I've removed some of the block paving in the driveway to create a flowerbed - what topsoil do I need and where do I get it from?

[Mugsandpens]

Our front garden is all brick paved. I've removed some of the bricks along the house so we can have something lovely growing in it - I'd rather look at that instead of a driveway!

Underneath is sand and some of sort compacted pebbly stuff. I can remove all of this, it will be time consuming but it's not a huge area and I have done about a third of it.

The pebbly stuff goes down about 10 inches and then underneath that is clay soil - it's like proper clay that you would make a pot out of!

I've been doing some online research about what to fill the bed in with. I think topsoil sounds about right and I will buy one of the big, trade sized bags. The only thing is there are few companies that do this and I wondered if anybody had recommendations? The RHS advise seeing the soil before buying it but I don't think this will be possible.

And is top soil the right soil to add? TIA

DIY store multi purpose compost will do the trick

How long has the paving been there? It's possible lingering weedkiller could be in the soil beneath the paving.

Topsoil will have a bit of bulk and heft - you can buy it in bags or have one of those big metre cubes delivered. Multipurpose compost is a bit light and fluffy and will compact down surprisingly quickly. How much of a border have you made and what do you plan to grow?

I did this last year and just ended up using compost. I grew a pack of seeds for pollinators and some sunflowers and had a great display until the frosts arrived.