BigYellowBag FAQ's

Before You Order Your BigYellowBag FAQ’s :

“What makes BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil a premium product?”

BigYellowBag is the North American originator of bulk garden product delivery in a bag. We got started back in 1994 and have been committed to quality products, and customer service ever since. We build all our garden products from individual components, and carefully select suppliers to ensure that every BigYellowBag is up to our strict quality standards. We’re in the business of making people happy, and have a 100% Customer Satisfaction guarantee at the time of delivery. If you open your BigYellowBag for the first time and see anything that you didn’t expect, give us a call immediately and we’ll replace the bag with a new one, or provide a full refund. We’re confident in our products, and hope you will be too!

“Can I get an update on the delivery date?”

Our ordering process operates on an “on or before” delivery date system. When you select a date for delivery, we will be delivering your BigYellowBag order on or before that date. We send delivery alert emails the day before your BigYellowBag will be delivered to keep you informed.

“Does BigYellowBag provide a smaller bag/size?”

We do not provide smaller sizes of BigYellowBags. Our standard BigYellowBag holds slightly over 1 cubic yard of soil or mulch (approx. 800 litres) and it’s the perfect amount for a variety of projects! For customers who require less, we suggest asking a neighbour or a friend if they would be willing to split the BigYellowBag with you! As a guideline, 1 BigYellowBag will cover about 324 sq.ft. at a depth of 1″.

“Can you deliver the bag over a fence? On the lawn? Under the car-port?”

Most of our BigYellowBag suppliers use “piggy-back” style forklifts to deliver BigYellowBags. These are the forklifts that attach to the back of transport trucks. They require approximately 9 feet of horizontal clearance, and 16 feet of vertical clearance. They do not have the capability to drop bags over fences or shrubs, and due to the vertical clearance we cannot deliver under car-ports or in garages. We don’t recommend placing the bag on your lawn to avoid any inadvertent damage to the turf (from the bag sitting over time, or from our forklift tires) and also be aware of other obstructions like overhanging wires, and AC units. Check out this video that shows the delivery process, and how easy your BigYellowBag delivery will be.

After you order your BigYellowBag FAQ’s :

“How long do I have to empty the bag?”

When you purchase a BigYellowBag, the bag is yours to keep! There’s no time constraint for you to use the bag. All of our BigYellowBag suppliers provide options for you to return the bag once it is emptied. Please contact your local BigYellowBag supplier to inquire about their Empty Bag Return Policy.

Alternatively, you can use empty BigYellowBags for all kinds of things around your property:

moving or storing leaf litter and other yard debris
a cover for your BBQ or A/C unit
storage for gazebo covers/garden tents
protect lawn furniture or decorations over winter

“My confirmation email says to use the bag the next day, but I’ll need more time than that!”

The only reason we state to “plan to use the bag the next day” in our confirmation emails is so that you don’t plan to use the BigYellowBag on the day it’s going to be delivered. We deliver the bags from sun up to sun down. We wouldn’t want to disappoint anyone on their delivery date with a late delivery that doesn’t leave you time to complete your project!

“Can the driver call when they arrive?”

All our delivery drivers do their best make each delivery as efficiently as possible. This reduces emissions and ensures that all our customers receive their delivery during our regular delivery hours. Because of this efficiency requirement, our drivers cannot make phone calls on arrival. We appreciate your understanding, and this is also why we ask that you define your drop location in detail during the order process.

After Delivery of Your BigYellowBag FAQ’s :

“Concerns with BigYellowBag Placement?”

When completing a BigYellowBag order, it’s essential to define your bag drop location with detail. Our drivers are trained to follow the provided delivery instructions, and also to look for an “X” for the exact drop location. We ask our customers to leave this “X” out in their drop location the night before their delivery so that our driver will know exactly where to place the bag. The bag requires a square area of about 4’X4′. Specific delivery instructions and an “X” in the drop location prevents misplaced bags, and also allows our drivers to complete the delivery efficiently without further instruction.

“I marked the “X” in my desired drop location, but my bag was placed elsewhere!”

As we mentioned previously, our forklifts require approximately 9 feet of horizontal clearance, and 16 feet of vertical clearance. If your bag was placed somewhere that you did not request, have a look at your requested drop location and ensure that there’s no reason our driver couldn’t have delivered there. Once again, we cannot go through gates or lift over shrubs or fences, we cannot put the bags under car ports or in garages, and we cannot deliver on or across lawns. If your drop location was completely free from obstruction and your bag was still placed improperly, give your local BigYellowBag supplier a call to arrange to have your bag moved to the proper location.

Empty Bag Return BigYellowBag FAQ’s :

“How do I return the bag?”

All BigYellowBag suppliers have an empty bag return system in place. We take environmental considerations very seriously, and we do our best to reuse or recycle every BigYellowBag. Check your order confirmation email for empty bag return details, or head to this link and click “View Details” underneath your local BigYellowBag supplier!

“Can you come and pick up the empty bag?”

We only pick-up empty bags if we are delivering a new BigYellowBag to the same location. We do not pick-up empty bags if we’re in the neighbourhood, and we ask that you do not approach our delivery drivers in an effort to return your empty bags.

“I ordered too much… Can you come pick-up my unused bag?”

We do our best to advise our customers when ordering soil to make accurate measurements and closely estimate the amount of soil they will require. We do not pick-up unused bags for free, and if you require us to pickup a bag, there will be charges incurred for the pick up.

Product & Ordering FAQ’s

“What is BigYellowBag and how does it work?”

BigYellowBag is North America’s #1 bulk garden product delivery service, operating across Canada and the United States. Unlike traditional bagged soil from garden centres, BigYellowBag delivers high-quality garden soil (and mulch from most BigYellowBag suppliers) in large, reusable bags directly to your property. Each bag contains slightly over one cubic yard of material (equivalent to about 32 standard 25L bags), eliminating the need for multiple trips to the store/garden centre, and reducing plastic waste. The bags are delivered directly to your desired location, allowing you to use your delivered garden products as you can, and then tie the bag back up to keep everything inside protected and dry until you’re ready to use it again. The entire process from order to delivery is simple and seamless. We have a 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee at the time of delivery as well. If you don’t love what’s in your BigYellowBag, contact us immediately after you open your bag for the first time, and we’ll do what we can to make things right. Save your back, save time, and use your BigYellowBag bulk garden products at your own pace.

“How much does a BigYellowBag cost in 2026?”

BigYellowBag pricing varies by region, product type, and delivery location. For product availability and region-specific pricing, head to BigYellowBag.com and input your postal/zip code. Either a comprehensive price list will populate, custom tailored to your local BigYellowBag supplier, or the system will let you know that we don’t currently deliver BigYellowBags in your area. We’re constantly expanding our delivery zones and hope to one day provide high-quality garden products to most major markets across the continent. We do our best to ensure our pricing is competitive compared to similar products in the market, and we offer many opportunities for customers to save including early-season discounts, and loyalty discounts to repeat customers. You can get a chance to win a FREE BigYellowBag at this link.

“How much area does one BigYellowBag cover?”

One BigYellowBag contains slightly over one cubic yard (27 cubic feet) of material. Coverage depends on your particular application depth:

At 1 inch depth: a BigYellowBag will cover about 324 sq.ft.
At 2 inch depth: a BigYellowBag will cover about 162 sq.ft.
At 3 inch depth: a BigYellowBag will cover about 108 sq.ft.
At 4 inch depth: a BigYellowBag will cover about 81 sq.ft.
At 5 inch depth: a BigYellowBag will cover about 54 sq.ft.
At 6 inch depth: a BigYellowBag will cover about 27 sq.ft.

For raised garden beds, one BigYellowBag fills a bed approximately 4 feet x 8 feet x 12 inch deep. For top-dressing/overseeding lawns, one bag covers roughly 1200 sq.ft. For new garden beds requiring 6-8 inches of soil, plan for one BigYellowBag per 50-70 square feet.

“What’s the difference between BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil and triple-mix?”

Common triple-mix is mainly comprised of topsoil (low-organic matter mineral soil) mixed with compost and manure. BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil on the other hand is built from individual soil components, starting with a base of high-organic matter black loam, then adding in peat loam, well-composted manure, and a touch of mineral soil for stability. We make sure that our Black Garden Soil is engineered to grow everything better. High organic matter content is the key to why our Black Garden Soil works so well.

“What other products does BigYellowBag offer?”

Product availability depends on your local BigYellowBag supplier. Some locations only provide Black Garden Soil, while others also have mulch available. Other locations provide a topdressing mix, purpose built for topdressing/overseeding lawns. Be sure to check out your local BigYellowBag supplier’s order page at BigYellowBag.com for a comprehensive price list.

“How do I calculate how many BigYellowBags I need for my project?”

Formula: (Length in feet x width in feet x depth in inches) / 324 = Number of bags needed

Example Calculations:

Raised bed measurements: 10ft x 4ft x 12in deep ➡️ (10 x 4 x 12) / 324 = 1.48 bags (order 2 bags)
Garden bed measurements: 20ft x 8ft x 6in deep ➡️ (20 x 8 x 6) / 324 = 2.96 bags (order 3 bags)
Lawn topdressing measurements: 1200 sq.ft. x 0.25in deep ➡️ (1200 x 0.25) / 324 = 0.93 bags (order 1 bag)

Pro tip: Always round up and order 10-15% extra to account for settling, uneven ground, and future topping up.

Technical & Growing FAQ’s

“Is BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil good for vegetable gardens?”

Yes, BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil is excellent for vegetable gardens. The Black Garden Soil blend of black loam, peat loam, well-composted manure and a touch of mineral soil provides balanced nutrition, good drainage, and moisture retention essential for growing healthy vegetables. The neutral pH is ideal for most vegetables including tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, carrots, beans, and squash. Testing results often demonstrate organic matter percentages as high as 50%. Organic matter truly is the key to unlocking your garden’s potential. Read more about the importance of organic matter here. For best results in vegetable gardens, blend some of your existing soil with Black Garden Soil and plant directly into that mixture. Add additional Black Garden Soil annually (top 2-3 inches) to refresh your garden with nutrients. Consider testing your soil every 2-3 years to ensure strong plant performance. Don’t forget to rotate crops to prevent nutrient depletion and potential pathogens. Many gardeners across North America use BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil as their foundation soil for raised bed vegetable production. Whether you live in BC, Ontario, Georgia, California, or anywhere in between, be sure to head to BigYellowBag.com and set yourself up for gardening success.

“What is the pH of BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil?”

BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil has an acceptable pH range of 6-7, which is near neutral and suitable for the majority of garden plants, vegetables, and flowers. This pH range is measured at the time of blending and can shift slightly based on regional water pH and any amendments that are added. For plants that require specific pH levels (highly acidic for blueberries at 4.5-5.5, or alkaline for lilacs at 7-8) you may need to amend Black Garden Soil with elemental sulfur (to lower pH) or lime (to raise pH). Most common garden plants thrive in the 6-7 range that BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil provides.

“Can I use BigYellowBag soil for indoor plants?”

BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil is designed for outdoor use, however it can absolutely be suitable for indoor gardening with some slight amendments. Indoor gardening often requires specific drainage/moisture retention and aeration levels, and our Black Garden Soil is designed to ensure proper drainage and aeration in outdoor applications. To improve the drainage/moisture retention to a level suitable for indoor gardening, mix Black Garden Soil with vermiculite at a ratio of 2:1, so two scoops of Black Garden Soil to every 1 scoop of vermiculite. Mix well and be sure to monitor plant performance over time. If you find your plants are particularly thirsty, you may want to adjust that ratio to 1:1. Depending on the container you’re using, the location of the plants, and frequency of watering, you may have to make slight adjustments to your soil blends.

“How long does BigYellowBag soil last and does it need to be replenished?”

BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil provides a long-lasting foundation for garden beds, but organic matter naturally decomposes over time. In vegetable gardens and annual flower beds that have a heavy nutrient demand, top up your beds with 1-2 inches of Black Garden Soil each spring. In perennial gardens and shrub beds, you can often stagger the 1 inch soil top up to every-other spring. Mulch on the other hand breaks down fast, and we recommend replenishing mulch annually with 1-2 inches to ensure you’re getting the full benefits. The BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil structure will remain viable for 5-10+ years but your soil microbiome will benefit greatly from refreshing organic matter levels each year with additional Black Garden Soil. Signs you need to replenish: soil level has dropped significantly (due to settling, decomposition, or erosion), plants show signs of nutrient deficiency, or soil becomes compacted and dense. For raised gardens beds, gardeners typically order one new BigYellowBag every 1-2 years to maintain optimal soil health and height.

“What’s the difference between BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil and bagged soil from garden centres?”

Volume & Cost Efficiency: One BigYellowBag (slightly over 1 cubic yard) holds the equivalent amount of soil or mulch as about 32 bags of soil that hold 25L each. The cost of bulk garden materials varies greatly, but BigYellowBag continues to have a very competitive price, especially when you factor in the cost of delivery. Another valuable aspect of ordering a BigYellowBag is the packaging! Your soil or mulch will stay contained, dry, and safe inside your BigYellowBag on your driveway until you’re ready to use it.

Quality & Consistency: BigYellowBag sources materials from land improvement projects and blends the individual soil components on site to ensure batch-to-batch consistency. Bagged soil quality varies significantly by brand and even between bags of the same brand. Not to mention BigYellowBag stands behind our products, providing a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee at the time of delivery. If you ever open a BigYellowBag and see something you didn’t expect, we’ll either replace the bag with a new, proper one, or provide a full-refund. We’re in the business of making people happy!

Convenience: Your BigYellowBag will protect your soil from erosion, waiting patiently in your driveway until you’re ready to use it. Compare a single BigYellowBag delivery to a load of soil dumped on your driveway that you’ll have to cover with a tarp to keep it dry, and even then a certain amount of erosion is expected. Alternatively, compare this to a stack of small bags that you’ll have to store in your garage or shed until you’re ready to use it. The convenience, space savings, and erosion protection are more than enough to make BigYellowBag worth it for the hundreds of thousands of gardeners that have ordered a BigYellowBag since inception in 1994. BigYellowBags are also reusable and we accept them back at our supplier locations once you’re done with them. This prevents a ton of unnecessary plastic waste that’s created when gardeners use the smaller garden centre soil bags.

Freshness: BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil is blended shortly before delivery and hasn’t been sitting in warehouse storage where quality can degrade. You can rest assured that your BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil will be fresh upon delivery, and if it’s not, we stand behind our 100% customer satisfaction guarantee at the time of delivery. If your products are not as fresh as you expected, be sure to contact us and we’ll either replace your bag with a fresh one, or provide a full refund.

When purchasing smaller bagged soil makes sense: For very small projects, if there’s no delivery access at your property, if you require very particular soil blends for a certain application, or for apartment balcony gardens.

Delivery & Logistics FAQ’s

“Where does BigYellowBag deliver?”

BigYellowBag operates across Canada and the United States as of 2026. Canadian delivery coverage includes Ontario (GTA, Ottawa, Kingston, Peterborough, Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, Kettleby, Newmarket, Barrie, Hamilton, London, Windsor, Niagara, Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo Brampton, Oakville, and Mississauga), British Columbia (Vancouver, Kelowna, Kamloops, Enderby), and Alberta (Grande Prairie, Grimshaw, Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary, Lethbridge). U.S. markets include New York (Saratoga Springs, Buffalo), New Jersey, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia Area), Ohio (Columbus), Wisconsin (Milwaukee Area), Missouri (St. Louis Area), Montana (Billings), Oregon (Portland), Utah (Salt Lake City), California (Escondido), Arizona (Phoenix), New Mexico (Albuquerque, El Paso), Georgia (Atlanta), South Carolina (Charlotte), and North Carolina (Raleigh). To check for product availability in your area, head to https://bigyellowbag.com/orders/new/ and input your postal/zip code. Delivery areas expand each season, so be sure to check the website for product availability even if BigYellowBag has not been available in your region previously. Confused about product availability? Reach out to your local BigYellowBag supplier with any inquiries. You can find all our locations at: https://bigyellowbag.com/all_locations

“How are BigYellowBags delivered and do I need to be home?”

BigYellowBags are primarily delivered by transport trucks with piggy-back style forklifts. Our delivery drivers are trained to be effective at operating both the truck and the forklift to deliver BigYellowBags to customer driveways, and to drop the bag in a designated location. You do not need to be home for delivery. We ask that customers place an “X” on their driveway using chalk, sticks, or tape in the location that they’d like the bag or bags to be dropped. As a guideline, if you can easily drive your car to the location, we’ll be able to drop your bag there. Beware of overhanging wires and other potential obstructions to the forklift. Our forklifts require horizontal clearance of 9 feet, and vertical clearance of 16 feet. We cannot deliver bags over fences or across lawns. Especially in the spring, lawns and yards can be very soft, and our forklifts would get stuck if they try to drive across the soft ground. Many customers successfully receive deliveries while they’re at work, commuting, or away on a trip by providing specific delivery instructions at the time of ordering, and by leaving out prominent markers (an “X”) in the location they’d like their bags to be dropped.

“Can BigYellowBag deliver to my backyard?”

Our delivery forklifts require 9 feet horizontal clearance, and 16 feet vertical clearance. If there’s enough clearance, and the path to the delivery location is solid ground (concrete, asphalt, gravel etc.) we can absolutely deliver a BigYellowBag to the backyard. Be sure to provide accurate, specific delivery instructions at the time of ordering to ensure your BigYellowBag is dropped in the appropriate place. Once again, we recommend leaving out an “X” using sticks, tape, or chalk to indicate the exact drop location. This helps our drivers out a lot! Beware of overhanging wires, trees, and eavestroughs. Our recommendation is to have your BigYellowBag delivered to your driveway to avoid any incidental property damage, but if all the delivery conditions are met, you can request to have your BigYellowBag delivered to specific locations. If there’s any uncertainty about your delivery location, be sure to reach out to your local BigYellowBag supplier after placing your order to clear up any confusion or potential delivery issues ahead of time.

“What I do with the empty BigYellowBag?”

Regional & Seasonal FAQ’s

“When is the best time to order from BigYellowBag in Canada?”

The optimal ordering window for most Canadian BigYellowBag customers is March – June, with specific timing based on your project!

Spring (March – May): Peak season for vegetable garden prep, new raised beds, and lawn renovation. Order 2 – 3 weeks before your intended planting date to allow soil to settle. This is the time when demand is at its peak so be sure to book your delivery as early as possible. Our local BigYellowBag suppliers provide early season delivery discounts during this time as well, making it the best time to order a BigYellowBag at the lowest price.

Early Summer (June – July): Good timing to top up existing garden beds that you haven’t planted into yet, mulching, and mid-season garden expansion. An advantage to ordering at this time is that the soil is warm and ready to plant in immediately.

Late Summer/Fall (August – November): Excellent timing for perennial planting, lawn overseeding, and bed preparation for next spring. Refreshing beds later in the year allows time for soil to settle and integrate with your existing garden soil over winter. There’s also less delivery demand at this time meaning more flexibility for you with delivery timing.

“Can BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil be used in Canadian winter climates?”

BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil is formulated to withstand Canadian freeze-thaw cycles and performs very well in Northern climates. The high organic matter content helps improve soil structure resilience throughout harsh winter conditions. For best results, refresh soil beds & garden areas before late October to allow some settling before the first freeze. Spread 3 inches of BigYellowBag mulch on top of all your beds as well to insulate your garden from big temperature swings. Avoid working or walking on soil when it’s frozen (prevents compaction). Your Black Garden Soil will freeze solid in winter, but it will thaw without quality degradation once warm temperatures resume in spring.

“Is BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil organic and are there any additives or chemicals?”

All BigYellowBag products use natural ingredients without any synthetic chemicals or fertilizers. Our Black Garden Soil is formulated using black loam, peat loam, well composted manure, and a touch of mineral soil. These are all natural ingredients. No synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers are added during blending. BigYellowBag products are not certified organic by organic certification bodies and technically cannot be guaranteed for certified organic farming. For certified organic farming, requiring compliance with organic standards, look for OMRI-listed or certified materials. For home gardeners practicing organic methods without certification requirements, BigYellowBag products are suitable and align with organic gardening principles. The products are proven to be safe for edible gardens, children’s play areas, and pet-friendly yards.

“Does BigYellowBag contain any weeds or weed seeds?”

BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil is engineered to grow everything better. Unfortunately for some, that means the weeds too. As with any natural topsoil or compost product that doesn’t use harmful herbicides, there may be some persistent weed seeds present. Weed seeds are airborne and can enter your soil at any point during the installation process. To minimize weed concerns, apply 2-3 inches of BigYellowBag mulch to suppress weed germination. Expect some initial weed emergence in the first few weeks (common with any new garden soil) and hand-pull weeds while they’re still small before they establish. However, if you find that there’s a lot of weed growth in your BigYellowBag at the time of delivery, be sure to reach out to us ASAP. We have a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee at the time of delivery, so if you need a fresh bag, or a full refund, contact your local BigYellowBag supplier right away. Many professional gardeners and landscapers use BigYellowBag products and manage weeds as a part of normal garden maintenance.

Comparison & Alternative FAQ’s

“BigYellowBag vs. bulk soil delivery by the truckload – which should I choose?”

Choose BigYellowBag when: your project requires 1-5 cubic yards (most residential gardens), precise placement is needed (bags can be delivered to any accessible location), you want to work at your own pace (use your soil or mulch gradually over days, weeks or months), no equipment access for traditional bulk deliveries (no bobcat, tractor, or significant labour), or your working in established landscaping where a dump truck or other heavy equipment would damage existing features.

Choose bulk truck delivery when: your project requires 10+ cubic yards, you have equipment to move soil (skid steer, tractor, wheelbarrow team), delivery can be dumped in one location you’ll redistribute, you’re doing major earthwork/landscaping, or new construction.

Residential sweet spot: For most typical homeowner projects (new raised beds, garden renovation, lawn topdressing etc.) BigYellowBag is the ideal way to get bulk garden materials delivered for convenience, quality, and value.

“Can I use BigYellowBag for lawn installation or renovation?”

Yes, BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil is excellent for lawn topdressing, overseeding, renovation, and new lawn installation. For lawn topdressing/overseeding (improving existing lawn): use Black Garden Soil (or topdressing mix if available from your local BigYellowBag supplier), apply 1/4-1/2 inch layer across the entire lawn area (mix in seed first if overseeding), one BigYellowBag covers between 600-1200 sq.ft. depending on depth, and use a leaf rake to work the soil into the thatch layer of your lawn. For lawn renovation (patching holes with sod, or using sod to fill in previously bare areas) first diagnose any existing lawn issue that could harm new sod, then spread Black Garden Soil over your native topsoil and mix it in well, ensure the proper grading using a levelling rake or similar tool, then install new sod.

“What alternatives exist to BigYellowBag and when would I use them?”

Bagged soil from garden centres: These are best for very small projects, container gardening, indoor plants, or specialty growing (cactus, orchid etc.). Ends up being much more expensive and cumbersome for larger projects.

Bulk delivery by dump truck: Best for very large projects (10+ cubic yards) where soil quality isn’t as important, major landscaping, new construction, or when you have equipment to move soil. Cheaper cost per yard but requires significant labour, and isn’t protected from the elements.

Landscape supply yards (pickup): This is a good option if you have a truck and want to save delivery fees for 1-3 cubic yard quantities. Requires vehicle, loading and unloading capabilities, and proper tarping for transport/storage.

Composting: Whether you acquire compost/manure from a local farm, or you’re making your own compost, time is the major factor here. Compost requires aging before use, and quality can be inconsistent. You’ll require about 6-12 months of production time to have a viable product you can use in your gardens.

BigYellowBag’s Optimal Application: Residential projects that require 1-5 cubic yards. Convenience, placement precision, and quality consistency are the major benefits to using BigYellowBag. Whether you’re topping up garden beds, starting new ones, or working on your lawn, BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil is the ideal product for all these applications.

Project Specific FAQ’s

“How do I use BigYellowBag for raised garden beds?”

BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil is ideal for raised bed gardening. Step-by-step process: Build or place your raised bed structure(s) (wood, metal or composite), calculate the amount of soil needed using the volume formula (length x width x depth in inches ➗ 324), order your BigYellowBag (round up, one BigYellowBag fills approximately 4ft x 8ft x 12inches), have BigYellowBag delivered, fill bed using shovel and wheelbarrow, level soil leaving 2-3 inches below bed rim. Some local BigYellowBag suppliers may recommend mixing your Black Garden Soil with some native topsoil before installing in new garden beds. Be sure to pay close attention to all communications from your local supplier.

“Can I use BigYellowBag for container gardening on my deck or patio?”

BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil can absolutely be used for large outdoor containers, but in those applications, you may want to mix it with drainage amendments. For outdoor containers: Mix BigYellowbag Black Garden Soil at a ratio of 1:1 with perlite, vermiculite, or coconut coir to improve drainage. This blend works well for large patio pots (15+ gallon), deck planters, and half-barrel containers. BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil can be too dense for small container gardening and may retain excessive moisture. Container sizing: One BigYellowBag provides enough amended mix for approximately 12-15 large (20 gallon) containers or 25-30 medium (10 gallon) containers when mixed at a 1:1 ratio with amendments. Best uses: Large container vegetable gardens, patior fruit trees in 25+ gallon pots, and substantial decorative planters. For dedicated container gardening, BigYellowBag is excellent for large volume needs but requires the amendment mixing step for optimal drainage in these applications.

“What’s the best BigYellowBag product for starting a vegetable garden from scratch?”

Depending on your local BigYellowBag supplier, you may have options for starting a vegetable garden from scratch. Be sure to contact your local BigYellowBag supplier, or review the available products in your area by heading to https://bigyellowbag.com/orders/new/ and inputting your postal/zip code. Generally, BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil is fantastic for starting new garden beds. We do recommend mixing in some of your native topsoil with your Black Garden Soil for new garden beds, just to add a little bit of weight. The balanced blend of topsoil for structure, peat loam for moisture retention, black loam for organic matter, and well composted manure for even more organic matter, provides all the nutrients vegetables need, while providing an excellent medium for supporting strong root growth. Installation process: Remove existing grass/weeds from garden area, or build raised beds (we recommend raised beds for improved control), spread 8-12 inches of Black Garden Soil over prepared area, mix in some existing topsoil, (10-20% by volume), rake level and create planting rows or squares, then plant vegetables according to spacing requirements. Soil depth guidelines: Leafy greens and herbs need 6-8 inches, tomatoes and peppers need 10-12 inches, and root vegetables need 12-18 inches. Ongoing maintenance: Add 1-2 inches of Black Garden Soil each spring and mix thoroughly with your existing garden soil. Consider cover cropping or mulching in the fall. Expected yield: With proper care and maintenance, BigYellowBag Black Garden Soil supports productive vegetable gardens for 5-7+ years before any major amendments are needed, though annual refreshing with Black Garden Soil maintains peak garden performance.