How Much Soil or Amendment
Do I Need for My Project?
Soil Amendments & Top Dressings in the Ground
Swansons Nursery carries a wide variety of outdoor soils, soil amendments, and mulch. These products are typically sold in the following sizes: 1 cubic foot, 1.5 cubic feet, and 3 cubic feet.
to lightly cover lawn seed
Apply a 1/8-inch layer of soil-building conditioner or topsoil.
10 sq. ft. (5’ x 2’):
Bag size: 1.5 cubic ft.
Quantity: 1 bag (extra soil will be leftover for other uses)
50 sq. ft. (5’ x 10’):
Bag size: 1.5 cubic ft.
Quantity: 1 bag
100 sq. ft. (10’ x 10’):
Bag size: 1.5 cubic ft.
Quantity: 2 bags
Bag size: 2 or 3 cubic ft.
Quantity: 1 bag
200 sq. ft. (20’ x 10’):
Bag size: 1.5 cubic ft.
Quantity: 2 bags
Bag size: 2 cubic ft.
Quantity: 2 bags
Bag size: 3 cubic ft.
Quantity: 1 bag
500 sq. ft. (50’ x 10’):
Bag size: 1.5 cubic ft.
Quantity: 4 bags
Bag size: 2 cubic ft.
Quantity: 3 bags
Bag size: 3 cubic ft.
Quantity: 2 bags
To apply a 1-inch layer of decorative mulch or bark
10 sq. ft. (5’ x 2’):
Bag size: 1.5 cubic ft.
Quantity: 1 bag
50 sq. ft. (5’ x 10’):
Bag size: 1.5 or 2 cubic ft.
Quantity: 3 bags
Bag size: 3 cubic ft.
Quantity: 2 bags
100 sq. ft. (10’ x 10’):
Bag size: 1.5 cubic ft.
Quantity: 6 bags
Bag size: 2 cubic ft.
Quantity: 5 bags
Bag size: 3 cubic ft.
Quantity: 3 bags
200 sq. ft. (20’ x 10’):
Bag size: 1.5 cubic ft.
Quantity: 12 bags
Bag size: 2 cubic ft.
Quantity: 9 bags
Bag size: 3 cubic ft.
Quantity: 6 bags
500 sq. ft. (50’ x 10’):
Bag size: 1.5 cubic ft.
Quantity: 28 bags
Bag size: 2 cubic ft.
Quantity: 21 bags
Bag size: 3 cubic ft.
Quantity: 14 bags
to suppress weeds
Apply a 3-inch layer of compost or soil-building conditioner.
10 sq. ft. (5’ x 2’):
Bag size: 1.5 or 2 cubic ft.
Quantity: 2 bags
50 sq. ft. (5’ x 10’):
Bag size: 1.5 cubic ft.
Quantity: 10 bags
Bag size: 2 cubic ft.
Quantity: 7 bags
Bag size: 3 cubic ft.
Quantity: 5 bags
100 sq. ft. (10’ x 10’):
Bag size: 1.5 cubic ft.
Quantity: 18 bags
Bag size: 2 cubic ft.
Quantity: 13 bags
Bag size: 3 cubic ft.
Quantity: 8 bags
200 sq. ft. (20’ x 10’):
Bag size: 1.5 cubic ft.
Quantity: 34 bags
Bag size: 2 cubic ft.
Quantity: 25 bags
Bag size: 3 cubic ft.
Quantity: 17 bags
500 sq. ft. (50’ x 10’): for quantities this large, we advise purchasing materials in bulk. Ask us for recommended local bulk sellers.
To fill a raised bed
We recommend G&B Organics Raised Bed & Potting Mix or Dr. Earth Organic Vegetable Garden Planting Mix to fill new raised beds.
32 sq. ft. (8’ x 4’):
Bag size: 1.5 cubic ft.
Quantity: 32 bags
Bag size: 2 cubic ft.
Quantity: 24 bags
Bag size: 3 cubic ft.
Quantity: 16 bags
16 sq. ft. (4’ x 4’):
Bag size: 1.5 cubic ft.
Quantity: 16 bags
Bag size: 2 cubic ft.
Quantity: 12 bags
Bag size: 3 cubic ft.
Quantity: 8 bags
To amend existing soil with compost or soil-building conditioner
A ratio of 20% soil amendment to 80% existing soil is recommended. Click here to see which amendments we prefer for specific planting projects.
32 sq. ft. (4’ x 8’): you will need approximately 9.6 cubic feet of soil
Bag size: 1.5 cubic ft.
Quantity: 7 bags
Bag size: 2 cubic ft.
Quantity: 5 bags
Bag size: 3 cubic ft.
Quantity: 3 bags
Potting Soil For Containers
Swansons carries a variety of potting soil for both indoor and outdoor planting projects. Typically, potting soil is sold in the following sizes: 8 quarts, 12 quarts, 1 cubic foot, 1.5 cubic feet, 2 cubic feet, and 3 cubic feet.
To fill a container with potting soil
5-gallon pot = .5 cubic feet
1-gallon pot = 3 dry quarts
12” flower pot = 8 dry quarts
18” flower pot = 28 dry quarts
14” shallow bowl or lined wire basket = 8 dry quarts
18” shallow bowl or lined wire basket = 20 dry quarts
3’ x 6” x 6” window box = 20 dry quarts
4’ x 6” x 6” window box = 1 cubic foot
23”-high half-barrel* = 4.5 cubic feet
Note: One 1.5 cubic-foot bag will fill approximately twelve 12” flower pots.
See all of our soil and amendment recommendations for specific garden projects!
*Swansons does not sell half-barrels at this time.