Cheapest top soil?

Chimera

Built my deep raised bed over a month ago and still no joy with top soil. Had some on freecycle but I can't pick up

I'm thinking now that b&q bags are going to be the only way to go.. loads on ebay but not for my area (exeter)

Really frustrating, anyone know of cheapest option in my situation.. Reckon I will need half a tonne for this bed, have couple hundred litres of compost ready to go in with it, but understand that I can't just fill with compost?

Any help appreciated, just want to get my plants in ground

Chimera

anyone any ideas?

mrbadexample

Would the cost of hiring a small van outweigh any savings you would make on the freecycle stuff?

If you can drive, of course!

Chimera

mrbadexample wrote: »

Would the cost of hiring a small van outweigh any savings you would make on the freecycle stuff?

If you can drive, of course!

not right now, as the nearest place would cost in fuel at moment, and I'm thinking it will all probably be gone by now.. been looking for more local, but no joy

I just want to get at least one of my raised beds up and going, think I may use other to stand toms, peppers etc in to keep doggies off them

jennieshrew

Wickes have 5 25l bags of top soil for £12, there is one in Exeter. We got some today and its good stuff.

mrbadexample

:idea: Dig a pond in another part of the garden and fill the bed with the removed soil.

misskool

Ring your local garden centre and ask? Or just plant straight into the ground, you don't need raised beds to grow veggies, contrary to popular opinion

glaw5

Have you tried the freebies section on Gumtree if it's got a site near to you?

Peckedhen

I collected the mole hills from the nearby fields.:rotfl:

ds1980

:think:wait?

angelavdavis

How about filling the beds using the layered/lasagne gardening process? You simply layer cardboard, grass mowings/green garden waste/kitchen waste, manure over and over until you get to the top layer when you put a thin layer of compost, cover with a weed suppressant fabric or wet newspaper and then plant through this.

Ensure all layers are thoroughly wet through to encourage the composting process. Next year, you do the same to continue building up the layers.

Google for more information.

I have been advertising on freecycle to pick up grass mowings and cardboard, waste paper etc.