If you have a lot of land, mulch, or compost to move and need some help with your bulk garden soil, we can help. We provide the same expertise and services that your local hardware store or garden center would, but without the cost.
When it comes to bulk garden soil alternatives, you should first determine how much you’ll need and what the costs are, as well as the logistics of transporting it. Buying bulk garden soil, compost, or mulch in bulk is almost certainly going to be quicker, cheaper, and ultimately the best option for you.
Table of Contents
Take a look at the three most common bulk garden soil products.
Bulk garden Soil, compost, and mulch are the three most important components in landscaping, gardening, and any large endeavor that uses soil products. Each of these soil ingredients has varied applications based on your project.
Topsoil is the top 2 to 8 inches of ground soil. It’s the most productive layer of soil. Topsoil contains organic matter as well as minerals and nutrients. It may be used to enhance your plant bed or combined with rich, organic materials for a more diverse planting mix.
Compost is organic waste (often from plants or animals) that decomposes and becomes nutrient-dense soil. You apply it as a soil amendment. Gardeners and landscapers may add compost to topsoil or other soils (bulk garden soil or potting soil) to supply nutrients. It serves as both an agronomic fertilizer and drainage in clay soil.
Mulch, in the form of wood chips, is one of a number of mulches. Shredded yard waste (leaves and grass clippings), straw, and sawdust are other possibilities. Mulch may be used to create a beautiful appearance and help control weed growth. It helps retain moisture by covering the soil during the summer months.
Look for a bulk garden that’s locally available
Once you’ve figured out what sort of bulk garden soil ingredients you require, consult with the relevant professionals. Consult with gardeners, specialty garden stores, and your local cooperative extension. The cooperative extension’s aim is to serve as a community education resource on agriculture and horticulture. Gardeners and amateur enthusiasts frequently buy in bulk. They’ll be your best bar.
Before you buy, look at the soil products.
It’s also a good idea to read reviews about the product before purchasing it. Soil producers generally offer a variety of blends, including topsoil, lawn soil, bulk garden soil, and a compost/soil combination. Some will even allow you to custom-make your mix; for example, 40 percent compost with 60 percent topsoil.
For bulk garden soil, a sandy loam is ideal. Look for less than 15 percent clay and at least 5 percent organic matter. It should be black in color, crumbly, and loose in texture. There should be some moisture, but it should not form a hard ball when squeezed with your hand.
You can have the bulk garden soil examined by a professional, but it will take time and cost more than $100. Some businesses may provide soil testing or certification.
No unpleasant odor should be detected in excellent topsoil and compost. It should be loose, crumbly, and fragrant with earthiness. Even fresh compost should not be rough or chunky. Fresh compost may still have some heat to it, but it shouldn’t be scorching.
Characteristics of bulk garden soil
Ph of soil
The ideal bulk garden soil should be between 5.5 and 7.5 inches deep, according to experts. If this data is not supplied, you may need to test it yourself.
The organic content of the bulk garden soil
Determine how much compost is in the mixture. What’s the compost made out of? Yard and leaf waste is a neutral compost, but a manure-based one may provide a lot of nitrogen, which isn’t suitable for all plants.
Texture of soil
Soil is a mixture of sand, clay, silt, and loam, which refers to mineral particle sizes. Clay can clump your soil and cause drainage issues, accounting for more than 40% of the material. 71 percent of sand might cause water supplied to your plant’s root system to flow too rapidly through the soil.
Screening of soil
Examine the soil for any rocks, trash, or clumps of clay before it’s marketed.
Weed free soil
Remove all standing foliage and debris. Make sure the soil is free of weeds and that it’s at least 98 percent weed-free. You don’t want weeds to grow in soil or compost, as this would result in more weeding work.
Measure the required amount
By the cubic yard, bulk soil, compost, and mulch are available. Using the depth of soil calculation chart (below), figure out how many cubic yards you’ll require for various planting depths:
- To calculate the area or square footage (length x width) of the space to be covered, measure it.
- Decide how deep you want your mulch to be. On the chart, pick the number of inches of coverage you require.
- Determine the volume in square feet or cubic yards.
- Divide the total area of your garden by the square feet/cubic yard figure.
Analyze Soil Product Costs
It takes time, effort, and pricey equipment to create excellent dirt. The price of dirt varies depending on the location, grade, and quantity. In general, if you’re looking for a cheap alternative, non-enriched or unscreened products are your best bet. The most affordable option will be topsoil or garden soil that has very little organic material. Soil costs increase depending on the amount of compost used, the type of organic material in the compost, and if additional fertilizers or nutrients have been added to the soil.
It is somewhat difficult to compare mulches because each has its own set of characteristics, which must be considered. When it comes to mulch, the type you choose is important. If you want wood chips, the market for mulch follows that of lumber. A pine shaving or straw-based mulched garden would cost more than a redwood or
Prepare for the Delivery
Remember, you must include delivery costs when calculating soil expenditures. The majority of businesses charge a set price regardless of how far they must travel. Depending on how much you need to order and if you have a flatbed truck to pick it up, you may be able to skip delivery fees by doing it yourself. Most soil suppliers will allow you to pull.
In most cases, you’ll want the soil to be delivered. When the soil arrives, you must figure out where you want it dumped. The weight of a truckload of dirt would be significant, and driving over your grass might create ruts. If the ground is wet, the truck’s tires may spin and become trapped.
If the ground is soft and wet, it may be simpler to lay down a large tarp, such as the driveway side, and have them deposit the dirt there. You’ll need to shovel it into a wheelbarrow one load at a time. It may be difficult, but this method allows you to work at your own speed.