Choosing the right soil is an important first step for lawns, gardens, raised beds, grading, and other landscaping projects. Different soils serve different purposes, so consider what you plan to grow or build before choosing a material.
Planting Grass
For new lawns, a blended soil is generally a better choice than fill dirt. Blended soils combine screened soil with compost or other organic material to support healthy root growth and help retain moisture.
Soil is a natural product and may contain occasional rocks, roots, or clumps. Some additional raking and preparation should be expected before planting.
Gardens and Raised Beds
For gardens and raised beds, we recommend a soil blend containing organic material to support plant growth and help retain moisture. Contact us or visit our yard to learn which soil products are currently available for your project.
After placing the soil, you may need to break apart clumps, remove occasional rocks or roots, and finish preparing the area before planting.
Topsoil and Screened Soil
Topsoil generally refers to the upper layer of soil. However, the term is also commonly used for soil materials intended for landscaping and planting.
Screened soil has been processed through a screen to separate larger pieces from the finer material. Because screening is a mechanical process, occasional rocks, roots, or clumps may still be present.
Fill Dirt
Fill dirt is commonly used for:
- Filling holes
- Building up low areas
- Grading and leveling
- Creating a base beneath planting soil
- Supporting certain construction and landscaping projects
Fill dirt generally contains less organic material and is not intended to be used by itself for planting. When planting grass, trees, or shrubs, a screened or blended soil should typically be placed over the fill dirt.
Soil Versus Dirt
Soil contains organic material that helps support plant growth. It may occur naturally or be created by combining screened soil with compost.
Dirt generally refers to material with little organic content. It is better suited for filling, grading, and building up an area than for planting.
Where Our Soil Comes From
Some of our soil materials are sourced from local construction and excavation projects. This allows usable natural material to be recycled instead of going to waste.
We monitor the materials accepted at our facility and work to maintain consistent quality. Because these are natural and recycled materials, color, texture, moisture, and contents may vary.
What to Expect from Natural Soil
Natural soil products willn ot have the uniform appearance of manufactured or bagged products. Depending on the material and weather conditions, you may encounter:
- Rocks or roots
- Soil clumps
- Variations in color and texture
- Changes in moisture content
- Occasional small pieces of natural or construction-related material
We recommend viewing the available soil in person before placing a large order.
Need Help Choosing a Soil?
Tell us what you are planting or what you plan to do with the area. Bring the approximate length, width, and desired depth of your project, and our team can help you compare materials and estimate the amount needed
Call us at (530)342-8028 or visit us at 3668 Hicks Lane in Chico.
Build with the PRO's.
Soil Product Images
Raking Rocks From Blended Soil
Grade C Screened Soil- Occasional Debris in material