Topsoil Creation

• Keep leaves and small braches together.
• Caliper of the branches should be kept to 2 inches maximum in diameter.
• Larger wood takes longer to decompose.
• Stockpile leaves and debris.

• Grinding results in approximately 50% reduction in space required to compost.

When grinding and composting limbs, dirt, and leaves...

• Occasionally turn the pile to allow oxygen into the compost and sterilize the pile.
• Adding nitrogen and water will speed the process.
• Add dirt as you can to the mixture. Topsoil is 90% sand and 10% organic matter.
• Turn the compost pile as necessary with a minimum of 3 times.
• Compost mixture is 90 % organic and 10 % dirt if that.
• Adding dirt will give a well balanced mixture.
• Getting a soil test as you get close to selling the material is recommended.
• Screening may be necessary to produce beautiful topsoil quickly.
• Re-compost any oversized pieces.

Sell your topsoil/compost with each proposal you make. Approximately value of topsoil is $16 to $40 per yard. The photo below is roughly 1000 yards of mixture.

Grind

Turn

Add Dirt

Screen