New-build yard soil check
On many new-build lots, the topsoil is scraped off during construction, the subsoil is compacted by heavy machinery, and a thin layer of soil is spread back on top before the sod goes down. Lawns and plants then struggle for years. A few simple checks show whether that’s what happened.
You’ll need: a shovel, a long screwdriver, and moist (not soggy) soil, a day or two after rain or watering.
Why this matters
Topsoil is the layer where roots, water and soil life do most of their work. Subsoil compacted by trucks and graders can be as dense as a road base: roots can’t enter it and water can’t drain through it. Sod laid on a thin layer over it looks fine for a season, then thins out, browns in summer and floods after storms.
Fixing it costs far less before planting than after, so check before you invest in landscaping.