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This topsoil delivery was especially nice as it is richer than the topsoil we got last year from the same driver we found on Craigslist.
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We didn't go into debt as the old "16 Tons" song might suggest. Over the weekend we shoveled it in to wheelbarrows ourselves and moved it to several raised beds and other locations around the yard. We calculated it as a rough equivalent to 500 40-pound bags. It's significantly less expensive to go this route.
We worked pretty fast too. Friday afternoon when delivered shown above, Saturday evening below.
By Sunday afternoon the task was complete.
Here we are ready to take another load down the hill. My wheelbarrow is on the right. Right, you say? Okay it's the one on the left and I'm proud of it.
To keep track of the number of wheelbarrow trips the two of us made, we used the ancient system of lining up pebbles -- mine and his. We kept separate accounts because there's a bit of disparity as you can see. This was not for competition, just to see how many wheelbarrow loads are in a truckload of topsoil. Turns out it was 56 large and 31 small wheelbarrow loads. DH overloads his compared to mine, so the total number of standard wheelbarrows per truckload would be roughly 75.
And what did we get besides another day (actually two) older? We extended the backyard planting border around to the new metal fence and gate.
The new planting bed goes under the fence into the front yard.
Filled in around flagstones in the garage courtyard. The spaces are wide to allow room for lots of groundcover with a creek in the middle. This creek actually flows during rainstorms.
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The rest of the topsoil was piled in a couple of locations around the yard for future projects.
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Those future projects will have to wait for now. We're sleeping in and taking it easy for a few days.
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Wowza! I cannot imagine moving that much soil in one weekend. Very impressive!
ReplyDeleteGetting it done in cool weather helps a lot.
DeleteLooks very similar to what we've been doing the last few weeks in putting in raised beds at our house! We are working on our second dump truck load now!
ReplyDeleteWe waited a year between trucks so you are doing quite a bit all at once.
DeleteWOW! I don't even want to think about moving that much soil.
ReplyDeleteWe thought about one shovel at a time, just like a journey.
DeleteWell done! That was a mighty effort.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it's done.
DeleteAnd well you should take it easy for a few days! That's a lot of work!
ReplyDeleteI think it only lasted a day because we had a huge windstorm to clean up after!
DeleteOh my goodness! Please send some of your energy my way. Looks like some more beautiful gardens that I can't wait to see.
ReplyDeleteAll those beautiful gardens you profile on CTG each week are part of our motivation.
DeleteSt. Peter Don't ya call me 'cause I can't go... Impressive work Mr. and Mrs. Fox! Reminds me that it's time to do some similar, though not as much, work in my own garden!
ReplyDeleteYour garden doesn't need as much work Peter so that puts you quite a bit ahead.
DeleteThat's impressive! Gives me hope I might be able to do something similar...
ReplyDeleteOf course you can do this, especially since you know exactly when it will not rain there and can take your time.
DeleteMy family just helped me move 6 yards of soil. Now I feel we got off easy!
ReplyDeleteSix yards is still a lot of work!
DeleteFor once I'm glad I was shivering in the desert sw instead of happening to drive by, as the Foxes gleefully say, "hey Dave-o...how about helping us with some topsoil...there's some BBQ and a beer later!" Better than the gym, and in more ways.
ReplyDeleteFunny no one offered to help although they did offer plenty of comments like "that's a lot of dirt". One guy stopped and asked where we got the soil because it looks so good.
DeleteIt is better than the gym and you do see more results.
Good job y'all! You are woman - hear you roar! Woo-hoo! Can't wait to see things as they progress :)
ReplyDeleteNow Heather, you are making me laugh since I know you are far too young to have been around for that one!
DeleteOf course I will keep updating our progress.
I love the music of the 70's :) I am a 70's baby!...later 70's but still ;)
DeleteThat's kinda cute, no 80s for you! Of course you are the woman who can build a fence by yourself with two toddlers to watch!
DeleteAdvil and epsom salts baths - congrats and relax!
ReplyDeleteThanks Anon, I'm fine now but I will make sure we have finished the MBR reno before I do this again!
DeleteBeautifully done, Shirley. That leftover soil looks like the perfect beginning for a nice big ol' compost heap, or as I call them, compost garden, as I throw seeds and plants in mine, making the seeds sprout and the plants thrive – even if they'd been pretending to die.
ReplyDeleteIt does look like a great place to tuck plants in need of TLC or plants which have to wait to take their place in the garden. We do plan to work in all the leaves that fall on the pile to make it even better. I've rescued several discarded plants from the compost heap because they took root there.
DeleteBeautiful! (Only a gardener would think that!) I'm impressed how fast you got this amount spread. And your pebble system is fun, and interesting. And I like your wheelbarrow. For some reason, I can't seem to drive those with only one wheel on the front!
ReplyDeleteThat's why I have the two wheeler and I am working on a post about it.
DeleteTake it from one who asked for a load of "dirt" for her birthday: this rocks! (and I have also asked for those)
ReplyDeleteWe do request some fun things for birthdays. I'm asking for hedge trimmers so I can cut down my ornamental grasses more easily.
DeleteGorgeous!!! Love your fenceline...and the flagstone......ahhhhh:) I'm still working on our fountain area here:) But it should be done by the end of April!!!!! After a year and a half of planning!!!! I love landscaping:)
ReplyDelete