How much loam in a yard depends on the size of the area you need to cover and how deep you need the soil to be. You figure this out by measuring the length and width of the space to get the square foot area, deciding on the soil depth required for your project, and then using these numbers to calculate cubic yards of soil.
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Deciphering Loam’s Value
What is loam? Loam is a special kind of soil mix. It has sand, silt, and clay in amounts that work well together. It also has organic stuff, like bits of old plants. This mix makes loam great for plants.
Why is loam so good?
* It holds water well but lets extra drain away. This stops roots from getting too wet or too dry.
* It has good air flow. Roots need air to grow strong.
* It is full of food for plants.
* It is easy for roots to grow through.
* It does not get too hard or too clumpy.
Using loam helps gardens, lawns, and other planted spots grow better. It makes the soil healthy.
Figuring Out Your Area’s Size
The first step is to know the size of the spot you need soil for. You need to find the square foot area.
How to find the square foot area:
1. Get a tape measure.
2. Measure the length of the area in feet.
3. Measure the width of the area in feet.
4. Multiply the length by the width. This gives you the square foot area.
For example, if your garden bed is 10 feet long and 5 feet wide, the square foot area is 10 feet * 5 feet = 50 square feet.
What if the area is not a simple square or rectangle?
* Circles: Measure across the widest part (this is the diameter). Divide that number by 2 to get the radius. Multiply the radius by itself. Then multiply that number by 3.14 (pi). The formula is: 3.14 * radius * radius = Square feet.
* Odd Shapes: Break the shape into smaller, simpler shapes like squares, rectangles, or circles. Find the area of each small shape. Add the areas together to get the total square foot area. You might need to guess a bit if the shape is very strange. Try to get close.
Write down your square foot area. You will need it later.
Setting the Soil Depth Required
Next, you need to know how deep you want the new soil layer to be. The soil depth required changes based on what you are doing.
Common soil depths:
* Adding to a Lawn: Often just 1 to 4 inches. A thin layer helps the grass grow better. It is good for topdressing or light leveling.
* Starting a New Lawn: You might need 4 to 6 inches of good topsoil needed for lawn roots to grow deep.
* Flower Beds or Gardens: These need more depth. 6 to 12 inches is common. This gives plants lots of room for roots.
* Yard Leveling Soil: This depends on how uneven the ground is. Some spots might need just an inch. Other low spots might need 6 inches or more. You average the depth or calculate for each spot separately.
* Amending Soil with Loam: If you are mixing loam into soil that is already there, you need to know how deep you will mix it. Say you will mix it 6 inches deep. You only need enough loam to make up a part of that 6 inches, like half or a third.
It is best to measure the depth you need in feet.
* 1 inch = 0.083 feet (1/12 of a foot)
* 2 inches = 0.167 feet (2/12 of a foot)
* 3 inches = 0.25 feet (3/12 of a foot)
* 4 inches = 0.333 feet (4/12 of a foot)
* 6 inches = 0.5 feet (6/12 of a foot)
* 12 inches = 1 foot
Decide on your depth and change it to feet. Write this number down too.
Working Out the Soil Volume
Now you have the area in square feet and the depth in feet. You can find the soil volume in cubic feet.
How to find the soil volume in cubic feet:
1. Take your square foot area.
2. Take your soil depth required in feet.
3. Multiply these two numbers.
The answer is your volume in cubic feet.
Formula: Square Foot Area * Soil Depth (in feet) = Volume in Cubic Feet
Example: You have a 100 square foot garden bed. You need 6 inches of soil depth.
* Square Foot Area = 100 sq ft
* Soil Depth = 6 inches = 0.5 feet
* Volume = 100 sq ft * 0.5 feet = 50 cubic feet
This tells you how many cubic feet of soil you need.
Calculating Cubic Yards
Soil is often sold by the cubic yard, especially for bulk soil delivery. So, you need to change your cubic feet number to cubic yards.
One cubic yard is a cube that is 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet high.
* 3 feet * 3 feet * 3 feet = 27 cubic feet.
So, 1 cubic yard is the same as 27 cubic feet.
To calculate cubic yards from cubic feet:
1. Take your volume in cubic feet.
2. Divide this number by 27.
Formula: Volume in Cubic Feet / 27 = Volume in Cubic Yards
Using the example from before: You need 50 cubic feet of soil.
* Volume in Cubic Feet = 50 cu ft
* Volume in Cubic Yards = 50 / 27 = 1.85 cubic yards
So, you would need about 1.85 cubic yards of loam.
Most places sell in whole or half cubic yards. You would likely order 2 cubic yards to be safe. It is always better to have a little extra than not enough.
Easy Ways to Calculate: Using a Soil Volume Calculator
Doing the math step-by-step is good to learn how it works. But you can also use a soil volume calculator online. These tools ask for your area size and depth. Then they do the math for you. They often give you the answer in both cubic feet and cubic yards.
Using a soil volume calculator can save time. Just make sure you enter the right numbers for area and depth. Double-check your measurements before you type them in.
Examples for Different Projects
Let’s look at a few examples to see how the calculation works for different jobs. These examples show how to estimate soil quantity for various needs.
Example 1: Topsoil Needed for a Small Lawn Patch
Imagine you have a bare patch on your lawn. It is 15 feet long and 10 feet wide. You want to add a thin layer of loam, about 2 inches deep, to help new grass grow.
- Find Square Foot Area: 15 feet * 10 feet = 150 square feet.
- Set Soil Depth: 2 inches. Change to feet: 2 / 12 = 0.167 feet.
- Find Volume in Cubic Feet: 150 sq ft * 0.167 feet = 25.05 cubic feet.
- Calculate Cubic Yards: 25.05 cubic feet / 27 = 0.93 cubic yards.
You would need almost 1 cubic yard of loam for this small lawn patch.
Example 2: Soil for a New Flower Bed
You are building a new flower bed that is a circle shape. It is 12 feet across (diameter). You want the soil to be 8 inches deep.
- Find Square Foot Area:
- Radius = Diameter / 2 = 12 feet / 2 = 6 feet.
- Area = 3.14 * radius * radius = 3.14 * 6 * 6 = 3.14 * 36 = 113.04 square feet.
- Set Soil Depth: 8 inches. Change to feet: 8 / 12 = 0.667 feet.
- Find Volume in Cubic Feet: 113.04 sq ft * 0.667 feet = 75.4 cubic feet.
- Calculate Cubic Yards: 75.4 cubic feet / 27 = 2.79 cubic yards.
For this flower bed, you would need about 2.8 cubic yards. You would likely order 3 cubic yards.
Example 3: Yard Leveling Soil for a Low Spot
You have a low spot in your yard that needs yard leveling soil. It is 20 feet long and 18 feet wide. The spot is about 4 inches deep on average.
- Find Square Foot Area: 20 feet * 18 feet = 360 square feet.
- Set Soil Depth: 4 inches. Change to feet: 4 / 12 = 0.333 feet.
- Find Volume in Cubic Feet: 360 sq ft * 0.333 feet = 119.88 cubic feet.
- Calculate Cubic Yards: 119.88 cubic feet / 27 = 4.44 cubic yards.
You would need about 4.4 cubic yards of soil to fill this low spot. Ordering 4.5 or 5 cubic yards would be a good idea.
Example 4: Amending Soil with Loam
You have an existing garden that is 30 feet long and 15 feet wide. The soil is poor clay. You want to amend the soil with loam, mixing it into the top 6 inches of the existing soil. You decide you want to add enough loam so that the top 6 inches will be about half loam and half existing soil.
- Find Square Foot Area: 30 feet * 15 feet = 450 square feet.
- Set Mixing Depth: You are working with the top 6 inches. Change to feet: 6 / 12 = 0.5 feet.
- Find Total Volume of Soil to Amend: This is the volume of the top 6 inches of your current soil. 450 sq ft * 0.5 feet = 225 cubic feet.
- Calculate Loam Needed: You want loam to be half of this volume. 225 cubic feet / 2 = 112.5 cubic feet.
- Calculate Cubic Yards of Loam: 112.5 cubic feet / 27 = 4.17 cubic yards.
You would need about 4.2 cubic yards of loam to mix into the top 6 inches of your garden. You would likely order 4.5 cubic yards.
Table of Common Depths and Conversions
Here is a table to help you quickly change inches to feet for the calculation.
| Depth in Inches | Depth in Feet (approx) |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | 0.083 feet |
| 2 inches | 0.167 feet |
| 3 inches | 0.25 feet |
| 4 inches | 0.333 feet |
| 5 inches | 0.417 feet |
| 6 inches | 0.5 feet |
| 7 inches | 0.583 feet |
| 8 inches | 0.667 feet |
| 9 inches | 0.75 feet |
| 10 inches | 0.833 feet |
| 11 inches | 0.917 feet |
| 12 inches | 1.0 feet |
Things That Change Your Estimate
The numbers you calculate are good starting points. But some things can change how much soil you actually need. Estimating soil quantity well means thinking about these things.
- Compaction: Loam might settle a bit after you put it down and water it. This means the final depth might be a little less than you planned. You might need a little more soil to reach the exact depth.
- Waste: Some soil can be wasted. It might spill over the edge, get mixed with other things you remove, or stick to your tools. Planning for a little extra (like 5-10%) is smart.
- Uneven Ground: If you are doing yard leveling soil, the depth changes a lot. Your average depth might not be perfect. It is better to order a bit more than the average calculation suggests.
- Density: Different loams can be a little different in weight per cubic yard. This does not change the cubic yard volume needed, but it can matter if you are buying by weight (which is less common for soil).
Buying Your Loam
Once you know how many cubic yards you need, it is time to buy. You can buy loam in bags or in bulk.
Buying in Bags
Loam in bags is good for small jobs. Bags are usually measured by cubic feet. Common bag sizes are 1 cubic foot or 2 cubic feet.
To figure out how many bags you need:
1. Find your volume in cubic feet.
2. Divide that by the size of the bag (in cubic feet).
Example: You need 25 cubic feet of soil (from the lawn patch example). The bags are 1 cubic foot each.
* Bags needed = 25 cubic feet / 1 cubic foot per bag = 25 bags.
If the bags are 2 cubic feet:
* Bags needed = 25 cubic feet / 2 cubic feet per bag = 12.5 bags. You would need 13 bags.
Bags are easy to move but cost more per cubic yard than bulk soil.
Buying in Bulk
For bigger jobs, bulk soil delivery is usually cheaper. Soil companies deliver the soil in a truck and dump it in one spot.
Bulk soil is sold by the cubic yard. You already calculated this number. Just tell the supplier how many cubic yards you need.
Remember to:
* Make sure the delivery truck can get to where you want the soil dumped.
* Have a plan for moving the soil from the pile to your project area. A wheelbarrow is usually needed.
* Know the soil coverage per yard. One cubic yard covers 27 square feet at a depth of 1 foot. Or it covers more area if you use a shallower depth. This helps you check if the amount seems right. For example, 1 cubic yard covers 324 square feet at a depth of 1 inch (27 sq ft * 12 inches/ft = 324 sq ft).
Table of Soil Coverage Per Yard
This table shows how much area 1 cubic yard of soil covers at different depths. This relates to soil coverage per yard.
| Depth | Depth in Feet | Square Footage Covered by 1 Cubic Yard (27 cu ft) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 0.083 ft | 324 sq ft (approx) |
| 2 inches | 0.167 ft | 162 sq ft (approx) |
| 3 inches | 0.25 ft | 108 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 0.333 ft | 81 sq ft (approx) |
| 5 inches | 0.417 ft | 64.8 sq ft (approx) |
| 6 inches | 0.5 ft | 54 sq ft |
| 8 inches | 0.667 ft | 40.5 sq ft (approx) |
| 12 inches | 1.0 ft | 27 sq ft |
You can use this table to check your calculations. If you need soil for 100 square feet at a depth of 4 inches, the table shows 1 cubic yard covers about 81 sq ft at 4 inches. So you know you need more than 1 cubic yard. Your calculation (100 sq ft * 0.333 ft / 27 = 1.23 cubic yards) is close to this check.
Getting Ready for Your Loam
Before your bulk soil delivery arrives, do some planning.
* Clear the Area: Make sure the spot where the soil will be dumped is clear. It should be a hard surface like a driveway or a spot you don’t mind getting messy.
* Protect Surfaces: If dumping on a driveway, you might put a tarp down first. Soil can stain concrete.
* Gather Tools: Get wheelbarrows, shovels, and rakes ready. Moving a pile of soil takes work!
* Tell the Driver: Show the delivery driver exactly where you want the soil.
* Work Quickly: Try to move and spread the soil soon after it is delivered. It is easier to work with when it is fresh.
Tips for Spreading Loam
- Mark Depth: Use stakes or strings to mark the depth you need. This helps you spread the soil evenly. For a 4-inch depth, put stakes in the ground and mark 4 inches up. Fill soil to that mark.
- Spread Evenly: Use a rake or shovel to spread the soil out.
- Leveling: For yard leveling soil, fill in the low spots first. Then spread soil over the whole area if needed. Use a long, straight board moved across the surface to help make it flat.
- Watering: Lightly water the soil after spreading. This helps it settle and shows you if you missed any low spots.
- Compaction: Do not walk on the freshly spread soil more than you need to. Too much walking makes it hard and is bad for roots.
Amending Soil with Loam: More Detail
When you are amending soil with loam, you are making your existing soil better. If you have sandy soil, loam helps it hold water and food better. If you have clay soil, loam helps it drain better and lets air in.
How to amend soil:
1. Spread the needed amount of loam over the top of your existing soil.
2. Use a shovel, tiller, or garden fork to mix the loam into the top 6-12 inches of your existing soil.
3. Break up any large clumps of clay if you have them.
4. Mix it well so the loam is spread throughout the top layer.
This improves the soil structure over time and makes a much better place for plants to grow than just putting new soil on top.
Checking Your Soil’s Health
Before adding loam, it can be helpful to test your soil. A soil test tells you what kind of soil you have (sandy, clay, etc.) and what nutrients are missing. This can help you decide if loam is the best thing to add or if your soil needs other things too.
You can get soil test kits from garden stores or send a sample to a local test lab.
Summary of Steps
Here is a quick review of how to calculate how much loam you need:
- Measure the area to get the Square Foot Area.
- Decide the Soil Depth Required and change it to feet.
- Multiply Area by Depth to get the volume in cubic feet.
- Divide cubic feet by 27 to Calculate Cubic Yards.
- Add a little extra (5-10%) for settling and waste.
- Use a Soil Volume Calculator to check your work.
- Think about your project type (like Topsoil Needed for Lawn, Yard Leveling Soil, or Amending Soil with Loam) to pick the right depth.
- Plan for Bulk Soil Delivery or buying bags based on the amount.
- Check the Soil Coverage Per Yard table to see if your number makes sense.
- Get ready for the soil to arrive.
Getting the right amount of loam is key to a successful garden or lawn project. Taking the time to measure and calculate saves you money and makes your work easier. You won’t run out halfway through, and you won’t have a huge pile left over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best depth for new lawn topsoil?
A: For a new lawn, a soil depth required of 4 to 6 inches is good. This lets grass roots grow strong and deep.
Q: Can I use loam for yard leveling soil?
A: Yes, loam is great for yard leveling soil. Its mix of sand, silt, and clay helps it settle well but still allows water to drain.
Q: Is loam the same as topsoil?
A: Loam is a type of topsoil. Topsoil is the top layer of soil. It can be made of many things. Loam is a specific mix that is thought to be the best kind of topsoil for most plants. When buying “topsoil,” make sure it is good quality and has a nice mix, like loam.
Q: How much does a cubic yard of loam weigh?
A: The weight of a cubic yard of loam can change. It depends on how much water is in it. Dry loam weighs less than wet loam. A rough idea is 2000 to 2400 pounds per cubic yard. But you buy it by volume (cubic yard), not weight.
Q: How much area does one cubic yard cover at one inch deep?
A: One cubic yard covers about 324 square feet at a depth of 1 inch. This is useful for thin layers like topdressing a lawn. This relates to soil coverage per yard.
Q: How do I use a soil volume calculator?
A: Find a soil volume calculator online. It will ask for the shape of your area (square, circle, etc.). Enter the size (length, width, or diameter) in feet. Enter the depth you need in inches or feet. The calculator will tell you the volume in cubic feet and cubic yards.
Q: How do I know if the loam I buy is good?
A: Good loam should look rich and dark. It should feel crumbly, not sticky like clay or too sandy. When you pick some up and squeeze it, it should hold its shape a little but break apart easily if you poke it. It should smell like fresh earth. Ask the supplier questions about their soil mix.
Q: What if my area is very big?
A: For very large areas, the calculation is the same. Just be careful with your measurements. You will likely need many cubic yards and will definitely want bulk soil delivery.
Knowing how much loam in a yard is needed for your job helps you plan well. Measure, calculate cubic yards, pick the right depth, and get ready for your project. Good soil makes all the difference in your garden and lawn.