Topsoil for pots ?!?

[Popetthetreehugger]

Wanted to order a ton grab bag of compost, but they only do top soil , will this be ok for pots ? Thanks 🤞in advance !

It depends on size of pot, what you are growing and whether you afford to mix it with compost,.

Top soil is very heavy, mostly clay and has few nutrients. If you have huge planters, are growing some types of trees , large shrubs or roses you could use it. Even then you will have to mix it with a lighter compost and have good drainage system as it clogs and is claggy. Layer lots of crocks in the bottom and drill drainage holes round the bottom edge as well as the bottom. Stand the pots on bricks.

I use Compost Direct. After 50 years of gardening, I have always found them superb.

Thank you ! I’ll look them up , we moved in end of last summer, so just getting going now , so regiments of empty pots to fill ! X

I mix the top soil with compost and has been fine.

Top soil is very heavy, mostly clay and has few nutrients. Why is this true? Surely it must depend where you are?

It depends where the topsoil has come from. Often they have just scraped it off the ground where there is going to be a new quarry or housing development, so you can get anything.

Usually though, topsoil tends to be too dense for pots and the structure can break down and solidify into an airless mass. It can also bring in pests and diseases.