Turf & Topsoil Buying Guides

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In the UK today there are essentially three main categories of topsoil available; natural 'as dug' topsoil, skip waste soil and blended soils.

Natural Topsoil

Natural topsoil is highly variable in quality and availability. It can range from an acid, nutrient deficient sand, to a strongly alkaline silt loam to an organic rich peaty clay. If the characteristics of the topsoil are not suitable for the end use then widespread expensive plant failures are possible.

Natural topsoil will virtually always have a seed bank with annual and perennial weed seeds. It can often contain rhizomes of persistent weeds and grasses such as creeping buttercup, couch grass or even worse Japanese Knotweed which is regarded as one of the most invasive plants in the UK. Natural topsoil which is derived from former agricultural land may contain elevated levels of heavy metals as a result of the repeated application of sewage sludge. This is of particular importance if the topsoil is to be used in sensitive end uses, such as domestic gardens and allotments.

Skip Waste Soils.

Skip waste soils are more common in urban areas and are a result of screening materials derived from building and demolition operations. Skip waste soils usually consist of a mixture of topsoil, subsoil, clay and numerous fragments of building waste materials - brick, concrete, mortar, ash, clinker and to a lesser extent asbestos, glass, metal, wood and plastic.

In terms of its physical and chemical properties, the material is usually extremely alkaline with a pH range of 8 - 10, saline, deficient in organic matter and plant nutrients and can often have elevated levels of zootoxic and phytotoxic contaminants. These soils can look like good topsoil however they often result in either plant failure or, at the very least stunted growth not to mention the consequences of having potentially contaminated soils present in a garden.

Blended Soils

Blended soil, as the name implies are formed when two or more components are intimately mixed to form a growing medium. All of Rolawn's topsoils fall into this category. Rolawn uses prime natural topsoils recycled from the food production industry and also a recycled peat free soil conditioner. Because the soils are blended from raw materials we can ensure that the same consistent quality soil is produced every time; there is no variation in consistency. We have full traceability of all of the components of our soils and regularly have then analysed to BS 3882 and tested for PTE's (Potentially Toxic Elements)

The Ideal Landscaping Topsoil

The ideal landscaping topsoil can be described as an organic rich, slightly acid to slightly alkaline, fertile sandy loam, free from contamination with no waste materials or sharps. It should be available all year round in bags or bulk. Through our many years of supplying quality products to the landscape industry Rolawn knows this and have produced our topsoils to meet these needs. As well as the attributes mentioned above Rolawn's Blended Loams are light, friable and easy to work. There is approximately 50% more volume in a 'tote' bag of our Blended Loam™ compared to one tonne of a typical topsoil giving you more for your money.

Important questions to ask when buying topsoil.

• What is in the soil?

• Is it safe?

• Where is it from?

• What can it be used for?

• Does it meet British Standard BS 3882?

• Is an analysis certificate available?

• Is it free from contamination such as 'sharps' and PTEs?

• Can I get hold of the same soil year round?

• How is it delivered; In bags or loose?

• Your topsoil supplier should be able to answer all of these questions.

Turf is essentially made up of two main components; grass plants and soil, the quality of these two components can vary enormously. There is a huge difference in the many different types of turf supplied by the many different turf suppliers throughout the UK. What appears to be a very simple product is not.

The old adage “buy cheap – buy twice” was never more true than when applied to turf. Without rigorous quality control, cheap turf can be irregular in size, contain weeds and weed grasses, look pale and inconsistent and root poorly – leading to an unsightly and badly established lawn.

When asking your turf supplier about their quality control – ask about their cultivation methods. Is the soil pre-tested for pH balance and nutrient content before sowing even begins? Is the turf subjected to independent testing by the STRI? Do the growers have a dedicated team constantly innovating their methods of cultivation?

If the answer to all those questions is “no” then don’t be surprised if that cheap turf comes with hidden costs down the line. If the answer is “Yes” then you’re buying Rolawn – relax!

Rolawn have used our 30 years of experience of supplying high specification Medallion turf into various different applications such as prestigious golf greens at St Andrews to the gardens of Royal Parks and Palaces. Everything which Rolawn have learnt has been put into producing the now famous Medallion turf. As the UK's top turf grower Rolawn know that concentrating on one product means that they supply the very best. In this way Rolawn are very different from many other turf growers in the UK.

The Medallion turf is grown on the very best sandy loams found in the Vale of York. This soil type is the most suitable for growing turf in the UK. Turf grown on this soil is the most compatible with the different soil types which the turf will experience when it is installed in its new surroundings. The grass cultivars and varieties which Rolawn select are the very best available. There are many different grasses which will grow in the UK; there is no question that much of the cheaper turf available in the UK uses cheaper seed which means that the quality of the final lawn will suffer in areas such as colour, density and disease resistance.

The grasses Rolawn choose produce a turf with:

• Outstanding high quality top class appearance
• A quality deep green colour
• A denser more hardwearing lawn
• High disease and drought tolerance
• Strength and longevity
• Slowness of regrowth

The combination and mix of these grasses mean that Rolawn turf is suitable for many types of environment whether it is sheltered or exposed, a heavy or light soil type or even the height at which you choose to mow your lawn; Rolawn turf will adapt to its new surroundings and maintenance regime.

However Rolawn goes further than just turf, Rolawn high quality Blended Loam™ topsoil is ideally suited for laying Medallion turf onto, giving it the best possible environment from which to flourish. Rolawn have formulated their own Premium Quality Spring and Autumn lawn foods designed specially to maintain Rolawn turf.

We e-mail out regular lawn care tips and advice on how to look after and get the best out of your lawn and we even supply Medallion Lawn seed, that same seed which Rolawn use to produce the Medallion turf giving comfort that in the future if your lawn becomes damaged for example by children or pets know you can get the seed match for overseeding or repairing worn areas.

There is more to selecting a turf supplier than meets the eye as with many situations with turf you get what you pay for. A lawn will last for many years and so it is worth getting it right first time.

When you buy Rolawn, all products carry the full support of the Rolawn Brand, an internationally recognised benchmark of quality and service. Rolawn are market leader and have achieved this by supplying quality products and service and by acting with integrity and professionalism in everything that they do. When you buy Rolawn products you have the comfort that you are buying the best.

Rolawn Blended Loam™ Topsoil
Rolawn Blended Loam™ is a high quality, fertile, environmentally friendly, organic rich topsoil. It is a blend of Rolawn Screened Loam (topsoil) and a peat free soil conditioner. It is ideal for laying Rolawn Medallion® turf onto and for using in planting and landscaping where a high quality outcome is essential.

Be careful when buying topsoil by the tonne. A tonne of typical topsoil contains just 0.67 of a cubic metre. A tonne of Rolawn Blended Loam™ measures approximately one cubic metre when packed, that's a massive 66% more volume than a tonne of a typical topsoil.