How much soil, and what mix for a garden

kmmr

Hi,

I have a series of new garden beds, which are about 75% filled, but need to be topped up with good quality soil so that I can start to grow some things!

Here is a picture:
http://clearlybuilt.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/paving.jpg?w=600&h=903

I just have no idea how to estimate how much soil I would need, and could anyone advise me what to look for. Do I get a mix of soil and fertilizer? Or just soil? I can provide measurements if required.

I am planning to get it from Ebay and delivered, so would be nice to only have to order it once, and preferably not end up with tons of soil to get rid of!

Thanks everyone

KMMR

gmgmgm

Work out the area and the depth, thus the volume.

I used compost from B&Q for a project similar to yours- the price was the cheapest and came in at under 5p per litre.

Wickes will also deliver larger quantities.

Topsoil by itself is NOT what you want - you need to add some compost/organic matter to it. I just went with 90% compost + 10% existing soil.

ormus

1 cubic metre is approx 1.5 tons.
medium dampness.
soil can vary between 1 ton and 2 tons, depending on the dampness.

kmmr

gmgmgm wrote: »

Topsoil by itself is NOT what you want - you need to add some compost/organic matter to it. I just went with 90% compost + 10% existing soil.

Well, there is lots of normal soil still in there, although there is probably a bit of concrete dust etc from the building work mixed in. It doesn't look too bad, but not quite enough.

If I just get compost, and then mix up some of the existing soil, should that be ok?

kmmr

ormus wrote: »

1 cubic metre is approx 1.5 tons.
medium dampness.
soil can vary between 1 ton and 2 tons, depending on the dampness.

Thanks, that's great information! I can see things onsale in E-Bay, but had no idea how to estimate what I needed.

Wookey

Manure from a horse riding school or local farm can usually be free, you just need to fetch it. At this time of year look for cheap bulk sell off's of compost from garden centres/sheds. Personally i would be looking for around 70% top soil and 30% organic matter, if the soil you get is slightly clayish then i would be adding more compost. I would also prefer using a local soil supplier rather than ebay, if you can check what your getting first it can save you having several ton's of poor quality soil dumped on you that you have allready paid for.