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Topsoil is the top layer of naturally occurring soil in the ground – usually the first 12-30 cm. This is the soil beneath your feet when you walk in your garden. Good topsoil forms the rich upper layer above the bedrock. It has the nutrients plants need to grow. It contains minerals, organic matter, and tiny helpful bugs. It’s the living base of your garden.
When you pick up good topsoil, it feels crumbly and has a mix of sand, silt, and clay. Bulk topsoil often comes from building sites or farms. It may have weed seeds that weren’t removed. Mixing bulk topsoil with compost makes it work better. Our High-Quality Planting Topsoil is great for most garden jobs. You can use it to:
Compost is very different from topsoil. It’s made from kitchen and garden waste, grass cuttings, leaves, and other organic materials. When these rot down, they make a dark, rich material. These organic materials break down to create a nutrient-rich natural fertilizer that enhances soil health. Many call it “black gold” because plants love it so much!
Our Organic Compost (PAS100) is peat-free and full of plant food. It helps soil structure, adds nutrients, and boosts garden health without harming nature. This compost has organic matter broken down into tiny bits, giving plants what they need.
The main difference is where they come from and what they do—topsoil forms in the ground over many years. People make compost from rotting plants. They work as a team – topsoil builds up your garden structure, while compost makes soil better. Compost can also mix into the existing soil you already have.
Our Prime Arable Soil (screened to 20mm) makes a perfect base for new plants. Our Organic Compost gives plants the extra boost they need. Another big difference is that topsoil might have weed seeds, but our compost is heated to kill weeds and pests. This makes it safer to use right away. Compost acts as a natural plant food, making soil healthy and reducing the need for chemicals.
Our topsoil products are made for specific garden jobs. For growing veg, our Vegetable Mix Topsoil gives food plants the perfect start. Our Lawn Lay Mix Topsoil makes the ideal base for new grass. You can also mix topsoil with compost for even better results.
Combining topsoil with compost creates nutrient-rich garden soil that supports healthy plant growth.
High-Quality Planting Topsoil fixes bare spots in your garden. If you grow root veg, our Carrot Mix Topsoil has the right texture for straight, healthy roots. Using both topsoil and compost in raised beds works great, especially in gardens with poor soil.
For most garden beds, add at least 15cm of topsoil. A bed that’s 3m x 1.5m needs about 0.9 cubic metres of topsoil to give plant roots enough room.
Compost helps your garden in many ways:
For garden beds, add about 5cm of compost each year. Compost feeds the soil, makes it work better, and helps plants get nutrients. For a 10-square-metre area, you’ll need about 50-100 litres. Compost also helps keep soil at the right temperature for plants. Compost also helps regulate soil temperature, ensuring optimal conditions for plant growth.
Not all soil and compost are the same. At Valley Contractors, we test all our products to ensure high standards. Our topsoil is screened – our Prime Arable Soil is screened to 20mm – to remove stones and bits.
Good compost should meet proper standards. Our PAS100 compost meets strict rules to ensure it’s free from harmful stuff and fully rotted. It’s made from rich organic matter that makes soil fertile and plants healthy. Choosing the right compost suitable for your plants’ needs is crucial for optimal growth and soil health.
Making your compost at home is good for the planet, but you’ll need to buy some for big jobs. Home compost bins usually can’t make enough for major garden work.
Getting great results is simple. For new lawns, start with our Lawn Lay Mix Topsoil for a smooth, level surface. Then, add a thin layer of compost each year to feed the grass.
When making new beds, mix three parts topsoil with one part compost. This creates ideal growing conditions with good structure and plenty of food. Your plants will grow quickly and strongly. This mix supports healthy plant growth by providing essential nutrients and improving soil structure.
For pots, our Horticultural Topdressing mixed with compost gives plants what they need. It holds water while letting excess drain away to stop root rot. You can also use special potting soil for containers.
If your garden beds look tired, add 5cm of our Vegetable Mix Topsoil to bring them back to life. Fresh soil helps water drain and gives roots new space to grow. Healthy beds with good soil mixes help plants grow their best.
Our products help you garden in a planet-friendly way. Our peat-free Organic Compost protects wild peatlands – important homes for wildlife and carbon stores. Making some of your own compost cuts waste and completes the natural cycle in your garden.
Using compost made from organic material helps reduce waste and supports sustainable gardening practices.
Quality soil means plants need less feeding and watering, saving time and resources. Adding compost yearly builds soil health, creating a living ecosystem in your garden that helps wildlife and grows healthy plants.
Now you know the difference between topsoil and compost! Topsoil forms the base of your garden, giving roots space to grow. Compost feeds your soil and plants. Using both creates the perfect growing space.
Whether you’re making a new lawn with our Lawn Lay Mix, growing veg in our Vegetable Mix Topsoil, or boosting your soil with our Organic Compost, you’re on the path to a greener, healthier garden.
View our topsoil and compost to buy the right soil and compost for your garden jobs. Your plants will thank you with stronger growth and better harvests all season.
As summer colours begin to fade and crisp autumn days arrive, now is the perfect time to give your outside space the attention it deserves.
As winter settles in across the UK, many gardeners assume their garden soil can be left alone until spring. In reality, winter soil care is
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