Also known as Cushion Sand, Bank Sand has a somewhat fine texture. Locally sourced, the primary ingredient is sand, but the mix often contains a percentage of clay, silt and sand. It is commonly used for filling low areas and raising elevations.
If your order is at least 4 cubic yards or 1 pallet, Living Earth can deliver to your site! Deliveries must be within 20 miles of the Living Earth location closest to you. We cannot combine some products in one delivery as there will be cross contamination. If your order exceeds truck capacity or contains multiple products, you will be charged an additional delivery fee. Delivery is temporarily unavailable in Tenn. Please contact us to learn more.
Delivery turnaround time is generally two days. Plan your weekend deliveries further out, especially during the busy Spring season For additional information, visit our Delivery page. If you have any questions, just give call the location nearest you.
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You may need clean fill dirt, loam, clay mixes, sand, garden soil, or compost blends depending on your project. Consult with a topsoil delivery service to buy dirt, or to get sand and topsoil prices near you.
How much dirt, topsoil, or sand you need is typically measured in cubic yards and is the most significant factor in determining your final delivery cost. When figuring the yards of dirt, add 5% to 10% to account for waste and spills.
To calculate the cubic yards of dirt needed, measure the length and width of your area in feet, and the depth desired in inches. Then enter this data into the calculator below to get an idea of how much to order.
The average commercial dump truck holds 8 to 12 cubic yards of dirt. Dump trucks with trailers, such as a side dump, belly dump, or tilt dump truck with a pup trailer holds 15 to 25 cubic yards of dirt. Each dump truck is rated based on its cubic-yard carrying capacity.
Topsoil comes in many varieties with different levels of organic content and may be screened or sifted to provide additional benefits. Topsoil is an essential factor that contributes to landscaping costs, such as sod installation and gardening.
Topsoil is the mineral and nutrient-rich top layer of soil found within the first 5" to 12" of the ground. Topsoil has varying compositions of sand, silt, clay, and looks black-colored due to high levels of organic matter. Topsoil is for gardens, lawns, and improving drainage.
Black dirt is any soil mix with high nitrogen content, like nutrient-rich compost and peat blends. Black dirt gets its color from decomposing plant matter, also called humus or peat, or high levels of iron or magnesium. Other varieties refer to clay-heavy soils from drained swamplands.
Standard fill dirt is an inorganic subsoil that contains broken down rocks, clay, sand, and debris. Fill dirt is a place filler that provides stability for construction projects. Certified clean fill dirt is screened to remove all organic matter, toxic substances, flammable materials, and debris.
Certified clean fill dirt is free of all organic matter, toxic substances, flammable materials, debris, refuse, glass, wood, or metal, and meets all the requirements of the Unified Soil Classification System. Screened fill dirt varies by its classifications for construction, foundations, leveling, or drainage projects.
Many states have laws requiring a geotechnical engineer to observe and certify dirt-fill projects. Without certification, cities won't allow any new structures built over an old septic tank that's been filled in with dirt.
When applying for permits, a licensed soil engineer certifies the structural fill dirt on your property and provides a soil report. Sometimes, purchasing structural fill through the engineers' authorized suppliers is required to pass building inspections.
Structural fill dirt is any screened dirt that is highly compactable and typically consists of a mix of small stones, clay, and enough sand to promote good drainage. Geotechnical engineers order a carefully designed fill dirt blend that best suits the maximum weight-bearing capacity of the project.
The average cost of sand is $3 to $5 per 50-pound bag for all-purpose or play sand. Play sand has a fine texture and is ideal for playgrounds, while all-purpose construction sand is used around paver stones or below a swimming pool.
Masonry sand is a washed sand that has a smooth, fine, and uniform finish, perfect for patios, plastering, or ground stabilizer. Avoid using masonry sand for playgrounds as fine particles of toxic silica dust are often present.
Sand and gravel mix costs $15 to $25 per cubic yard and typically has a max rock size of 1" and contains a dust binder, which makes the material last longer. Sand and gravel is less prone to erosion and requires less maintenance.
Delivery is typically included free if you live within 5 miles or less from the service provider. For most sand and topsoil deliveries more than 5 miles away from a facility with a minimum order of 24 tons, companies usually charge an additional $10 per mile in gas and transportation fees.
For riprap stone deliveries, it costs an extra $1 for each cubic yard you order per mile in transport fees alone. Large orders usually require a 10 cubic-yard-capacity dump truck plus a hydraulic crane to unload the stones, often with a crew of around 7 people.
Limited or difficult yard accessibility will add to your overall costs. Discuss with your dirt delivery driver ahead of time if you live down a narrow winding road, have trees blocking the delivery site, or foresee other problems.
Soil that drains poorly likely has too much clay content, a high concentration of alkaline rocks, or fine stone sediments. Clay-like soils need heavy tilling plus adding compost or loam and the right amount of sand.
Erosion happens when wind, rain, or adjoining waterways near the property wash away the soil. Stop topsoil erosion from polluting water supplies, clogging your pipes, and causing floods by following these tips:
Spread out compost along the bottom of the properties slopes. The EPA recommends using compost for erosion control because it traps sediment and breaks down over time to help the plants around it grow faster.
There are 9 to 14 wheelbarrows in a cubic yard of dirt, depending on the size. An average 3-cubic-foot wheelbarrow takes 9 loads to make up a yard, while a smaller 2-cubic-foot wheelbarrow requires 14.
One cubic yard of dirt is between 1.05 and 1.75 tons depending on the soil composition and water content. Most fill dirt has a density of 90 pounds per cubic foot, which equals 1.215 tons per yard on average. Screened topsoil is the lightest, while mixes of clay, sand, and gravel are the heaviest.
Topsoil should be 4 to 6 inches deep when planting a new lawn, and at least 8 inches deep when filling a garden bed. First, till the top 2 to 3 inches of the subsoil, then apply the topsoil and till it into the loosened subsoil to prevent drainage issues.
Blend planting soil with sand or compost to fill holes and lawn ruts in a yard. This dirt mixture allows grass to root effectively into the existing soil. For larger holes 24" and up, fill with gravel or stones, then cover with soil 2" above the surrounding grade and replace the sod.
The highest-quality (and most-expensive) topsoils are sold in bags at local home improvement stores. Save money by buying dirt, topsoil, or sand in bulk from garden centers, farms, quarries, or mulch yards and picking it up to avoid delivery charges.
Topsoil from farmland may have herbicide traces that slow down seed germination. Before purchasing large quantities, take a soil sample first and try to sprout a few seeds of several varieties as a test.
Landscaping professionals typically get discounted rates, which makes paying for delivery a much better option than picking it up and unloading the dirt yourself. However, it's essential to ask your soil supplier where the dirt comes from.
Garden topsoil is enriched with organic matter and compost that makes it the best soil for plant growth. The best-quality topsoil is dark-brown to black in color, has no odd smell, contains some compost, and has the consistency of slightly moist, spongy earth.
Sandboards and sand sleds are specifically made for sand, featuring a special design with extra slick base material and special wax; these work best for sliding in most conditions. See below for rental locations.
Sandboarding, sledding, and skiing are permitted anywhere on the dunefield away from vegetated areas. From the main Dunes Parking Area, it's a minimum 0.7 mile (1km) hike to get to the small or medium-sized slopes; the top of the first high ridge is 1.25 miles. Smaller slopes at the base are fine for young children, while teens and adults may prefer longer slopes near the top of the first high ridge of dunes.
Plan your dunes time for early morning or evening during summer to avoid a 150 degree F sand surface or thunderstorms. In spring and fall, sand temperatures are usually moderate throughout the day, but spring afternoons can be very windy.
While Castle Creek Picnic Area (4WD only) provides close access to high slopes, sledders who can't stop may crash into the firm creekbed sand at the base. Instead, it is recommended to sled on the first high ridge of dunes, accessible from the main Dunes Parking Area. At the base of most dunes in this area is softer sand and a gentler runout to slow you down.
Injuries occur more commonly when sand is firm after rain or melting snow, while dry sand is soft, making for easier landings if you fall down.
Sledding beyond the first high ridge of dunes will make it more difficult to receive timely assistance if injuries occur.