Forum home› Problem solving

Topsoil

CharleyDCharleyD Posts: 440
in Problem solving

I've been offered topsoil for free, which isn't unusual on the Isle of Man.  It's only really the big building firms who are clearing fields to build housing estates who charge.  The man very kindly brought me a bag so that I could check it and on first sight, I thought it looked good soil.  It's a dark colour and quite fine, almost the colour of compost that I buy in bags.  However, since then my brain has kicked into gear and I'm wondering if it's dark because it's undersoil and therefore lacking in light and nutrients.  I need the topsoil to put new turf on and also to grow all sorts of flowers in a raised bed so it's got to be good.  I haven't any means of testing it though.

Is there anything obvious I can check?   

«1

Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,061

    it may also be full of weed seed. 

    Proceed with caution.

    Devon.
  • Lou12Lou12 Posts: 1,149

    I had that once, I am still pulling up the wretched weeds.

     

  • K 9K 9 Posts: 10

    spread it onto plastic sheet dilute some jeyes fluid to rec strength, wet with watering can,cover for a few days,  should be fine. 

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,171

    Can you check where it came from and what is likely to be in it?

     



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,061

    Charley, it might all be just fine, but we're  a cautious lot and , from experience "once bitten......"

    I paid £600 for topsoil last year to find it full of couch grass. They gave me 100% refund and I got to keep it, but spent a long time pulling out every bit of root.

    Devon.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,171

    It's where my celandines came fromimage

    I'm not bothered, I like them, but they would distress some gardeners



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,061

    image

    Devon.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,171

    It would distress Hostaimage



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,061

    yup. more so than the couch grass did. image

    Devon.
  • CharleyDCharleyD Posts: 440

    I'm still trying to get read of those awful celandines in my garden.  They're worse than wild garlic, which I've managed to almost eradicate so I definitely do NOT want more celandines.  

    Ok, I had anticipated leaving the levelled out top soil for about 3 weeks to see if any weeds came up but maybe I better leave it for longer.  Then I'll get my favourite weed killer out and kill it all.  (Not that I'm aggressive type you understandimage ).  

    K9, that's an interesting suggestion.  Can you elaborate further please?  Does the jeyes sterilise the soil or something like that?

Sign In or Register to comment.