| Any gardener can face the situation of needing to | | | | topsoil. Good soil producers should be well known |
| buy topsoil. A perfectly common situation is that | | | | in any community. It's best to start by asking the |
| it's early spring, and the only good garden spot is | | | | people who know best, either fellow gardeners, or |
| filled with rock hard clay or gravel. In this case, as | | | | else gardening professionals. Talk to at least 5 |
| in many others, it makes sense to order a few | | | | nurseries and 4 or 5 gardeners; if 7 out of these |
| loads of good topsoil. Another example can be a | | | | 10 recommend one particular supplier, it's a good |
| yard or garden where it is necessary to build up | | | | bet that this supplier's soil will be top notch. |
| the soil level by a few inches. In any case, | | | | One must select the mix of topsoil that one |
| ordering good soil is important. | | | | wants: most soil suppliers routinely mix sand, peat |
| Is good topsoil expensive? It depends on the | | | | or other components into soil at specified |
| location. The highest price should not exceed $30 | | | | percentages. One should check with the supplier |
| a cubic yard, while an average price is | | | | to find out options are available and what these |
| somewhere between $15 and $22 a cubic yard. | | | | options cost. Make sure to buy screened soil; soil |
| To cover a 50 x 20 foot garden, with 9 inches of | | | | that has had the roots, rocks, and other naturally |
| good topsoil at $20 a cubic yard, would cost | | | | occurring debris removed. |
| approximately $550. This can be a real time | | | | The delivery of the topsoil is also important. It is |
| saver, as the new topsoil does not need to be | | | | important to take the time to arrange an |
| tilled, and one can start planting right away. | | | | appropriate delivery date. Try to check the local |
| A soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 is good for most | | | | weather forecast, before arranging delivery, if |
| plants, but you should have an idea of what you | | | | possible. Try to arrange delivery when the |
| want to plant and its optimal pH. The chosen | | | | weather is expected to be good and when it has |
| topsoil should also have lots of organic matter. | | | | not rained for at least a few days prior to the |
| Asking local gardeners and nurseries is a | | | | delivery. |
| recommended way to locate a place to buy good | | | | |