Easier way to mix lots of soil

Does anyone have advice on how to mix large amounts of soil? The obvious answer would be a shovel and rake and tarp but what if it is an excessive amount of soil? That seems like a lot of hours of labor for just one person. Has anyone tried a cement mixer or a soil mixer? I was also wondering how well it would blend the amendments into the soil. Any inputs would be appreciated.

I have the harbor freight cement mixer. I can fit 2.5 cubic feet at a time, it mixes better than a tarp, you have to cover it or you will lose a little amendments from the mixing. It’s so much easier than a tarp, I used to make soil all summer on a tarp doing a couple batches a day, now it’s all done in 2 days

credit to coots

Did Trailer Park Boys not cover this?

poundofyourfinest said:

I have the harbor freight cement mixer. I can fit 2.5 cubic feet at a time, it mixes better than a tarp, you have to cover it or you will lose a little amendments from the mixing. It’s so much easier than a tarp, I used to make soil all summer on a tarp doing a couple batches a day, now it’s all done in 2 days

credit to coots

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This^ Only problem is now you have a cement mixer to store.

just rent a small cement mixer if space is ever an issue... cant cost too much. I'd buy a mixer.

The HF cement mixer is my suggestion too.

The cement mixers I seen are all 2-400 and will do around 3 cubic feet at once. I never actually seen a cement mixer being used. How fast do they mix 3 cf batches and would it mix thouroughly?

Let it run 15-30minutes. I used one to mix super soil.

It'll mix it better then store bought.

I dont mix it. I layer it in like Lasagna. So Im going to fill a 4x4 no till bed. Peat, perlite, compost, mineral, dry ammendments, water with wetting agent of choice, rince and repeat in that order. once its all layered in i just take a lawn rake and mix the top like 6 inches or so. Make sure that you water in after each collection of layers. Use a wetting agent and you should be good. drop in a good mulch compost and done. Once you wet that shit down its gonna start decomposing and in a few weeks it wont matter if it was mixed or not.

I place a tarp under the 18' trampoline. Pour components in middle. Have my kid stomp his feet as he complains about jumping in the dirt. Afraid of bugs. LMAO. Scoop shovel off after a good quality time with the family. Add the tarp collection.

MICHI-CAN said:

I place a tarp under the 18' trampoline. Pour components in middle. Have my kid stomp his feet as he complains about jumping in the dirt. Afraid of bugs. LMAO. Scoop shovel off after a good quality time with the family. Add the tarp collection.

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I can't keep my rod up any longer.

Was just kidding. Although?? But I employ large tarps or drops and 2 - 4 people when mixing raised beds. Pull to center. Rotate 90 degrees repeat until dizzy. Nothing to really store, rent, buy or clean afterwards. LOL. Peace and laughs.

MICHI-CAN said:

I can't keep my rod up any longer.

Was just kidding. Although?? But I employ large tarps or drops and 2 - 4 people when mixing raised beds. Pull to center. Rotate 90 degrees repeat until dizzy. Nothing to really store, rent, buy or clean afterwards. LOL. Peace and laughs.

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You could fill some barrels and have the kids roll it around the yard. Fun new game kids!

Gemtree said:

You could fill some barrels and have the kids roll it around the yard. Fun new game kids!

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I had to log back in for this.

But I will get right on that when get him to roll out of bed. Kids.