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Top soil

The Bald GardenerThe Bald Gardener Posts: 212
in Problem solving
I reckon that I'm going to need some top soil delivered to get the level of my proposed lawn just so. Problem is I reckon a tonne bag will probably be a little too much, but I daresay I can lose any surplus in my borders and the planter things that I'll be attempting to construct; so I guess that will be a better value option than loads of 35Kg bags.

Are there any major no-nos when purchasing top soil? I mean, I know what good top soil looks/feels like but I'll be buying blind so to speak. What should I be looking for, I'm thinking that 'as dug' is an alarm bell that should see me steer clear of that option. I'm also thinking that B&Q might be a half ways decent reliable source. 

As always, any advice is appreciated.
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  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,926
    I needed a lot of topsoil a couple of years ago and had a 25 ton load delivered from Silverton Aggregates - excellent stuff, the consistency of flour/sand and no stones whatsoever.
    That wasn't quite enough and I needed another 1 ton. Silverton don't supply small amounts, and recommended https://www.oakleyturf.com/ 
    It's the same topsoil (from the same source) but delivered in a bulk bag, very pleased with it.
    I now need another ton, but that can wait until autumn.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • The Bald GardenerThe Bald Gardener Posts: 212
    Thanks Pete, delivery from Essex to Ayrshire might not be all that viable though. :smile:
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,966
    I think a reputable company might come let you come take a look at their dig location, if you had the time/interest.  We did that for the topsoil we had delivered several years ago.  The guy was more than happy to let us have a look around.  
    Utah, USA.
  • FireFire Posts: 17,342
    Blue, where does topsoil usually come from - what kind of dig site?
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 8,462
    You certainly want sieved topsoil, definitely not 'as dug'.  When we had our garden done the guy doing it sent the first lorry load back.  It looked as if it had been dug out of foundation trenches!
  • FireFire Posts: 17,342
    I bought a load of top soil in bags and is seemed to be pretty much clay.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,926
    The Bald Gardener said:
    Thanks Pete, delivery from Essex to Ayrshire might not be all that viable though. :smile:
    That's a very reasonable point! :)
    The source of their stuff is a huge sugar beet processing plant, but I guess there's not a lot of that grown in Ayrshire either 
    Best of luck with your project

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FireFire Posts: 17,342
    Great to use a by-product.
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,966
    Fire - The stuff for our garden came off a hillside.  The guy owns quite a bit of land, and digs out what he wants.  The area we looked at was a dry gully that contained eroded soil from the mountain near by.  He digs it up, sifted it, and then delivers it around town.  
    I suppose in the UK much of your topsoil is manufactured or is skip waste soil from construction sites?  Sorry TBG, not very useful advice then.. I forget what it's like living on a small island.  
    Utah, USA.
  • MuddyForkMuddyFork Posts: 435
    I think Rolawn do top soil which is stocked by many builders merchants.  Rolawn have a good reputation to protect so should be good.
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