Topsoil & Compost

Grade A Topsoil is our premium quality screened topsoil, ideal for gardens, new lawns, turfing, planting borders and top-dressing. It has been screened to remove stones and debris, providing a fine, workable soil. Grade B Topsoil is a more economical option better suited to bulk fill, sub-surface use and large landscaping projects where premium quality isn't required. Grade A is the right choice for finishing work and planting, while Grade B offers cost savings on volume projects. Both are delivered loose tipped by the cubic meter across Thatcham, Newbury, Reading, Basingstoke and surrounding areas.

BS3882 is the British Standard specification for topsoil, which sets strict requirements for pH, nutrient content, particle size, contaminants and organic matter. Our Sandy Loam Compost Soil is certified to BS3882, making it suitable for landscaping architects' specifications, commercial developments, housing estates and any project requiring compliance with the standard. The sandy loam texture provides good drainage while retaining enough nutrients and structure to support healthy plant establishment. Available loose tipped by the cubic meter in bulk loads.

Ericaceous Topsoil is a specially formulated acidic topsoil with a low pH designed for acid-loving plants. It's essential for rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, heathers, blueberries and Japanese maples - plants that cannot thrive in standard alkaline or neutral soil. Using ericaceous topsoil helps these plants absorb iron and other nutrients properly, preventing yellowing leaves (chlorosis) and poor growth. If your garden has naturally chalky or alkaline soil, ericaceous topsoil is particularly important for successful cultivation of acid-loving species.

Low Fertility Soil is a specialist soil with reduced nutrient content, designed specifically for wildflower meadows, conservation planting and biodiversity projects. Native wildflowers thrive in nutrient-poor conditions because they can't compete with vigorous grasses and weeds in rich soil. Using Low Fertility Soil gives wildflower seed mixes the best chance of establishing and flowering well. It's increasingly popular for rewilding projects, biodiversity net gain schemes and naturalistic garden designs across Berkshire, North Hampshire and Southern Oxfordshire.

The difference is simply the particle size after screening. 10mm Compost is a finer grade, ideal for seed beds, top dressing lawns, fine garden finishing and incorporating into seed compost mixes where a smooth texture is important. 20mm Compost is a coarser grade, better suited to mulching borders, soil conditioning, filling raised beds and general garden improvement where chunkier organic matter is beneficial. Both are rich in organic nutrients and improve soil structure, moisture retention and microbial activity.

Mushroom Compost is a spent growing medium from commercial mushroom production, typically made from straw, manure and gypsum. It's a highly nutritious soil improver that's excellent for vegetable gardens, allotments, borders and general soil conditioning. Mushroom compost is slightly alkaline, so it's ideal for most vegetables and ornamental plants but should not be used around acid-loving species like rhododendrons, azaleas or blueberries. It adds organic matter, improves soil structure and boosts fertility - a gardener's favourite for productive plots.

0-2mm USGA Bunker Sand, also known as Rootzone, is manufactured to the United States Golf Association specification for golf course construction. It's used for golf bunkers, greens rootzones and sports turf construction where precise particle size, drainage and playability are critical. The specification ensures consistent performance, excellent drainage and resistance to compaction. It's also used by sports clubs, schools and groundsmen for cricket squares, bowling greens and premium turf areas across Berkshire, North Hampshire and Southern Oxfordshire.

Coarse Silver Sand, often called Horticultural Grit, is a clean, sharp sand used primarily for improving drainage in soils and compost mixes. It's essential for propagating cuttings, mixing into seed compost, improving heavy clay soil, top-dressing alpines and growing drought-tolerant plants like Mediterranean herbs and succulents. Its coarse, sharp nature prevents compaction and promotes aeration - quite different from soft builder's sand. Gardeners, growers and nurseries rely on it as a key ingredient for healthy root development.

Topsoil Compost Blend is a ready-mixed product combining the structure and minerals of topsoil with the nutrients and organic matter of compost. It's ideal for raised beds, vegetable gardens, allotments, new borders and any situation where you want a nutrient-rich growing medium without the hassle of mixing your own. The blend provides immediate fertility for planting while retaining good drainage and structure. It saves time and ensures a consistent, productive growing medium from day one.

As a rough guide: for new lawns, allow 50-75mm (2-3 inches) of topsoil, approximately 1 cubic meter per 15-20 square metres. For raised beds and borders, 150-300mm depth is typical - around 1 cubic meter per 3-6 square metres depending on depth. For mulching with compost, 50mm depth gives good coverage - approximately 1 cubic meter per 20 square metres. Remember 1 cubic meter is approximately 2 bulk bags. For a custom calculation, call us on 01635 865679 or 01635 40009 with your measurements.

Organic materials like topsoil, compost and bark are sold by volume (cubic meter) rather than weight (tonne) because their weight varies significantly with moisture content and density. Selling by cubic meter ensures you get the right volume for coverage regardless of how wet or dry the material is. As a guide, 1 cubic meter equals 1000 litres, approximately 2 bulk bags. For comparison, aggregates like sand, gravel and sub base are sold by tonne because their density is more consistent. This approach ensures fair and accurate pricing for our customers.

Yes - we deliver both small and large loose tipped loads from 1 cubic meter up to 80 cubic meters across Thatcham, Newbury, Reading, Basingstoke and surrounding towns in Berkshire, North Hampshire and Southern Oxfordshire. Whether you need a single cubic meter for a raised bed or a full articulated lorry for a landscaping project, we can accommodate homeowners, gardeners, trade customers and landscapers. Call 01635 865679 (Thatcham) or 01635 40009 (Newbury) to discuss your requirements.