Topsoil

I need to put half a ton of topsoil in the flower beds in my garden. I have been advised to get good quality topsoil and have looked around at the various local garden centres.

The two brands available for sale are:

Arthur J Bower
Tunstalls

There is no difference in price. Which of the two is better and why? Or if you can suggest a better alternative let me know & where I can purchase it from.

Thanks

 

For half a ton of top soil I would think you could do better than paying those prices. Cut out the middle man and go direct to top soil suppliers. They usually advertise in your local paper and will deliver whatever grade of top soil you require. It wont come in bags of course but then it will be cheaper!

 

Agree with moyra. Try and identify a reputable supplier, and when it's delivered, how will you know that you have the right amount? I have known people be short-changed on quantity. Maybe someone here on the forum has a tip on judging how big a the pile of soil should be.

 

I just had a tonne of topsoil delivered a few weeks ago. It came in one of those big builders bags that they get bulk sand and gravel delivered in , and it was full to the top. I agree with Moyra and Beechleaf have a look on Yellow pages in your area for topsoil suppliers , and have a ring round. The actual soil is fairly cheap per tonne - it's the delivery cost that ramps it up. Remember most bags are 20kg these days ( H and S ) so half a tonne is 25 bags, so you can do your sums to compare prices of bulk versus bagged.Hope this helps:thumb:

 

They probably wont do it by weight but by cubic yardage. They will know within a bit though how many yard to the half ton. They have trucks that carry a certain yardage and dependent on what you agree they use the appropriate truck. Very much the same way a builders merchant measures out sand by the yard.

 

Thinking about it I am probably talking pre-metric so if they use the bags they are probably cubic metres.

 

Definately dont buy it from the garden centre!

A top soil suplier is the way to go, ask for screened soil as oposed to 'as dug'

expect to pay between £35- £65 per ton bag including delivery, £65 would be for very good qulity loam and a fair distance from the depot.

 

Many thanks for all the replies.

I enquired at a local topsoil supplers and it was £85 for a one ton bag delivered to my home. And they don't do half a ton bags!

This seems rather high based on the advice given here and not much cheaper than getting bagged topsoil from garden centres which works out at £10 for 100kg.

Pro Gard - do you have any contact details for your recommended topsoil supplier.

Thanks again.

 

Found a topsoil suppliers and will get half a ton delivered for £20.

Thanks for the advice.