Topsoil: Uses, Cost, and Buying Guide
Also known as: Garden Soil, Screened Topsoil, Black Dirt
What Is Topsoil?
Nutrient-rich upper layer of soil, ideal for establishing lawns, gardens, and planting beds. Quality topsoil is dark, crumbly, and full of organic matter that supports plant growth. Screened topsoil has been filtered to remove rocks, roots, and debris.
Is Topsoil Right for You?
Best for
- ✓ Lawn establishment
- ✓ Garden beds
- ✓ Raised beds
- ✓ Grading for sod
Not recommended for
- ✗ Structural fill
- ✗ Under pavers or gravel
- ✗ Drainage applications
Common Uses
- ✓ Lawn seeding
- ✓ Garden beds
- ✓ Raised bed fill
- ✓ Landscape grading
- ✓ Sod installation
- ✓ Tree and shrub planting
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + Rich in nutrients for plant growth | − Settles significantly after delivery |
| + Creates ideal growing medium | − Quality varies greatly between suppliers |
| + Dark color absorbs warmth for earlier spring planting | − Can contain weed seeds |
| + Screened options are ready to use | − Heavy when wet |
| + Essential for any planting project | − Should never be used as structural fill |
Topsoil Sizes & Colors
Fine, crumbly soil texture when screened. Dark brown to black color indicates high organic content. "Screened" topsoil has been run through a 3/8" or 1/2" screen to remove debris. Blended topsoil may include compost for extra nutrients.
Topsoil Cost
| Measure | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Per ton | $12 – $30 |
| Per cubic yard | $15 – $40 |
Topsoil is sold by the cubic yard at most landscape supply yards. 2-10% organic content is ideal — too much organic matter means excessive settling.
Prices vary by region, availability, and order size. Urban areas typically pay more than rural areas.
How Much Topsoil Do I Need?
Enter your project dimensions to estimate the right amount.
Please enter your dimensions above to calculate.
Topsoil vs Alternatives
Pea Gravel vs Topsoil
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Fill Dirt vs Topsoil
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Black Shredded Mulch vs Topsoil
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Stone Dust vs Topsoil
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Topsoil by City
Topsoil Crushed limestone is commonly used and readily available in the following cities:
Find Topsoil Near You
9821 E OH-37, Sunbury, Ohio
515 Windmill Dr, Fallon, Nevada
22 McBride Rd, Slate Hill, New York
2629 Orchard Lake Rd, Sylvan Lake, Michigan
3255 S Old Glenn Hwy, Palmer, Alaska
11531 Highland St, Anchorage, Alaska
18851 Wolf Rd, Mokena, Illinois
16 E Huron St, Pontiac, Michigan
1811 Forman Dr, Pipestone, Minnesota
18829 Yew Way, Snohomish, Washington
100 S 11th St, Mount Vernon, Washington
2390 NC-111 S, Goldsboro, North Carolina
1800 NW Brickyard Rd, Topeka, Kansas
5800 Sheriff Rd, Capitol Heights, Maryland
2780 Nauset Rd, Eastham, Massachusetts
2860 I-70 Business Loop, Grand Junction, Colorado
118 Springwood Dr, Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Colorado Springs, Colorado
800 Main St, Holden, Massachusetts
6264 Race Rd, Elkridge, Maryland
8217 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Pasadena, Maryland
10211 Bickham Rd, Dallas, Texas
1205 Palestine Rd, Picayune, Mississippi
4180 Moreland Ave, Conley, Georgia
1407 W 10th Pl, Tempe, Arizona
2145 Grass Valley Hwy, Auburn, California
226 Prospect Point Rd, Jefferson, New Jersey
1045 Palms Airport Dr, Las Vegas, Nevada
19242 US Highway 6, New Paris, Indiana
3120 Freeman Rd E, Fife, Washington
100 Gibson St, Boston, Massachusetts
208 Jefferson St, Newnan, Georgia
10810 Avenue 184, Tulare, California
1121 W Grange Ave, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
7819 Crane Rd, Oakdale, California
24680 Front St, Accomac, Virginia
5680 Wilson Mills Rd, Highland Heights, Ohio
6015 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville, North Carolina
13415 Coldwater Rd, Fort Wayne, Indiana
4208 Lee Highway, Warrenton, Virginia
4383 Katy Hockley Cut Off Rd, Katy, Texas
7291 Knight Settlement Rd, Bath, New York
34420 Mills Rd, Avon, Ohio
14852 Old Gunpowder Rd, Laurel, Maryland
474389 East State Road 200, Fernandina Beach, Florida
1120 Huffman Rd, Anchorage, Alaska
701 South 4th Street, Manhattan, Kansas
15683 Jarvis St NW, Elk River, Minnesota
400 Valley Ave NE, Puyallup, Washington
534 Mozart Street, Tell City, Indiana
66 Canal Center Plz, Alexandria, Virginia
112 W Adams St, Jacksonville, Florida
Charlotte, North Carolina
61 Tully Rd, Orange, Massachusetts
779 E State St, Eagle, Idaho
2399 N Perkins St, Appleton, Wisconsin
Logan Township, New Jersey
Puyallup, Washington
607 Wareham St, Middleborough, Massachusetts
29112 Roadside Dr, Agoura Hills, California
7304 Crab Tree Creek Rd, Spruce Pine, North Carolina
6220 37th Ave SE, Minot, North Dakota
300 Highway 151 E, Walford, Iowa
Old Dog Bluff Rd, Conway, South Carolina
4101 County Road 222, Durango, Colorado
446 E Young St, Morgan, Utah
4600 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana
Apex Hwy, Durham, North Carolina
5726 Market St, Wilmington, North Carolina
216 Lower Bogue Rd, Harwinton, Connecticut
15 Woodward Ave, Norwalk, Connecticut
12685 Broad St Rd, Henrico, Virginia
3943 Old Nashville Hwy, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
917 East Main Street, Battle Ground, Washington
16684 W US Highway 63, Hayward, Wisconsin
141 Ansley Dr, Thomson, Georgia