First time going with this company for mulch and it was an efficient process from start to finish. Website was easy—I told them exactly where I wanted the mulch put on my driveway, and it was delivered perfectly when I got home from work the next day. Best deal around when I c...
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How Much Fill Dirt Do I Need?
Fill dirt covers about 54 square feet at a 6 inch depth per cubic yard, and most structural fill jobs run 6 to 12 inches deep depending on how much you need to raise. For a low corner or a shed pad, measure the square footage and multiply by your target depth in feet to get cubic yards, then round up since compaction will settle the material somewhat. Ordering a bit extra saves a second delivery once you see how it settles after the first pass.
What is a Yard?
A yard is approximately 27 cubic feet. As a general guideline, one yard of material can cover an area of about 100-160 square feet at a 2-3 inch depth.
First time going with this company for mulch and it was an efficient process from start to finish. Website was easy—I told them exactly where I wanted the mulch put on my driveway, and it was delivered perfectly when I got home from work the next day. Best deal around when I c...
How Much Fill Dirt Do I Need?
Fill dirt covers about 54 square feet at a 6 inch depth per cubic yard, and most structural fill jobs run 6 to 12 inches deep depending on how much you need to raise. For a low corner or a shed pad, measure the square footage and multiply by your target depth in feet to get cubic yards, then round up since compaction will settle the material somewhat. Ordering a bit extra saves a second delivery once you see how it settles after the first pass.
What is a Yard?
A yard is approximately 27 cubic feet. As a general guideline, one yard of material can cover an area of about 100-160 square feet at a 2-3 inch depth.
First time going with this company for mulch and it was an efficient process from start to finish. Website was easy—I told them exactly where I wan...
Read full review
First time going with this company for mulch and it was an efficient process from start to finish. Website was easy—I told them exactly where I wanted the mulch put on my driveway, and it was delivered perfectly when I got home from work the next day. Best deal around when I compared it to competitors and I will definitely be becoming back.
Wonderful experience! They put the mulch exactly where we wanted. This mulch spread very easily and didn’t have the usual “mulch smell.” We will de...
Read full review
Wonderful experience! They put the mulch exactly where we wanted. This mulch spread very easily and didn’t have the usual “mulch smell.” We will definitely use again!
Most fill jobs in Post Falls finish with a cap of topsoil once the fill is compacted to grade, since fill dirt itself will not support turf or plantings. If you are building up before a patio or shed, a layer of compactable gravel on top of the fill gives a stable base. Mulch or bark on the finished landscape edges is a common last step once the grade work is done.
Post Falls silt loam does not compact evenly if the fill goes in all at once, you get a firm crust on top and soft pockets underneath that show up as settling a year or two later. Place fill in 6 to 8 inch lifts and compact each one with a plate compactor or hand tamper before adding the next. It takes longer up front but it is the difference between a pad that stays flat and one you are patching every spring after freeze thaw.
Mulch Mound Pro Tip
The most common mistake we see locally is treating fill dirt like topsoil and planting straight into it. Fill dirt is subsoil, it lacks the organic content and structure plants need, and it is also compacted hard on purpose so it will not support root growth well. Always cap finished fill with 4 to 6 inches of real topsoil before seeding lawn or planting beds, even if the fill looks dark and soil like.
Mulch Mound Pro Tip
If your project needs both fill and topsoil, order them as separate deliveries rather than trying to blend them yourself, since fill needs to be compacted in lifts before the topsoil cap goes on. Sequencing the two loads a few days apart also gives you time to compact and check your grade before committing to the finish layer, which saves regrading later.
Grading and Filling in Post Falls
Post Falls silt loam holds water and compacts unevenly, which is part of why so many yards here develop low spots and soggy corners over a few winters. Fill dirt is the structural fix for that, not a growing medium, so it goes in first and gets compacted before anything else happens. With elevation around 2182 feet and a frost season running early October to mid May, freeze thaw cycles will find any uncompacted fill and let it settle, so builders here plan on lift and compact rather than dump and grade. This material is common ahead of new patios, shed pads, and pool decks around town where the existing grade just is not high enough.
What Clean Fill Is
Clean fill is screened subsoil free of debris, roots, and contaminants. It is made for volume and grade, and it compacts predictably, which is exactly what you want under slabs, in trenches, and behind walls.
Fill Dirt vs Topsoil
Fill dirt builds the shape of the ground, topsoil grows things on top of it. Bring the grade up with fill, then cap it with 4 to 6 inches of topsoil anywhere grass or plants are going in.
Compact in Lifts
Place fill in layers of 4 to 6 inches and compact each one before adding the next. Dumping the full depth at once leaves voids that settle later, and settling is the one problem fill is supposed to solve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click a question to see the answer
Answer
Is fill dirt the same as topsoil?
No, fill dirt is subsoil screened of debris, meant for building up grade and backfilling, not for growing anything. Topsoil has the organic content plants need and goes on top of compacted fill as a finish layer. If you are planting after filling, plan on both materials.
Answer
How many cubic yards of fill dirt do I need for a low spot in my yard?
One cubic yard covers about 54 square feet at 6 inches deep. Measure the low area in square feet, multiply by your target depth in feet, and round up slightly for compaction settling. A typical 200 square foot low spot filled 6 inches deep runs a bit under 4 cubic yards before rounding up.
Answer
Do I need to compact fill dirt before building on it?
Yes, especially in Post Falls where freeze thaw cycles between October and May will settle loose fill unevenly. Place it in 6 to 8 inch lifts and compact each layer as you go, rather than dumping the full depth at once. Skipping compaction is the main reason pads and patios crack or sink within a year or two.
Answer
Can the delivery truck access a backyard or does it have to dump in the driveway?
Delivery is scheduled at checkout where you can note access details, but most trucks need a clear driveway or street side drop since they cannot maneuver through gates or tight side yards. If your project area is in the backyard, plan on moving the material by wheelbarrow from the drop point, or let us know your access constraints ahead of time.
Answer
Should I get fill dirt or crushed gravel for a shed pad?
For raising the grade under a shed, fill dirt works if it is compacted properly in lifts, but many people cap it with a few inches of compactable gravel for better drainage and a firmer final surface. If your site is already close to grade and just needs a stable base, gravel alone may be enough without fill.”
