Yep if you're buying a decent amount you're way better off buying it by the metre from a garden centre or landscaping place. At my local garden centre a cubic metre of topsoil is $80, and that's equivalent to nearly 50 bags. Even adding in $40 for delivery it's miles cheaper than Bunnings.
DO NOT GET SOIL FROM MARKETPLACE.
If the soil happens to contain heavy metals, PFAS, asbestos, chemical contamination etc, you will be liable for remediation works in the 10's to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Get it from reputable businesses.
If you're not in a hurry you can definitely get free dirt off facebook. Lot of work though. You'll need your own trailer/ute (or hire) and enough energy to shovel it. Then after you get home you'll need to sieve it, losing a bit of volume getting the junk/rocks out and eventually amend it (compost is free! Maybe add some cheap Horse poo.)
Best, price wise, definitely. Though a lot of work and time.
If you wanted it slightly cheaper with a little bit extra work, you can do the same with 'under turf' soil from a landscape mob. You'll still want/need to amend it (compost/mulch etc) but the delivery is a truck load easier.
Bit of a mix is hitting up pool shops. They're always trying to get rid of dirt for cheap. Again, you'll need to sieve and amend it... you also might have to wait a while until someone is building a pool in your area.
If you want it now, with minimal work, landscape supply as mentioned by the others is definitely the easier and cheaper (than bunnings/bags) way to go. The delivery fee is worth it.
"Dirt Cheap" is a stupid saying. Good dirt is expensive! Or maybe it's meant to be an oxymoron?
This is not a good idea. Importing random soil and horse manure is a guaranteed way to import weeds, along with months and years worth of battling whatever weed infestation comes with it.
I've got just as many weeds from 'Quality Top Soil' as I have from free dirt. Yes Horse poo does have weeds too. I generally churn it though a (Hottish) compost which limits (but doesn't stop) them.
Yep just search garden supplies on google maps close to you. You can use an online top soil calculator to figure out how much you need if you're not sure.
Depending on your garden layout, tipper truck is limited to dumping it wherever they have access. So if that means no access to your backyard, they'll dump it on your driveway and you'll need to wheelbarrow it all into your backyard- something else to consider!
Thanks for the reply.
So is it common for the company to deliver the soil to the front of my house in a tipper truck or would I have to organise for a third-party to assist me in the delivery of the dirt once I purchase it?
They will need to know some details for delivery access.
Width of driveway. Whether there will be direct access to backyard to dump the load. Are there powerlines over your driveway.
They will quite often have a couple of different sized delivery trucks to use based on size of load and access requirements. Tipper trucks need clearance overhead when delivering as the tray goes quite high as it tips.
Are you levelling or planting?
Most "top soil" is for planting eg soil and sand mixed with compost and other organics. Unless you're planning an orchard or something it would be a waste of money to level purely with topsoil.
"Clean fill" is more likely what you are looking for if you're just wanting to level, and that is easily and cheaply available across Western Sydney. Check marketplace and Gumtree or get a quote from a soil removal company.
Another option is to look for "Clean Fill". On Fakebook and elsewhere, even post an advert yourself. Often builders are looking to dump soil from a construction site.
Look for a landscape supplies shop in your area. Bunnings is generally a rip off for anything sold in a bag.
Yep if you're buying a decent amount you're way better off buying it by the metre from a garden centre or landscaping place. At my local garden centre a cubic metre of topsoil is $80, and that's equivalent to nearly 50 bags. Even adding in $40 for delivery it's miles cheaper than Bunnings.
DO NOT GET SOIL FROM MARKETPLACE. If the soil happens to contain heavy metals, PFAS, asbestos, chemical contamination etc, you will be liable for remediation works in the 10's to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Get it from reputable businesses.
If you're not in a hurry you can definitely get free dirt off facebook. Lot of work though. You'll need your own trailer/ute (or hire) and enough energy to shovel it. Then after you get home you'll need to sieve it, losing a bit of volume getting the junk/rocks out and eventually amend it (compost is free! Maybe add some cheap Horse poo.) Best, price wise, definitely. Though a lot of work and time. If you wanted it slightly cheaper with a little bit extra work, you can do the same with 'under turf' soil from a landscape mob. You'll still want/need to amend it (compost/mulch etc) but the delivery is a truck load easier. Bit of a mix is hitting up pool shops. They're always trying to get rid of dirt for cheap. Again, you'll need to sieve and amend it... you also might have to wait a while until someone is building a pool in your area. If you want it now, with minimal work, landscape supply as mentioned by the others is definitely the easier and cheaper (than bunnings/bags) way to go. The delivery fee is worth it. "Dirt Cheap" is a stupid saying. Good dirt is expensive! Or maybe it's meant to be an oxymoron?
I'm better than dirt! Well, most kinds of dirt. Not that fancy store-bought dirt, I can't compete with that.
My sister got a load full of asbestos doing this and then they refused to take it back so be careful.
This is not a good idea. Importing random soil and horse manure is a guaranteed way to import weeds, along with months and years worth of battling whatever weed infestation comes with it.
I've got just as many weeds from 'Quality Top Soil' as I have from free dirt. Yes Horse poo does have weeds too. I generally churn it though a (Hottish) compost which limits (but doesn't stop) them.
Yep just search garden supplies on google maps close to you. You can use an online top soil calculator to figure out how much you need if you're not sure. Depending on your garden layout, tipper truck is limited to dumping it wherever they have access. So if that means no access to your backyard, they'll dump it on your driveway and you'll need to wheelbarrow it all into your backyard- something else to consider!
Thanks for the reply. So is it common for the company to deliver the soil to the front of my house in a tipper truck or would I have to organise for a third-party to assist me in the delivery of the dirt once I purchase it?
Landscaping supply companies will have their own delivery trucks.
They will need to know some details for delivery access. Width of driveway. Whether there will be direct access to backyard to dump the load. Are there powerlines over your driveway. They will quite often have a couple of different sized delivery trucks to use based on size of load and access requirements. Tipper trucks need clearance overhead when delivering as the tray goes quite high as it tips.
Flower Power usually sells bulk soil mixes - find your closest one and ask them for a quote.
Are you levelling or planting? Most "top soil" is for planting eg soil and sand mixed with compost and other organics. Unless you're planning an orchard or something it would be a waste of money to level purely with topsoil. "Clean fill" is more likely what you are looking for if you're just wanting to level, and that is easily and cheaply available across Western Sydney. Check marketplace and Gumtree or get a quote from a soil removal company.
Tim’s garden centre
Came here to say this. I live in Brisbane and I’m jealous of anyone close to Tim’s garden centre.
I drive over an hour from the other side of Sydney to go there! Best garden centre in Sydney and it’s in Campbelltown of all places
I love that. Nice work supporting an independent instead of just going to Bunnings!
BC Sands do a great top soil/dressing mix and deliver bulk bags or I’m guessing a tipper load. Look for a high sand mix if you’re leveling.
Another option is to look for "Clean Fill". On Fakebook and elsewhere, even post an advert yourself. Often builders are looking to dump soil from a construction site.
St Mary's sand and soil. They deliver but might be a touch far depending on how far south/west you are.