When preparing a plot for a new lawn or when you need to renew your existing lawn, you will most likely need to add some topsoil
For this you need to calculate how much land you actually need for the project
This will depend on several factors, which we will discuss in more detail, but primarily what is topsoil?
Naturally occurring topsoil is the top 4 to 12 inches of soil that usually contains all the organic matter, including nutrients and minerals, that plants need to grow
In this natural soil profile, the topsoil will be a combination of O (undecomposed organic matter) and A (top soil containing decomposed organic matter, nutrients, and minerals)
When a new area of land is cleared for development, these top layers are usually scraped off and sent to soil companies or garden centers to be sold as topsoil
A company that supplies top-quality topsoil adds more organic matter and even fertilizer to the soil before consumers buy it
What Is the Weight of One Yard of Vegetative Soil?
The weight of a yard of topsoil will vary depending on its composition and moisture level
This effectively removes rocks or other debris such as small sticks and means these will be lighter than unscreened soils
Therefore, one cubic meter of topsoil can weigh anywhere from 1400 to 2000 pounds or more
Roughly speaking, a 40-pound bag of topsoil is about 075 cubic feet
How Do You Calculate How Much Vegetal Soil You Will Need?
Calculating the amount of topsoil you will need is easy with just a little math
First, you need to measure your land area in feet as well as the depth of topsoil you want to add
So if your lawn is 9 feet long and 4 feet wide and you want 6 inches of topsoil, do this calculation
If one cubic yard = 27 cubic feet, then exactly one cubic yard is needed for this project
Therefore, you can order 1 cubic meter for delivery in a small dump truck, or you can buy 36 bags, each weighing 40 pounds
Remember, a 40-pound bag of soil is approximately 075 cubic feet
Using the Online Crop Soil Calculator
here is an example
And here’s another one
Using one of these online calculators can make your job easier and you know exactly how much topsoil you need to order
How many meters of topsoil fit in a dump truck?
A small dump truck will hold about 5 cubic meters, while larger trucks can easily take 10 cubic meters or more, depending on the weight of the soil
How many meters of soil can fit in a pickup truck?
A standard size pickup truck with a tray size of 8 feet by 5 feet should be able to carry about 25 cubic meters of topsoil
How many wheelbarrows are in 1 yard of top soil?
Again, this depends on the size of your wheelbarrow and how much weight you can easily carry
An average sized wheelbarrow should be able to hold about 2 to 3 cubic feet
Therefore, you will need to make 9 to 14 trips with your wheelbarrow to distribute 1 cubic meter of topsoil
Can I add topsoil to my existing lawn?
You can add a thin layer of topsoil if you need to renew your existing lawn and perhaps fill any pits or holes
Make sure it is a quality soil and contains good organic matter
Add a small amount at a time so as not to completely cover the lawn
Now that you are clear about the weight of 1 yard of topsoil, you can safely order the exact amount you need