Topsoil (Screened)
Topsoil (Screened)
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Product Description
Product Description
Topsoil (Screened) — Bulk ½" Screened Topsoil for Lawns, Gardens & Landscaping
Topsoil is the dark, organic-rich surface soil that supports plant life. Our ½"-screened topsoil is bulk-priced for homeowners, landscapers, and DIY weekend warriors who need quality dirt by the cubic yard. Delivered loose by dump truck across Greater Boston — no bags, no markup, no minimum.
At a glance
| Material | ½"-screened topsoil |
| Soil classification | USDA loam (balanced texture) |
| Organic content | 3–7% |
| pH range | 6.0–7.5 |
| Coverage | ~100 sq ft at 3" depth |
| Weight | ~2,000–2,400 lbs/yd³ (~1.0–1.2 tons) |
| Also known as | Screened topsoil, garden soil, planting soil, black dirt |
| Sold by | The cubic yard, bulk dump truck delivery |
What homeowners use it for
- New lawn installation — establish a thick green carpet from seed or sod
- Garden bed prep — perennial beds, annual borders, vegetable plots
- Filling holes from removed stumps, dead bushes, or settling
- Yard leveling — fix low spots and dips before mowing
- Raised beds — bulk fill for elevated planters and boxes
- Tree and shrub planting — backfill the hole with quality soil
- Top-dressing existing lawns to revive thin or compacted turf
How much topsoil do I need?
For a typical residential lawn install covering 1,500 sq ft at 4" depth, plan on about 18 cubic yards. For a standard 4' × 8' raised garden bed 12" deep, you'll need 1.2 cubic yards. To fill in a tree stump removal hole 4' across × 2' deep, roughly 1 cubic yard.
Quick math: 1 cubic yard covers about 100 sq ft at 3" depth. Order 10% extra to account for settling after the first rain.
How Topsoil (Screened) compares
- vs. Loam (Screened) — Same physical material. "Topsoil" is the everyday term everyone uses; "Loam" is the technical classification for soil with our exact texture. We sell both names — same product, same price.
- vs. Super Loam — Super Loam has higher organic content, marketed at homeowners who want premium turf. Regular Topsoil is the everyday workhorse — gets your lawn established without paying for upgrades you may not need.
- vs. Garden Soil Mix — Garden Soil Mix is pre-amended with peat and compost for raised vegetable beds. Topsoil is straight soil — the right call for lawns, perennials, and tree planting.
- vs. Compost — Compost is the organic amendment you mix INTO topsoil to improve fertility. Compost alone is too rich for most plants — always use as an amendment, not as standalone planting medium.
- vs. Fill Dirt — Fill dirt is unscreened structural fill (rocks, clay, debris allowed) for raising grade. Topsoil is the screened, plant-ready surface layer that goes on TOP of fill dirt.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Topsoil and Loam?
At our Dispatch Office, they're literally the same product. "Topsoil" is the everyday term homeowners use; "Loam" is the technical term landscapers and soil scientists use for the same balanced sand-silt-clay texture. We list both names so you can find us whichever term you search.
Is your topsoil really screened?
Yes — every cubic yard runs through a ½" screen to remove rocks, roots, sticks, and debris. You'll get clean, plant-ready soil with consistent texture top to bottom.
Can I plant directly in this topsoil?
Yes for lawns, perennials, shrubs, and most landscape plants. For vegetable gardens, blending it 1:1 with our Compost gives much better yields. Or use our pre-amended Garden Soil Mix for vegetables specifically.
What's it like — color and texture?
Dark brown to black, crumbly but moisture-retentive. Easy to dig with a hand trowel. Not too sandy (drains too fast) and not too clay-heavy (compacts and chokes roots) — that's why we screen it.
How much do I need for a typical backyard project?
For a 1,000 sq ft lawn at 4" depth, 12 cubic yards. For a 100 sq ft garden bed at 6" depth, 2 cubic yards. For a single tree-planting backfill, ¼ cubic yard. Order 10% extra for settling.
Do you deliver in the Boston area?
Yes — same-day and next-day bulk delivery across Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk, Essex, Plymouth, Bristol, and Barnstable Counties. $100 per truckload within 30 miles of our Dispatch Office, then $4 per mile beyond. No minimum order, no bags.
Same-day and next-day bulk delivery, no minimum order. We run Topsoil across Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Essex, Bristol, and Barnstable County daily.
Pair with our Compost for vegetable gardens, Super Loam for premium-grade lawn installs, or Fill Dirt for raising grade before laying topsoil on top.
Order screened topsoil today — bulk delivery, no bags, no minimum, ready for your next yard or garden project.
Delivery Info
Delivery Info
- Same-day & next-day delivery available — weekends fill fast, order early.
- Curbside or on-property drop — let us know at checkout.
- Up to 6 yds per load for dense materials (gravel, soil, rock, sand) — mulch loads carry up to 10 yds. Delivery is $100 per load within 30 miles of our Dispatch Office, plus $4 per mile beyond. No minimum order.
- Job site delivery available
- Questions? Call (617) 645-0987 or see full delivery info →
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Natural material notice —Quarried and screened materials vary in size, color, texture, and cleanliness from load to load and from the photos shown; material described as washed is rinsed at the quarry but is not dust-free. This variation is normal and is not a defect, and we do not warranty or guarantee exact size, color, or cleanliness. Questions before you order? Contact us.
- 5 stars: 45 (100%)
- 4 stars: 0 (0%)
- 3 stars: 0 (0%)
- 2 stars: 0 (0%)
- 1 star: 0 (0%)
A neighbor mentioned Ottr after I complained about not being able to find quality screened loam for a reasonable price nearby. Ordered 2 yards for spring lawn repair and the product blew me away — genuinely clean, dark, and fine. Nothing like the rocky junk I've been buying from a big box store in bags. The delivery experience was wonderful too. Clear communication at every step and the driver was so friendly and helpful. He made sure the pile was right where I needed it and stayed a moment to make sure I was happy with the placement before leaving. This is my supplier from now on.
We're expanding a community garden this spring and needed topsoil to prep three new raised beds and a small in-ground herb section. Ordered 3 yards of screened loam and it worked beautifully — fine texture and clean so the beds look great and the plants have a healthy base to start from. What impressed me most was the communication from Ottr. We had a narrow delivery window and they worked with us on it without any issue. Driver was extremely helpful and careful navigating our community lot. This is the kind of local business we want to support.
We operate a landscaping firm focused on residential drainage and grading work. Screened loam is something we purchase frequently and Ottr has become our primary supplier after trying them this spring. The product is consistently clean and the particle size is appropriate for the finish grading work we do before seeding. Multiple deliveries this season and every single one arrived on time with advance notice. Drivers understand grading work and are careful about placement. This is a professional operation and we plan to continue working with them through the season and into fall.
I've been landscaping professionally for 12 years and I'm particular about the topsoil products I specify. Ottr's screened loam is consistently clean and well-graded — the kind of product that makes a lawn install look professional from day one. We used it on two high-end residential installs this spring and the clients were thrilled with how the lawns established. Beyond the product quality the service is reliable which matters enormously when you're managing multiple job timelines. Drivers are skilled and professional. I'll be specifying Ottr on future bids.
Third spring in this house and I finally committed to doing a proper repair job on the lawn rather than just overseeding and hoping for the best. Brought in 3 yards of screened loam to fill and level everything properly first. The difference in results compared to previous years is significant — the seed is coming in uniformly and the surface looks smooth and professional. The Ottr team was helpful and responsive throughout. Delivery arrived exactly when they said it would. The driver was excellent — positioned the pile thoughtfully so I could access it easily from the side yard. Really pleased.
We used Ottr's screened loam to prep a new garden border along our backyard fence line — about 40 linear feet. The loam was perfect for building up the bed and gave the new plantings a great base to root into. The texture was clean and it compacted nicely without becoming hard. The whole experience was excellent. I got clear communication from the moment I ordered and the driver showed up when promised. He was friendly and asked about placement before dumping — which I appreciated since I needed it near a specific gate. Really happy with everything.
I needed loam quickly for a weekend project and was pleasantly surprised by same-day availability. Ordered 2 yards of the screened loam mid-morning and had it delivered by early afternoon. The product was clean and exactly what I needed to fill a low section near my foundation before spreading seed. The service matched the speed — I got a text when the order was confirmed and another when the driver was on his way. He arrived friendly and ready to work and made sure the material landed close to where I needed it. This is my new go-to for bulk materials in the Boston area.
I was nervous about tackling my own lawn repair project but the loam from Ottr made everything much more manageable. It was fine and easy to spread by hand with a rake — no wrestling with clumps or rocks. I filled my low spots and overseeded and the results are already coming in nicely. The whole ordering experience was smooth too. The team was friendly and patient with my questions. Got a text update the evening before and the driver arrived right on time in the morning. He helped position the drop so I had the shortest path to where I was working. Really great all around.
My backyard had developed some serious undulation over the years — roots heaving and settling leaving uneven patches everywhere. Ordered 4 yards of screened loam to level everything out before spring seeding. The product was clean and uniform — raked in beautifully and I was able to establish the grade I was after without much effort. Ottr's team walked me through how much to order when I called which I appreciated. Delivery was smooth and the driver positioned the pile right at the back gate so I could get it to the yard easily. Already seeing strong germination.
I have a corner lot and the high-traffic areas near the sidewalk were completely worn down after winter. Ordered 3 yards of screened loam and used it to rebuild the grade and set up for seeding. The material was excellent — clean and workable with great consistency. Results are already showing after about 10 days. The ordering experience was easy and I really appreciated the communication. Got a delivery window the day before and a call 30 minutes before the driver arrived. He was efficient and careful backing into my yard. Exactly what a delivery experience should look like.
I'd never ordered bulk topsoil before and wasn't sure what to expect from the process. Ottr made it genuinely easy. The website was clear about pricing and quantities and when I had questions a real person answered right away. The screened loam I ordered for my backyard lawn project was everything I hoped for — clean texture and easy to work with. Spread and raked smoothly. Delivery was smooth — got a heads-up the night before and the driver was friendly and on time. He helped me figure out the best drop spot given my yard setup. Would absolutely order again.
I manage grounds for a small portfolio of rental properties in the Greater Boston area and Ottr has been my go-to for screened loam all spring. We've done lawn repairs and overseeding across four properties and the product quality has been consistent across every delivery. What makes Ottr stand out is their operational reliability — confirmed delivery windows and drivers who show up when they're supposed to. Managing multiple properties means I can't babysit every delivery and Ottr makes that easy. Solid vendor that I'm happy to recommend to other property managers.
We have a sloped side yard that has been eroding for years. This spring we finally addressed it properly with 4 yards of screened loam to build up the grade and stabilize the slope before seeding with an erosion-control grass mix. The loam packed well and held the slope without washing on the first couple of rain days after application. Ottr's customer service was great — they helped me estimate the right quantity over the phone and the team was easy to reach with follow-up questions. The delivery driver handled the sloped driveway without any issues and positioned the material perfectly.
Every spring I do a full refresh on my lawn and this year I ordered from Ottr for the first time. The screened loam is a quality product — clean and uniform with a good dark color that tells you there's organic matter in there. Used 2 yards to topdress the lawn and work into a couple of thin spots before overseeding. Germination has been excellent. The customer service team was friendly and knowledgeable. They walked me through the ordering process and kept me updated on the delivery. The driver was on time and positioned the load right where I asked. Highly recommend.
I've been trying to improve my lawn's overall health for a few seasons and this spring I decided to topdress with quality screened loam before overseeding. Ordered 2 yards from Ottr and the difference compared to what I've used in the past is noticeable immediately. The screening is tight and clean — no clumps — which makes it easy to work into the existing turf with a rake. My grass is already coming in thicker where I applied it. Delivery was smooth and the driver was pleasant and helpful. Got updates leading up to the delivery so I knew exactly when to be home. Very happy.
We installed sod on a client's property this week and used Ottr's screened loam as the prep base. The product performed exactly as needed — clean material that graded smoothly and allowed the sod to root in quickly. From a contractor standpoint the scheduling and communication from Ottr is some of the best in the region. We always get confirmed windows and the drivers are prompt and skilled. Our client was also impressed by how professionally the dump truck was handled on their property. Ottr will remain a primary supplier for our sod installs going forward.
We decided to redo our front lawn from scratch — stripped the old sod and started fresh. Brought in 5 yards of screened loam as the new base layer before overseeding with a premium grass mix. The loam was perfect for this purpose — clean and dense enough to compact well but still light enough to rake smooth. Seed germination has been strong and even across the area. Ottr's team kept us informed throughout the ordering and delivery process. The driver was fantastic — backed the dump truck all the way to the end of the driveway and positioned the drop for minimum effort on our end.
New England winters are hard on lawns and this past one was no exception. Spring 2026 I tackled the damage with 3 yards of screened loam from Ottr. The product was well-screened and easy to work with — spread cleanly into the damaged areas and I was able to blend it into the surrounding grade without visible lines. The team was easy to reach and the communication throughout was great — I never had to wonder what was happening. The delivery driver was efficient and professional. He backed in carefully and asked where I wanted the load before he dropped it. Lawn is already looking great.
We're a general contractor and frequently need good screened loam to finish landscapes at the end of residential builds. We've been using Ottr as a regular supplier and the product has been excellent. Consistent screening means our grading crews can work efficiently without stopping to remove debris. More importantly for us the logistics work — on-time deliveries with clear advance communication make it easy to coordinate with our landscaping subs. Drivers are professional and understand job site dynamics. We'll keep writing them into our supplier list.
I've recommended Ottr to three neighbors now and they've all had the same experience — excellent product and seamless service. The screened loam is genuinely clean and consistent. I used it this spring for topdressing and the lawn already looks noticeably better just a couple weeks in. The customer service team is easy to reach and genuinely helpful. I love that I get updates throughout the process — it takes the guesswork out of being home for delivery. The driver was professional and friendly and placed the material exactly where I asked. This is how local businesses should operate.
We're a full-service landscaping company and we've been sourcing screened loam from Ottr for our spring lawn installs. The consistency of the product is what we count on — every delivery looks and performs the same. It grades cleanly and establishes well under sod or seed. From a logistics standpoint Ottr is as reliable as any vendor we use. Dispatch communication is clear and the drivers are professional. They understand that on a job site efficiency matters and they always arrive when expected and place material where it's needed. A dependable product from a dependable team.
This spring I committed to a real lawn overhaul after years of patchy results. Started with a fresh base of screened loam across my entire backyard — 5 yards in total. The material from Ottr was exactly what I was hoping for: well-screened dark topsoil with no rocks or clumps. Laid it down and seeded the same week. The germination has been impressive. Customer service was outstanding — they answered my questions about how much to order and delivery timing without any wait. Dump truck driver was skilled and got the load right where I needed it with no fuss. 5 stars.
We manage landscaping for several commercial properties across the South Shore and ordered screened loam from Ottr for spring lawn repairs across three locations. The product was consistent across all deliveries — clean texture and reliable quality. For commercial accounts timing is everything and Ottr delivered on schedule every time. Their communication is professional and the drivers are excellent — they understand the logistics of working on occupied commercial sites and handle it with care. We'll be continuing to use them through the season.
I overseed every spring and this year I wanted a quality screened loam to work into my thin spots before putting down seed. Found Ottr online and the whole experience was great from start to finish. The loam is just what it says — screened fine and clean with a good dark color. It raked right into the existing grass without any clumping. Delivery was easy. Got a text confirmation and a morning heads-up. The driver was friendly and made sure the drop was where I needed it. Grass is already coming in thick in the spots I treated. Highly recommend.
We had significant grading issues in our backyard after some drainage work last fall. This spring I brought in 5 yards of screened loam to regrade the area and reseed everything. The quality of the loam was exactly what I needed — fine screened, no large debris, compacted nicely to the grade I was working toward. Customer service was helpful when I called to estimate how much I needed. The delivery was right on time and the driver went out of his way to position the dump truck so the loam landed close to the rear of the house. That saved me a ton of wheelbarrowing.