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.