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Soil for raised beds

Anna_gasiejewskaAnna_gasiejewska Posts: 10
edited March 2021 in Fruit & veg
Hi!
I need help with choose right soil for growing veg in containers.
I thought I can just put shop bought multipurpose compost and that’s it, but just start searching and reading and I am confused now 🤦🏻‍♀️
I would like use peat free soil.
Can I just buy bagged lawn top soil and add bagged compost? 
I was tried order top soil from local supplier but can’t order half tone and I don’t need tone. 

What about worms etc.? Shout I add some?

I need advice. Please :) 

Posts

  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    edited March 2021
    Hi and welcome to the forum.
    If you want to go peat free, there are a number of composts on the market that you can buy. I used to use New Horizon but it declined in quality over the years so last year I managed to source a locally manufactured peat free product that worked very well. Some of the peat free products can be a bit questionable and a bit woody. I also experimented with coir and that has proved to be good though you do need to feed the plants from the outset as the coir doesn't contain any plant food. You can buy it in "bricks" and just need to add water to expand it.

  • Anna_gasiejewskaAnna_gasiejewska Posts: 10
    edited March 2021
    Hi! 
    Nice to be here :)

    So, is it ok to use only compost/coir? No need to add top soil? 

    I’m using coir for houseplants :) 

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    If they are permanent raised beds, then you want to buy topsoil and mix-in about 25% bagged well-rotted manure.  Multi-purpose compost is fine for growing veg in pots and small containers, but will need replacing every year.  Don't use MPC to fill permanent raised beds as the level will keep dropping substantially each year (even over months) and the nutrients are gone in a few weeks, so you then need to start feeding everything.
    It's a 'horses for courses' sort of thing.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Anna_gasiejewskaAnna_gasiejewska Posts: 10
    BobTheGardener said:
    If they are permanent raised beds, then you want to buy topsoil and mix-in about 25% bagged well-rotted manure.  Multi-purpose compost is fine for growing veg in pots and small containers, but will need replacing every year.  Don't use MPC to fill permanent raised beds as the level will keep dropping substantially each year (even over months) and the nutrients are gone in a few weeks, so you then need to start feeding everything.
    It's a 'horses for courses' sort of thing.
    Ok thanks:)

    Can I use bagged loan top soil ? 
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Yes, bagged loam-based topsoil is ideal as it is usuallly free from weed seeds.  You can also buy loam-based composts such as those labelled "John Innes."  A JI number 1 has the least amount of loam, so is more fluffy like MPC.  JI #3 has the most loam and is very much like a good garden soil.  Much more expensive than mixing it yourself though. ;)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Anna_gasiejewskaAnna_gasiejewska Posts: 10
    BobTheGardener said:
    Yes, bagged loam-based topsoil is ideal as it is usuallly free from weed seeds.  You can also buy loam-based composts such as those labelled "John Innes."  A JI number 1 has the least amount of loam, so is more fluffy like MPC.  JI #3 has the most loam and is very much like a good garden soil.  Much more expensive than mixing it yourself though. ;)
    Oh so sorry I meant bagged lawn top soil 🤦🏻‍♀️

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    edited March 2021
    I don't see why not, as long as it hasn't got any chemicals in it.  However, if the label says anything about reducing moss or weeds, then avoid.  Places like wickes sell small bags (25l) of topsoil for £3-4.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
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