Is this topsoil?

Discussion in 'NEW Gardeners !' started by Eldy, Jun 24, 2015.

  1. Eldy

    Eldy Apprentice Gardener

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    Hi there, I'm new to gardening and to this forum. I've just bought some topsoil, which I was hoping to use in raised beds... but what's arrived isn't quite what I expected.

    Could the company have delivered subsoil to me by accident? I wasn't expecting there to be big stones (some as big as my fist) and bits of polythene bag in it.

    It could just be my inexperience showing, but I thought it would be pretty much ready to plant into.

    Thank you :)
     

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  2. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Hello and welcome to the forum Eldy.

    That doesn't look like topsoil to me.
     
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    • Eldy

      Eldy Apprentice Gardener

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      Hi John - thanks for the welcome. I didn't think it was - but I've just called the company and they've fobbed me off. They said it came from a "virgin" field and was screened, and that I'm mistaken if I think any of the rocks are bigger than 40mm across. (I'm not, and they are.)

      I don't think I'm going to get very far with these people. So I'm either:

      * Going to have to seive all 5 tonnes of it to get rid of the stones and big lumps of clay - and add soil improver to it to give my poor plants a chance
      * Or use it for more "structural" stuff in the garden like filling in dips and holes (of which there are a few)

      Do you have any tips for buying topsoil another time, so I don't get stung again?

      Thank you.
       
    • Fern4

      Fern4 Total Gardener

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      • Eldy

        Eldy Apprentice Gardener

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        Thank you for that :) I should have done more research before I bought - but I never seem to have enough time. I wish my delivery looked like the soil in the RSH pic - I think you'd be hard-pressed to lay a lawn on what I've got. Oh well. Onwards and upwards.
         
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        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          Sorry I don't, all I've ever seen is low quality stuff, particularly in places like B&Q, Wickes etc their products look like sand. Maybe your stuff was the "Economy" grade going from Fern4's link?
           
        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          That is a big job! I'd be tempted to half fill your raised beds with what you've got already, then sieve the rest adding some organic material, well rotted manure if you can find it (not always easy but can be free if you have stables nearby - you'll need a car and prepare to make a few journeys though). Another alternative (spending more money - sorry!) is Mushroom Compost - this is generally available and makes a good soil improver - you could mix that into the top-most layer to create a reasonable tilth for planting.
           
        • Anzia

          Anzia Gardener

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          Not a gardening comment, but a few financial thoughts.

          If you paid by credit card and it cost more than £100, you can use Section 75 to get a refund from your credit card company as the 'topsoil' does not meet the requirements of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 (it's not of satisfactory quality and it's not fit for purpose).
          http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/section75-protect-your-purchases
          http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/sale-of-goods-act

          If you paid by PayPal you can raise a dispute, again quoting the Sale of Goods Act 1979.
          https://www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/paypal-safety-and-security

          If you paid cash or by debit card, it's worth writing a formal-sounding letter or email to the company anyway and quoting the Sale of Goods Act 1979 at them and setting out your expectation of a prompt refund, as companies sometimes rely on consumers not knowing their legal rights. When someone shows they do know their rights, it can sometimes inspire action that they didn't otherwise intend on taking!

          Good luck.
           
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          • Phil A

            Phil A Guest

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            Welcome to Gardeners Corner :sign0016:

            Certainly looks like a clayey mess to me.

            You might be better off ordering some spent mushroom compost :)
             
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            • Eldy

              Eldy Apprentice Gardener

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              Thanks all - unfortunately I paid by debit card over the phone, and there wasn't any paperwork involved (I know - daft of me). On their website they have a picture of a guy shovelling lovely-looking dark soil.

              I'll look into mushroom compost - I didn't know about that. And "tilth" - that's a great word :) I've never heard that before today :) Hopefully my next post will be a happier one.
               
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