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Where can you buy soil?

skankinpickleskankinpickle Posts: 119
edited June 2022 in Problem solving
Hi. On the face of it it seems simple, but in practice it seems quite difficult.

Where can one buy ground soil?

Every time I search in the usual places on the internet they seem to be selling stuff that is not actually soil. Like compost of varying types and stuff listed as soil is actually some kind of apple based nutrient granuals etc.
To make matters worse on places like Amazon people give conflicting answers - Is this top soil? - Yes says one, no it is compost says another.

Anyway, can anyone recommed somewhere to buy soil in the UK? With a link preferably.
Thanks. ;)

Posts

  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    You don't say where you are in the UK, but firms that advertise on the Internet are usually those who regularly deal in a particular product.  I'd suggest you scan the local paper(s) in their small ads, because you could be more likely to find a contractor who's been engaged to clear/level a site and finds himself with a pile of soil that he can make a few extra pounds out of by selling it - and possibly delivering it?  As it'll only be the odd job that produces topsoil, it wouldn't be worth him creating a website, other than for the basic service he offers.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I would be very wary about buying soil from the odd contractor … in the past several forum members have acquired pernicious weeds from such places, including Marestail !!  A total disaster. 

    It depends on the quantity of soil you need … you can buy bags of sterilised topsoil from garden centres in the same size bags that we get compost in. I’ve bought it this way for mixing with manure for filling raised beds etc. 

    if you need larger amounts there are recognised topsoil suppliers who supply the horticultural industry … 

    we bought several bulk bags of washed soil which is a by-product from sugar beet processing … like this https://www.springbridge.co.uk/bulk-bags/top-soil/fine-loam-topsoil-small

    marvellous stuff … suppliers depending on whereabouts you are. 

    Or there are recognised companies like this …

    https://topsoil.co.uk/about-us/ 




    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    If you're looking for bulk soil I can recommend CPA Horticulture
    I bought 25 ton of topsoil from them and it was of very good quality

    https://www.cpa-horticulture.co.uk/topsoil
    They deliver nationwide

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    See this thread .., not a noxious weed but it shows what can happen
    https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1065939/what-is-this-weed#latest

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • skankinpickleskankinpickle Posts: 119
    edited June 2022
    Dovefromabove said:
    I would be very wary about buying soil from the odd contractor … in the past several forum members have acquired pernicious weeds from such places, including Marestail !!  A total disaster. 






    Ah! Yes! I actually have some bags of what I comsider to be "contaminated soil" from last year that are overloaded with weeds and grass roots. But do not want to use them for any flower and plant growing attempts for that very reason.

    The root problem was so bad that I hardly managed to sieve any through using one of those 1cm squared soil sieves.

    So of course looking for clean soil and a fresh start.

    As a side note, should I just dipose of my old soil or is there something I can do with it?
    I note that in some of the bags fresh weeds are actually growing inside.
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    The big builders' merchants sell bags of topsoil, blended loam, etc. It seems reasonably well sterilised based on what I've had (from Travis Perkins).
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • skankinpickleskankinpickle Posts: 119
    Pete.8 said:
    If you're looking for bulk soil I can recommend CPA Horticulture
    I bought 25 ton of topsoil from them and it was of very good quality

    https://www.cpa-horticulture.co.uk/topsoil
    They deliver nationwide

    WOW! 850kg bag! I wonder who is going to be carrying that. :#
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    They'll deliver it with a crane. Then you have to use a wheel barrow  :)
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    skankinpickle said:
    Hi. On the face of it it seems simple, but in practice it seems quite difficult.

    Anyway, can anyone recommed somewhere to buy soil in the UK? With a link preferably.
    Thanks. ;)
    Wickes DIY stores sell top soil in manageable size bags.  I have bought it and use it as a base for various mixes to suit whatever plant.
    You may find the odd stone or so in it but on the whole, it is pretty good.  Have not found it to be full of weed seeds either.
    If you have a store near you, it may well be worth checking it out :)    
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    skankinpickle said:
    Pete.8 said:
    If you're looking for bulk soil I can recommend CPA Horticulture
    I bought 25 ton of topsoil from them and it was of very good quality

    https://www.cpa-horticulture.co.uk/topsoil
    They deliver nationwide

    WOW! 850kg bag! I wonder who is going to be carrying that. :#
    I couldn't manage to carry it - I had to drag it up the garden :)
    25,000Kg is pretty heavy!

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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