FIELD NOTES / BUYING MATERIALS

Bags or bulk: which actually costs less?

Compare whole bags, supplier order increments, and delivery before deciding how to buy your garden materials.

Compare what you’ll actually pay

A bulk price per cubic yard can look cheaper than bags until you add delivery. Bags can also cost more than the exact volume suggests because you have to buy whole bags.

1. Measure your areas and calculate the additional volume you need.
2. Add an allowance only if it makes sense for your project.
3. Divide by the volume per bag and round up to a whole number.
4. Round bulk volume up to your supplier’s order increment.
5. Compare bags × bag price against bulk quantity × bulk price + delivery.

Check the details before ordering

Compare the same material and quality. Include tax on both prices or neither, and add bag delivery separately if you need it. Bulk suppliers may have minimum orders larger than the rounding increment. Check whether you have space for a delivery and a practical way to move the material.