Which Soil?
 

Hi All

Recently built raised beds (quite deep and long) and need to fill them for plants and shrubs (not herbs or veg). Will require 2-3 tonnes of soil to fill the beds - but what sort of soil should I be looking to use? Will normal topsoil suffice or should I use blended topsoil, blended loam...help!

How do I know I will be purchasing decent quality soil? Can anyone recommend a decent source/supplier in the Berkshire region.

Should I use richer soil/compost blend around the roots of the shrubs and plants?

Any advice would be most appreciated.

Which Soil?
 

On Nov 21, 9:03*am, theowls
wrote:
Hi All

Recently built raised beds (quite deep and long) and need to fill them
for plants and shrubs (not herbs or veg). *Will require 2-3 tonnes of
soil to fill the beds - but what sort of soil should I be looking to
use? *Will normal topsoil suffice or should I use blended topsoil,
blended loam...help!

How do I know I will be purchasing decent quality soil? *Can anyone
recommend a decent source/supplier in the Berkshire region.

Should I use richer soil/compost blend around the roots of the shrubs
and plants?

Any advice would be most appreciated.

--
theowls

I'd go with any bulk soil that is inexpensive. Raised beds already
offer an advantage of improved drainage so that is not an immediate
concern. 'Topsoil' is a very generic term that can mean anything,
depending on supplier. Ask your supplier to see the various products
on offer and judge quality for yourself. If your soil supplier offers
a blended garden planting mix, go with that. If not, a "topsoil"
amended with compost should be fine -- 1 part compost to 3 parts soil
is more than adequate. Excessive amounts of compost or other organic
matter will result in serious 'shrinkage' and you'll have to top off
the beds the following season. That can be tricky for plants that have
already been planted, resulting in roots that are too deeply buried or
plants that will need to be lifted.

Thanks for your advice Gardengal. Much appreciated.

Hello

To grow great herbs, a rich soil is crucial for success. Do not use garden soil. It may contain microbes or insect larvae that will hatch once it warms up inside a cozy home. Instead, opt for bags of potting soil purchased at the garden center. This soil is sterilized so that it contains pure soil and other ingredients, but no harmful insects or microbes. Most commercial potting mixes include a porous material such as vermiculite, the tiny white pebble-looking things in the mix. These allow water to drain freely. Many also contain fertilizers to boost plant health.

Thanks for reading

If your going for richer soil I recommend looking at www.takesumi.co.uk. I found it really useful restoring depleted soil that was under a shed we have removed.

As for your decision it really depends on the depth of your pockets. If you can afford premium topsoil that's probably going to be better but bulk bought soil will, of course, be just fine. Then you'll have more to spend on whatever you plant! It's also important to remember that microbes are an important part of soil too, so I don't necessarily buy into the sterile idea.

My advice, mix any "topsoil", the cheap version will do just fine, with good quality organic compost. About 5 to 1 is a good mix, thats 5 topsoil to 1 compost.

Don't worry about shrinkage, it will happen no matter what you do, so you will need to top up every year or two.

Most, not all, gardening plants and shrubs prefer a friable soil with plenty of food. Mixing organic compost with the topsoil will achieve this.

Raised beds are a great way of growng gardening plants and shrubs.

And its the best way to grow vegetables, if ever you want to.

I've used this method for years on a heavy clay soil and the results have been 1st class.

Good luck and all the best
Gardenjunkie

Most decent garden centres will sell good soil and loam/compost. Google soils and loams and look for a reputable brand name when you go into the centre. Most will even sell it online. Your best bet if unsure is to ask for the garden centre manager and he will be full of knowledge. If he seems uncertain, then leave and try elsewhere. I am not sure about retailers in berkshire, but if you were looking for soil or compost from a garden centre in Durham then I could have helped you out. Sorry.

It may accommodate bacilli or insect larvae that will bear already it warms up central a comfortable home. Instead, opt for accouterments of potting clay purchased at the garden center. This clay is antibacterial so that it contains authentic clay and added ingredients, but no adverse insects or microbes.