I'm setting up some raised garden beds this year and I'm about to fill them up as I plan for my first planting. I have one bed that's 8'x4' and two smaller ones at 4'x2' (all around 12" deep), plus a few 1- and 3-gallon containers to fill. I'm trying to figure out if 2 cubic yards of soil is enough for all of that, or if it might be too much. Also, I'm considering a local worm farm's offer which is $405 for that amount, including a mix of garden soil and chicken compost, castings, guano, coco coir, pumice, and manure. The breakdown is $165 per yard, plus $75 for a reusable tote and delivery. I did the math for buying bagged soil and it was eye-opening, plus I'd prefer to support a local business instead of a big brand. What do you think?
2 Answers
For your bed sizes, I'd recommend at least 2.5 cubic yards, maybe even going for 3 to account for settling. You could mix it up by getting 2 yards of a cheaper blend and 1 yard of the premium mix. I've done that before and my plants thrived just fine with the cheaper stuff!
That pricing seems a bit steep, but it sounds like you're getting a high-quality mix. I'm in Ohio and I found a local deal for 3 cubic feet of soil/compost blend for around $46 a yard, with delivery and extra options coming to a little over $200. It’s worth checking how the prices compare in your area but considering the ingredients in this blend, it might still be a decent deal for you! I get that supporting local is super important too!
Thanks for the insight! I'll keep looking around but this blend does seem to be the best option right now.
Thanks, that's really helpful! I appreciate the tips!