By Subhasree Nag
Good quality topsoil is a compulsory part of making an attractive fertile garden flower bed. After you landfill, these black, not clumpy topsoils are adding the final touch to your garden. For making a garden or developing a flower bed everywhere, you will need good quality topsoil. To know the nature of the topsoil, you have to know the answer, how much a yard of topsoil weighs?
Depending upon your amount, the weight is becoming diverse. But topsoil structure is entirely different from landfills. So when you want to know, how much does a yard of topsoil weigh? First, you have to analyze the type of topsoil and the topsoil ingredients. As the top soils have more decomposable organic compounds in they often work as the top loose soil.
First, take a look at the exact definitions of topsoil.
What Is Topsoil?
When you want to know how much does a yard of topsoil weigh first, you have to start with the definitions of the topsoil. Many wrong concepts are spreading about the topsoil. Many people have mistaken the topsoils and think topsoils have a more rookie texture. But the Topsoil is the top part of the garden bed.
The topsoil had more organic and decomposable compounds when it contracted with the air. As a result, the topsoil is producing more microorganisms and supply more oxygen for the plants. The plant oxygen supply is going to help the plants to grow fast. The darker color of a cubic yard of soils can weigh up to 1400 pounds to 2000 pounds.
What Is The Fill Dirt Vs. Topsoil?
How much does a yard of topsoil weigh? Depending upon the necessity of the soil, the weight can be different. For example, when you are making the garden bed, you have to buy two types of soil, one for the landfill and another one is the topsoil.
The landfill dirt is more clumpy and less organic material. Landfill soils are helping the plants to deep root and provide a stable strength to the plants. On the other hand, the topsoil provides the essential nutrients to the plants and improves the health of the plants.
The air pocks are the most valuable things in the topsoils, which help keep the plant’s health balanced and preserve the soil’s moisture. But if the air pockets of the topsoil collapse, the soil is turning to be more fragile and less clumpy. In addition, the weight measurement of the topsoil is a little bit volatile as the number of rocks and debris is making the soil heavier.
How Much Does A Yard Of Topsoil Weigh?
Now you know what the topsoil is and what is the purpose of topsoil. Let’s come to the main part of the question: how much does a yard of topsoil weigh? The debris, dirt, and decomposable compounds of the topsoil make the soil more weighty. The compounds are the main responsible ingredients that make the topsoil different in weight.
One cubic meter of topsoil weighs about 1400 pounds. The debris, moisture, and dirt are making the soil heavier. When you want to measure what amount of topsoil you will require, first, you have to measure the exact area of land that needs to be filled. And after you measure the land, you have to calculate the exact amount of topsoil you are going to need to fill the land. As the topsoil does not have any sediment in it. The weight remains the same.
How To Measure The Top Soil Amount?
When do you want to know how much does a yard of topsoil weigh? First, you have to learn to take the measurement of the exact area of the landfill and find the exact number of the topsoil requirements. The topsoil is deep, around 5 to 12 inches for any flowerbed and garden. After the landfill, the topsoil is spread across the flower bed.
On the basis of the dirt compounds, you can apply the top methods to measure up the topsoil amount for your garden.
Method 1:
Suppose, your flower bed, is 5 inches deep, 4 feet long, and 4 feet wide.
From here, can you tell how much does a yard of topsoil weighs?
Step 1: Convert all the measurements into feet, so we get 0.5 feet deep, 4 feet long, and 4 feet wide flower bed.
Step 2: So we get 0.5×4×4=80 cubic feet, from here we get 80/27=2.96 cubic yards to the topsoil amount we are going to need to fill the flower bed.
Method 2:
You can try a different calculation process by turning your inches into yards and doing the measurements in feet. You have to convert the amount first then follow the same strategy to find the topsoil amount.
With these two steps, you can measure up the exact amount of how much does a yard of topsoil weigh is appropriate to fill the flower bed.
These two measurement processes are straight, leading you to conclude; how much a yard of topsoil weighs? Because when you measure up the exact amount of soil which you will need, you can measure up the precise amount of carrying the load.
And the most crucial part is that you need the transport facility to transport the soil sack on your vehicles. Of course, for the small flowerbed or the small amounts of soil, own transportation is possible. But when you are crossing over the 1000 pounds, you obviously have to take the help of the company to transport your heavy loaded soils.
Many people have misconceptions and think the topsoil is lighter. But the topsoil is not as light as you feel, but the weight remains the same as the absence of the soil sediments.
What Factors Affect the Weight of Topsoil?
The weight of topsoil isn’t always the same. There are several factors, like moisture content and the type of topsoil in question. Following are some crucial factors that affect the weight of topsoil –
Moisture Content: The first and crucial factor to consider is the moisture content of topsoil. It can change from time to time and affect the weight of the topsoil. Dry topsoils are usually lighter in weight. If you are using it for a project, consider the moisture content in the topsoil. The weight will also vary in different levels of topsoils.
Type of Topsoil: The type of topsoil in use for a project is also a detrimental factor behind its efficacy and its weight. The soil composition, matter content, and the size of the particles present in the topsoil also affect the volume and the weight of the topsoil. As these materials change, so does their capacity to contain moisture, affecting the weight in the process.
It helps to know the weight and the type of the topsoils when planning your gardening or landscaping project. This way, you have a much clearer idea of the amount of topsoil needed for your project and what’s the best type for a place or weather condition.
Average Weight of Topsoil
The weight of the topsoil varies depending on the type of topsoil in use. So, what’s the average weight of all these different types? With all the different factors in mind, you can still use these average numbers to have a general idea –
Dry Topsoil
The average weight of the dry topsoil is around 1,000 – 1,300 pounds per cubic yard. However, even this weight can vary based on the type and the density of its particles.
Moist Topsoil
The weight of moist topsoil is between 1,200 and 1,600 pounds per cubic yard. Compared to the dry ones, the moisture content here adds extra weight. The level of moisture can also impact how you are handling its transportation and use. So, it’s important to consider its weight.
Wrapping It Up
Now we think you know the correct answer about how much does a yard of topsoil weighs? And how to measure up the right amount for the topsoil. Your topsoil quality depends upon how many organic compounds are present in your dirt. While choosing the topsoil, always look for the better organic black soil. So what are your gardening experiences? Do not forget to share your comments in the comments sections.
