Question
Hi,

For the last 5 years at about this time my wife tells me she needs "soil" for a portion of our yard that she wants to turn into a garden.  I thought about top soil bags from our local department store.  But I am sure there has to be some other way of getting a cubic meter or two soil for the garden that it just not just dirt.

Thanks for your assistance.

Answer
Ervin,

Go to a local recycler or landscape supply place and get a yard of compost.  Spread it evenly over the garden area and till it in.  Hold a little in reserve to use as mulch around the new plants.

It's the best thing to add to soil to improve it.  It will add nutrients, which is fertilizer you don't have to buy; it retains moisture, which is water you won't have to pay for later; and it improves soil structure, which is future tilling you don't have to do.

Commercially prepared compost is cheap.  Here it's about $15/cu yard.

Or if your wife is particularly devoted to this, have her start a compost pile. Grass clippings, leaves,  fruit & veggie waste from the kitchen can end up reducing your yard debris hauling costs and improve your soil.  This won't help this spring, though.  You're still on the hook.

Hope this helps.

Mark in Portland