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Topsoil first raised planters ?

muckyhandsmikemuckyhandsmike Posts: 239
in Fruit & veg
I have 3 double height raised beds (pallet collars - not b&q). I’ve filled one but the local garden centre “topsoil” is quite sandy (but free of anything too chunky like bits of branch etc) so I will use it for carrots. I have added some subsoil from my garden and also compost and manure. Not filled the other two yet so I thought I would ask for suggestions/recommendations for where to get my topsoil from ? Im always interested to hear others experiences. The other planters will probably have leeks, parsnips and potatoes in fwiw. Tia

Posts

  • puschkiniapuschkinia Posts: 229
    Where in the country are you? It took me a while to find somewhere as I kept seeing dreadful reviews for garden centre, landscaper & diy topsoils! I bought this really nice topsoil recently: https://heritage-products.co.uk/collections/compost-and-topsoil/products/topsoil-screened-premium The company are pretty local to me and were fantastic, and I *think* they can deliver nationally. They do raised bed compost for veggies too. 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    edited November 2021
    I think I recall someone on here saying they'd bought topsoil from British Sugar and it was OK. It's recovered from what they wash off the beets before they get processed (they're delivered very dirty - I used to work in Newark and would often be following a sugar beet lorry on the way in, during the harvest season)

    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I've had plenty of the topsoil (recovered silt) from sugar beet processing from CPA Horticulture (they deliver nationwide) when I had raised beds.
    It's very fine, like flour and has no stones or grit in it at all.
    I was very pleased with it.
    It does need plenty of organic matter to be added to give it friability and put some life into it though.
    I've also been pleased with other products I've bought from CPA too

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • muckyhandsmikemuckyhandsmike Posts: 239
    Ok thanks for those replies folks. I’ll take a look at them. I’m in glos btw
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