dry out fast, poor growth. Vegetables need 8-12 inches minimum. Perennials need 10-12 inches. Don\'t skimp on depth.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much soil do I need for my garden?
Calculate area (length × width), multiply by desired depth in feet. Convert to cubic yards by dividing by 27. Formula: (Length × Width × Depth in feet) ÷ 27 = Cubic Yards. Example: 10 ft × 10 ft garden at 6 inches (0.5 ft) deep: (10 × 10 × 0.5) ÷ 27 = 1.85 cubic yards. For raised beds: 4-6 inches minimum depth. In-ground gardens: 6-12 inches for vegetables. Always order 10-15% extra for settling and uneven spreading.
What type of soil should I use for my garden?
Topsoil: General gardening, lawn repair, filling. Best for mixing with existing soil. Garden Soil: Pre-mixed for in-ground beds, contains organic matter and fertilizer. Ideal for vegetables and flowers. Compost: Soil amendment, mix 1:1 with existing soil or use as 2-3 inch top layer. Enriches nutrients. Potting Mix: Container plants only (too expensive and light for ground use). Fill Dirt: Grading and filling (NOT for planting - lacks nutrients). Choose based on your project: vegetables need nutrient-rich garden soil or topsoil + compost; lawns need quality topsoil.
How deep should garden soil be?
Minimum depths by plant type: Lawns (top dressing): 1-2 inches. Shallow-root vegetables (lettuce, radishes): 6-8 inches. Medium-root vegetables (beans, beets): 8-12 inches. Deep-root vegetables (tomatoes, carrots): 12-18 inches. Flower beds: 6-12 inches (annuals 6-8", perennials 10-12"). Raised beds: 6 inches minimum, 12 inches ideal. Deep soil = better drainage, healthier roots, less watering. For poor existing soil, go deeper. For good soil, 6 inches new soil on top works.
Should I buy bagged soil or bulk delivery?
Bagged soil: Best for small projects (&lt;1 cubic yard), convenience (car transport), precise amounts. Cost: $3-8 per bag (0.75-2 cu ft). For 1 cubic yard: need 18-36 bags = $54-288. Bulk delivery: Best for 2+ cubic yards, significant savings (50-70% cheaper). Cost: $20-50 per cubic yard delivered. Minimum order: usually 1-3 yards. Need truck access to driveway. Break-even: ~1.5 cubic yards. For 5 cubic yards: Bulk $150-250 vs Bags $400-800. Large projects (&gt;3 yards): always bulk.
How do I calculate soil for raised garden beds?
Raised bed formula: Length × Width × Height (all in feet) ÷ 27 = Cubic Yards. Standard 4×8 bed at 12 inches tall: (4 × 8 × 1) ÷ 27 = 1.19 yards (~1.2 yards). Multiple beds: calculate each, then add. Example: Three 4×8×1 ft beds = 3.6 cubic yards total. Soil mix for raised beds: 60% topsoil + 30% compost + 10% peat moss or coconut coir (better drainage than pure topsoil). Or use pre-mixed "raised bed soil." For 1.2 yards: need ~36 cu ft = 24 bags (1.5 cu ft each) or bulk delivery cheaper. Beds settle 10-20% in first year - plan to top off.
How much does garden soil cost?
Bulk delivery prices (per cubic yard, 2024): Topsoil: $20-40/yard (economy $15-25, screened $25-40, premium $35-50). Compost: $25-50/yard (municipal $15-30, mushroom $30-45, organic $40-60). Garden Soil: $30-60/yard (basic $25-40, enriched $40-60). Fill Dirt: $10-20/yard (cheapest, grading only). Bagged prices: Topsoil: $3-6 per 0.75 cu ft bag. Garden Soil: $4-8 per 1 cu ft bag. Compost: $5-10 per 1 cu ft bag. Delivery fee: $50-100 (often free for 5+ yards). Cost example: 3 cubic yards. Bulk topsoil: $90 + $50 delivery = $140. Bags: 81 bags × $4 = $324. Bulk saves $184 (57%).
Can I use topsoil alone or should I mix it?
Pure topsoil works for: Lawn repair (top dressing), filling holes, leveling ground, general coverage. Mix topsoil for better results: Vegetables: 50% topsoil + 50% compost (nutrient-rich). Flowers: 60% topsoil + 30% compost + 10% peat moss (drainage). Clay soil areas: 50% topsoil + 30% compost + 20% sand (breaks up clay). Container gardens: Don't use topsoil alone (too heavy, poor drainage). Use potting mix instead. Why mix? Pure topsoil lacks nutrients after 1 season. Compost adds organic matter, improves structure, feeds plants. Sand improves drainage. Peat/coir retains moisture. Best practice: Test existing soil first - may only need compost amendment, not new topsoil.