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Is sand cheaper than topsoil?

Topsoil costs $12 to $55 per cubic yard; fill dirt ranges from $7 to $12 per cubic yard; and sand typically falls between $15 and $40 per cubic yard.

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The cost of dirt and topsoil varies according to the quality of the material and the quantity that you buy. The best prices are for black dirt when purchased by the cubic yard ($15), while the most expensive option is buying soil by the bag ($100 per cubic yard). You may decide to install new topsoil after testing your soil. Expect to pay about $1425 for the cost of soil testing.

Per Cubic Yard

Bulk topsoil costs $12 to $55 per cubic yard, including delivery. Exact rates can depend on the moisture content, type of organic materials, and geographic location. As with most purchases, you get what you pay for. The quality of dirt you need will depend on your intended use. Some providers may sell fill dirt scraped from construction sites as "bargain topsoil," but it may contain too much debris and not enough organic matter. Topsoil is one of the major factors in thecost of seeding a lawn,cost of installing sod, andother landscape projects. For these projects, you will need a material with ample organic content to provide nutrients for the plants.

Topsoil by Scoop

Some mulch yards sell topsoil for $6 to $20 per scoop, depending on the amount and quality of the material. A scoop is equal to half a cubic yard, but this may vary by supplier. Homeowners choose to purchase materials by the scoop when they need smaller amounts and have access to a truck or trailer because it's less expensive than buying topsoil by the bag. If you do not have access to a vehicle, you can rent a truck or trailer for an additional cost.

Screened Topsoil Prices

Expect to pay about $20 per cubic yard, depending on consistency. Manufacturers filter screened topsoil through mesh to ensure consistent particle size, which encourages plant growth by evenly dispersing nutrients and water. Homeowners can choose a particle size of 5/8 or 3/4 inches.

Black Dirt

Screened black dirt costs about $15 per cubic yard. Delivery charges for orders between 1 and 15 cubic yards run between $75 to $140 per load, not including the material itself.

Loam

Screened commercial loam costs about $17 per cubic yard. Super loam, a 50/50 loam and compost blend, costs about $25 per cubic yard. Loam is composed of sand, silt, and clay and contains more nutrients, moisture, and organic matter than other soils. Better drainage, increased water and air retention, and easy tilling make loam the perfect garden soil.

Topsoil Prices by Bag

Bagged topsoil costs $2 to $5 per bag or about $35 to $180 per cubic yard.

Bulk Topsoil vs. Buying by the Bag

If you buy topsoil by the bag instead of in bulk, expect to pay about $100 per cubic yard. Bagged material from local home and garden or big box stores ranges from $2 to $5 per 40-pound bag or $35 to $180 per cubic yard.

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How deep should landscape gravel be?

The suggested depth of coverage varies according to the size of the individual stones. If the stone size is 1/2-inch or less, the suggested depth is 2-inches. Stones that are 3/4-inch to 1-inch should have a depth of about 3-inches. Stones that are 1-inch or larger should have a depth of 4-inches.

Stone Coverage Calculation

Bagged landscape rocks are used for smaller jobs, such as a decorative accent at the base of a mailbox or for mulch around a shrub. These bags typically contain about 0.5-cubic feet of stone. As a rule of thumb, a single bag will cover 3-square feet with stone 2-inches deep. A long walkway, driveway and larger landscaping jobs might require bulk landscape rocks. Large quantities are sold by the pallet or by the cubic yard. There are several factors used to determine the amount of stone needed for an area. In addition to the square footage of the area to cover, you must also consider how deep the coverage will be. The suggested depth of coverage varies according to the size of the individual stones. If the stone size is 1/2-inch or less, the suggested depth is 2-inches. Stones that are 3/4-inch to 1-inch should have a depth of about 3-inches.

Stones that are 1-inch or larger should have a depth of 4-inches.

The coverage area of a cubic yard (27-cubic feet) of decorative stone or landscaping rocks depends on the depth of the area. Consider this when measuring for and purchasing decorative stone. Follow this guideline for how much area one cubic yard of stone will cover:

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