Dear Esteemed and Potential Members of the Society for the Preservation and Propagation of Old-Time Gardening Wisdom, Lore, and Superstition (SPPOTGWLS or “the Society”),Having considered old-time gardening superstitions and the important matter of invasive plants, Madame President (me) now brings before the membership a weighty cause of vital interest to many gardeners, both ladies and gentlemen.
As the founder and self-appointed President and Secretary of the Society, I hereby ask all to consider…
Do those 40 pound bags of top soil seem to get heavier every year or is it just me?
And is anyone else foregoing projects that require cement or sand because they come in 80 pound bags?
Who decided that was the size of bag to sell that stuff in?
Whoever it was, we ask that they now consider that a preponderance of gardeners would appreciate a smaller bag to carry. We think something around 25 to 30 pounds would be better.
And this change in bag size should be done without increasing the price per pound of whatever the bag contains.
And furthermore, the plastic used to make these bags should be of a recyclable material, clearly marked as recyclable, and merchants selling them should be required to have a place to drop off the empty bags to be recycled. Yes, that would be much appreciated.
Is that asking for too much?
The Society would like it to be further known that this request for smaller, lighter bags has nothing to do with the aging of its members. It has more to do with preserving our strength for digging, hoeing, raking and other worthwhile gardening activities.
The President of the Society (me) would like it to be even further known that she can still lift a 40 pound bag and considers it a triumph to prove it each spring as she waits patiently for her truck to be loaded with 40 pound bags of top soil.
She is so patient that after 20 minutes of waiting with no one in sight, she goes ahead and loads it all herself.
This is preferable sometimes, as she remembers the time she was at the big box hardware store, and someone wanted to load an entire pallet of top soil on her truck with a fork lift, and she would not let them. After all, what would she do with that pallet afterwards?
So the surly and disgruntled fork lift driver left the pallet raised up on the fork lift and proceeded to hand load the top soil. However, as each bag was taken off the pallet, the pallet moved forward slightly, damaging the edge of the truck gate.
This resulted in some discussions with store management, pictures being taken and claims being filed.
And then there was the time when the person loading some heavy bags wore a belt with a gigantic buckle, probably bought in Texas, which is also know as the “big buckle state”. Each time he got close to the truck to throw in a bag, he scratched the paint with that buckle.
Sometimes it really is just better to load those heavy bags yourself.
But it would be best if the bags were lighter, overall.
Do we have a motion in favor of smaller, lighter bags of top soil, sand, cement, peat moss, etc. at the same per pound price?
Who seconds this motion?
All in favor of this proposal may indicate such agreement via a comment. If the motion is approved, this request will be brought to the attention of those who decide just what size these bags should be, whoever they are. Thank you for your vote.
If any current or potential members have other business for the Society to consider, please indicate such via a comment or email.
Sincerely,
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
President of the Society for the Preservation and Propagation of Old-Time Gardening Wisdom, Lore, and Superstition
Comments
Robin Wedewer
Gardening Examiner
As Garden Observer, having duly considered all the ramifications, I am compelled to fully and unreservedly support your motion.
/krys
It is not just you!
And is anyone else foregoing projects that require cement or sand because they come in 80 pound bags?
most definitely, especially now that my son has gone off to college!
Who decided that was the size of bag to sell that stuff in?
Some college-educated dude who doesn't have to lift them let alone use them
And have you ever had to put one of those heavy things in a grocery shopping cart? And then lift it back out?! Its easier to get it in than out.
So I add my vote!
I say aye. May the powers that be take heed. Trust me, the SPPOTGWLS is not group you want to mess with.
I have no other business at this time, but something tells me you in your emminent wisdom and vast experience will soon be calling another meeting to order to consider further important business.
I shall stand at the ready to faithfully perform my solemn duty and soberly consider, then cast my vote on any future subject you may deem necessary.
Robin with Getting Grounded
Gail
I am lucky to have a truck. We can have heavy loads of sand, dirt etc directly loaded. The off loading is done shovel by shovel full into wheelbarrow or directly onto the proposed space. Much easier than handling large heavy bags I must tell you.
I think The Society should go after those plastic pots that need to be recycled too if Madam President hasn't addressed them yet. I hate throwing those one gallon pots away when they should be recycled.
Why to the plastic bags of top soil etc alway have small or large rips that allow water to get in and make the stuff even heavier?
I would even support a SMALL increase in price to cover the extra packaging and handling costs.
BE OUR SPOKESPERSON!!!!!!!
If you can't get a good grip on the bag and are worried about getting your clothes mucky, you don't pick up the bags the right way.
As to the bags of concrete mix - sometimes the big box store near us has 40-pound bags available for a slightly higher price. I couldn't lift an 80-pound bag.
As usual, Carol - you made me curious about something so I threw the words bags of cement, lifting and OSHA into Google and it seems that those 80-pound bags are a problem for the bodies of construction workers, too. I found a couple of articles about repetitive injuries that recommended half-weight bags while other posts said one person should lift only 51-pounds unassisted.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
All of those sorts of things come to our place loose in the bed of our 1988 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup, which, like Robin redewer's truck, is already well worn and I wouldn't particularly notice a newscratch on it.
Getting our stuff this way is simpler in some ways. No question about who is loading it, the guy with the front end loader does it. So far they have been very good about not hitting the side of the truck with their machinery. Sometimes they drop a heavier shovelful than usual in the truckbed, which causes the front tires to "float" in an interesting way when you are driving home. (I recommend driving slowly at those times.)
When we get back to The Havens, we unload the mulch, sand, gravel, topsoil, etc one shovelful at a time into a wheelbarrow, which we then use to roll the material to the place it is being used. We try to make this process as easy as possible by driving the truck as close as we can before we start unloading.
I have learned that it is important not to overload the wheelbarrow. Sand is a lot heavier than mulch.
As far as bags of concrete go, I always use my husband for loading and unloading that. I don't know what I will do if I ever mislay him in some way.
I vote AYE for smaller bags of concrete, though. Eighty pounds is a lot heavier than it used to be.
Now, who do I contact?
Carol, May Dreams Gardens