Advice on soil/compost needed for a few jobs

[ThePlanter]

Hello

I've recently moved into a house and have my very first own garden! Hoping someone can give me some advice on compost/soil improver/top soil/grit/sand...or whatever else I need. I was hoping to get a dumpy bag of something delivered given I'll need a good amount, and could then get smaller bags of stuff locally as needed.

I have removed some paving slabs from a patio with the intention of turning it to a flower bed (sun most of the day). It's approx 2m x 3m, I am not sure what the depth will be yet - the base concrete is being dug out this week.

There is another space I will be filling in for planting soon, which will require the samw amount as above again roughly.

I will dig through the compacted garden soil (clay, PH 6), to improve it and add bulbs/plants.

I will also be filling several larger pots for the driveway and garden.

I was planning on getting some 'soil' bulk delivered for these projects, but am a loss which to order as I can see fill dirt, top soil, compost, soil improver, mulch and then I also read about adding grit or sand to improve drainage.

Does anyone have advice on what to buy for these jobs? Is there one thing that will do it all/the majority?

Thank you

I've been in this situation too, most sellers aren't at all clear about what each product actually contains. Do explore no-dig gardening before you put in some back breaking work.

For your soil - Well-rotted manure and soil improver should be 100% composted organic matter, which would be good for compacted clay. I prefer manure if I can get it, soil improver varies more in quality.

For pots - I'd buy a standard bag of potting compost and mix it with around 25-50% of your clay soil. Potting compost comes in a very varied range of mixtures. https://www.thecompostshop.co.uk/potting-compost and keep in mind that some plants like blueberries may prefer an ericaceous (acidic) compost.

Mulch is usually what you put on in autumn/winter to prevent weeds and protect some plants e.g. straw around strawberries, wood chips, bark. Top soil doesn't really add nutrients, but it should be finer than your clay. Not heard of fill dirt before, sounds North American?

(Happy to be corrected on any of this by more knowledgeable gardeners!)

Clay has very fine particles so you need to add organic matter to improve its structure. Organic matter is anything that was once a plant eg composted green waste, manure, compost. That’s what’s needed for your beds, at least 50 litres per square metre ideally nearer 100litres. If your two beds are the same size you need 600-1200 litres. I wouldn’t bother adding in grit to clay soil as the quantity needed is huge to have any benefit.
If your pots are going to have any long term planting you need to have some soil in there. You could buy John Innes no3 compost or simply some bagged topsoil and mix it 50:50 with multipurpose compost or your organic matter for your beds might be fine enough.

Btw start your own compost heap, cheapest way to get some is free.

@ThePlanter You can't use ordinary soil in pots, you need compost. For shrubs etc that will be in the pot for some years, use John Innes no 3.