Bellingham Soil Delivery

Can I just amend my existing silt loam instead of hauling in new soil?

Often yes, if you have real depth. Bellingham silt loam is inherently good soil that has usually just been compacted. Spreading two to three inches of compost and forking it into the top eight inches will do more for most beds than a new layer of purchased topsoil. Bring in soil when you need to raise a grade, fill a bed, or fix an area stripped to subsoil during construction.

When is the ground dry enough to work in the spring?

Usually mid to late April in Bellingham, a couple of weeks after the April 5 last frost. The classic test is to squeeze a handful. If it forms a slick ball that holds its shape, the silt loam is still too wet and working it will destroy the structure for the whole season. Wait until it crumbles apart when you poke it.

How much does soil settle after delivery?

Figure on ten to twenty percent, more if the blend is compost heavy. With Bellingham's rainfall doing the compacting for you, a raised bed filled level in April will often be two inches low by July. Overfill new beds slightly, water them in, and top off in the fall rather than fighting settling all summer.

Is my soil too acidic for a lawn here?

Very likely, at least somewhat. Steady rainfall leaches calcium out of Whatcom County soils and conifer needles push things further down, so many Bellingham lawns test in the 5.2 to 5.8 range while turf prefers 6.0 to 6.5. A soil test through the local extension office is cheap, and lime applied in fall is the usual correction. Blueberries and rhododendrons are perfectly happy as is.

My backyard stays soggy all winter. Will adding topsoil fix it?

Adding soil on top of a drainage problem usually just raises the puddle. Bellingham's compacted silt loam over a hardpan layer is a common cause, and the fix is breaking that layer, adding organic matter, and giving water somewhere to go. If you are raising a grade to shed water, use a sandy loam blend rather than a compost rich mix that will hold moisture.

How many yards of soil do I need for a four by eight raised bed?

A four by eight bed filled twelve inches deep needs about 1.2 cubic yards. At eighteen inches, which is a good depth for Bellingham carrots and potatoes, you are closer to 1.8 yards. Two standard beds put you at roughly two and a half yards at one foot deep, and ordering three gives you extra for settling.