It’ll be a little bigger than this.
Yes, that right, I’m sitting here waiting for the dirt, seven and a half yards of it, to be exact. That’s what the landscape people call a Unit. It’s a lot.
The picture isn’t of our house, driveway or soil (since it’s not here yet) but it will be that much, or just a little more. Of course, since it’s raining here today, as soon as the dump truck pours it onto our driveway, I’ll be there with tarps, covering it and putting bricks around the edges to hold the tarps down since it’s also windy. It’s going to be an exciting afternoon.
Tip the Wink 
Instead of buying dirt, I’d be buying books! Instead of moving dirt, I’d rather be reading!
I hear you George, but it’s not optional. We’re putting in two new raised planting beds plus leveling the lawn which creates another raised bed, so we need the soil. The landscape guys will be here tomorrow to move all this stuff, but it’s on me today to direct the dump truck (something that would have thrilled me when I was a kid) and cover the pile. They then get to do the shovel and wheelbarrow part (thank goodness).
But then we have to do the hole digging and planting after that. It’s almost too late to be putting things in, most of the planting will have to wait until Spring, as will the new irrigation lines for these areas.
I have a sudden urge to reread Charles Beaumont’s story “Free Dirt.”
These days, nothing is free, but I think I’ve heard of the book.
I’m glad you’re not moving the dirt!
Believe me, Bill, so am I.
Watch that back!
Thanks, Patti! We just finished putting tarps over it when it started to rain. Close call. Fortunately, the two landscaper guys will do the hard part with wheel barrows, shovels and rakes.
I’m sure the results will be worth it come Spring, but I am also sure glad that this is an issue I will never face.
Good luck!
Thanks, Jeff. One of our primary criteria when moving here and looking for a house was lots of gardening space. We’re Gardeners!
You should consult with Phil Abbott. He is big on gardening too.
Ugh! When I moved in here I wanted some gravel and ordered five yards, which I found in my driveway when I got home from work one day. It turns out two yards would have been more than enough. After foisting some off on neighbors, I still had a lot of it, and a blocked driveway. Since there was a 2-foot, 90-degree dropoff in the back yard and a baby on board, I decided to make the cliff a slope–one wheelbarrowful at a time. Good thing I was still young enough to do it.
That’s quite a tale, Bob. Sounds like it was hard work. In our case, the landscapers (2 guys we hired) are doing the grunt work.