What is the "yard" of mulch/dirt/gravel, etc. measurement mean?

[mschrisgo2]

I've heard this a lot, and currently it's in reference to mulch, as people here in drought-ed California are trying to save various trees and plants- as in, "order a couple of yards of mulch." What does the "yard" actually mean?

[Alan]

The term refers to cubic yards. Imagine a box 3' wide by 3' deep and 3' high, that would hold a cubic yard of mulch. One yard would typically cover approximately 100 sq ft., of space at a depth of approximately 3".

I just had 3 yards delivered to my house a few weeks ago. It's an all day job shoveling, moving and spreading. Well, it is for me. lol

[Birdie]

A yard equals 27 cubic feet. Lots of wheel barrows full.

[catherine]

So, we just put in a raised bed that requires 22 cu. ft of topsoil. Should we go to the big box store with two cars and make a couple of trips, or call our local garden store and have them bring it?

[Alan]

So, we just put in a raised bed that requires 22 cu. ft of topsoil. Should we go to the big box store with two cars and make a couple of trips, or call our local garden store and have them bring it?
Hmmm, that's a question fraught with variables. I've found that it's hard on my lower back to lift heavy bags into and out of vehicles. I much prefer to have the local landscaping supply business bring out their dump truck and drop it as close as possible to the work area, although the delivery fee for an amount as small as one yard might be prohibitive.

Since I have a small SUV that could easily hold that amount of bagged topsoil, I'd probably pick it up myself in one trip, although manhandling those heavy bags would have me second guessing myself after the fact.

[goldensmom]

So, we just put in a raised bed that requires 22 cu. ft of topsoil. Should we go to the big box store with two cars and make a couple of trips, or call our local garden store and have them bring it?

I've done it both ways. If the local garden center can deliver and dump it where it goes (into the raised beds) then good but if it delivers and dumps it somewhere else then you have to shovel into a wheel barrow/wagon and unload it where it goes then not so good. I usually have 5-10 yards of topsoil/screened black dirt delivered in the spring and dumped in one spot then use it as I need it which is convenient but not so easy on my back. The easiest method for me, when I need a small amount that I can get in bags, is to get it in the back of the truck, back up to the dump location, open the bags on the tailgate and dump into the bed. You may be able to do it similarly with cars.

[razz]

Check out alternate sources beyond the garden centre as well and ensure the source of the soil and mulch.

Mulch is available from a local wood mill at half the cost. Another local company has bulk delivery of soil as well as mulch way cheaper than garden centres around here. Ask around for sources but don't necessarily go for the lowest but ensure that you are not getting soil that has formerly been used for growing corn which will have Roundup residue in it. That kills plants.

FWIW, when I filled my 1/2 ton truck box (with a 6 foot box) heaping full, it was 2 cubic yards of hardwood mulch from the mill and I paid $50.

[Tussiemussies]

So, we just put in a raised bed that requires 22 cu. ft of topsoil. Should we go to the big box store with two cars and make a couple of trips, or call our local garden store and have them bring it?


Hi Catherine,

WHEN we had installed an raised garden bed when we were living in PA at the time, we ordered soil, which was not cheap and they brought us mushroom soil. Our plants did fantastic with it with some dehydrated manure mixed in. Don't know if that is available here in NJ though...Christine

[sweetana3]

Boy do these stories about raised beds bring back memories. On our NC house we had to correct an erosion problem so I built stairs down from the driveway and then a huge bed from the front of the driveway (3 feet high) all around to the back door and then continued it from the back door to the other side of the house. So it was one entire side and fully across the back of the garage and house. It took over 26 pick up truck loads of great dirt to fill it.

We had the best neighbor who stopped and filled up the pickup when coming home and we immediately unloaded it when he drove in. We were a lot younger and in many ways stupid. But easier than having a huge load of dirt delivered on one day to a culdesac driveway.

Then we moved. This was the stupid part. Never got to see the finished plantings grow.