[mad mark]

I have dug up the whole garden and got 8 raised beds I have made. Where is the best or cheapest place to buy top soil? I live near Bakewell Derbyshire.......
Any advice on top soil in a raised bed....on tarmac as I have put two in front of the house on tarmac. Was going to put some gravel in the bottom, then some sand then some black membrane to filter the water that I dont want to seep through too much.
Appreciate any words of wisdom.......
 
Mad Mark

[The Norfolk Turkey]

We made raised beds this year, used a company called tommy topsoil for topsoil/compost that provided good quality stuff at a reasonable price - its a bit of a way from you, but they will do a national delivery - might be too pricey tho?

We used 75% peaty topsoil and 25% worm compost (it was all screened and sterile - which was very reassuring as-like you-we didnt want to spend out and make all that effort to import diseased or rubbish the kids could cut themselves on etc), its been ace for everything weve grown so far!! We could have got it cheaper, but without similar guarantees. 3 tonnes came in at around £120 I think.

The beds were fully lined (sides, ends and bottoms) with decking weed-supressing liner secured with a staple gun, which allows drainage, but has stopped all the soil washing out!!

Hope this helps?!

[mickeyboy]

look in your local paper for agricultural deliverys. I made 4, 3.5 ft raised beds and they swallowed 15 tons of the finest top soil easily. this came in including delivery at £125, bargain as all the normal aggregate companies wanted £95 for 3 tons
I put hardcorcore at the bottom blinded it with sand then used the more expensive white membrame and have had great success.

hope this is of some help
mickeyboy
 

[kermit]

I've just sourced loads on freecycle / freegle - definetely worth a shot.

[Jay Dubya]

Hi, what i did was set up the beds and dig all round them which are the paths and take about 4 inches off them and put that soil in your beds easy.