We all know what to do with our garden waste, but what about unwanted soil and dirt? It may come as a surprise, but solid and dirt are not treated the same as green waste – clippings, branches, palm fronds etc. And, in most cases, green waste removal services, the council’s green waste bins or 4 Waste Removal, won’t accept soil in their green waste bins.
So, the question remains, how do you get rid of soil – where do you get rid of soil?
If you read our Terms and Conditions, you will see that we do not accept soil in our garden skip bins or garden bags. But that’s not to say you’re on your own! We’d still like to help you in your quest, so continue reading to discover how to get rid of soil from your yard or garden.
Soil & Dirt – What’s the difference?
To the untrained eye, soil and dirt may appear interchangeable. However, there is a big difference between the two. Soil is a complex mixture of sand, silt, clay, organic matter, water, and air. This combination of ingredients provides nutrients and support for plant growth. Dirt, on the other hand, is simply any dry or lose earth material. It can consist of sand, silt, clay, or organic matter – but it always lacks one or more of the essential ingredients that make the soil fertile. As a result, dirt is not suitable for growing plants. It’s important to remember this distinction when gardening or engaging in other outdoor activities. If you want your plants to thrive, ensure you use soil, not dirt!
So, now that you know the difference, you should be able to identify whether you have soil or dirt to remove and can then use the appropriate suggestions below to get rid of it.
How to Get Rid of Excess Soil from Garden
The easiest way to get rid of soil is to dig it up and simply take it to the tip. However, this method is not always possible – especially if you have a lot of soil to remove or if the soil is too heavy. Excess soil removal can be a big job, but there are some things you can do to make the process easier.
Try these tips for getting rid of garden soil:
Spread it around the garden
It may not have dawned on you, but the easiest way to get rid of excess soil from a garden is by spreading it around the garden. This can help to create raised garden bed and provide more space for plants to grow. It also helps to improve drainage and prevents the soil from becoming waterlogged. In addition, spreading soil around the garden can also help to fill in any low areas that may have been created by erosion. This is also beneficial for any missing patches of grass – simply top it up with soil and watch the grass grow.
By taking these steps, you can help to create a healthier environment for your flower beds to flourish.
Use it as topsoil
If you have too much soil and nowhere to put it, using it as topsoil is a great solution. Topsoil is the uppermost soil layer rich in organic matter and nutrients. It is also known for being loose and easy to work with, which makes it ideal for gardens.
Topsoil can be used to improve the quality of existing soil, as well as to fill in any bare patches. It is also perfect for creating new garden beds and can be used to raise the level of existing garden beds. Simply hose on a lawn solution like Seasol seaweed concentrate, and you have yourself some top-quality topsoil!
Use it to improve drainage
Most people believe that the only way to get rid of excess soil from their garden is to dig it up and dispose of it. However, this is not the only option available. In many cases, it may be possible to use the excess soil to improve the drainage in your garden. For example, if you have a problem with waterlogged areas, you can use excess soil to create raised beds. This will help to improve drainage and prevent your plants from becoming waterlogged. Alternatively, you can use excess soil to create berms. These small hills can help catch and redirect runoff from heavy rains. As a result, they can help reduce flooding and minimize the amount of soil erosion in your garden.
Advertise it for free
If you’ve been to Bunnings garden centers, local plant nurseries, or a landscape supplier lately, you’ll know that soil isn’t cheap. Therefore, one of the cheapest ways to get rid of soil is to give it away for free. It’s easy to do – simply advertise your dirt online via Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace and wait for someone to come and collect it. You could also ask your friends and family if they need any soil for their gardens. You’re not only helping someone else out, but you’re saving yourself a lot of effort. It’s up to them to dig it out and remove it from your home.
Where to Get Rid of Soil
If the options above are not viable, you can either a) take it to the tip yourself or b) you will need a commercial soil waste removal service specialising in disposing of soil.
Option a) requires multiple trips to the tip to remove large amounts of dirt, and while you can do it at your own pace, it will be a very long and gruelling process. Regarding option b) 4 Waste Removals’ junk removal trucks do not accept soil, but many junk removal companies in the region do. You can simply search online for “dirt removal services” or contact a local excavation company. They will supply a bobcat, operator and dump truck to remove the soil from your home. A bobcat will load it into the truck bed with little effort at all, saving multiple trips to the dump.
How to Get Rid of Dirt from Yard
Whether you’re having a pool dug out or excavating land, you will end up with a lot of dirt. And while dirt is different to soil, the process of getting rid of it is similar. You can either:
Hide it
One of the easiest ways to get rid of dirt is to simply spread it around the yard with a rake or shovel. This will help to level out any bumps or uneven areas and make it easier to mow. However, remember, this is dirt and not soil, so it isn’t recommended as topsoil.
If you have a raised home, another way to excess dirt is to move it under your home’s crawl space or subfloor. You’d be surprised how much space there is to hide things like this.
Advertise it for free
You know the saying, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Well, this definitely applies to dirt. If you don’t want it, chances are someone else will. So, put an ad on Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace and offer it up for free.
However, remember that no one will want your dirt – even dirt for free – if it is contaminated soil, full of demolition waste from job sites, hazardous materials, or other materials – they want clean dirt. In such as case, you’ll have to contact a heavy lifting company that accepts dirt and have large weight limits.
Free dirt is always needed somewhere! You may even be able to find someone who needs your extra dirt to fill in a pool, build up a retainer wall, or needs your unwanted dirt for another landscaping or construction project. Believe it or not, your excess dirt could be exactly what they’re looking for! Best of all, you won’t have to do a thing to have your leftover dirt removed. Whoever takes it will do all the work for you – Now, can you think of a better junk removal service?
Where to Get Rid of Dirt
If none of the options above work for you and you’re desperate to get rid of your dirt as quickly and easily, one of the most cost effect ways is to pay to have someone come and take it away for you.
There are commercial dirt removal companies that you can contact to have the dirt removed from your property. These companies will generally charge by the hour, truckload, or weight.
Dirt disposal is big money, and due to the weight and volume of dirt, you’ll probably have to pay a fair penny to remove it professionally. It’s important to compare prices before you choose a company to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
Cheapest Way to Get Rid of Soil & Dirt
The cheapest way to get rid of soil or dirt is to give it away for free. Someone will always be out there looking for free dirt or soil.
You can do this by advertising it on Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace. You may also be able to find someone who needs fill for their pool, gardening project, or DIY project. If you can’t find anyone who wants your dirt, the next best option is to hire a commercial company to remove it for you.
Conclusion
4 Waste Removals is a residential junk removal company, not a commercial dirt removal company. However, we know how difficult it can be to get rid of dirt and soil. We hope this article has been helpful and given you some ideas on how to get rid of it. Remember, the best and cheapest way to get rid of soil or dirt is to give it away for free. So, put an ad on Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace and see if anyone in your community is looking for fill for their next project. Good luck!