½″ Screened Loam in Wrentham, MA

Screened loam is the foundation of a good lawn or garden bed. We screen it to half an inch, so it arrives loose, dark and free of big stones and roots. As a result, it rakes smooth and gives grass seed an even bed to root into.

What is ½″ screened loam?

Loam is topsoil with a balanced mix of sand, silt and organic matter. That mix holds moisture without staying soggy, which is exactly what grass and garden plants want.

Screening to half an inch removes rocks, roots and clumps. So the soil spreads easily with a rake and levels without lumps. In addition, it settles evenly, which keeps new lawns from developing low spots.

You may hear it called topsoil, screened topsoil or simply loam. Whatever the name, it is sold by the cubic yard, and it is one of the most popular items at the yard every spring and fall.

What screened loam is used for

Here is where screened loam does its best work:

• New lawns and lawn renovations
• Filling low spots and regrading
• Building new garden and flower beds
• Topsoil after excavation, septic or utility work
• Leveling around a new patio or foundation
• Raised beds, often mixed with compost

How much screened loam do I need?

First, measure the length and width of the area in feet and multiply them to get square feet. Then multiply by the depth in inches and divide by 324. The answer is cubic yards, which is how the yard sells screened loam. A new lawn needs 4 to 6 inches of screened loam. Low spots in an existing lawn, however, only need a thin layer of an inch or less.

For example, a 20 by 25 foot area is 500 square feet. At 4 inches deep, that works out to about 6 yards. In practice, we suggest rounding up by half a yard, because edges, low spots and settling always take a little extra. Still, if the math feels off, call (774) 372-1050 and we will work it out with you before the truck is loaded.

Delivery or pickup at the yard

There are two ways to get this material from us. First, we can deliver it. Our trucks drop residential and commercial loads across Wrentham, Norfolk, Franklin, Foxborough, Plainville, Medway and Bellingham. Tell us exactly where you want the pile, and the driver will place it as close to that spot as the ground safely allows.

Second, you can pick it up yourself. Bring a pickup truck, dump truck or trailer to 26 Industrial Rd in Wrentham during yard hours, and we will load you from the bays with the loader. As a rule of thumb, a full-size pickup carries about 2 yards safely. So check your payload rating before you come, and bring a tarp for the ride home.

Getting ready for a delivery

1. Pick the spot. Choose a flat, open place close to where you will spread the material. A driveway apron or the edge of the lawn works well.
2. Check the clearance. Our trucks need room overhead and a firm surface. So look up for wires and branches, and keep the drop zone clear of cars.
3. Protect the surface. If the pile goes on pavement, lay down a tarp or plywood first. As a result, cleanup takes minutes instead of an afternoon.
4. Tell us about access. Mention gates, soft ground, septic covers or tight turns when you order. Then the driver can plan the approach before arriving.
5. Plan the spread. Finally, line up a wheelbarrow, rake and a helper. Most people spread a few yards in a morning.

How to spread screened loam for a new lawn

1. Rough grade. Shape the ground so it slopes gently away from the house. Then remove large stones and debris.
2. Spread the loam. Dump loads across the area and spread 4 to 6 inches evenly. Next, break up any clumps with a rake.
3. Fine grade. Drag a landscape rake or a board across the surface. As a result, you get a smooth, level seedbed.
4. Firm it up. Roll lightly with a lawn roller so footprints do not sink too deep. Avoid packing it hard, though.
5. Seed and water. Finally, seed, rake it in lightly and keep the surface moist until the grass is up.

Soil testing is worth the small cost. A test tells you whether the lawn needs lime or fertilizer, so you are not guessing. For example, the UMass Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Laboratory offers affordable tests and clear recommendations for Massachusetts soils.

For garden beds, many people mix screened loam with screened compost. A common blend is two parts loam to one part compost. That mix drains well, holds moisture and feeds plants for the season. In the same way, raised beds fill nicely with the same blend.

Why screened soil products matter

Screening removes rocks, roots and clumps, so what arrives is loose and easy to spread. As a result, it rakes smooth, seeds evenly and mixes into existing soil without a fight. Unscreened material, by contrast, leaves you picking stones out by hand for days.

Screened material also settles more evenly. That matters on a new lawn, because low spots show up as puddles and thin grass later. So it is worth buying the right product at the start rather than fixing the grade twice.

Best time to spread soil and compost

Late summer into early fall is the best time for new lawns in Massachusetts. Warm soil and cooler nights help seed sprout quickly, and in addition there is less weed pressure than in spring. Spring works too, especially for garden beds. Just avoid spreading soil when it is soaking wet, because wet soil compacts under boots and wheelbarrows.

Storing leftover material

Leftover soil or compost should be covered with a tarp, since rain washes out fines and wind blows in weed seeds. In addition, try to use it within a few weeks while it is still loose. After that, it can crust on top, although it breaks up again with a rake. Many people keep a little on hand for filling low spots and patching bare lawn.

Contractor and commercial orders

Landscapers, builders, excavation crews and property managers buy from the yard every week. For that reason, we keep the loader running early, so contractor trucks can load and get to the job before the day heats up. In addition, we can stage repeat deliveries to a site when a project runs over several days.

If you manage condos, office parks or HOA grounds, ask about planning spring and fall deliveries in advance. That way, the material lands when your crew is ready, instead of sitting in a parking lot. Likewise, excavation contractors can combine stone, sand and loam on one schedule, which keeps a site moving.

What to tell us when you order

A quick call goes faster when you have a few details ready. That way, we can quote the load and book the truck in one conversation.

• First, the material and how many yards you need
• Next, the delivery address and town
• Also, where the pile should go and any tight access
• Then, the best day and a backup day for delivery
• Finally, a phone number the driver can call on the way

Why buy screened loam from Ten Four Landscape Supply

Ten Four Landscape Supply is a local bulk-materials yard owned by Seth Dias. In other words, you are buying from the same people who load the truck, not from a call center. We sell every material by the yard, so you pay for what you need rather than for bags and plastic.

• Sold by the yard, loaded or delivered from 26 Industrial Rd, Wrentham
• Residential and commercial orders, from a single yard to full truckloads
• Straight answers on how much to order, so you do not buy twice
• Delivery across seven nearby towns, plus pickup during yard hours
• Other bulk materials on site, so one trip can cover a whole project

Also, because the yard handles mulch, stone, loam, compost and sand in one place, contractors can mix a load plan for a job in one call. Homeowners, meanwhile, get the same material the pros use, measured the same way.

Where we deliver screened loam

We deliver screened loam to homes, contractors and property managers in Wrentham, Norfolk, Franklin, Foxborough, Plainville, Medway and Bellingham, Massachusetts. New construction and lawn renovations across Franklin, Bellingham and Medway keep screened loam in steady demand. Not sure your street is in range? Check the towns we serve, or just call and ask.

• Wrentham, MA
• Norfolk, MA
• Franklin, MA
• Foxborough, MA
• Plainville, MA
• Medway, MA
• Bellingham, MA

Pairs well with

Screened loam often works with a few partners. For instance, compost enriches it for beds, sand helps with leveling, and hemlock mulch finishes planted areas.

¼″ Screened CompostFine screened compost for top-dressing lawns and feeding beds.SandClean sand for leveling, bedding, backfill and mixing.Pure Hemlock MulchNatural reddish-brown hemlock bark. Fine texture, no dye.

Screened loam FAQs

Have a question that is not listed here? For more background on soils, mulching and plant care in our region, the UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery & Urban Forestry Program publishes practical fact sheets. Otherwise, call the yard at (774) 372-1050 and we will help you choose.