How much soil do I need to order? This is the question you have to ask whether you’re headed to the home improvement store or placing an order online: How much soil do I need to order? 

Once you have the answer, you’ll be off to the races. But how do you figure it out?

Where Do I Start? How Much Do I Need?

In order to figure out how much soil you need to order, you’ll need some kind of measuring device, like a tape measure. A ruler or yardstick might work in a pinch, but it’s not going to be ideal. 

Unfortunately the area you plan to fill may not be a perfect rectangle. If it is a simple raised bed, you’re in luck! You’ll multiply the length by the width by the height (how high or deep you want the soil to be). This is the standard equation for determining volume (V = L x W x H). You can also use an online calculator to figure the cubic yardage. 

However, if you have a circular area you want to fill with dirt, it starts to get a little more complicated. In this case, you need to first find the radius (half the diameter, which is the distance across the circle). You’ll square the radius and multiply it by pi (3.14). Then, this answer will be multiplied by the height! This formula is as follows: V = r^2 x 3.14 x H. 

On the other hand, if you’ve got an odd-shaped area to fill, you’ll break it up into smaller shapes, hopefully just rectangles.

How Deep Does the Soil Need to Be?

If you’re wondering how to calculate the proper height (depth of soil), you’re not alone. But in order to help, we need to know what you intend to plant. 

If you’re planning to plant grass, you’ll want 6 inches of good soil. However, if strawberries are in your future, it might be helpful to know their roots go between 12 and 18 inches deep. Did you know carrot roots can reach two feet into the earth, and watermelon’s roots can be 3 feet deep?  

Before you’re ready to order soil, you’ll need to do some research on what you intend to plant and where you intend to plant it (a raised bed, for example, doesn’t have to be as deep as you might think). 

Cubic Yard vs. Lineal Yard

Your volume calculations will result in cubic yards – that’s a yard in height, depth, and width. Put another way, a cubic yard is a 3D yard. The general rule is that one cubic yard will cover 100 square feet, with a depth of about 3 inches. It might be easier to imagine a pickup truck, which can generally hold one cubic yard of soil.

Once you know how many “yards” of soil you need, the rest is easy. You’ll just add a yard (or more) to your digital cart, then add your zip code to see a reasonable delivery fee. Pick your ideal delivery date and Bountiful Soil will handle the rest, leaving you to rest up for the big project.

Skip the pre-bagged soil and choose delivery. It’s the way of the future, but it’s here – at least in Weber and Davis County. Contact us today!