With all the rain we've been having here in Minnesota, I've decided that now's the time to pack some dirt up close to my foundation, to keep water flowing away from the house. But I don't know what kind of soil to buy. I don't plan on growing anything there, maybe a few shrubs surrounded by decorative rock.

Any suggestions on what I should look for at H.D. or some other big box store?

Thanks!

I once took a class in home repair at a local community college, and recall this question from another student. The instructor suggested a clay product called Bentonite. He said to dig down around a foundation, a foot or so, and add bags of this product and then replace the soil on top. Important to have the area sloped to drain away from the foundation of course. As I recall he said it would soak up large amounts of water (compared to just soil), and help keep rainwater from percolating down through the foundation.

Might look into it? PS the box stores are not likely to have it, I am betting you would need to check around with excavation, soil/concrete companies.

Thank you!

The most important thing you can do is be sure the soil slopes away from the house, and any rain water from your roof is directed away from the house with eaves troughs and properly aimed downspouts. Any soil will work, but if you need a fair amount look for large quantities not the small amounts sold in bags at garden centers.
If a cubic yard of soil, in bulk, sells for $22.00 that is much less expensive then 14 2 cubic foot bags at $2.50 per, or about $34.00.

Thanks, KimmSr.

You can also decorate some rocks around your house. It can also useful.

you can visit http://NMLandscaping.com