Hey guys just bought a new house in Omaha Nebraska and setting up a garden. The area I’m setting it up in had a bunch of saplings weeds stuff like that growing up. It had a dead evergreen tree that we cut down and had the stump ground out. I have a feeling the soil their is junk. I was going to bring in some topsoil and compost mix. Just wondering what the going rate is for that? The place I found wants 43.95 a cubic yard. Seems steep to me. Is a two inch depth deep enough? I was going to add some leaves this fall also. Should I dig those into the topsoil and compost mix? Thanks.
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Mr_Yan
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Few things come to mind:
1) have a soil test done - I think these commonly run about $20
2) dig some holes to get an idea of what the soil is like - how much top soil, what is the sub soil...
3) run a "jar" test with what you dug up - https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/soil-texture-analysis-the-jar-test/
$44 a yard sounds high unless that is with delivery. If I drive up to the local place with a trailer or pickup it is $25 a yard for screened top soil or compost blend. When I was having crushed lime or mulch delivered it was something like $100 delivery charge for the 10 yard truck - but that was 5 to 10 years ago.
1) have a soil test done - I think these commonly run about $20
2) dig some holes to get an idea of what the soil is like - how much top soil, what is the sub soil...
3) run a "jar" test with what you dug up - https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/soil-texture-analysis-the-jar-test/
$44 a yard sounds high unless that is with delivery. If I drive up to the local place with a trailer or pickup it is $25 a yard for screened top soil or compost blend. When I was having crushed lime or mulch delivered it was something like $100 delivery charge for the 10 yard truck - but that was 5 to 10 years ago.
DirtMechanic
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60.00 is the most comprehensive test logan labs does. Here is their site: https://loganlabs.com/
DirtMechanic
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No way to know. What drainage test have you done?
DirtMechanic
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LOL careful, dirt is heavy and a lot of work if you fail to respect it and give it a slight nod of the hat.
Mr_Yan
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I would lean toward raised beds based on my experience.
1) I find them easier and more conducive to my style of veg gardening.
2) A few raised beds with defined side walls (not mounds) are less likely to change the flow of water around the yard and create drainage problems.
I caused a big problem with drainage when I changed the slope of my yard and caused water to pool near the foundation.
@Brian1985, @DirtMechanic is right test your drainage. How fast does the soil percolate? The test I am used to hearing about has you dig a 1'x1'x1' hole, fill that with water and let it drain, fill it again with water and let it drain, fill it a third time and time it for how long it takes to drain. This website outlines drainage testing - https://todayshomeowner.com/diy-soil-drainage-perk-test-for-your-yard/
If you're not really careful I see bringing in soil as leading to problems.
1) I find them easier and more conducive to my style of veg gardening.
2) A few raised beds with defined side walls (not mounds) are less likely to change the flow of water around the yard and create drainage problems.
I caused a big problem with drainage when I changed the slope of my yard and caused water to pool near the foundation.
@Brian1985, @DirtMechanic is right test your drainage. How fast does the soil percolate? The test I am used to hearing about has you dig a 1'x1'x1' hole, fill that with water and let it drain, fill it again with water and let it drain, fill it a third time and time it for how long it takes to drain. This website outlines drainage testing - https://todayshomeowner.com/diy-soil-drainage-perk-test-for-your-yard/
If you're not really careful I see bringing in soil as leading to problems.
headfullofbees
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Here in the UK, you are likely to pay twice that for topsoil.
Don't dig the leaves in, scatter them on top; worms will take them down & they'll be castings by the time they get there.
Raised beds can be expensive to fill & may take a year or two to get to their best if you go organics.
Don't dig the leaves in, scatter them on top; worms will take them down & they'll be castings by the time they get there.
Raised beds can be expensive to fill & may take a year or two to get to their best if you go organics.