How to Prep Your Yard Before Topsoil Delivery

Are you ordering topsoil for an upcoming gardening project? If so, there are a few things you should know before delivery day.

What is Topsoil?

Good topsoil is the secret ingredient to any successful landscaping project. It serves as a nutrient-rich foundation filled with organic matter for plants to soak up.

Topsoil should be used as the uppermost level of soil in your garden, making up the top 2-4 inches. This foundation gives plants a place to extend their roots and feed off of rich minerals. The best topsoil for landscaping will have a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. It should also be brown, crumble in your hand, and be free from red/orange tones.

For more information, check out our blog on what makes good-quality topsoil.

How Do I Prepare for a Topsoil Delivery?

Proper preparation before your topsoil gets delivered is important. You can avoid project setbacks and frustrations by doing the following:

Schedule Construction Before Delivery: It’s optimal for topsoil to be the last step before planting. Conduct any structural or drainage fixes that are needed before your topsoil gets delivered. You will create more work for yourself if you spread topsoil over ground that still needs foundational work.
Get Rid of Debris: Scan the area for debris including rocks, branches, weeds, and anything else that might obstruct the topsoil. Remove all debris before delivery day.
Pick Your Dumping Location: Choose the area where the topsoil will be dumped and make sure it’s in proximity to the area where you will be spreading. Don’t waste time and energy hauling it from yards away. If you choose a dumping spot that’s too close to your work zone, however, you may not have room to maneuver the material well.
Organize the Dropoff: Make sure that the delivery zone is marked to avoid an inconveniently misplaced mountain of topsoil. Due to the heavy weight of delivery trucks, they should not dive across the yard in case they cause damage.
Clear a Path for the Truck: Ensure there is a clear path for the truck that will be delivering your topsoil. Low hanging power lines and branches can cause problems if they aren’t measured for clearance. It’s also optimal if the ground isn’t too wet on delivery day.
Prep the Subsoil: Ensure that the subsoil, the ground underneath the topsoil, is level and not too compressed. When topsoil is spread on hard, compact ground, water has nowhere to go. It will pool below the surface and cause roots to rot. Roots will also struggle to spread out once they hit the hard layer of soil. Proper gradation and aeration prior to topsoil delivery will promote the long-term health and durability of your soil.

How Do I Conduct Post-Delivery Care?

Before you receive your delivery of topsoil, be prepared for what post-delivery care will require.

Evenly Spread Your Topsoil: Topsoil should be spread evenly with the proper tools in thin layers. This ensures proper aeration and water filtration, and provides room for roots to stretch.
Seed Grass Immediately: Grass should be seeded right away and covered with straw. Quick seeding helps anchor the topsoil through root growth. Straw helps to keep seeds from washing away and prevents birds from eating them.
Don’t Trample the Soil: Avoid walking on top of spread topsoil for a period of time to prevent compaction.
Watering and Settling: Fresh topsoil should be watered daily to maintain proper moisture levels and ensure proper settling. Through this process, the topsoil will be properly integrated into your yard instead of sitting on top of hard subsoil.
Adding Organic Matter: Consider topping off your freshly spread topsoil with additional organic matter. This will give your topsoil an even higher nutrient content, promoting healthy plants that have the ability to grow, spread their roots, and maintain the structure of the soil.