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suma321

need help with soil

11 years ago

Hi,

We just finished our newhome backyard landscaping. I want to know what kind of

soil should I mix with ground dirt.

I heard top soil, but should it be mixed with compost?

I have 350 Sq ft area to cover, so how much soil i need?

if i need bulk of soil how do I buy it?

I heard some companies deliver loose soil. Is it good to buy?

I live in San Ramon, CA

so is there any good company to deliver soil around my place?

And if I ask them to mix top soil with compost what is the ratio.

If the soil is loose and they deliver it, where do I get it poured after

delivery?

If it's poured on the concrete pathway infront of my house will it

wash away or makes stains?

Thanks in advance.


Comments (5)

  • 11 years ago

    What sort of soil product you need depends on how you intend to use it. If you just want to amend planting areas, then just compost is probably all that is necessary, worked into your existing soil. If you want to plant a new lawn, then a 50-50 topsoil and compost mix would be better. Or what some places call garden or planting mix.

    If you were doing just compost, you need about 3.5 cubic yards (4" thick)
    If you are doing lawn prep, you need about 6.5 cubic yards (6" thick)

    Bulk soil providers generally carry pretty decent stuff - often better than any bagged material you might find and a whole lot less expensive. And there are several in your area, all offering about the same thing and all offering delivery. I have no idea about cost - you need to call them for that info. And I like to see the stuff before hand - that way you can evaluate the product before committing and know what you are getting.

    Typically they will dump the load wherever it is most convenient for them to maneuver the trucks......driveways are the most common. And it won't stain - it's just dirt - but can wash away in strong rain. Just throw a tarp over it.

    Sloat Garden Center, Danville
    Diamond K Landscape Materials - Lafayette
    Hillcrest Topsoil and Landscape Supply - Antioch
    Mt. Diablo Landscape Center - various locations


    suma321 thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
  • 11 years ago

    "Topsoil" is not a magic elixir and is just the top 4 to 6 inches of soil from someplace. It may be something worthwhile or it may not, and you do not want "just dirt". Many people I talk with think "topsoil" is loam, a specific soil type, but it is not and can be what ever the sales people want it to be. "Topsoil" you buy should not need compost mixed in since it should already have organic matter in the mix.

    What is your current soil like? Possibly all you need do is add organic material to what you have to get a really good soil, and around here the delivery cost is the same whether you get something called "topsoil" or compost. Since a good "topsoil" mix is about 95 percent mineral, the sand, silt, clay portion, and about 5 percent organic matter getting a mix of something called "topsoil" and compost 50-50 is kind of an oxymoron because that "topsoil" should already have organic mater in it.

    Have you had a good reliable soil test done for soil pH and nutrient levels? Perhaps these simple soil tests may also be of some help.

    1) Soil test for organic
    material. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in
    a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and
    replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24
    hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight.
    For example, a good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the
    bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above
    that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top.

    2) Drainage. Dig a hole
    1 foot square and 1 foot deep and fill that with water. After that water drains
    away refill the hole with more water and time how long it takes that to drain
    away. Anything less than 2 hours and your soil drains’ too quickly and needs
    more organic matter to slow that drainage down. Anything over 6 hours and the
    soil drains too slowly and needs lots of organic matter to speed it up.

    3) Tilth. Take a handful
    of your slightly damp soil and squeeze it tightly. When the pressure is
    released the soil should hold together in that clump, but when poked with a
    finger that clump should fall apart.

    4) Smell. What does your
    soil smell like? A pleasant, rich earthy odor? Putrid, offensive, repugnant
    odor? The more organic matter in your soil the more active the soil bacteria
    will be and the nicer your soil will smell, to a point. Too much organic matter
    can be bad as well.

    5) Life. How many
    earthworms per shovel full were there? 5 or more indicates a pretty healthy soil. Fewer than 5,
    according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, indicates a soil that
    is not healthy.


    suma321 thanked kimmq
  • 11 years ago

    What is the nature of the soil already in place? Do you know for certain it is insufficient in some way?

  • 11 years ago

    Our soil is mostly clay. It's all lumpy and gooey.

  • 11 years ago

    Clay needs organic matter, but not necessarily "topsoil". Perhaps this article might be of some help.

    http://www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/pdffiles/sfn14.pdf

    Kimmq is kimmsr