Get a load of this dirt.

I was very nervous about ordering my topsoil off craigslist, but--by the looks of it--I have nothing to worry about. This 10 cu. yd. load of 50/50 topsoil/compost looks pretty durn good to me. At $395 delivered, I think it was a decent price for this area. I did think 10 cu yds would be a bigger pile, but this will certainly be enough for the time being (I want to spread it in several other places besides my 220 sq. ft. front yard veggie bed). If it were just a matter of spreading it out on this bed, I might have been able to do it myself...but since it's going all over the place, I hired some muscle to help. Gonna pick up some sand to spread on my clay soil as well (not sure how I'll get it under the existing pile...maybe I'll just sand the open section). In any event, feeling like I'll have a chance at a decent harvest next year.

Full disclosure on recent things I had to buy "new."

I spent way too much time and gas looking for "not new" supplies to build my raised bed garden and greenhouse, so I have started buying new: cinder blocks, conduit pipe (supposed to hold up to the weather exposure better than PVC and was cheaper, too...if anyone knows a reason I should not use this as the framework for my greenhouse, please speak up as I have not purchased it yet) and connectors and plastic sheeting. I'll have to get some "new" topsoildelivered, too, but I'm sue it will be, well, old as dirt. I have landscape fabric I got on clearance last year, so I won't need to buy that.

I also purchased the offspring a new baseball cap (allowed myself "new" gifts), but he did not like the style. It was $3.88. I kept it for myself rather than taking it back as I did need a dark gardening hat for Spring and Fall. I'm sure I'll regret it as it is for the Husky company...so in addition to having the cute logo of the Siberian Husky (the breed of our rescue dog), it says "Husky"...and I am a woman of a certain weight.