How to calculate cubic yards

Because of the 3 months of drought in 2009, then freezes in 2010 our soils need some pampering. We recommend a mixture of 3 parts dirt(perferred sandy loam) and 1 part compost. If you really want to pamper your soils use rose soil instead. I would apply it at a half inch over your lawn. It is best ordered from the dirt yard by the cubic yard. The dirt folks say yard not cubic yard. So you order the correct amount get out your calculator. You will have to get the square foot of your target say the lawn. That is length X width. If you are fortunate enough to have a scale of your landscape use that. Let's say the area is 50 by 20. That equals 1000 square feet. Now mutiply square footage by .0417 (.5/12) to get cubic feet, which is 41.7 cubic feet. There is 27(3X3x3) cubic feet in a cubic yard. Finally divide the 41.7 cubic feet by 27 to get 1.54 cubic yard of dirt, sand, compost, concrete. This will be enough material to put a 1/2 inch of product over a 1000 square feet. If you want to buy the dirt in bags then bags are usually in 2 cubic feet which would equal 21 bags to cover 1000 square feet at half inch depth.

You will find it is worth the delivery charge to have the material deliverd in bulk. Scoop into your wheelbarrow and dump on the ground and begin to rake over your targeted area.

I priced my formula above at Living Earth dirt yard at 16717 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77094, 281-579-1472 this month and for a 4 yard minimum the cost is $23.50 per yard(cubic yard). I failed to ask for the delivery charge. You can purchase the bags at 3.99 per bag.