adding topsoil

[queen of the cobs]

Hi,

Was thinking that I might add a bit of topsoil to a couple of my beds (they're so stony) and was wondering if I just as it 'as is' or do I mix in fertiliser or manure?

thanks.

[queen of the cobs]

[manicscousers]

I think it'll depend on the type of topsoil, if it's moisture retentive, you can grow all sorts in it..also, it depends what crops you want to plant, we use general fertilizer (chicken pellets) when we plant anything but roots don't like manure..maybe someone else will come along with better advice  :)

[Jeannine]

Hi Manics, I would appreciate you opinion. In Canada if we bought a couple lorry loads of top soil it was beautiful, it had been though a machine,one went straight on to the garden to be planted straight into,the other filled raised beds. We have been looking for a supplier of this to buy a couple of loads is our lottie quite low and we want to raise the level.

We have hit a problem. We seem unable to find a supplier for such large amounts except 1 a couple of years ago but the cost was about 20 times more than we were used to and we thought it was the wrong thing.The man on the phone was less than helpful too.

Is top soil here different to what I am used to to do you think, does it need stuff added to it. Does it come in grades, and odes anyone have a price idea that I should be looking for. We used to buy it in dump truck loads, I think here it is by the cubic yard???

Would really appreciate some help,I am really confused

Thank you Jeannine

[isbister]

Topsoil very much pot luck here - often comes from somewhere the front garden is being dug up for parking. You have to pay a lot for quality - recently I used topsoil from here
http://www.rolawn.co.uk/turf_professional_landscapers_2_71.html and it was excellent stuff.

[manicscousers]

if we can get Really well-rotted horse manure, we will use that to plant into..But, it must be really well rotted to be used for topsoil
we've just paid 90.00 for 60 tons of partly rotted
I think it's because we're a smaller country, maybe in canada, there's more spare
p.s, my brother was in BC for 8 years, moved to Ontario now  :)

[growmore]

Manic where you gonna store 60 tons of manure .My mind is boggling .
I hope you ain't got to barrow it after he drops it you off    ;D

[manicscousers]

it's not just for us, there are 10 of us  ;D
still, 6 tons each isn't bad  ;D

[davyw1]

Hi,

Was thinking that I might add a bit of topsoil to a couple of my beds (they're so stony) and was wondering if I just as it 'as is' or do I mix in fertiliser or manure?

thanks.

Adding topsoil wont take the stones out, but a bit of back breaking riddling will. Then you would have a rough idea on how much soil you  would need. It may only be some cheap compost, peat, and sand ( it will be on specail offer soon ) dug in and mixed with your soil to do the job you want Then you can add more volume by adding manure.

[Jeannine]

Thanks for the help and the link. The stuff dug up for carparks We call 'fill' it always used to be free. People would put signs up saying 'free fill wanted' and the lorries would dump it, it saved them time and petrol to not have to cart it far.It was not a  lot of good for growing in though.It was often the soil that they needed to dump when digging out for swimming pools.

I appreciat the help. XX Jeannine