I'm finding it really tough to afford enough soil for my gardening needs lately. Back in 2019/20, I filled my plant tub using lawn cuttings from a friend, supplemented with some bags of soil for a decent price. Now, in 2025, I bought a raised bed for herbs, but when I checked out soil prices, I was shocked! 10L of expanded clay balls is 11€ and 25L of garden soil is 22€! To fill my 190L raised bed, I'm looking at a total of 176€ (around 208 USD). Is it just me, or are these prices nuts? Are there any cost-effective ways to fill my raised bed with soil? I even considered digging up soil from the forest, but that feels off. Should I just buy clay and a small bag of soil and then compost my organic waste? I'm definitely on a budget right now and would really appreciate any tips!
5 Answers
I'm in Canada, and I buy my soil on clearance during the fall for only about $3 a bag! You could also try reusing old container soil by mixing it with fresh compost. Just watch those delivery fees, they can add up fast!
In the U.S., you can often get a truckload of soil, compost, or mulch for under $35, which really cuts down on costs! If you have a Costco or Sam's Club nearby, a 55Q bag of soil is usually around $16. And you might find expanded clay balls cheaper on Amazon—around $20 for 10lbs.
I stick to the really cheap topsoil and then amend it with compost or other nutrients. It's a way to make the most of your budget without sacrificing quality!
If you're in the UK or Ireland, soil prices aren't as bad. For example, I can get a 25L bag of topsoil for about 5€. Aldi and Lidl often have great offers—like 24L for 3.49€. Also, if you're looking to buy in bulk, you can usually get a tonne bag for under 90€. Definitely check out these budget options!
Crazy how pricey soil is nowadays! But you might want to check online marketplaces—people sometimes give away excess soil for free, especially businesses trying to get rid of it. It could save you some bucks!
Yeah, free soil is a solid idea! Just be careful where you get it from—make sure it's clean and not contaminated.