Bulk compost - how to bag them myself without a truck?

sheisaeval 2/27/2013, 12:49 pm

So there's a couple of places around here that sells bulk compost and I calculated the cost it will save us a bunch.

However, we don't have a truck, nor does anyone we know have it. We can do delivery but since we don't live super close to one of these sites, delivery will tack on more cost that makes it not worth buying the bulk, and also they usually have a minimum requirement that we don't need that much right now.

So we are thinking about bagging ourselves and putting in our SUV and maybe making a few trips over a weekend to get it all. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to use to transport the compost? Should we get some large rubbermaid bins? Or use heavy duty trash bags? Or any other way? Thanks!

**camprn** 2/27/2013, 1:16 pm

My vote , bins or buckets, not bags. Bags get holes and leak.

**Turan** 2/27/2013, 1:28 pm

It kind of depends on how clean you want the back of your SUV and your budget and what you have around. Large dog food and livestock feed bags work well to shovel into. Then pack them in the car/truck tight so they stay upright and don't fuss about some spillage. When dry you can vacuum it up well enough. I suspect heavy duty garbage/leaf bags would work well too, do not fill more than you can easily lift though.

We used to do this with my dad a lot. There was a horse boarding place that would let us take all the soiled bedding we could possibly want. My sisters and I have warm memories of doing this with Dad, it was a special one on one time with him. Hmmm, everything about veggy gardening reminds me of Dad. maybe that is why I like it so much. I miss him.

Lindacol 2/27/2013, 1:33 pm

camprn wrote:My vote , bins or buckets, not bags. Bags get holes and leak.

I agree. Bins, buckets, trash cans, barrels, depending on what you have & what will fit in your vehicle.

If the compost is dry you you might be able to line the back of your SUV with a tarp(a good idea even if you put the compost in containers), then you could shovel it in and with the help of a couple of strong guys could just pull it out with the compost in the tarp. Then you can use the tarp for mixing the MM.

Hardcoir 2/27/2013, 2:20 pm

If you use trash bags, I recommend the heavy-duty construction grade black trash bags. They will definitely hold compost.

We have grown potatoes in these types of bags, and they held our soil mix without tearing apart from March until September when we harvested them.

southern gardener 2/27/2013, 2:23 pm

can you borrow a utility trailer from someone? they will dump it right in, and off you go.

sheisaeval 2/27/2013, 2:24 pm

southern gardener wrote:can you borrow a utility trailer from someone? they will dump it right in, and off you go.

The only place I can think of is uhaul and I'm sure you probably want you to clean up all the compost/dirt afterwards if we rent from them

**RoOsTeR** 2/27/2013, 2:44 pm

sheisaeval wrote:So there's a couple of places around here that sells bulk compost and I calculated the cost it will save us a bunch.

However, we don't have a truck, nor does anyone we know have it. We can do delivery but since we don't live super close to one of these sites, delivery will tack on more cost that makes it not worth buying the bulk, and also they usually have a minimum requirement that we don't need that much right now.

So we are thinking about bagging ourselves and putting in our SUV and maybe making a few trips over a weekend to get it all. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to use to transport the compost? Should we get some large rubbermaid bins? Or use heavy duty trash bags? Or any other way? Thanks!

Just remember, the bulk compost will only count as one of the five required in Mel's Mix Wink

**Kelejan** 2/27/2013, 2:53 pm

As Turin says, do not fill more that you can lift. Better half full than having the bag split. Very Happy

Now where did I learn that? Laughing

It also helps if you put the bag on one of those wire frames; you don't have to have someone else holding up the bag so that it can be filled. I use them when I am leaf raking, it makes the job so much easier. Whenever I see people on TV filling sandbags for flood barriers I feel like shouting to them to put the bag on a wire frame, much faster and easier. The frame that take a large garbage frame costs about $14.00. A price worth paying.

plantoid 2/27/2013, 3:46 pm

sheisaeval wrote:So there's a couple of places around here that sells bulk compost and I calculated the cost it will save us a bunch.

However, we don't have a truck, nor does anyone we know have it. We can do delivery but since we don't live super close to one of these sites, delivery will tack on more cost that makes it not worth buying the bulk, and also they usually have a minimum requirement that we don't need that much right now.

So we are thinking about bagging ourselves and putting in our SUV and maybe making a few trips over a weekend to get it all. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to use to transport the compost? Should we get some large rubbermaid bins? Or use heavy duty trash bags? Or any other way? Thanks!

Do you know anyone who has a horse and farm cart ??
Such people just love to show their beasts and wagons off doing traditional farming things like delivering a bulk load of compost stuff .

It's a great day out as well if you can travel with them & help load and unload .

plantoid 2/27/2013, 3:50 pm

Kelejan wrote:As Turin says, do not fill more that you can lift. Better half full than having the bag split. Now where did I learn that?

It also helps if you put the bag on one of those wire frames; you don't have to have someone else holding up the bag so that it can be filled. I use them when I am leaf raking, it makes the job so much easier. Whenever I see people on TV filling sandbags for flood barriers I feel like shouting to them to put the bag on a wire frame, much faster and easier. The frame that take a large garbage frame costs about $14.00. A price worth paying.

An even cheaper frame is some old lino type semi rigid plastic floor covering as a five foot long by 36 inch length , rolled on the 36 inch side side and inserted in a bag makes it self supporting and easy to fill . Simply pull the lino out when the bag is 1/2 to 3/4 full .

**sfg4uKim** 2/27/2013, 4:35 pm

I use Compactor bags (not contractor, compactor). It's easier to fill them if you cut the bottom out of a medium trash can. The photos below were using sand bags, but you'll get the idea. My "lovely assistant" is none other than Bakermtb. These bags will weigh between 20 & 25 lbs. depending on how wet the compost is.

Bulk compost - how to bag them myself without a truck? Img_0310

Bulk compost - how to bag them myself without a truck? Img_0310

Bulk compost - how to bag them myself without a truck? Img_0311

Bulk compost - how to bag them myself without a truck? Img_0312

Gunny 2/28/2013, 10:31 am

If you go with a wire frame check Harbor Freight they have one for 33 gal. bags that will work for the larger bags too. At about $8. Have fun.

**sfg4uKim** 2/28/2013, 11:08 am

RoOsTeR wrote:
sheisaeval wrote:So there's a couple of places around here that sells bulk compost and I calculated the cost it will save us a bunch.

However, we don't have a truck, nor does anyone we know have it. We can do delivery but since we don't live super close to one of these sites, delivery will tack on more cost that makes it not worth buying the bulk, and also they usually have a minimum requirement that we don't need that much right now.

So we are thinking about bagging ourselves and putting in our SUV and maybe making a few trips over a weekend to get it all. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to use to transport the compost? Should we get some large rubbermaid bins? Or use heavy duty trash bags? Or any other way? Thanks!

Just remember, the bulk compost will only count as one of the five required in Mel's Mix

Rooster, wouldn't it depend on how many ingredients went into the bulk compost? I get mine from Veteran Compost and it's made from a wide variety of materials . . . just as if I made it at home.

**camprn** 2/28/2013, 11:12 am

sfg4uKim wrote:
RoOsTeR wrote:
sheisaeval wrote:So there's a couple of places around here that sells bulk compost and I calculated the cost it will save us a bunch.

However, we don't have a truck, nor does anyone we know have it. We can do delivery but since we don't live super close to one of these sites, delivery will tack on more cost that makes it not worth buying the bulk, and also they usually have a minimum requirement that we don't need that much right now.

So we are thinking about bagging ourselves and putting in our SUV and maybe making a few trips over a weekend to get it all. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to use to transport the compost? Should we get some large rubbermaid bins? Or use heavy duty trash bags? Or any other way? Thanks!

Just remember, the bulk compost will only count as one of the five required in Mel's Mix

Rooster, wouldn't it depend on how many ingredients went into the bulk compost? I get mine from Veteran Compost and it's made from a wide variety of materials . . . just as if I made it at home.

It would really depend on what the compost was made of.

TN_GARDENER 2/28/2013, 7:12 pm

sheisaeval wrote:
southern gardener wrote:can you borrow a utility trailer from someone? they will dump it right in, and off you go.

The only place I can think of is uhaul and I'm sure you probably want you to clean up all the compost/dirt afterwards if we rent from them

Most utility trailers clean up pretty easily (squirt with a hose)

Same for rentals (squirt with a hose)

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