Landscape soil, substrates and mulch
Separate soil, substrate and mulch into measured trade packages so each quotation is comparable. State the planted area, required depth, product designation and delivery format for every zone in the landscape schedule.
Start with the right material groups.
Topsoil and growing media
For beds, lawns and tree pits, list imported topsoil, blended soil and specialist growing media by zone and required placement depth.
Mulch and surface dressings
Separate decorative mulch, bark, wood chip, gravel dressing and erosion-control layer from the underlying planting soil; state nominal particle size range.
Substrates and amendments
Where the landscape detail requires structural soil, green-roof substrate or specified amendments, request those as distinct measured items with the approved mix reference.
A material price is only part of the package.
One schedule, clearly separated scopes. This is a request outline, not an installation drawing.
Included materials
List topsoil, planting soil, designed growing media, mulch and specified amendments separately. State whether each volume is loose, as delivered or measured after placement under the project detail.
Connections & interfaces
Interfaces include tree pits, planter drains, filter layers, edging, irrigation zones and transitions to turf or hardscape; name the adjacent detail and leave interface accessories in their own packages.
Confirm separately
Separately confirmed services may include excavation, spreading, compaction, soil testing, removal of spoil, planting, watering-in and ongoing maintenance; define which are inside the supply quotation.
Six details that make offers clearer.
- Product designation and performance requirement
- Give the exact product name or approved mix reference and the project-prescribed performance class, particle size range, organic content or permeability requirement.
- Zone and placement depth
- Identify each bed, lawn, pit or roof zone and the specified uncompacted or compacted placement depth. Attach the relevant landscape plan revision.
- Volume and delivery format
- State bulk cubic metres, bag count with bag volume, or both. Ask the supplier to show whether the volume is loose, compacted or as-delivered.
- Screened and blended content
- For blended products, request the mix components and any sieve or particle gradation evidence tied to the approved project requirement; do not accept brand name only.
- Handling and site access
- Describe access for bulk vehicles, tipping or bag delivery and any site restriction affecting drop-off. Confirm who spreads or places the material.
- Substitution and source declaration
- Require each supplier to disclose the source, batch description and any proposed equivalent. Mark substitutions clearly for review against the approved project requirement.
| Item & description | Quantity |
|---|---|
| LSM-01Screened topsoil for planting bed A; specified depth and approved mix reference per landscape drawing. | 120 m³ |
| LSM-02Decorative bark mulch for shrub beds; nominal particle size range and depth per planting schedule. | 380 m² |
Example quantities only; no live prices or supplier offers. Use your project schedule for final values and ask suppliers to list deviations.
Three checks before you decide.
Volume basis
Compare whether the quoted cubic metre is loose, as-delivered or compacted, and whether haulage and moisture content assumptions are stated.
Product content
Check the declared mix components, particle size range and source rather than comparing trade names that may cover different blends.
Surface area versus placement depth
Match the quoted volume to the scheduled area and placement depth on the same measurement basis. State any project-specified settlement and waste allowances separately.
Details worth clarifying early.
Should mulch depth be part of the soil quotation?
Keep the soil volume and mulch surface area as separate line items. Ask the supplier to state the mulch depth assumed so the area quantity can be checked.
What is the difference between substrate and topsoil in this request?
Use the product and mix definitions in the project schedule. Topsoil may be specified for beds or lawns; a designed growing medium may be required for a roof, planter or structural-soil zone. The location alone does not establish the mix: include the approved reference and required properties.
Turn your material schedule into a request.
Create a Matravo account to prepare your request. For account or sourcing-flow questions, visit support.