How To Buy Dirt In Bulk: What You Need To Know (2023)

If you need a large amount of land for a large landscaping project, buying in bulk can be faster and cheaper than buying multiple smaller lots as you need them. But there are a few things to think about and consider before going ahead with this landscaping project.

To buy soil in bulk, you need to determine what type of soil you need, estimate the amount of soil needed, and research local vendors for quality, price, and supply information. Lastly, schedule delivery or arrange pickup.

If you think buying soil in bulk might be a good option for you, read this guide before making your decision. We've explained what you need to consider to ensure you don't make mistakes and waste your time or money.

Is it possible to buy land in bulk?

How To Buy Dirt In Bulk: What You Need To Know (1)

Buying soil in bulk does not require membership in any particular club, nor is it exclusive to landscape contractors or other businesses. Many large utility companies serve primarily businesses, public supply points, and commercial customers, but most also serve private gardens.

ESIt is notHowever, it is possible to buy soil in bulk by taking a dream to your favorite local garden center and then leaving with a truckload of soil. Most retailers have limited, if any, stock in their warehouses, and in some cases what you see on the shelves is what they have to sell you.

You may be able to place an order at such locations and schedule delivery or pickup at a later time. Still, they may have limited quantities or even limited varieties available. If you really want to buy soil in bulk, you'll have to go to another market.

(Video) Buying Bulk Soil is better here is why - First Garden New Gardener

Who sells soil in bulk?

You'd be surprised how many vendors sell tons of soil, so you can be sure you can find a good one near you. However, you should not settle for the first one you find. Do some research on these companies and their products to ensure you're getting quality soil from a reputable supplier at the best price.

If you have a local cooperative extension or agricultural resource in the neighborhood, go there first. These groups are dedicated to providing solid education and advice to the community on issues like these and will be able to recommend a good place to go. However, any avid gardener you know who has already bought in bulk should be able to give you an idea of ​​what's available in your area.

Some popular vendors who sell bulk soil in the US nationwide are:

At least you can look up places online. Most companies have a website with product and pricing information. There are even vendors that do most or all of their business online, such as:Direct Floor.

What types of soil can be bought in bulk?

Any type of flooring product that you can buy at your favorite neighborhood supply store can be purchased in bulk. These special providers often have even more options for you. Some may specialize in one component or another, but you can usually buy all components:Soil, compost, fertilizer, mulch- in great quantities.

Various options are available, e.g.Top soil, garden soil, and soil/compost mixes. Some places even allow you to create a custom combination, but these can be more expensive or an additional fee may apply.

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How much does it cost to buy soil in bulk?

Prices vary significantly between grades, with soil ranging from $10 to $200 per cubic yard. On average, topsoil costs around $12 to $26 per cubic yard, and typical shipping charges could increase this price to a range of $15 to $70.

Buying in bulk is generally the quickest and easiest way to reduce the price of many products, as it drastically reduces packaging and distribution costs for the supplier. These costs are usually passed on to the consumer, but when they are reduced, you get a lower price per unit.

The price of land reflects the time, labor, and equipment used to extract it. Quality, quantity, and location also play a role. Usually, the cheapest soil options come unscreened or enriched. The cost increases as compost and other supplements are added.

How is Bulk Soil sold?

How To Buy Dirt In Bulk: What You Need To Know (2)

Suppliers sell bulk soil and other garden products by volume, usually priced per cubic yard.Some locations may offer products "off the shelf" or on other creative retail terms.

These are pre-portioned packets created for convenience and advertised with a"Buy more save more!"Tech, but most places offer discounts on larger purchases; They're just not that noticeable. In general, you can buy everything you want or need.

Regardless, you still need to figure out how much land you'll need before you have an idea of ​​how much it will cost.

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How to calculate how much land you need and how much it will cost you

The first thing to measure when determining the amount of land you need is the surface area you plan to fill, or the number of cubic yards. Cubic yards are a volume calculation and require three measurements: the length of your yard, the width of your yard, and the desired depth of soil required.

With this handy soil depth calculation table, you can calculate cubic meters for different planting areas in three steps:

  1. Calculate the area of ​​the garden to determine the square footage (length x width).
  2. Determine the desired depth of the floor and refer to the chart for the appropriate ft²/yd³ figure
  3. Divide the yard area (total square footage) by the ft²/yd³ figure from the table

Here's an example:

Let's calculate the amount of soil needed for a 20 foot by 30 foot (6.1 meter by 9.1 meter) garden with a 5 inch (12.7 cm) soil depth:

  1. The garden area is 20 ft x 30 ft (6.1 m x 9.1 m) = 600 ft² (55.7 m²)
  2. The equivalent number for a floor depth of 5 inches (12.7 cm) is 65 (see table below).
  3. Divide 600 by 65, which equals 9.23 ydÂł (7.06 mÂł).

This means that you would need 7.06 m³ of soil to cover a 600 ft² (55.7 m²) garden to a depth of 5 inches (12.7 cm).

Below is a table for calculating soil depth:

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Soil Depth Calculation Table
depthQuadratfuĂź/Kubikyard
1″324
2″162
3"108
4″81
5″Sixty-five
6″54
7″46
8″40

To estimate your cost (net of all taxes and shipping charges), take the determined number of cubic yards needed and multiply it by the price per cubic yard of soil you are considering. For our example above, where we need 7.06 mÂł (9.23 ydÂł) of soil, an option priced at $18/ydÂł would be 9.23 x 18 = $166.14.

Use:Land is sold by the cubic meter (or half a cubic meter at best). That means we have to buy 9.5 yd³ (7.3 m³) or 10 yd³ (7.6 m³) to have enough for 9.23 yd³ (7.06 m³), ​​which brings the cost down to $171 and $100 respectively. $180 increase. However, we still have to consider one thing: shipping costs.

How much does bulk flooring order delivery cost?

Delivery costs vary, but on average, bulk delivery for ground orders costs between $10 and $50 per yard, depending on how far the delivery is and where you are.

If you have access to a van or other suitable vehicle and the supplier you find is local, you can go to many local locations to pick up your bulk orders yourself. This eliminates shipping costs.

However, in many cases you will probably want or need those wholesale purchases delivered. Each have their own rates, requirements, and the general logistics of how their delivery service is handled, including the possibility of working with an independent, third-party delivery company.

Some providers have flat or fixed rates, while others may charge per mile. Some may offer shipping discounts on larger purchases, and most require a minimum order before shipping is offered. Each provider will have delivery information available to you online or through customer service, so be sure to research this when purchasing land and include it in your cost estimates.

(Video) Calculating Bulk Landscape Material Needs - Cubic Yards

Shipping costs can make the difference between aan orderbuy wholesale andSuperBuy in bulk in terms of financial value. For relatively small quantities, delivery could double the cost you pay per cubic meter, which could negate bulk price points. Usually, the more you buy, the more "worth" the delivery will be.

However, if you decide to buy more land than you need for a given season because it is more economically attractive,In this post you will learn the best way to preserve and store the excess soil that is left over..

final thoughts

Buying soil in bulk is a great way to save money and time on trips to and from the garden supply store. It only takes a few measurements to determine how much to buy, and if you take the time to find a good supplier at a reasonable price, you can get a great deal.

Videos

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3. Buying Wholesale Plants - Breaking through a BIG Barrier to entry in the nursery business!!
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4. WHAT BULK SOIL SHOULD YOU BUY FOR THE GARDEN? A SOIL SCIENTISTS OPINION ON BULK GARDEN SOIL. 👩‍🔬
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6. How to start a nursery business in your backyard for under $1,000 in 2023 // Step By Step
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