Mulch or top soil ??

John mcleod

I am looking for some advice. I am wanting to improve my soil for next year. I live in a new build property and the soil is not great. I am growing mostly perenials with some annuals. What is best to add to improve the soil as some areas the soil is full of builders sand and does not retain moisture. Should I mulch my borders or add to top soil. also where is the best place to buy from?

Singy

Maybe get some good organic matter into the ground (compost/manure) and if the soil is really poor some top soil as well.  Compost is not expensive, find decent stuff is, but if you are just looking to improve large areas then the cheap stuff will.  keep an eye out at b&q, my local one was selling the 125L (mega heavy) for £2.50, they are very difficult to shift around.

Top soil is very expensive from the big sheds, you are looking at £12 for 4 small bags - 25L - i add compost to the ground everytime i plant anything new.

Fairygirl

New builds are a pain for that John so I sympathise. Builder's merchants also do top soil - may not be brilliant but usually pretty cheap so fine for getting some bulk into the beds, and local firms which do turf also usually do topsoil. If you can't get your hands on cheap manure - (any stables near you?) - you can also buy bags of dried manure from GCs and places like B&Q. It's heat treated and processed so it's easy to use. Get as many of the big stones out as you can then get some goodness into your borders and then add soil or compost as Singy says. Preparation is always worth the effort.  Your plants will thank you! 

John mcleod

Thanks for your reply guys. Plants done well this year but want better next year!

waterbutts

Don't know where in UK you are John, but if you are in Derbyshire, S Yorks or Cheshire you can look at the website of JPR Farm Direct.