Landscaping Not all topsoils are created equal
The Real Soil Company outlines why retailers should be asking more about what’s in the bag and why it matters?
organic matter or environmental protection, according to the creators of the new organic topsoil, The Real Soil Company. “Consumers know that they need topsoil and
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are aware of its role in gardening projects. However, what they may not be very informed about is the production of most topsoil and why much of what they are buying will do little to boost their plant or crop growth, whilst in fact, also doing very little to ‘protect the planet’ in these environmentally-conscious times,” says Simon Hedley, Managing Director of Boughton Loam, which is responsible for bringing SuperSoil from The Real Soil Company to market. “Topsoil can be best divided into three quality grades – premium, general purpose and economy. The quality is not always clearly defined on the packaging, which means consumers are often buying product that is not fit for purpose and, unfortunately, there are no industry standards for topsoil health when it comes to quality. For instance, Topsoil has a weight conversion ratio of on average 1.2 tonnes per cubic metre. What this means is a typical bag of ‘topsoil’ purchased from a garden centre or DIY retailer purporting to contain more than 25 litres of product is not
opsoil forms a huge part of growing media sales every year, but very few topsoils deliver when it comes to
going to contain topsoil. Instead it will have a high sand content and will include wood fibre, peat and other environmentally damaging products. These elements not only lead to consumer disappointment regarding quality, results and value for money, but just as importantly they will impact the overall long- term health of soil and the surrounding environment. Plastic, and even glass from green waste sources, can complete the overall composition, which can prove even more harmful to both man and beast. “On a good day, many of the best-selling
topsoils are little more than 80 percent sand and 20 percent compost; a combination of which offers little additional nutritional and buffering value for plants and will lack body, so plants will also not receive the necessary support for optimum growth,” added Simon. “It is this knowledge that led to the development of The Real Soil Company and SuperSoil. This is not another ‘me too’ product but one that has been designed to breathe some new life into this product category, whilst also increasing consumer buy-in through the strong eco messaging.”
Super charged soil
The Real Soil Company’s SuperSoil benefits from being ‘super charged’ with the inclusion of natural and organic single-source plant derived amendment, which when blended with natural topsoil, meets higher environmental, physical and nutritional standards than is currently specified in BS3882. Each batch of SuperSoil benefits from the finest natural topsoil as the main ingredient
The Low Maintenance Garden
With the majority of us looking at staying closer to home this year, it seems that our gardens will once again be the places that will bring us the most joy and peace. The Jack Dunckley team are starting to see a
pattern of trends when it comes to their customer's requests. The most popular desire when it comes to garden design has been that of the low maintenance type, but what does this actually mean and how does one achieve it? The Low Maintenance Garden combines beauty with practicality and offers a haven that can be enjoyed all year round with minimum effort. Here are some top tips when looking to create this type of garden: Many evergreen plants are stunning and
provide colour, texture and structure to garden designs all year round. Evergreens also provide cover and food for birds and can be useful privacy aids if grown as screens.
GCU February/March 2021
Low maintenance perennials - Use perennials that are low maintenance, but will still add a splash of colour such as astilbe, achillea, coreopsis, hostas, echinacea. For aromas and a touch of the Mediterranean utilise herbs such as sage, oregano and rosemary. Mediterranean trees - Cypress trees, olive trees and palms are all plants that make us think of our holidays and as this year many of us will be having staycations in our own back gardens, it makes sense to bring our holidays to our own home. Choose varieties that are evergreen and will hold their structure all year round. Easy cleaning and weeding - The Jack Dunckley team often use porcelain tiles when a design calls for outdoor flooring. This is because it is easy to clean and has a contemporary and calm ambience to it.
and is then blended according to a stringent formula set out by the company’s in-house soil analyst to ensure consistency and optimum characteristics. The resulting improved biology of the soil means that The Real Soil Company’s SuperSoil consistently outperforms current market-leading topsoils in key areas, including phosphorous (required for plant respiration and growth), potassium (essential for respiration and photosynthesis), magnesium (creates brighter colours), organic matter (improves soil structure, water retention and drought tolerance) and sand/silt/clay content. The team at The Real Soil Company has also enlisted independent testing to ensure that its SuperSoil continues to meet the rigorous parameters it has set for itself. One such test, which investigated water dynamics, saw the product retain in excess of 94 percent more water than one of the current market-leading manufactured soils.
Shift of focus Hedley concludes: “Topsoil plays such a significant role in growing media sales but, for so long, the focus has been on compost and the great peat debate. There will, inevitably, be a shift of focus to topsoil, with consumers expecting the same eco- credentials. With The Real Soil Company’s SuperSoil, it is possible to stock a brand that holds these credentials at its heart, without compromising on results and functionality.”
• To find out more about The Real Soil Company please visit
www.therealsoilcompany.co.uk or email
info@therealsoilcompany.co.uk
When looking for an easy weed solution which is easy on the eye, slates can be used around plants to block weeds emerging. With creative design, planning and execution, your very own luxury haven can be enjoyed, with next to no maintenance required, whatever the season.
• For more information visit:
www.jackdunckley.com
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