How To Pick the Right Soil
Now is the ideal time to purchase some great quality growing soil for topping up those neglected garden beds and for upcoming garden projects!
But with so many different Topsoils on the market, how on earth do you know which one to choose? Thanks to this handy guide, you'll see the different properties that each of our garden soils has to offer!
Here at The Stone Zone & Landscaping Supplies (Dorset Soils and Aggregates) we are proud to offer a wide range of soils, mulches and composts - namely our best-selling Wessex® range. Spring is just around the corner, meaning warmer weather and longer days - ideal for planting and gardening!
Wessex® BS3882 10mm Soil
If you're searching for adaptable, multi-purpose soil for your plant beds, our Wessex® BS3882 10mm Soil is the ideal choice. If you are thinking about seeding areas in your outdoor area – be it your front or back garden, consider our high-quality 10mm Screened Soil.
Why choose Wessex® BS3882 10mm Soil
- Contains PAS 100 organic green compost, adding soil fertility and structure
- Tested in accordance with British Standard 3882: 2015 - test analysis available upon request
- Additive-free with a PH between between 7.5-8.5 - moderately alkaline soil locks in nutrients
- Screened to a particle size of 10mm down - free from tree roots and large stones
Ideal planting variety: Vegetables (particularly Brassicas), Fruits (particulary tree fruits), Herbs (Mediterranean types) and Flowers and Ornamental Shrubs
Plants to avoid: Ericaceous plants such as Rhododendrons, Camellias, Blueberries, and Azaleas
Purchase Wessex® BS3882 10mm Soil HERE
Wessex® Borders & Beds Topsoil
Our highly-reviewed 10mm Borders & Beds Topsoil blend is freshly screened and then blended locally in Dorset. The Borders & Beds Topsoil consists of organic, peat-free, multi-purpose compost mixed with high-quality British Standard 3882 soil. This unique mix of soil has been created specifically with slow-releasing nutrients for a variety of plants.
Why choose Wessex® Borders & Beds Topsoil
- Contains high percentage of organic, peat-free, multi-purpose compost for high fertility
- PH ranges between 5-7, making it suitable for acid-loving plants
- Base Soil tested in accordance with British Standard 3882: 2015
- Screened to a particle size between 5mm - 10mm - free from tree roots and large stones
Ideal planting variety: Root Vegetables & Herbs, Perennial flowers, Shrubs & Trees (some ericaceous plants and fruit trees)
Plants to avoid: Acid-Loving Plants (Lime Haters), Blueberries, Hydrangeas, Asparagus and certain Brassicas
Purchase Wessex® Borders & Beds Topsoil HERE
Wessex® Fruit & Veg Topsoil
Our Wessex blend of Fruit and Vegetable Topsoil is freshly blended and created specifically with growing in mind. This soil is suitable for many different crops for consistent growth. It doesn’t contain manure which can sometimes be harmful to fruit and veg. Consisting of organic, nutrient-rich compost mixed with high-quality British Standard 3882 soil, screened down to 10mm.
Why choose Wessex® Fruit & Veg Topsoil
- Contains high percentage of organic, peat-free, multi-purpose compost for high fertility
- Neutral PH ranges betwenn 6-7; making it ideal for fruits and vegetables*
- Base Soil tested in accordance with British Standard 3882: 2015
- Screened to a particle size between 5mm - 10mm - free from tree roots and large stones
- Frer from artifcial additives, chemicals and manure
Ideal planting variety: All root vegetables and fruits and Brassicas (Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower)
Plants to avoid: acid-loving (ericaceous) plants, including blueberries
Purchase Wessex® Fruit & Veg Topsoil HERE
Wessex® Lawn & Turf Seeding Soil
This sandy Seeding Soil is renowned for enhancing root establishment. Our Wessex® Seeding Soil helps release its nutrients slowly, aiding drainage and improving the soil quality and structure for planting grass seed, turf, trees and shrubs, therefore making it a great option for fast and effective root establishment.
Why choose Wessex® Lawn & Turf Seeding Soil
- Contains PAS 100 organic green compost, adding soil fertility and structure
- Tested in accordance with British Standard 3882: 2015 - test analysis available upon request
- Additive-free with a PH between between 7.5-8.5 - moderately alkaline soil locks in nutrients
- Screened to 8mm down for ease of use
- Contains sand to aid drainage and improve soil structure
Ideal planting variety: Grass Turf, Grass Seed, Trees and Shrubs
Plants to avoid: ericaceous flowers, some fruit and veg
Purchase Wessex® Lawn & Turf Seeding Soil HERE
Wessex® Ericaceous Soil
If you're looking for a planting medium that caters to acid-loving plants, then our Ericaceous Tospoil is the perfect choice for you! Blended locally with our Multi-purpose compost and BS3882 Soil, it makes for the perfect soil addition for planting well-loved Hydrangeas and Rhododendrons. Top tip: Use rain water as opposed to tap water to keep the soil moist, as treated water can be very alkaline.
Why choose Wessex® Ericaceous Soil
- Contains PAS 100 organic green compost, adding soil fertility and structure
- Tested in accordance with British Standard 3882: 2015 - test analysis available upon request
- Additive-free with a PH between between 4-5 - moderately acidic soil
- Screened to 10mm down
Ideal planting variety: Ericaceous plants such as hydrangeas, Rhododendrons and blueberries
Plants to avoid: Flowers & Ornamental shrubs such as lavender and Brassicas (Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower)
Purchase Wessex® Ericaceous Soil HERE
Wessex® Eco Coffee Soil
Designed to encourage healthy plant development, Wessex Eco Coffee Soil is made from 100% recycled soil, independently tested to BS3882 standards. It is carefully formulated using locally sourced recycled coffee grounds and PAS 100 certified organic compost, ensuring it is completely peat-free. The added nitrogen naturally increases soil acidity, allowing plants to release acidic H⁺ ions into the soil solution, supporting effective nutrient uptake.
Why choose Wessex® Eco Coffee Soil
- Contains PAS 100 Organic Compost & recycled Coffee grounds for high fertility
- Nitrogen turns soil acidic, making it suitable for acid-loving plants
- Base Soil tested in accordance with British Standard 3882: 2015
- Screened to a particle size between 5mm - 10mm - free from tree roots and large stones
- Added nitrogen is key for growth of certain plants
Ideal planting variety: Japanese Maple & Oak Trees, ericaceous plants such as hydrangeas and Rhododendrons and blueberries
Plants to avoid: Flowers & Ornamental shrubs such as lavender and Brassicas (Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower)
Purchase Wessex® Eco Coffee Soil HERE
Wessex® 10mm Top Dressing
Consisting of a 70/30 mix of Wessex BS3882 Soil and sand, this has been screened to 10mm for consistency and to prevent the presence of unwanted, large debris.
The traditional mixture of Sand and Soil is what makes this popular product great for growing grass seed as well as topping off your already-laid turf. The high quality, BS3882 Soil will provide the best nutrients for the roots to thrive, and the mixture of sand throughout the dressing will provide moisture retention in wet seasons, as well as manage even drainage.
The additional benefit of sandy soils is that they will be able to retain moisture better and so the grass will be more resistant to drought; perfect if you're laying your grass seed in Spring, before the hot weather hits.
Purchase Wessex® 10mm Top Dressing HERE
Wessex® Peat Free Multi-Purpose Compost
Our best-selling Wessex® Peat Free Multi-Purpose nutrient-rich, reduced-peat compost is perfect for cuttings, rooting and planters. This multi-purpose compost is ideal for use as a general growth medium, particularly for grass, vegetables and herbs.
The material improves the quality of soil by developing soil structure and increasing water retention. Multi-Purpose compost is nutrient-rich, an excellent source of organic matter and helps plants to establish themselves quickly. The product is easy to use and requires little maintenance. Used regularly in potting and seed trays, the material is a great option for fledgling plants and seedlings.
Purchase Wessex® Peat Free Multi-Purpose Compost HERE
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Wessex® Soil Features
PAS 100 Compost
PAS 100 Green Compost is what makes up most of our Wessex® Soil Compost. This compost is present in all of our Wessex Soils in different quantities.
You can be reassured that this PAS 100 Green Compost is fully recycled through green waste collected from gardeners and landscapers. The process then involves mulching and composting, which all happens locally on the same site in Dorset.
Due to this product being naturally available through a recycling scheme, and never cut down from virgin greenery, our Compost is 100% peat-free.
The Publicly Available Specification that it has been awarded, is a widely recognised compost quality standard within the organics recycling sector.
To ensure a high standard of compost, PAS is set by the British Standards Institution which requires producers to establish a top-quality production policy.
This product status is given in recognition of non-hazardous waste that contains biodegradable materials only, making it safe to use in both domestic and commercial settings.
BS3882 Certified
The British Standard 3882 certification for topsoil has been invented to ensure a consistent level of top performance; a standard set out by the British Standards Institute. This standard is the updated version of 1994 originally set out.
BS3882 is measured on three components: Soil Structure and Classification, Free-from Contamination and Fertility. BS3882 topsoil suppliers are also able to provide results of the soil analysis which includes the origin of the soil, the contamination parameters and written confirmation that the soil complies with the standard BS3882:2007.
All of the Stone Zone & Landscaping Supplies' soil contains BS3882 Soil for multi-purpose use, ideal for all gardening and landscaping applications.
