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Top Soil / Compost - Confused!

hellokitty08
hellokitty08 Posts: 1,878 Forumite
Debt-free and Proud!
in Gardening
Hello,

I have never ever done any gardening before but I would like to plant up some massive pots i have for my patio. I am just confused over if it makes a difference if i buy top soil or compost to put in them. I dont really have any idea what I want to buy to put in them yet, just maybe something evergreen. Any help woudl be great because i can see 25L of top soil for £2.99 or 60L of multi purpose compost for £4.99.
Debt free since July 2013! Woo hoo! The bank actually laughed when I said I have come in to cancel my overdraft.

Comments

  • conradmum
    conradmum Posts: 5,018 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Topsoil will get too compacted in pots without earthworms to aerate it. You need compost, but preferably John Innes if the pots are large. It's heavier and dries out less quickly than peat-based compost. John Innes No.3 will be the right one for shrubs, bulbs etc. in pots.
  • hellokitty08
    hellokitty08 Posts: 1,878 Forumite
    Debt-free and Proud!
    Do you think it would be ok to put 180 L of compost in the back of my 1.2l car? hehehe If I dont take any passengers?

    Thanks for the reply, I really have no idea what I am doing when it comes to gardening.
    Debt free since July 2013! Woo hoo! The bank actually laughed when I said I have come in to cancel my overdraft.
  • heynonnynonny
    heynonnynonny Posts: 981 Forumite
    I struggle a bit with 80l getting it into my micra so I agree with that!!
    Ahhhh.... lemony fresh victory is mineee!!!
  • cooking-mama
    cooking-mama Posts: 2,069 Forumite
    hellokitty Asda are selling 75l bags of multi purpose compost for £4...or 2 (150litre)for £6,this is what ive been buying.
    PS,Forgot to add,the trolley guys have always helped me get it into my carboot too.
    Slimming World..Wk1,..STS,..Wk2,..-2LB,..Wk3,..-3.5lb,..Wk4,..-2.5,..Wk5,..-1/2lb,Wk6,..STS,..Wk7,..-1lb.
    Week 10,total weightloss is now 13.5lbs Week 11 STSweek 14(I think)..-2, total loss now 1 stone exactly
    GOT TO TARGET..1/2lb under now weigh 10st 6.5(lost 1st 3.5lbs)
  • Wookey
    Wookey Posts: 812 Forumite
    Dont know if you have any garden centres nearhand you but you can pick up Hortons multi purpose at 2x120 litres for £10.
    Norn Iron Club member No 353
  • hellokitty08
    hellokitty08 Posts: 1,878 Forumite
    Debt-free and Proud!
    wow, thanks guys for your replys. I might pop to asda today. I know there are a couple of wyevales and Billing Garden Centre near me, plus some more independant ones. I would def struggle picking up those amounts but was going to get a couple of 60l bags not actually 120-180l single bag.
    Debt free since July 2013! Woo hoo! The bank actually laughed when I said I have come in to cancel my overdraft.
  • heynonnynonny
    heynonnynonny Posts: 981 Forumite
    Morrisons have 40l for half price - £1.75.
    Ahhhh.... lemony fresh victory is mineee!!!
  • Orange_King
    Orange_King Posts: 720 Forumite
    Last week I got some 60 L John Innes compost in a 3 for the price of 2 deal at Homebase - seems a regular thing with the deal splashed over the front of the bags.
  • travis.b
    travis.b Posts: 13 Forumite
    use the compost for potting and planting, the top soil is for larger landscape projects
  • hellokitty08
    hellokitty08 Posts: 1,878 Forumite
    Debt-free and Proud!
    Thanks for all your helpful information, i never knew buying compost / soil was so complicated. I Hope to pick some up today or at the weekend.
    Debt free since July 2013! Woo hoo! The bank actually laughed when I said I have come in to cancel my overdraft.
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