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How do I get a ton of topsoil into the back garden when the side gate is too narrow for a wheelbarrow?

18 replies

ApuskiMcClusky · 19/05/2013 10:17

I've had a ton of topsoil delivered for a raised bed, but somewhat belatedly realised that the side gate is too narrow to fit a wheelbarrow through. We need to get it off the driveway ideally today - anyone got any suggestions before I start carrying through thousands of bucket loads? And to make matters worse, DH has a stomach bug, so it's down to (puny) me.

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SavoyCabbage · 19/05/2013 10:19

Can you not use a different wheelbarrow?

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MousyMouse · 19/05/2013 10:20

rubble sacks?

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IDismyname · 19/05/2013 10:22

Do you have children to bribe to help you?

Only other suggestion is to put it into one of those groundsheets and carry it through the gateway? You should be able to get more in than a bucketload - just don't drag it, as you'll wear a hole in the bottom!

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OddSockMonster · 19/05/2013 10:23

Can you measure the side gate and nip down to B&Q for a narrower wheelbarrow?

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ApuskiMcClusky · 19/05/2013 10:24

We've tried our wheelbarrow and the neighbours', and neither fit. DS's Bob the builder one fits! Sacks or groundsheet are an idea - I'm just eyeing up the ikea blue bag I use for laundry and wondering what weight it would take..

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Parsnipcake · 19/05/2013 10:26

You can get slim plastic trugs quite cheaply from b&q. Your back is worth buying the right tools for, moving a ton of soil will knacker you.

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CaurnieBred · 19/05/2013 10:28

Ikea bag in wheelbarrow. Wheelbarrow to gate. Bag through gate. Wheelbarrow through gate on its side. Bag back in wheelbarrow to the raised bed. Minimize the carrying.

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OddSockMonster · 19/05/2013 10:28

Trug buckets on a skateboard?

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apprenticemum · 19/05/2013 10:31

Wheely bin but don't over fill it (about half full should do it). If you can take the lid off all the better for tipping. Failing that, a small army of fit young blokes and a crate of beer!

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apprenticemum · 19/05/2013 10:33

You can tell from my post that I too have a husband who comes down with dibilitating illness at the wrong times!!!

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ApuskiMcClusky · 19/05/2013 10:43

Wheely bin a v good idea - but doesn't fit! I have about 53 cm to play with, will have a look at a trolley from B&Q, otherwise CaurnieBred's idea may be the way to go! Plus next door neighbour is washing his car outside at the mo, so he may take pity on me!

Thanks!

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OddSockMonster · 19/05/2013 10:48

How about CaurnieBred's idea but with two wheelbarrows, one either side of the gate, so you just need to lift between the two - minimise the lifting even more?

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NumTumDeDum · 19/05/2013 10:53

Do you have one of those luggage wheelie things? Could get a trug on that probably, or an old buggy?

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alienbanana · 19/05/2013 10:56

Trugs and a pushchair? Lots of trips,but it'll save your back.

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ApuskiMcClusky · 19/05/2013 11:22

Lovely neighbour has suggested taking the fence panel out, so we can get the wheelbarrow through, hopefully that'll work!

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TweenageAngst · 19/05/2013 11:31

I recently did just this. I used the Trusty big blue ikea bag. What I would do without them I don't know. It was fine by the way, bag now back in service as a laundry sack.

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CaurnieBred · 20/05/2013 13:20

Hope you got it sorted without too much pain.

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Domaby · 21/05/2013 18:50

We had exactly the same thing and ended up spending the whole day carrying buckets of soil round the side of the house

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