Stop Under-Filling Your Gardens

I’ve been in the landscaping game for over 5 years, and if I had a dollar for every time a homeowner called me because their new raised bed “disappeared,” I’d be retired. Here is what happens: You measure the box, you buy the exact amount of soil, and two weeks later—after one heavy rain—the soil level drops 4 inches.

Why? Because quality garden soil is full of air (we call it “fluff”). Once water hits it, those air pockets collapse. Soil shrinks.

My Topsoil Calculator is built differently. It doesn’t just do basic math. It includes a built-in Settlement Buffer and intelligent Project Presets so you order the right amount of cubic yards or 40lb bags the first time. No second trips to Home Depot. No half-empty flower beds.

The Cheat Sheet: Why I Chose These Depths

The calculator above has a “Quick Presets” dropdown. I didn’t pick those numbers randomly; they are industry standards. Here is the science behind why your project needs a specific depth:

How to Measure Weird Shapes (The “Hose Trick”)

Let’s be real: most gardens aren’t perfect rectangles. You have curves, kidney bean shapes, and wavy borders. How do you calculate cubic yards of soil for a wiggly shape?

Do what we do on the job site:

• 1

  Visualize the Rectangle

  Imagine a rectangle that roughly covers your curved garden. It won’t be perfect.

• 2

  Measure the Averages

  Measure the length down the middle. Then, measure the width at three points: the wide end, the skinny end, and the middle. Add them up and divide by 3 to get the Average Width.

• 3

  Use the Calculator

  Plug that Length and Average Width into the “Rectangle” mode above. It gets you within 95% accuracy—close enough for dirt work.

The Money Talk: Bags vs. Bulk Truck

When does it make sense to stop lugging plastic bags into your trunk and just order a dump truck? I have a strict rule: The 2-Yard Tipping Point.

The “Secret Sauce”: Soil Mixing Recipes

Here is a secret: Topsoil is boring. It’s just a filler. If you want huge tomatoes or vibrant flowers, you can’t just use plain topsoil. You need to mix it. Here are the ratios I use:

• The “Veggie Booster” (Raised Beds):
  50% Topsoil + 50% Compost/Manure. This provides the structure from the soil and the nitrogen boost from the compost.
• The “Lawn Starter” (Grass):
  70% Topsoil + 30% Sand. The sand improves drainage so your grass roots don’t rot in wet spring weather.
• The “Mel’s Mix” (Square Foot Gardening):
  33% Compost + 33% Peat Moss + 33% Vermiculite. This is expensive but incredible for small, intensive gardens.

Before the Truck Arrives: Logistics Checklist

You ordered 5 yards of soil. Great. Where are they going to put it? Don’t be the guy who blocks his own car in the garage.

• The Tarp Trick: Lay down a cheap blue tarp on your driveway before the truck arrives. It makes cleanup 10x faster and prevents the dirt from staining your concrete.
• Look Up: Drivers won’t dump under power lines or low tree branches. The bed of the truck goes up 15-20 feet. Check your clearance.
• The “Tailgate” Request: If you are doing a long row or driveway borders, ask the driver if they can “tailgate” or “spread” the load. They crack the back slightly and drive forward, spreading the dirt in a line instead of one giant mountain. It saves you hours of wheelbarrow work.

Questions I Get Asked Every Day