How Much of Landscaping Soils Do You Really Need? A Guide to Bulk Purchasing

If you’ve ever started a landscaping project, especially with plants, you know that one of the most important materials you’ll need is landscaping soils. But with all the options available, how do you know exactly how much you need? At Kilgore Landscape Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, we’ve been serving the community for over 40 years, providing high-quality landscaping products like soils, mulch landscaping products, and decorative landscaping rocks. We’ve seen countless projects take shape and have the experience to help you find the right materials for your project.

1. Understanding Your Landscaping Project

Before you start purchasing any soils, it’s important to have a clear idea of the scope of your project. Are you adding a new garden bed? Installing a pathway or fire pit? Or maybe you’re working on a larger hardscaping project that requires a base of gravel, washed rock, or landscaping cobbles? The type of project you’re doing will influence how much soil and additional materials you need.

If you’re looking to plant grass or shrubs, for example, you’ll need a good amount of high-quality soil to ensure proper growth. For raised garden beds or xeriscaping (water-efficient landscaping), you’ll also require bulk soils to ensure the proper depth and structure for your plants.

2. Calculating the Volume of Landscaping Soils

Once you’ve figured out the project’s scope, the next step is calculating how much landscaping soil you need. Generally, soil is sold by cubic yard, which is the volume of material that would fit in a three-foot by three-foot by three-foot space.

To calculate how many cubic yards you need, follow these simple steps:

• Measure the area you want to cover in square feet (length x width).

• Decide on the desired depth of the soil. For a typical garden bed, 4 to 6 inches of soil is a common depth, but for other projects, the depth might vary.

• Convert the depth from inches to feet by dividing by 12 (since there are 12 inches in a foot).

• Multiply the area (in square feet) by the depth (in feet) to get the volume in cubic feet.

• Finally, divide that volume by 27 (the number of cubic feet in a cubic yard) to determine how many cubic yards you need.

For example, if you’re covering 100 square feet and want a depth of 4 inches, the calculation would be:

100 sq. ft. x (4 inches ÷ 12 inches) = 33.33 cubic feet
33.33 cubic feet ÷ 27 cubic feet (per yard) = 1.23 cubic yards

This would mean you need approximately 1.25 cubic yards of landscaping soil for that area. Keep in mind that it’s better to round up slightly to ensure you don’t run out of material.

3. Bulk Purchasing vs. Small Quantities

When you’re purchasing landscaping soils and other materials like mulch landscaping products or landscaping cobbles, buying in bulk is often the most cost-effective option. If you only need a small amount of material, you can typically buy it by the bag or in smaller quantities. However, when you’re tackling a larger project, purchasing in bulk from a Salt Lake landscape center like Kilgore Landscape Center can save you time and money.

Bulk purchasing also reduces the frequency of deliveries and helps ensure that the material is consistent in quality. If you’re mixing different types of soils or aggregates, such as topsoil and compost, buying in bulk ensures the mix is uniform and helps avoid issues with varying soil quality.

At Kilgore Landscape Center, we offer bulk delivery of soils, washed rock, and many other landscaping products. Our expert team can help you determine how much of each material you’ll need for your specific project, ensuring you don’t end up with excess or insufficient amounts.

4. Types of Landscaping Soils and Their Uses

“The plants you choose to grow will have varying needs and will respond differently to particular types of soil. In addition, the soil may vary in depth, texture, and quality, even from one location to another on the same property,” says PennState Extension. Not all soils are the same, and understanding the different types available will help you choose the right one for your project. Below are some of the most common types of soils used in landscaping:

• Topsoil: This is the most common type of soil used in landscaping. It’s rich in organic matter and essential for promoting healthy plant growth. It’s ideal for filling garden beds, leveling lawns, and creating a base layer for other landscaping features.
  
  

• Compost: Compost is rich in nutrients and can be used to enrich topsoil. It helps improve soil structure, and moisture retention and provides essential nutrients for plants. Compost is often mixed with other soils to improve its quality.
  
  

• Potting Soil: This type of soil is lighter and contains a mix of organic materials and sand. It’s commonly used for container gardening but can also be used for raised beds or areas where soil aeration is a priority.
  
  

• Clay Soil: Clay-based soils are heavy and retain moisture, making them ideal for areas where you want to create a more water-retentive garden bed. They are often used in xeriscaping projects, especially when planting drought-tolerant plants.
  
  

When purchasing soils in bulk, consider the specific needs of your plants and projects. Your local Salt Lake landscape center can recommend the best mix for your requirements.

5. Other Landscaping Materials to Consider

Alongside soils, there are many other materials you might need for your project. If you're installing a garden path, for instance, you’ll likely need cobbles, flag stone, or decorative landscaping rocks. Kilgore Landscape Center carries a wide variety of materials that can complement your soils, including:

• Mulch Landscaping Products: Mulch helps retain moisture, control weeds, and improve the appearance of garden beds. We offer bulk mulch in various types, including wood chips, bark, and colored mulches.
  

• Washed Rock: This rock is commonly used for drainage purposes or as a decorative element in pathways and garden beds. It’s also a great choice for xeriscaping projects where proper drainage is crucial.
  

• Landscaping Cobbles: Cobbles are larger than pebbles but smaller than boulders, making them an attractive option for creating borders, walkways, or accent features in your landscape. They can also be used for dry riverbeds or to complement landscaping products.
  

• Flag stone: Flagstone is a popular material for creating patios, walkways, or retaining walls. It’s versatile, and durable, and adds a natural touch to your landscaping project.
  

• Bulk Road Salt: If you’re working on a project where winter weather could impact your outdoor spaces, consider ordering bulk road salt or ice melt salt for safer walkways and driveways.
  
  

6. Soil Products Available at Kilgore Landscape Center

Healthy soil is the foundation of every successful garden or landscape. Kilgore Landscape Center offers a range of premium soil products for everything from backyard vegetable gardens to large-scale planting beds. All products are available for pickup or delivery (2-yard minimum for most deliveries). Here's a breakdown of what we offer:

Nutri-Mulch (Turkey Compost Blend)

$75 per cubic yard
Minimum: 1 cubic yard per load

Nutri-Mulch is a nutrient-rich blend made from composted turkey manure, organics, and forest products. It’s ideal for tilling into depleted soils and clay-heavy areas before planting. Spread 1–3 inches and till 6–9 inches deep. This material loosens dense soil, boosts nutrients, and improves structure with lower salt content and a rich brown finish.

Premium Organic Compost / Top Dress (OMRI Certified)

$90 per cubic yard
Minimum: 1 cubic yard per load

This OMRI Certified compost is perfect as a dark top dressing or to mix into garden beds. It’s made from composted forest products and black peat moss and adds a high biodiversity of microbes to your soil. Use 1–2 inches as a surface layer or till 3–4 inches deep. Each yard weighs approximately 900 lbs.

Soil Pep Conditioner

$73 per cubic yard
Minimum: 1 cubic yard per load

Soil Pep is a bark-based compost made from Douglas Fir, Larch, and Ponderosa Pine. It improves soil aeration and nutrient content while reducing erosion and weed growth. It also retains moisture and insulates roots. Use as a top dressing, soil amendment, or even as a decorative ground cover. Approximate weight: 700 lbs per yard.

Topsoil Blend

$83 per cubic yard
Minimum: 1 cubic yard per load

This ready-to-plant blend is perfect for flower beds, vegetable gardens, raised planters, and container gardens. It contains sandy loam topsoil, manure compost, fine mulch, and conditioner. It’s great for replacing depleted soils or raising garden height. Each yard weighs about 1500 lbs.

Topsoil Mountain Blend

$93 per cubic yard
Minimum: 1 cubic yard per load

This darker, richer blend includes sandy loam topsoil, peat, composted forest humus, and organic compost. It’s ready to plant and excellent for use in flower beds, as top dressing, or for filling in low garden spots. Each cubic yard weighs roughly 1500 lbs.

Screened Sandy Loam Topsoil

$26 per ton
Minimum: $50 per load

Available at both West Jordan and our Bluffdale Pit locations, this medium-brown sandy loam is a versatile option for under sod, filling low areas, or building new garden beds. If you want to improve its texture, consider blending it with mulch. Minimum for delivery is 2 tons.

7. Expert Advice from Kilgore Landscape Center

At Kilgore Landscape Center, we pride ourselves on offering expert advice and top-notch customer service. Our knowledgeable staff is happy to help you determine how much landscaping soil, mulch landscaping products, or decorative rock you need for your project. With over 40 years of experience in the industry, we understand the unique needs of the Salt Lake City area and can offer tips on how to get the best results.

If you have questions about the best materials for your landscaping project, don’t hesitate to contact us or visit our Salt Lake landscape center. We’re located at 7961 S 1300 W, West Jordan, UT 84088, and our team is always ready to lend a hand.

How Much Landscaping Soils Do You Need?

When planning your landscaping project, accurately calculating how much soil you need is a critical step. Buying in bulk from a trusted supplier like Kilgore Landscape Center ensures that you have enough materials to complete your project while saving time and money. By understanding the types of soils available, using the right calculations, and considering other landscaping products, landscaping cobbles, and washed rock, you can achieve the results you desire.

Remember, whether you’re working on a DIY project or a larger commercial landscaping job, we’re here to help. For bulk landscaping soils and all your landscaping needs, call us today at (801) 561-4231 or stop by our location to talk with our expert team. Let us help you make your outdoor spaces beautiful and functional!