if it isnt coming in a dumptruck.. let me suggest.. you arent making a berm .. but rather a bump .. lol ...

otherwise.. pile soil.. plant on top.. cover with mulch ...

seriously.. why are you asking??? .... am i missing the obvious???

ken

BTW .. watering might be tricky on a small bump ... running off.. before it soaks in ... and perhaps that is why berms.. end up.. rather flat on top ....

See attached link - very comprehensive and easy to understand

Here is a link that might be useful: SULIS - berm construction

There was a recent thread somewhere on GW about some special way of creating beds using buried logs and twigs that help to provide moisture and oxygen to plant roots. You could probably combine that idea with the berm idea and save on money and topsoil. I can't remember what the name of the log-thing was, but it was German. Good luck.

Martha

hugelkultur (or hill culture)- beloved of permies.