How many tons

[Arnie]

Hi Everyone,

Lets hope that someone can work this out, how many tons of soil would it take to fill a 7ft 7inch wide by 2ft 4inch high by 9ft long raised bed,
a mate at the allotments has built 4 of them and they are huge I have told him on many occasions that they are far to big
I need to bring him back down to earth the only way I feel I can do it is to tell him how much it is going to cost him to fill these beds.

Regards

Arnie

[adam-alexander]

All soil density, hence weight per Cubic Metre varies depending on soil type, but in general loamy soil weighs about 1.72 tonnes per CuMetre.

The beds you describe are approx 4.78 CuMetre each, so each will require about 8.25 tonnes of soil.

Have you got a really tough wheel=barrow??

Hope that helps.

a-a

[Arnie]

Hi Adam,

Thanks for the info

I think he is going to have to change the size of his beds just priced loose topsoil at £208-00 per 8 tonnes and he will need 4 such delivery's this will hurt his back also his pocket to the tune of £832-00, I am not sure if there is vat & delivery on this. Hopefully he will see the light

Regards

Arnie

[Shallot Man]

Arnie. No doubt beeing a good plot-holder you will vounluteer to barrow most of it in for him.

[Arnie]

Hi Shallot Man,

In my dreams

Regards

Arnie

[PLUMPUDDING]

He could always put a bit in the bottom of each and keep adding compost or extra soil as and when he can afford or otherwise acquire it and use the sides to shelter his crops until the soil levels get nearer the top. They don't have to be more than three quarters full anyway. It is easier to tuck the fleece or other covers in then.

A couple of loads of manure would also add several inches.

[John]

Hello Arnie
Why does he need his beds to be 2 ft 4 in high? This is quite unnecessary unless he has problems with bending down. I would have thought about 9 in height would be more than enough. Also anything more than 4 ft wide means that he will have to walk in the bed to cultivate it - raised beds are not for walking on.
You will need to give him a serious talking to!

John

[Arnie]

Hi John,

He is fit & healthy and he has been made aware of ALL the perils & pitfalls he is making for himself but I am afraid he took no notice and went ahead and built them
As for giving him a serious talking to I gave up on that a long time ago
I have come to the conclusion that the lights are on but nobody's at home

Regards

Arnie