Topsoil – What Is It?
Premium screened fertile soil for gardens, lawns and landscaping
Quality Screened Topsoil
What It's Used For
Quality topsoil is essential for establishing healthy plants, lawns and sustainable landscapes.
- New lawn establishment
- Garden bed creation
- Vegetable patches
- Top dressing existing lawns
- Filling raised beds
- General landscaping
- Tree and shrub planting
- Levelling garden areas
Soil Properties
Fertile, friable soil screened to remove stones and debris for easy working.
- 10mm screened (stone-free)
- pH 6.0-7.5 (neutral range)
- High organic matter content
- Free draining structure
- Nutrient rich composition
- Weed seed treated
- No peat content
Grades Available
Different grades to match your specific planting requirements.
- Premium Grade - highest organic content
- General Purpose - standard gardens
- Economy Grade - bulk landscaping
- Vegetable Soil - enriched blend
- Lawn Soil - sand mixed for drainage
- All BS3882:2015 compliant
Delivery Options
Multiple delivery methods to suit garden access and project size.
- Loose tipped loads (most economical)
- Grab lorry delivery
- 1-tonne bulk bags (clean delivery)
- Mini bags for small gardens
- Wheelbarrow service available
Technical Specifications
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| British Standard | BS3882:2015 Multi-Purpose Grade |
| Screening | 10mm (removes stones and debris) |
| pH Range | 6.0 - 7.5 (suitable for most plants) |
| Organic Matter | Minimum 3-5% by dry weight |
| Texture | Sandy loam to loamy sand |
| Contaminants | Free from glass, plastic, metal |
| Bulk Density | 0.8-1.2 tonnes/m³ (depending on moisture) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much topsoil do I need?
For new lawns, spread 100-150mm deep (1 tonne covers 6-10m²). For top dressing, 25mm deep (1 tonne covers 25m²). Raised beds need 300-450mm depth for vegetables. Always add 10% for settlement. Bulk bags contain approximately 0.75m³.
What's the difference between topsoil and compost?
Topsoil is actual soil - provides structure, minerals and growing medium for roots. Compost is decomposed organic matter - adds nutrients but lacks structure. Best practice: use topsoil as base, mix in 20-30% compost for added fertility. Never use pure compost for lawns or general planting.
Should I mix topsoil with existing soil?
Yes - blend 50/50 with existing soil at boundaries to prevent drainage problems. Creating distinct layers causes water to pool at interfaces. For clay soils, mix in sharp sand too (70% topsoil, 30% sand). This prevents waterlogging and improves structure.
Is screened topsoil worth the extra cost?
Yes for lawns and borders - 10mm screening removes stones, roots and debris making it much easier to work, level and seed. Unscreened is fine for rough landscaping or filling large areas where finish isn't critical. Premium screened essential for bowling green quality lawns.
When is the best time to lay topsoil?
Avoid laying when frozen or waterlogged. Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are ideal - natural moisture helps settling. Summer laying needs immediate heavy watering. Allow 2-3 weeks settling before final preparation and seeding.
How do I know if topsoil is good quality?
Good topsoil is dark brown, crumbly texture, earthy smell (not sour), free from stones when screened. BS3882:2015 certification guarantees quality. Avoid very black soil (too much organic matter), grey soil (anaerobic), or soil with strong ammonia smell (contaminated).
Need Quality Topsoil?
BS3882:2015 certified topsoil for gardens and landscaping.
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