Fill dirt is subsoil used to raise, level or build up ground, because it packs firm and does not rot or sink. Topsoil is the dark, loose top layer that grass and plants grow in, so it goes on last, over the fill, and never underneath a building or drive.
What fill dirt is
Fill dirt is the soil from below the surface layer. It has little organic matter in it, so there is nothing to break down and leave a gap. That is what makes it useful for building ground up: it packs tight and stays put.
Good fill is clean. It should be free of roots, trash, large rocks and chunks of concrete or asphalt, unless you have agreed to a mixed fill for a rough job like a farm low spot. Ask where the fill came from and what is in it. Fill delivery is the material for raising a yard, filling a hole, backfilling a trench or building a pad.
What topsoil is
Topsoil is the top few inches of ground, darker and softer than what lies below. It holds the organic matter, air and moisture that roots need. Much of central Illinois topsoil formed in loess, a fine windblown silt, according to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, which is part of why the region's soils are so productive.
The same qualities that make topsoil good for grass make it poor for building on. It compresses, holds water and breaks down over time. Topsoil delivery is for lawns, garden beds and the final layer over regraded ground.
Fill dirt vs topsoil: which one for which job
Filling a low spot in the yard: fill for the bulk of it, topsoil on top so grass grows back. Raising ground against the house: packed fill to build the slope, then topsoil. Building a pad for a shed, shop or barn: fill packed in layers, then stone, with no topsoil under it at all.
Backfilling a trench or a hole left by a removed stump or tank: fill, packed as it goes in. New garden beds or a lawn on poor ground: topsoil. If a job needs both, order both and have them placed in the right order. The guide on grading a yard for drainage shows how they work together.
How much to order
Measure the area: length, width and how deep you want the new material. Write down what it is for. Those numbers, plus the type of material, are what anyone needs to work out the amount.
Fill shrinks as it is packed, so a low spot usually takes more than the hole looks like it needs. Topsoil spread as a top layer only needs to be a few inches deep for grass. Getting the amount roughly right matters. Too little means a second trip. Too much means a pile to move. Jon works out the quantity with you before the truck is loaded, as part of material delivery.
Before the truck arrives
Pick a spot for the pile that the truck can reach on firm ground. A loaded dump truck is heavy and will sink in a soft yard or on a wet slope. The bed tips up to unload, so the spot needs to be clear of overhead wires and low branches.
Keep the truck off septic tanks, field lines and wells. In late winter and spring, some rural Illinois roads carry posted weight limits while the frost comes out of the ground. If your road is posted, mention it when you order, since it can change the load size or the date. Around Hillsboro, see rock, gravel and dirt delivery in Hillsboro.
Delivered, spread or graded
A delivery can be tipped in one pile for you to spread, or spread and shaped by a machine. Spreading a full load of fill by hand is a long weekend. For anything more than a small bed, having it spread and packed is often worth it.
If the dirt is going into a regrade, the delivery and the shaping are really one job. The same crew that drives the truck does grading and dirt work, so the fill can be placed, packed and topped with topsoil in one visit. Ask for both when you call.
The Short Version
- Fill dirt builds ground up because it packs firm and does not rot.
- Topsoil goes on top for grass and plants, never under a building or drive.
- Many jobs need fill below and topsoil above.
- Measure length, width and depth before you order.
- Mark a firm spot for the pile, clear of wires, septic and wells.
Quick Answers
What is the difference between fill dirt and topsoil?
Fill dirt is subsoil with little organic matter, used to raise and level ground because it packs firm. Topsoil is the dark, rich surface layer used for growing grass and plants.
Can I use topsoil as fill?
Not for raising ground under anything that needs to stay put. Topsoil compresses and breaks down, so it settles. Use fill for the bulk and topsoil only as the top layer.
Can I plant grass on fill dirt?
Grass struggles in fill alone. Spread a few inches of topsoil over the fill before seeding or laying sod.
Can you deliver dirt and spread it?
Yes. Dirt is delivered by the truckload across central Illinois and the Metro East, and it can be spread and graded as part of the same job. Call or text Jon at (217) 710-0606.
See our hauling & material delivery service or call (217) 710-0606.