Chuck Moore at Dirt Connections really goes above and beyond to help his customers with all their trucking needs! We wouldnt call container plants fancy, but they do like to hang out in soil that makes every day seem like a spa day. You can easily find one in every gardener's shop or you can send a soil sample in to arecognised soil lab. Althoughuseful,winter weeds can quickly take overyour garden so be sure to read up on the natural ways to control them. Chuck is very knowledgable and has a ton of experience in the industry. Spread these organic materials on the soil surface around your plants, creating a 2 to 4-inch layer - but make sure you dont cover the plants! use the remaining soil during the next gardening season, contact the professionals at Dirt Connections. Chuck kept me in the loop during each step of the way. Very responsive and professional. ), By clicking 'Add Comment' you agree to our Terms and Conditions, "Thank you for this article it's very helpful! On behalf of the Trustees of Bruen Chapel United Methodist Church, I see hallmarks of this project (filling a 6 foot sinkhole) by Dirt Connections as the contractor's extremely prompt response and the thorough accomplishment of the work. If theres a downside to soil sterilization its that it kills off everything living in the soilthe bad and the goodso youll need to give your potting mix a nutritional boost before putting it back into action. His team did an amazing job. I am going to call Chuck and Dirt Connections about our future bathroom and concrete driveway remodeling as well. During our first call, he clearly explained both options for the project, and he was the first contractor I brought out after we closed on the home. For a prompt, precise, professional free estimate, complete the form below or call 703-940-9949. Very easy to work with from start to finish!! Heap any beds that will remain empty over winter with compost and cover them with an old blanket or cloth. The guy was like talking to one of my buddies. I purchased screened dirt to even out my backyard in my new home and there aren't even rocks in the dirt I received. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cabbage white butterfly is also a problem on my brassicas, for which I only have a very short growing season. Quality of the screened fill dirt is amazing as well. ", "Thanks for the tips. I like to store potting soil used to grow edibles separate from the stuff that supported flowers, which helps limits disease carryover from one year to the next the same way rotations work in the vegetable garden. I had a few people string me along promising good quality fill dirt but never delivering. Will be ordering more! Whether you're new to gardening or just want the basics, we have gardening tips for you. Microwaving is another option. I wouldn't hesitate using his services in the future. With its lightweight texture and flair for regulating moisture, potting mix just nurtures potted plants in all the right ways. (We won't display this on the website or use it for marketing), (Please enter the code above to help prevent spam on this article), Using Animal Manure in the Vegetable Garden. I got 30 truck loads and Chuck was always responsive and informative about the process and details. Great professional company, contracted for for some gravel and grading to extend driveway and did an outstanding job. Responds quickly and very flexible to meet any request. Worked with Chuck to get 3 loads of fill dirt delivered in short notice. When stored under warm conditions, used potting soil may give rise to mysterious hatches. Its best to throw it out and start over in this situation.). One of the easiest ways to sterilize potting mix thats still in good shape is through solarization, a simple method that lets the sun do most of the work. It wasn't cheap but it was definitely money well spent.They came out to survey the job for an estimate within a couple days of my request. Our dirt needs made our project stressful, but Chuck was there to walk us thru the whole process and ensured we were taken case of, and he was available to answer any questions - even during evening hours and on Sundays. Chuck did a great job getting fill dirt for my project. They even helped me think through what I needed to do after the dirt arrived. On the day of the drop off, I requested an alteration to the original order, which he took in stride. Add your own thoughts on the subject of this article:
Dump most of the waterkeep a little bit to help scrub the bin clean from top to bottom. The soil used for flowers this year is fair game for edibles next year, and vice versa. If you need dirt and you live in northern Virginia I highly suggest calling them. This naturalblanket protects the soil from erosion by harsh winds and water. My wife and I are in the process of building our forever home and I wanted some professional help / education on our driveway. I meet Chuck and he is a very professional person he let me know how to do my project with professionalism I am very happy to find him and I can recommended him to anyone who needs his services he will direct you on the right path ones again thank you chuck for your help I will call you again for any future service. Highly recommend! Clean, airtight storage bins are the best friend to any potting mix you plan to keep in reserve. The first step isto check what type of soil youve got in your garden: clay, silt, sandy, chalky or loam. He met with me multiple times and was on site the first day the dirt was delivered to help coordinate dirt placement. Thanks Chuck! If you did notice pests or diseases on your plants, it's best to sterilize the mix to avoid infecting next year's plants. I cant say enough good things about my experience. We have used them on small and large projects and the service is always outstanding. Once your potting mix is ready for your plants once again, you can get out there and start growing. My project took over 2 years to complete but Chuck stuck with me and offered valuable advice along the way. Chuck is reliable and responsive and was able to get me all the dirt I needed for my job. One pot of basil becomes three, a cherry tomato fills a pot so big I can barely move it, and lets not get started on the petunias. Remove the cover in spring to let the compost breathe in the air for a few days and then dig the nutrient-rich mixture through your soil will thank you. I will now solarise my old mix before amending it. Chuck and his team were simply great. It involves putting old potting soil in lidded, five-gallon buckets ($9, The Home Depot) or black plastic bags that are tightly tied shut and leaving them in the sun for 4-6 weeks. As I was discussing this with him I snarked that I didnt need to add to my $3000 pile of rocks. Will be using Dirt Connections again in the future for more fill/top soil needs. I had such a fantastic experience working with Chuck at Dirt Connections, and I would wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone for any project. Exposure to freezing temperatures is good for stored potting soil, because it will make life difficult or impossible for any insects that may be present as adults, pupae or eggs. I would have no concerns in ordering more fill or topsoil from this company. and garbage can!) Once your old potting soil has been sterilized, you'll need to replenish its nutrients. Though it may lack nutrients, old potting soil still contains nuggets of perlite, threads of humus, and very few weed seeds. They also retain and recycle plant nutrients, add organic matter to the soil andimprove soil structure. Very shortly after I accepted the proposal Martir called and we arranged payment (made very convenient) and he got the permit request in right away. This is the second time I've worked with Chuck. He worked hard to get me clean fill which is not guaranteed. You can do this by combining equal parts of new potting soil with the old and adding a dose of slow-release fertilizer pellets ($23, The Home Depot) according to package directions. If you live in England or Wales, thissoil map, can tell you about the soil in your geographical area. Excellent service. It is always a welcome relief when you have a company that is consistently dependable. Chuck Moore is quite professional, and his personal service and attention to detail in arranging the right fill material is impressive. This level of service is difficult to find in NOVA. Special thanks to Chuck for helping me plan my patio project, He took time out of his day to e-mail me the details of what it would take for me to build a DIY brick patio. Or, you can mix in one part compost to three or four parts of your old potting soil. 2022The Scotts Company LLC, all rights reserved. The guys who came to the project site were so kind, helpful, respectful, and communicative. I contacted Chuck because I needed 15 loads of dirt for a rather large project in my backyard. Mulches are a covering of biodegradable material. I would highly recommend this service! We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best Chuck is very professional and very responsive. Chuck was so helpful and informative, and the price he quoted me so reasonable, that I didn't meet with anyone else. He was correct. Old potting soil need not be bone dry when you store it, but too much moisture can create cushy conditions for unwanted moldy microbes. 27 September 2018, written by Barbara Pleasant. Highly recommend! I honestly didn't (and still don't) think there could be anyone more customer-oriented or easier to work with than Chuck and his workers/subcontractors. Dirt Connections showed up at 7am the next morning! He answered all my questions and worked with me on a delivery date between rainstorms. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. I had a great overall experience working with Chuck. Drivers were good and dumped exactly where I asked. I worked with Chuck who was VERY accommodating. If you've seen any pests or beneficial insects in your garden in the past few days please report them to The Big Bug Hunt and help create a warning system to alert you when bugs are heading your way. We would strongly recommend them to anyone needing any of their services! The delivery (1/2 truckload) was timely and as promised. So impressed with this group and will be ordering all dirt here. Chuck did a great job on getting me the dirt I needed for my home. I even found out after they'd left on the last day that the guys had hauled my empty trashcans back up from the curb for me just to be nice! Cover crops or green manures are quick-growing plants keep soil covered over winter, protecting it from erosion. I'm saving his contact info and will be using him for all furture services. A great experience working with Chuck! Make sure the bin is completely dry before adding any potting mix to it. This review concerns my use of Dirt Connections, 11325 Random Hills Rd #360, Fairfax, VA 22030. I put an order in on a Thursday for dirt, but never got a confirmation email. You want to prevent damping off, a disease caused by soil-borne fungi, as well as stop any other bacteria or pests that were planning to linger around till next season. Chuck did exactly that! Chuck kept us informed of the days the guys would be at our house and what would be done, we were never not in the know of what was happening with the project. Chuck Moore and his staff have helped our family with multiple projects, including moving, snow removal, and water remediation! I always reuse my potting mix but I have never solarised it to kill any pathogens. He was very knowledgeable and very professional. If you need help designing your vegetable garden, try our Vegetable Garden Planner. Whether you are just starting out, maintaining or troubleshooting, you'll find advice and answers here for all your gardening needs. (Always safely dispose of bleach by pouring it down a drain, not onto the ground.). Besides adding nutrients that plants need, both the fresh potting soil and compost will help keep the mix from compacting. They cleaned the site thoroughly at the end, including pressure washing my driveway, and even my husband (who'd wanted to keep the pool) had to admit they did an amazing job and graded the yard so well afterward. We ordered online and had our fill dirt in a week. Our delivery was placed in the wrong location. Reuse your clean potting soil in containers for vegetables, flowers, houseplants, or whatever you'd like to grow. Meet The Unsung Heroes Looking After Our Soil. Sharing divisions taken from asters, bee balm, daylilies and other vigorous perennials costs nothing when you drop them in a cracked plastic pot and snug them in with used potting soil. I thought the quote was very affordable, and will be recommending him to my friends. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. This makes it an ideal material for covering newly planted carrots, beets and other slow-sprouting seeds. I first them in 2018. Dandelions, bittercress, chickweeds, and other winter weeds are used as natural winter cover. When it's done, take the soil out of the oven and keep it covered until it cools. (Even with sterilization, though, you want to avoid reusing soil that housed a diseased plant or one with major insect issues. Chuck was very personable and professional, clearly describing everything they would be doing and answering many questions I hadn't even thought of. He cares about the success of the customer and is honest with expectations. She is a life-long gardener whose work has been featured in many notable print and digital publications, including Better Homes & Gardens, HGTV, The Spruce, Southern Living, Old Farmers Almanac, Massey-Ferguson's Farm Life, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, and others. Instead, put a few gallons of used potting soil in a black plastic bag, and place the bag inside a translucent storage bin set in full sun on a bright day. The instructions to receive the load were explicit and they made sure I knew what I was getting. The project was wrapped up much faster than I had estimated, given the issues that heavy rain has caused all over Fairfax County. This simple practice works well with soil that hosted healthy plants, but my humid climate is rife with blights and mildews, so I take the extra step of heat-treating potting soil that was used to grow edibles. They did an outstanding job. And then, the dirt was delivered that afternoon. Dirt Connections is amazing. Once your bin is clean, dry, and filled with potting soil, make sure the lid is on tight and then store it away from the elements, like in the garage, until youre ready to get growing again. Chuck expressed his concern and asked if he could come to my house and look at the rock pile. Much of my old potting soil is not used for potting up plants. A sparkling interior is keyyou dont want to put sterilized soil in a potentially contaminated container. While youre at it, do the pot your plant was in and any tools you used, too. Chuck contacted me immediately after I placed my order and had the dirt delivered to me in less than 24 hours. Dry soil weighs less, too. Website by 321 Web Marketing. It will also suppress weeds and deter garden pests. We are vary satisfied with both the quality and reasonable price we paid. Price competitive and good customer service. Chuck over at Dirt Connections is excellent. However, you can remedy each of these issues and get another use out of your potting soil with a little extra work. Leaves, wood chips, sawdust, straw and compost make excellent mulches and are easy to apply. They're always willing to help, and they do so quickly and professionally! Also willing to discuss other projects and reasonably priced. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. lightweight mix of compost, peat, perlite, and other materials. Dirt Connections is great! One option is to add (fully-decomposted) compost to your sterilized soil. My husband and I are already planning to order another load of dirt as we work on our front yard. Keep Your Garden Tools in Good Condition Over the Winter in 3 Easy Steps, How to Grow Basil Indoors to Enjoy All Year Long, The 13 Best Potting Soils for Indoor and Outdoor Plants, 6 Essential Steps for Starting Your First Vegetable Garden Off Right, Follow These 10 Essential Steps to Start Your First Garden Off Right, 10 Container Gardening Mistakes Even Good Gardeners Make, 23 Easy Ways to Upcycle Common Household Items into No-Cost Garden Tools, How to Grow Roses from Cuttings in 10 Simple Steps, 4 Simple Ways to Prevent Tomato Blossom End Rot From Ruining Your Harvest, 10 Essential Tips for Growing Tomato Plants in Pots, Help Your Houseplants Thrive with Coffee and Kitchen ScrapsHere's How, Your Step-by-Step Guide on How to Make Compost to Enrich Your Garden. He worked with me to get an order filled quickly and the dirt was delivered as promised. They protect soil from erosion and improve itsdrainage. /en-ca/library/gardening-tips-essentials-basics/how-store-and-reuse-potting-soil, https://www.miraclegro.com/sites/g/files/oydgjc111/files/styles/large/public/asset_images/121014_AH_0883%20%282%29.jpg?itok=Cpp8vaEF, Miracle-Gro Organics Garden Mix for Vegetables and Herbs, Miracle-Gro Organics Plant Food for Vegetables & Herbs. The screened soil he delivered was wonderful quality and free of any branches, rocks and trash. I still use a fresh bag of seed-starting mix for starting seeds, but by recovering and storing much of the soil from outdoor containers, I make far fewer trips to the garden center for store-bought dirt. He was easy to get a hold of and quick to respond. They checked in with me on each step, and at the beginning and end of each day. We used this company to haul dirt for a pool dig out of Bethesda Md. My company, Benchmark Utility Services, has used Dirt Connections for many jobs and they always deliver for us! To dig deeper into the health of your soil this winter, you can also have it tested using a soil kit. Thats it! No Thank You!At that point - around the first week of August, 2020 I contacted Chuck Moore as I was in need of about 10 more truckloads of fill dirt. One technique for sterilizing soil is called solarizing. In all, I have received 60 truckloads of fill dirt. ", "Thank you so much for all your info I watch you on Utube most days although you have a lot more garden than I have I am a 76 year old grandmother that loves my garden and since Covid lockdown have rediscovered growing my own fruit and veg in containers I had a greenhouse bought me from my children for my birthday and it gives me great joy reusing compost is a game changer when you grow in large containers once again thank you", (If you have difficulty using this form, please use our. On the plus side I can grow most things all year round
She also wrote about gardening and gardening tools and technology while serving as a contributing editor for both Delta Sky and U.S. Airways magazines. I spoke to Chuck Moore and have dealt with him on various projects over the past two years. If youre starting this process at the end of the growing season, youll need to store the bags in a sunny spot until spring rolls back around. productslearn more about Dirt Connections is fast, responsive, accommodating, and personable. Highly recommended. In my climate pots must be stored empty and dry to keep them from cracking in winter, and its easy to comb through a mountain of loose soil to remove stringy roots. Chuck is about doing the job correctly and that doesn't always mean overspending for unnecessary steps. 2 inch. I like to use mine in my raised beds or wherever I need to fill in holes or eroded areas in my yard. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. They were thoughtful as well, among other touches making sure to grade the new dirt (soon to be new yard) so rain water would flow correctly to avoid pooling and when they left on the last day everything was cleaned up including sweeping the dirt off of the end of the driveway. First, remove any roots, grubs, leaves, and other debris from the old potting soil. We discussed my project needs, he made suggestions and kept me informed of the delivery status. He was so nice and friendly and delivered just the amount I needed. The service is stellar A+, very organized, on-time and they are flexible on delivery. I agreed and when he saw the rocks he said he would take care of the problem. Not only did he save me thousands off what I was quoted by local companies in Stafford County. It can be dumped directly out of your containers and into established beds and borders. You dont want to overdo it with the earthy goodness, so that ratio is importantalthough compost is chock full of nutrients, it has a tendency to become compacted and can block the flow of air and water to plant roots if you have too much in a pot. He walked us through the whole process, and made us feel at home about our siding and brick repair. Chuck is an amazing person and very personable, we would recommend him again! Chuck knows his stuff, hires great people, and is so kind and easy to work with. our process. The first step in reusing old potting mix is to sterilize it. Thank you for everything, Chuck!! Remove any remaining water and spray the bin with a hose. Dirt Connections and Chuck have helped me on two projects recently. Please make sure the above tickbox is checked. I will definitely use Dirt Connections again. We discussed my unique needs. One estimate was foe $2500 and the other was for nearly $3000. I garden in sub-tropical Brisbane, Australia and the main problems I encounter are powdery mildew and fruit fly. Chuck and Co. were responsive and careful to help develop the scope of the need for my project. He told me what to do and what not to do from what I'd been told by others. When I need more dirt or advise on an excavation project I know who to contact. Their customers service was outstanding. Do a few simple tasks in fall to improve your spring garden. With thoughtful handling, you can reuse potting soil in next years containers, or use it to solve other gardening problems. This will moderate how much moisture seeps into the soil and reduces compaction from rainfall, so your soil retains its good structure. If it falls to pieces, you have a sandy soil, if you can mould it like plasticine, you have a clay soil, while loam is intermediate. he bought in 20 loads of fill dirt at a good pace and was extremely communicative along the way. Grab a handful of soil and squeeze it. Heat at full power for about 90 seconds per two pounds of soil. Great quality dirt, quick responses to all my inquiries. It's generally fine to reuse potting soil if whatever you were growing in it was healthy. Would strongly recommend. Dirt connections was able to execute this job on time, beyond expectations, and at a fair price. If I had the opportunity again, I would definitely work with him on any project his company handles. But this lightweight mix of compost, peat, perlite, and other materials doesn't last forever. I had a wonderful experience with Dirt Connections. From the initial call to delivery, working with Chuck was an easy process. Quick delivery. When your flowers fade, and the temperatures drop, it's time to empty your containers and put them away for the winter. Highly recommend. Fill the storage bin with a cleaning solution thats 1 part bleach to 9 parts water. I highly recommend anyone needing dirt for their yards/jobs to use Dirt Connections. Dirt Connections was a pleasure to do business with. Awesome guy, great businessman, and a great connection to have. I didn't need as much dirt as the driver brought. I would definitely recommend Dirt Connections for your foundation/structural needs. And the price was right. Chuck is a master communicator. Remember to take the mulch off a couple of weeks before planting, so the sun can warm up the soil, making it ready for plant growth. I plan to work with them on future projects. If you're not up for sterilizing and refreshing old potting soil, you still can put it to use instead of throwing it out. 5 out of 5 stars. The good stuff doesnt come cheap, though, so at the end of the season you may be left wondering: Can you reuse potting soil? If you're looking for affordable fill dirt/top soil, excellent customer service, and responsiveness - Chuck at Dirt Connections is your guy! These include hoeing, forking them out or applying a thick layer of mulch. Working with them was a remarkable experience, starting with the communication, punctuality, the delivery and the quality of soil. masterfully. I spent weeks searching for a company that could strengthen and raise my foundation approx. Definitely recommend working with him. Chuck was great to work with! Higher temperatures can release toxins. Once used potting soil has been heated and cooled, its ready to add to any type of new mixture you want to create. I favor the dump method for two reasons. It has been my privilege to deal with an honorable human being - Chuck Moore. Chuck is the man! It seems that many if not most businesses have carried caveat emptor to the extreme. Only 30 minutes of exposure to temperatures above 120F (49C) will kill most disease pathogens, but you need not stink up your house by using your oven. Soon youll have a whole container garden full of blissed-out veggies, flowers, and herbs. They were on time, courteous and went beyond our expectations with the addition they did for us. I needed 25 truck loads of backfill and couldnt be happier with the experience. A parked car with the windows rolled up makes a good solarization chamber, too. Chuck was great and very friendly. We hired Dirt Connections for an inground pool demolition and they were fantastic. Then, decide on the best method for banishing microbes and insects. Highly recommended! While its great fun to grow plants up close, container gardening can cost a small fortune in potting soil. Chuck coordinated with our schedules and the weather and the driver navigated our narrow driveway (and mailbox! Chuck answered the phone, was extremely polite and knowledgeable, and pointed me in the right direction! highly recommended. The fill dirt is clean. With a little prep work, you sure canand its not hard to do, either. After spreading all that fill dirt, I also ended up with a pile of ricks that I couldnt use. Add one part compost to three parts potting mix. He was able to help me meet a deadline. The first step is to let used potting soil dry out, either in pots or dumped into a wheelbarrow or onto a tarp. Chuck is not only honest, but he comes across as a good person - the opposite of which I had read about fill dirt movers. It can also be mixed into compost piles. Cold-hardy plants like hairy vetch andcereal rye could add nitrogen to your soil, suppress weeds, and attract wildlife. (If you have difficulty using this form, please use our Contact Form to send us your comment, along with the title of this article. The screened organic topsoil looks terrific with dark organics, soil, and just enough clay/fines to hold a ball shape yet easily breaks apart. Dirt showed up same day! It's also important to check the soil temperature with a candy or meat thermometer ($22, Williams Sonoma) to make sure it stays below 200 degrees. Great guy, great company, thanks Chuck! The next day I had the proposal in my inbox with the cost and, again, clearly describing the job and what I could expect from them and it was very easy to read and understand. This was all at no cost, he was just trying to be helpful. As for the crew, they were on time or early, answered any questions I had, were a pleasure to have around, and were right on schedule completing the job. Lynn Coulter is an author, freelancer, and speaker with over 22 years of experience in writing about gardening and other topics. If you come across Dirt Connections during your search - look no further, Chuck is your guy. Every year the containers on my deck multiply like rabbits. Place it in an oven-safe pan, cover with foil, and bake it at 180 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Sometimes pests, diseases, and weeds can take up residence, ready to pop back up when you replant in the mix. I got my topsoil within two days and he personally arrived with the driver to ensure I got the material to my project site even though there were site access difficulties that he remedied on the spot. We used Chuck to remove our old driveway/walkway and replace them with concrete. Or, you can place the old potting soil in the bottoms of very large containers, and fill the upper parts with a fresh mix. I never thought I'd be excited about dirt, but Dirt Connections made it so easy to get rolling on this project of leveling out my yard. Put old, moistened potting soil in quart-size, microwavable containers. good clean fill dirt. He told me I needed twice as much as my contractor suggested. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Why let it go to waste? Cover them with microwavable lidsnever use foilthat you can poke ventilation holes in or can leave cracked to allow steam to escape. What an excellent experience! Hes been working with my husband and our trucking business for months and has never let us down! (Pro tip: Add another layer of plastic to help increase the soil temp.). You also can sterilize old potting soil in your oven. Dont toss out the good stuff at the end of the seasonit can be a keeper! From that moment on my life just got a lot better. On Sunday, August 30, 2020 Chuck showed up at my house with a bobcat and a rock bucket and completely solved my rock problem.It is so very rare to encounter people like Chuck any more.
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