Frequently Asked Questions

In the Atlanta and surrounding areas in Georgia, fill dirt is typically characterized by red clay.  It can be more or less sandy in texture but is often unscreened, meaning that it can contain rocks or other debris.  It is excavated from the ground and is great to use to build up areas to the desired grade.  Some fill dirt can be used as compatible fill for dams, foundations, and other functions. 

Fill dirt is commonly used as a construction material for grading on construction projects.  For landscaping, fill dirt is an excellent material to build up low areas, add to divert runoff, and backfill against basements or other structures.  Fill dirt is not the best option for planting grass in but as an economical fill material you may consider filling up areas with fill dirt which stays in place easier.  Then topping the fill dirt with 6 to 8 inches of topsoil before planting. 

Infield conditioner can be a variety of products designed to keep just the right amount of moisture on a baseball or softball field.  Infield conditioners are made to amend infield dirt and not designed to be used alone.  It is typically added to the existing or new infield dirt on the surface (up to ¼”) or blended throughout at usually 10% by volume.  Turface® and some other conditioners are made from calcined clay.  A specific type of clay that is super-heated to become porous.  Other conditioners are made from a type of shale, diatomaceous earth, crushed aggregates, and brick dust. 

Infield Mix is composed of a precisely blended ratio of sand sized particles along with silt and clay sized particles.  There should be not rocks (>2mm).  The infield dirt can be analyzed for soil texture to determine how much sand, silt, and clay are in a mix.  Some blends can include a calcined clay or infield conditioner, such as Turface®, to help fields retain moisture and absorb moisture at the surface. 

Mound clay is a specialized clay that is designed for building pitching mounds.  It provides a firm, compactible surface.  It can also be used to amend infields that are too sandy, or contain too much sand. 

It is made of clay.  Every dirt can be defined as the percentage of sand, silt, and clay sized particles.  Sand particles are the largest.  Clay particles are the smallest and silt is in between.  Mound clay is not 100% clay particles as many people think.  Most mound clays are 40-50% sand with the remaining portion 50-60% being silt and clay particles.  This mixture compacts well and provides an excellent media for pitching mounds and the batter’s box. 

Most of our River Sand has parent material (the rock from where it eroded/broke away from) of quartz.  So, it is primarily a silica sand (SiO₂), or quartz sand.  The different hues of brown, red, and yellow comes from iron oxides on the surface of the particle. 

The ideal dirt for recreational baseball and softball infields is composed of 70% sand and 30% silt and clay combined.  Professional and collegiate level fields typically prefer 60% sand and 40% silt and clay.  Both types of infield dirt should be free from any debris including small rocks, and red is the preferred color of choice.  This dirt if typically provided from a supplier, such as River Sand, Inc.

Topsoil is a sandier, fertile, usually dark brown or black, soil that contains nutrients and organic matter suitable for growing plants.  Fill dirt refers to any dirt that does not contain organic matter but instead contains higher amounts of clay.  Some fill dirt may be suitable for compactible fill.  Fill dirt is usually a more economical option and better option to fill in low areas for structured fill.  Topsoil is best used for areas that will be planted with grass, trees, or shrubs.