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What Topsoil Actually Is

Topsoil is the top 6 to 12 inches of the earth, the dark layer where roots grow and organic matter collects. It is not the same as the pale subsoil beneath it, which landscapers sell as fill dirt. Good topsoil contains roughly 2 to 5 percent organic matter, along with the minerals and microbes that let grass seed germinate and vegetables thrive. When you spread 4 to 6 inches of it for a new lawn, you are giving roots a full season of growing room before they reach the poorer soil below. That depth is why our topsoil calculator asks for your target inches rather than guessing from area alone: at 4 inches, one cubic yard covers 81 square feet, while at 6 inches it covers only 54.

The Settling Rule: Always Add 10 to 15 Percent

Loose topsoil is full of air pockets. After the first few waterings and rains, those pockets collapse and the layer you spread settles by 10 to 15 percent. A bed filled to exactly 12 inches will sit at roughly 10 to 10.5 inches within a month. This is the single most common reason people run short and make a second trip. The fix is simple: order 10 to 15 percent more than the raw math shows. For a 4x8 raised bed at 12 inches, the raw volume is about 1.2 cubic yards, so ordering 1.3 to 1.4 yards lands you at the right finished depth. The calculator above includes weight and bag estimates so you can plan for that extra material in whatever form you buy it.

Screened vs Unscreened: Which Should You Buy?

Screened topsoil has been passed through a mesh (usually 1/2 to 3/4 inch) that removes rocks, roots, and clumps, leaving a fine, even material that rakes out smoothly. It is the right choice for lawns, seed beds, and any finish surface, at $25 to $45 per cubic yard delivered. Unscreened topsoil is the same soil before sifting: cheaper at roughly $15 to $30 per yard, but inconsistent, and a single load can hide stones the size of your fist. Use unscreened soil only where the surface will be buried or rough-graded, such as filling a large depression before a screened finish layer goes on top. For raised beds, skip both and buy a garden blend of topsoil and compost, which feeds plants from day one.