I'm facing a tough decision when it comes to soil for my garden. I can get 2 cubic yards of Back to Roots raised bed soil delivered for $400, but I can also go with 2 cubic yards of standard topsoil delivered for $243. I'm aware that with the topsoil, I'll need to mix in compost (probably Black Cow) and plant food, plus something to aerate it a bit. I'm just wondering if going with the raised bed soil is really worth the extra cost when my only option for bulk delivery is topsoil from a local landscape company. Any advice would be super helpful!
3 Answers
From my experience, topsoil can be hit or miss. It often has a lot of wood chips which can make it tough for plants to thrive. It usually needs a bit of time and amendment to really get going. If you're looking at raised beds, those are generally better since they come pre-mixed and ready to go. I get that it's a bit pricier, but that convenience can save you a lot of hassle!
If you're on the fence, here’s a thought: what if you bought a bit of both? You can layer the topsoil under a good raised bed mix and still make it work effectively. I experimented with that in my garden and the beds performed well without breaking the bank!
Honestly, those prices sound steep to me. Have you thought about checking out a bulk soil supplier nearby? I found pretty good deals and got two cubic yards of potting soil for under $100 in California. You might be able to find a similar deal if you dig a little deeper!
I checked around, but the closest bulk supplier only offers simple soil or compost. I'm in a bit of a remote area, about 2.5 hours from a major city, so it seems like I’m stuck with the topsoil option.