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Soil help for New garden borders and raised beds

#1 · 25th February 2025, 2:34 pm

I wonder if anyone can help me please. I'm fairly new to gardening and we are having a garden overhaul done at the moment. This will include some raised beds and some borders. They have said that they will fill these with really good top soil.

My questions is, do I need to add compost/manure/grit/leaf mould to this or can you just plant straight into top soil and mulch after planting?

Apologies if this has been asked before.

Tink.

#2 · 3rd March 2025, 8:03 am

Quote from Lee Garden Ninja on 3rd March 2025, 8:03 am
Hi @tinkm
Great question about new soil improvement for newly renovated garden borders, raised beds and flower beds.
The quick answer is if you're bringing in good quality soil you shouldn't need any fertilizer or soil improvers for the first few years. However, not everyone shares the same idea of what is a quality top soil. Some unscrupulous builders or landscapers will bring in the cheapest soil and claim it's premium, after all, how would most new gardeners know?!
The way to tell is by grabbing a handful of top soil from the bulk bag and seeing how fine it is, the finer the structure, the more it has been screened. You don't want to be seeing huge chunks of glass or plastic in it. Believe me, some cheap topsoil is so full of debris it's not worth having!
https://youtu.be/SL8qCL_fGeM
It's not just the fine structure but the colour and smell. If it's been blended enough with organic matter, as well as soils, the three main particles, clay, sand and silt, it should smell EARTHY, not eggy or like ammonia. If it smells eggy, it's still breaking down and should be left for a few weeks or months before planting, as this ammonia stage can and will harm, if not kill, the plants, as it's still breaking down.
How much should I spend on top soil for my garden?
Here a walk through the different grades of top soil so you have an idea about how much quality top soil costs in the UK and what to watch out for.
In the UK, bulk topsoil grading refers to the different classifications of soil based on its texture, quality, and suitability for various projects. The grading types ensure that the soil is appropriate for use in landscaping, construction, and agricultural activities. The common types of topsoil grading and the associated price ranges are as follows:
1.BS3882 Standard Topsoil
BS3882 is the British Standard for topsoil. It ensures that the topsoil meets specific quality criteria, such as pH level, texture, and contaminants. This type of topsoil is most commonly used for general landscaping, gardens, and lawns. The grading includes various grades within the BS3882 standard, typically categorized into 3 main types (Grade A, B, and C).
The price range for bulk topsoil is typically £30 - £50 per tonne or £35 - £60 per cubic metre. It is commonly used for landscaping, horticulture, turfing, and general gardening.
2.Premium or High-Quality Topsoil
This type of soil is screened for a finer texture and is free from larger stones and debris. It often includes organic matter such as compost, making it ideal for high-quality gardens, lawn areas, or vegetable beds. It is considered a premium grade with good consistency, no large particles, and balanced nutrient content.
The price range for premium topsoil is £50 - £80 per tonne or £60 - £100 per cubic metre. This grade is suitable for high-end landscaping, premium lawns, and planting beds.
3.Landscaping Topsoil (Screened)
This is topsoil that has been screened to remove larger particles and debris. It may still contain some larger organic material but is generally considered good for general landscaping purposes. Typically, it contains a mix of loam with organic matter, though it is not as refined as premium topsoil.
The price range for landscaping topsoil is £25 - £40 per tonne or £30 - £50 per cubic metre. This soil is commonly used for general landscaping, lawn areas, and garden beds.
4.Agricultural or Farm Topsoil
This is a more affordable, less refined type of soil, often sourced from agricultural sites. It may have a coarser texture and may contain more clay and debris compared to other grades. Agricultural topsoil is suitable for agricultural purposes or when improving soil quality in large areas.
The price range for agricultural topsoil is £15 - £30 per tonne or £20 - £40 per cubic metre.
This type of soil is typically used for agricultural fields, large garden projects, or areas where the soil will be further amended.
5.Topsoil with Added Fertilizer
Some bulk topsoil is enriched with fertilizers or organic matter to improve its nutrient content. This type of soil is designed to promote plant growth in areas where soil fertility may be poor. It contains added nutrients for better growth of plants and grass.
The price range for topsoil with added fertilizer is £50 - £90 per tonne or £55 - £95 per cubic metre.
This soil is often used for garden beds, lawns, and vegetable plots.
6.Peat-Free Topsoil
This type of topsoil is environmentally friendly as it contains no peat. It’s mixed with organic materials like compost or wood chips to improve soil structure and fertility. It is considered an organic or peat-free blend.
The price range for peat-free topsoil is £40 - £70 per tonne or £45 - £80 per cubic metre.
It is commonly used in environmentally conscious landscaping, vegetable gardens, and allotments.
Factors Affecting Price
Bulk deliveries often come with additional charges based on distance, volume, and location. Local deliveries may cost less, while long-distance shipments can increase the overall price.
Larger orders (e.g., bulk orders of 10-20 tonnes) may come with discounts, while smaller orders tend to be more expensive per tonne or per cubic metre.
Prices can fluctuate depending on the season, with higher demand during spring and summer months for garden design projects.
Do let us know how you get on and hope this guide has been helpful.
Lee Garden Ninja

Hi @tinkm

Great question about new soil improvement for newly renovated garden borders, raised beds and flower beds.

The quick answer is if you're bringing in good quality soil you shouldn't need any fertilizer or soil improvers for the first few years. However, not everyone shares the same idea of what is a quality top soil. Some unscrupulous builders or landscapers will bring in the cheapest soil and claim it's premium, after all, how would most new gardeners know?!

The way to tell is by grabbing a handful of top soil from the bulk bag and seeing how fine it is, the finer the structure, the more it has been screened. You don't want to be seeing huge chunks of glass or plastic in it. Believe me, some cheap topsoil is so full of debris it's not worth having!

It's not just the fine structure but the colour and smell. If it's been blended enough with organic matter, as well as soils, the three main particles, clay, sand and silt, it should smell EARTHY, not eggy or like ammonia. If it smells eggy, it's still breaking down and should be left for a few weeks or months before planting, as this ammonia stage can and will harm, if not kill, the plants, as it's still breaking down.

How much should I spend on top soil for my garden?

Here a walk through the different grades of top soil so you have an idea about how much quality top soil costs in the UK and what to watch out for.

In the UK, bulk topsoil grading refers to the different classifications of soil based on its texture, quality, and suitability for various projects. The grading types ensure that the soil is appropriate for use in landscaping, construction, and agricultural activities. The common types of topsoil grading and the associated price ranges are as follows:

1.BS3882 Standard Topsoil

BS3882 is the British Standard for topsoil. It ensures that the topsoil meets specific quality criteria, such as pH level, texture, and contaminants. This type of topsoil is most commonly used for general landscaping, gardens, and lawns. The grading includes various grades within the BS3882 standard, typically categorized into 3 main types (Grade A, B, and C).

The price range for bulk topsoil is typically £30 - £50 per tonne or £35 - £60 per cubic metre. It is commonly used for landscaping, horticulture, turfing, and general gardening.

2.Premium or High-Quality Topsoil

This type of soil is screened for a finer texture and is free from larger stones and debris. It often includes organic matter such as compost, making it ideal for high-quality gardens, lawn areas, or vegetable beds. It is considered a premium grade with good consistency, no large particles, and balanced nutrient content.

The price range for premium topsoil is £50 - £80 per tonne or £60 - £100 per cubic metre. This grade is suitable for high-end landscaping, premium lawns, and planting beds.

3.Landscaping Topsoil (Screened)

This is topsoil that has been screened to remove larger particles and debris. It may still contain some larger organic material but is generally considered good for general landscaping purposes. Typically, it contains a mix of loam with organic matter, though it is not as refined as premium topsoil.

The price range for landscaping topsoil is £25 - £40 per tonne or £30 - £50 per cubic metre. This soil is commonly used for general landscaping, lawn areas, and garden beds.

4.Agricultural or Farm Topsoil

This is a more affordable, less refined type of soil, often sourced from agricultural sites. It may have a coarser texture and may contain more clay and debris compared to other grades. Agricultural topsoil is suitable for agricultural purposes or when improving soil quality in large areas.

The price range for agricultural topsoil is £15 - £30 per tonne or £20 - £40 per cubic metre.

This type of soil is typically used for agricultural fields, large garden projects, or areas where the soil will be further amended.

5.Topsoil with Added Fertilizer

Some bulk topsoil is enriched with fertilizers or organic matter to improve its nutrient content. This type of soil is designed to promote plant growth in areas where soil fertility may be poor. It contains added nutrients for better growth of plants and grass.

The price range for topsoil with added fertilizer is £50 - £90 per tonne or £55 - £95 per cubic metre.

This soil is often used for garden beds, lawns, and vegetable plots.

6.Peat-Free Topsoil

This type of topsoil is environmentally friendly as it contains no peat. It’s mixed with organic materials like compost or wood chips to improve soil structure and fertility. It is considered an organic or peat-free blend.

The price range for peat-free topsoil is £40 - £70 per tonne or £45 - £80 per cubic metre.

It is commonly used in environmentally conscious landscaping, vegetable gardens, and allotments.

Factors Affecting Price

Bulk deliveries often come with additional charges based on distance, volume, and location. Local deliveries may cost less, while long-distance shipments can increase the overall price.

Larger orders (e.g., bulk orders of 10-20 tonnes) may come with discounts, while smaller orders tend to be more expensive per tonne or per cubic metre.

Prices can fluctuate depending on the season, with higher demand during spring and summer months for garden design projects.

Do let us know how you get on and hope this guide has been helpful.

Lee Garden Ninja

#3 · 7th March 2025, 8:10 am

Dear Lee,

Thank you so much for such a detailed reply. This is amazing, especially as I am just starting out on my gardening journey. Your tips and advice on this site are so helpful and you put it in language beginners like myself can understand which is fab.

I will keep you posted, at the moment it looks like a building site but I am sure it will be gorgeous once it is finished. Especially now that I am armed with the Ninja knowledge (ha ha).

Thank you so much once again for your help, it is much appreciated.

Tink

#4 · 7th March 2025, 8:32 am

Hi @tinkm

I'm really pleased my guides are accessible and helpful!

If you have a minute, I'm always grateful for a Google review of my services and blog. It helps keep the work coming in and other potential Ninjas find my free gardening guides!

https://g.page/gardenninja/review?gm

Many thanks & Happy Gardening!