When you start out gardening, some basic questions will arise. For starters, you might want to add garden soil to improve the overall health of your lawns.
But, several gardeners apply the soil themselves rather than having it delivered to their properties. Obviously, the latter has its set of advantages, where you can conveniently browse products online and make a purchase, all without the hassle of leaving your house.
As with all online purchases, it is best to know some things about the product while planning for garden soil delivery. Otherwise, you’ll be left with an item that you don’t quite know how to use and might end up regretting as a bad investment.
This is where I come in. I’m Stacy, and as a gardening enthusiast, I’ve read quite a bit of literature on the subject and have been actively working on making my lawn look better for ages. Here, I’ve compiled my knowledge in an accessible manner, so you can enjoy that lushness your garden deserves.
So, let me jump right into it without any further delay.
How To Plan For Garden Soil Delivery?
What Is Garden Soil?
First and foremost, you need to know what garden soil is. Getting down to the basics, it is made up of topsoil and other nutrients, that is, fertilizers and compost. This mixture is designed for specific kinds of plants.
Usually, it is more expensive than topsoil and is great for planting vegetable or flower beds. Here, you have to mix it with existing soil to get the best results.
Ways Of Buying Garden Soil
When you embark on your journey of planning for garden soil delivery, the first thing you’ll encounter is that suppliers of landscape materials tend to sell garden soil in bags or bulk. Obviously, each option comes with its own set of advantages.
Homeowners who don’t have a very large plot prefer bagged variants. These packages can be moved easily throughout the yard, and the woven bags they arrive in are reusable, resealable, as well as quite durable.
I started off with this option but soon found that at the age of 53, it isn’t quite easy hauling a bag of soil across the yard. But, younger gardeners should have the strength to make use of this to the fullest.
This brings me to bulk purchases, which is what I opt for nowadays. In this case, a certain amount has to be bought for the soil to be delivered, but you’ll see the overhead cost is lower. However, the entire pile is just dumped onto the property, so homeowners have to be okay with that.
Of course, in my case, my gardening hobby has become quite infectious as I remain an active member of the community and always hold long conversations about maintaining a great garden. Therefore, ordering in bulk is rarely an issue because neighbors can use garden soil from the pile dumped in my yard.
Knowing A Cubic Yard
If you’re new to gardening, you might not know what a cubic yard is. But, whether you buy bagged or bulk variants, most landscape suppliers offer standard cubic yard measurements for the product.
For those unaware, a cubic yard happens to be a unit of measurement for volume. It essentially denotes one yard in height, width, and depth. Basically, this translates to dimensions of 3x3x3 cubic feet.
To better put it into perspective, average pickup trucks can hold up to one cubic yard. When you take this in landscaping terms, the soil will cover 100 square feet, with a depth of around 3 inches.
Determining How Many Cubic Yards Are Needed
There are some steps to be followed when calculating your yard size to know exactly how much soil you need. I found out that buying bags didn’t make much sense because a single package wouldn’t cover my yard, and I ended up saving more by buying in bulk. That said, the process I go by includes the following.
- Measuring square footage or area of the space that has to be coveredÂ
- Deciding how deep the mulch should go and choosing the number of inches for coverageÂ
- Determining corresponding cubic yards Â
- Dividing square footage of the garden by the cubic yard number
Considering Major Soil Products
Now that you know how much soil is needed, the question arises about what kind of components will help your garden get that greenery you desire. The items listed here have their own set of applications, depending on the project you undertake.
1. Topsoil
This refers to the top layer of ground soil, usually between 2 and 8 inches. It happens to be the most productive layer and contains organic matter, as well as nutrients and minerals. The plant bed can be topped off with this, or topsoil can be further mixed with organic and rich materials.
But, when you’re buying topsoil, you should note that some reports suggest organic variants are to be avoided. Unfortunately, most bagged options are organic. Check for the mineral components before zeroing in, and try to go for bulk purchases in this case. Moreover, you can always ask the supplier for a copy of the quality control test.
2. Compost
As you know, this refers to decaying animal or plant matter that eventually turns the soil rich in nutrients. It can be used as a soil amendment too. Most landscapers and gardeners add compost to topsoil and other kinds of soil, so they become enriched with the right materials.
Basically, it serves the purpose of a fertilizer, improving drainage in some variants, and working for the betterment of retentive capacities in others.
3. Mulch
Wood chips are an attractive choice for most gardeners who want a clean yard. Along with that, you’re likely to see shredded waste from yards, including leaves, clippings of grass, sawdust, and straw, being used as well.
Mulch provides shade to the undergrowth and prevents weeds from spreading. Not only does it cover the soil, preventing water from evaporating in summers, but it also gives insulation in winters.
Seeking Local Expertise
Before making a purchase at home, it is best to seek out expert opinion. When I started with gardening as a hobby, I didn’t have anyone to turn to. So, I went to other sources like Epic Gardening and Garden Rescue.
But now, I’m the resident expert and am frequently consulted by enthusiasts looking to start their own gardens. Obviously, I help them judge which items are best suited, depending on availability.
Of course, you can make use of other resources, too, like cooperative extensions in your locality. They usually educate the community about horticulture and agriculture, meaning you could greatly benefit from the knowledge they have to share.
Examining Soil Products Before Purchase
If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. In all my years of teaching, this is one lesson I’ve learned. So, despite all the expert help one can get, it is best to look into the products personally before buying them.
You’ll see soil companies have various mixes available, and some will also let you customize the mixture to suit your needs. Thus, you can get just the right blend to optimize your greenery.
When it comes to garden soil, sandy loam happens to be ideal. Try to find something with 15% less clay and 5% organic matter. It should be crumbly, dark, and have loose binding. Though some moisture is ideal, the soil shouldn’t form hard balls in your hand.
Some gardeners tend to have the soil tested professionally, but this costs more. Personally, I just ask the suppliers for their recent soil analyses and certifications to determine the quality of the product.
Essential Soil Characteristics
This brings me to the most important portion, where you have to perform a series of meticulous checks into various aspects before buying the soil.
1. Soil pH Levels
Ideally, the topsoil should have pH levels of anything between 5.5 and 7.5. If the information doesn’t happen to be listed, you’ll have to test it yourself.
2. Organic Components
Not only do you have to determine how much compost is in the entire mix, but you should also figure out what the compost is made out of. In the case of neutral compost, you’ll find wastes from yards and leaves. For manure-based compost, however, you’ll see how a lot of nitrogen might be added, which is unsuitable for plants.
3. Texture Of Soil
Soil can be made of sand, silt, clay, and loam. The texture refers to the size of particles. Sometimes, 40% of clay might clump the soil, leading to drainage problems. On the other hand, having 40% of sand might make the water meant for feeding plants run too fast through the soil.
4. Screening The Soil
Ensure the soil runs through a screening process, which removes litter, rocks, and clumps of clay.
5. Presence Of Weed
Check to see that the soil is free of weed. Naturally, nobody wants compost or soil which sprouts weed and consequently leads to increased weeding work.
Evaluating Soil Product Prices
The process in which quality soil is created requires a degree of labor, time, as well as expensive equipment. You’ll see how cost also varies depending on location, quantity, and quality. Obviously, options where the product is neither enriched nor screened happen to be the cheapest.
When it comes to the least expensive option, you might want to consider a cheap garden soil that has extremely little or no organic materials. The cost rises depending on how much organic matter is added, the kind and amount of compost used, as well as whether the soil has nutrients and fertilizers.
Benefits Of Adding Garden Soil
If you’re still in two minds about whether you need to add garden soil in the first place or not, this will help you clear some things up.
Most blends are exclusive and intended to handle the local challenges of soil conditions and climate changes. You’ll see how the garden soil is rich and dark. It should be teeming with microbes that are beneficial for the healthy growth of plants.
There aren’t any chemicals added, and it is ready to be planted when it arrives at your doorstep. Usually, these mixtures contain perlite and different elements to improve drainage. Thus, roots have the best chance of stretching out and growing to their fullest all through the year.
Checks for Final Delivery
This brings us to the moment of truth, where the soil will actually arrive at your destination. I strongly recommend having it delivered, rather than driving in a pickup truck to collect it. However, there are some essential things to be kept in mind.
Most manufacturers will charge a base price depending on how much distance has to be covered and the quantity of soil which needs to be delivered. When the product arrives, you should know exactly where to put it.
The first time I ordered, a truck came and drove all across the lawn, leaving ruts. Needless to say, I was terribly disappointed after having worked too hard to maintain a picturesque exterior. Don’t make the same mistake, and also keep in mind that if your grounds are wet, the tires might get stuck, leading to additional problems.
I prefer asking them to dump the soil on a tarp next to the driveway. This allows me to shovel it into a wheelbarrow and carry it at my own pace. Of course, it is a laborious task, and much more so, at my age.
A word of advice for those not using the soil immediately - cover it with a tarp, else rain will have an impact on the mixture compacting the compost, making it all the more difficult to move. In some cases, a foul odor is also to be expected.
Final Words
Now that you’re completely familiar with all steps needed when you’re planning for garden soil delivery, you shouldn’t have any difficulties. Starting from choosing the right product, put your choice through the vigorous testing standards outlined here.
Check for total expenses, and select the option that best suits your needs and budget. Finally, remember the steps outlined in the last stages of delivery. Together, it is bound to result in a seamless experience.
That’s about it from me for now. Till next time!