I'm new to gardening and need to fill the top 12 inches of my two 4x8 garden beds. I estimate I need about 2 cubic yards of soil for that, and I'm considering buying it from a local place that uses machinery to load soil into pickup trucks. However, I don't have a pickup; I have a cargo van. Can I just lay a tarp in the van and have them fill it? I want to make sure I'm not going to look silly if this isn't a common practice.
3 Answers
You might want to check with the place selling the soil. Their loaders are designed to dump soil into open truck beds, not really into a van. If they have a large scoop, it might not work as well. Also, some places will deliver for an extra charge, which could save you a lot of hassle.
I've been in a similar situation before, and trust me, it's not as simple as it sounds. Using just a tarp isn't enough – you'll need sturdy bags (like plastic or cloth grow bags) to hold the soil while you transport it. Plus, you'll have to shovel the soil into each bag, which can be a real workout. If you can, consider renting a cheap pickup truck; it's much easier, and you can save the extra soil for future use!
Totally agree! Or you could always ask a friend if you can borrow their truck. I once had to get compost, and the delivery fee was surprisingly more than the compost itself!
Just a heads up, make sure your cargo van can handle the weight! A cubic yard of soil can weigh over 2000 lbs, and you definitely don’t want to overload your vehicle.
Good point! Also, if they're really flexible, they might let you fill bags or containers directly and just charge you a nominal fee. Try going in when they're less busy; it might help you negotiate!