What it is
Screened native topsoil blended with organic matter. Sold by the cubic yard. The default "fill this bed" soil — better than raw native dirt, more affordable than specialty raised-bed mixes, ready to plant in.
What it is for
The all-purpose landscape soil:
- New landscape beds. Filling a fresh bed, raising it above grade.
- Sod prep. A 1-2 inch tilled-in layer transforms compacted clay subsoil into a surface Bermuda and Zoysia will actually root into.
- Lawn repair and leveling. Filling sprinkler trenches, leveling low spots, building up areas that pond water.
- Tree-pit backfill. Around new tree plantings — mixes well with existing soil.
- Foundation grading. Building soil up against a slab to direct water away from the foundation.
For raised beds and vegetable gardens where you're trying to maximize productivity, see Bella Flora Potting Mix — richer, more expensive, purpose-built. For raw fill (grade work, low-spot filling), see Fill Dirt — cheaper, unscreened.
How much do I need
| Application | Coverage |
|---|---|
| New bed at 8" deep | ~40 sq ft per yard |
| Sod prep (1-2" tilled in) | ~150 sq ft per yard |
| Raised bed first fill (12" deep) | ~27 sq ft per yard |
| Lawn top-dress for leveling (1/4") | ~1,300 sq ft per yard |
| New-construction grading (per yard footprint) | 0.5 - 1 yd per 100 sq ft |
For a typical 200 sq ft new bed at 8 inches deep: 5 yards. The garden-bed wizard bundles Premium Soil Mix with Enriched Compost and Premium Native Tree Mulch for the full new-bed install.
Why screened soil matters
Premium Soil Mix is screened to 1/2" or finer — rocks, sticks, and chunks are screened out. The result:
- Spreads evenly. Tilling is easier and faster.
- Roots through cleanly. Plants establish faster in screened soil than in raw native dirt.
- Looks finished. Bed surface reads "intentional," not "construction site."
Compare to Fill Dirt (unscreened, structural use only) — Premium Soil Mix is what you plant in.
Texas/DFW specific
North Texas native soil is heavy clay, alkaline, and short on organic matter. Premium Soil Mix adjusts:
- Drainage. Better than native clay — water moves through without pooling.
- Nutrient holding. Organic matter holds nitrogen, potassium, and water-soluble micronutrients.
- Aeration. Lighter and looser than compacted native dirt.
- pH. Still slightly alkaline (DFW soils are stubborn) but closer to neutral than raw native.
For optimal new-bed performance, mix 30% Enriched Organic Compost into Premium Soil Mix at install. The compost boost lasts the bed's lifetime.
Buying tips
- Don't over-order — soil left sitting in piles develops weeds in two weeks.
- For new construction grading, plan deliveries day-by-day rather than dumping a giant pile up front.
- Pair with mulch on the same delivery — most new beds want both.
Contractor notes
Tandem-load (22 yd³) standard for grading. Volume pricing at 10+ yards.