Skip to content
Logo
CALL (253) 262-1661
  • Products
  • Services
    • Bagged Products
    • Delivery
    • Waste Disposal
    • Gift Cards
  • Projects
  • About
    • Our Company
    • Our Sales Team
    • Our Opportunities
  • Blog
CONTACT US
  • Contact Us
  • Products
  • Services
    • Bagged Products
    • Delivery
    • Waste Disposal
    • Gift Cards
  • Projects
  • About
    • Our Company
    • Our Sales Team
    • Our Opportunities
  • Blog

Quality Control
Organic Topsoil from Orting: How It’s Made

March 10, 2017
Eve Hart
by Eve Hart

Washington Rock’s organic topsoil is unique in the Tacoma area.

Mined from earth that has been undisturbed for thousands of years, our topsoil is a virgin mix of sand and organic matter. This is important because we know exactly where our material comes from and what’s in it—something that is not true for topsoil suppliers who import topsoil from many different job sites.

 

Topsoil Orting
Our organic topsoil is mined in Orting.

What is the process of mining virgin topsoil?

Clearing & Grubbing. First, the vegetation has to be removed from the surface of the topsoil. This is called clearing. Then the remaining roots have to be removed. This is called grubbing.

Grading. After plants and roots have been removed, a machine pushes the topsoil layer into piles.

 

Grading Topsoil
A dozer pushes topsoil into piles.

Pre-mixing. A loader is used to add compost to the topsoil piles and mix the materials together. The compost adds nutrients to the soil. If the topsoil doesn’t have enough sand, sand can also be added to help the topsoil drain better.

Screening. Topsoil is then deposited into a topsoil screening plant. The plant has a screen that removes material larger than 3/8 of an inch, including stones and pieces of wood. The plant also tumbles the pre-mixed material, helping the mix become more uniform.

 

Slideshow (40)-72dpi
A loader deposits pre-mixed topsoil into a topsoil plant.

Delivery. Conveyors carry the finished product away from the plant and deposit it in piles on the ground. This product is ready to be loaded onto trucks and delivered to homeowners.

 

Topsoil Orting
Conveyor belts deposit piles of finished product on the ground.

Watch a video of our topsoil being unloaded at the Tehaleh landscaping yard in Bonney Lake.


For more information about Washington Rock’s residential topsoil products, visit our Residential Topsoil Products page.

Post navigation

< PREVIOUS Previous post:
NEXT > Next post:

Leave a comment Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Project
Calculator

Call Sales
(253) 262-1661

Get A
Quote

Buy A
Giftcard

Logo
Contact
  • Hours

    Office Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–4 PM

    Pit & Quarry Hours
    Mon–Fri 6 AM–4 PM
    Sat 6 AM–12 PM (April through October)

    Prior to your visit, please contact our sales team to check on product availability.

    Annual Holiday Closures
    Closed for New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

  • Phone Number

    Call us at 253-262-1661 and choose an option from the call menu.

    • Press 1 for Sales
    • Press 2 for Dispatch
    • Press 3 for Armorstone
    • Press 4 for Accounting
    • Press 5 for HR & Safety
  • Addresses & Directions

    New Corporate Office
    Mailing Address:
    PO Box 250
    Orting, WA 98360

    Physical Address:
    25009 Brooks Rd E
    Orting, WA 98360

    King Creek Pit
    25009 Brooks Rd E
    Orting, WA 98360
    Map >
    Printable Directions >

    Kapowsin Quarry
    29104 Camp One Rd E
    Orting, WA 98360
    Map >
    Printable Directions >

  • Payment Options

    For the safety of our team members, we no longer accept cash payments. Minimum $35 purchase required on all materials.

    We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, and checks. Please note that a 3% transaction fee is added to credit card purchases. This covers the fee charged by our credit card processor.

    Services
  • Bagged Products
  • Delivery
  • Waste Disposal
  • Gift Cards
    Product Types
  • Armorstone®
  • Crushed Rock
  • Fill & Backfill
  • Landscape Rock & Riprap
  • Round Rock
  • Sand
  • Topsoil
    Product Uses
  • Driveway
  • Dry Creek Bed
  • Garden
  • Golf Course
  • Lawn
  • Playground
  • Rock Wall
  • Sports Fields
© 2023 Washington Rock Quarries. All rights reserved Web Design Seattle by Sayenko Design