What happened to the "2 yards of topsoil" and stuff on the other thread? To raise a 20ft x 5ft area 5 inches you're gonna need almost 42 cubic feet of ingredients.

It's coming. you think I should still add the Top Soil?? They won't be delivering it for a week. I'm anxious to put my tomatoes in there.

Should I wait? Looks like I can still build it up, right? Would you mix it all together or just lay the Top soil on top??

I think you should find a different source if it'll take a week. Can't you buy compost bulk? $13 for a pickup truck load here. If you are just reconditioning a spot, I'd just add compost and till it all in/together.

Is this a recently purchased house you're "flipping?"

Which house? The one in the pictures is the one I've been living in for 4 yrs. I figure I'll be here till at least August so I'll enjoy the garden till then.

$160 for 2 yrds of Top Soil. I think I'm cancelling.
Maybe I will flip the other property and stay here.

Is that price from a nursery or something? Did you call around? I think even Home Depot is cheaper than that. Can't you borrow a pickup truck? Picking it up yourself is much, much cheaper.

I had a few yards delivered only twice, maybe around 1999-2000 and maybe 4 years ago. I wasn't too thrilled. I ordered 1/3rd compost, 1/3rd sand and 1/3rd topsoil blend... it was less than $100 delivered. What they have is a shredder that they dump it thru so when you get it it looks really nice... until it rains and you see it had a high clay content.

Since then, I drive 15-20 miles to a suburb and buy compost instead. They charge about $1.25 to $1.50 for a Rubbermaid 18-20 gallon container's worth, $2-$3 for a garbage can full, $13 for a yard... you get more than a yard in a pickup load.

I had a soiltest done last year for the spot I grow giant pumpkins and my organic matter % was unheard of... many top growers worldwide were in the 10-15% range... mine was 36%. No shortage of calcium--18,689 lbs/acre.

I cancelled the order yes from the nursery and ordered it from somewhere else. Getting 4 yrds now for $180 delivered. It'll mostly be for grass around the property. I might buy a few more bags of that Lobster compost.

This new top soil being delivered is screened through 3/4 screens and it's not the top 6 inches of soil so I'll get some pebbles from it. Not good for Tomatoes..right?

If you just get some pebbles and not "gravel" I do not think that it will hurt your tomatoes Natural. That one bale of Peat looks like a whole lot for that small of an area to me, but then I really do not like peat. It is hard to wet and if it dries out, then you got problems again.

If it were me, I think that I would just double dig, or till what you have now in, and plant. Sometimes, less is more. If you can get a bag of composted cow manure to mix in with dirt from the planting hole that would probably be sufficient to get your maters on their way. For that matter, a garbage can or two of that compost, if it is really good, would probably do.

Looks like you will need a taller border or some 2'X 6's along the edge.
Good luck with your growing. Plants loaded down with tomatoes might help sell your house.
Bill P.

Bill, thanks your right. Belgian blocks will be installed soon. Your right again, I can tell buyers free veggies comes with the home! lol I think I'll try more Lobster Composite instead of cow manure. I hate to mix so much stuff.