General Purpose Topsoil
General Purpose Topsoil is a 10mm screened sandy loam made for raising levels, evening out surfaces and spreading under turf. It is barn stored, so it stays dry and workable even through winter, and it comes clean of stones and weeds, which is what a levelling and turfing soil needs to be. Priced at £62.30 for a bulk bag holding 0.73m³, around 900kg, it is the soil to reach for whenever the job is building a firm, even base rather than feeding plants.
What it is, and what it is for
This is a screened sandy loam, graded through a 10mm screen to leave a fine, even, stone-free material. It suits raising levels, evening out surfaces and, above all, spreading under turf, where roots want a firm, fine bed to knit into. With a pH of roughly 6 to 7 it sits in the range most lawns and general planting prefer. It is a natural product, so colour and texture can vary from the picture, and samples are available if you want to check before a large order.
For planting into rather than levelling, Premium Topsoil is enriched with composts for structure and nutrition, and for topping an existing lawn, Top Dressing is the graded blend to use.
How much do you need?
Work out the area, choose a depth, then convert to bags or tonnes. As a working guide, one tonne covers about 15m² at a 50mm depth, or roughly 30m² spread thinly at 25mm under turf. A bulk bag holds 0.73m³, so two bags cover a little over a cubic and a half metre of fill. For a firm figure on your own plot, the turf and topsoil calculator turns your measurements into bags or tonnes, and it is worth ordering 5 to 10% over to allow for settlement.
| Depth | Per tonne | Per bulk bag | Typical job |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25mm | ~30 m² | ~29 m² | Levelling under turf |
| 50mm | ~15 m² | ~15 m² | Turf base, light top-up |
| 100mm | ~7.5 m² | ~7 m² | Filling and making up ground |
Bulk bag, loose load or refill?
Choose the format by quantity and access. Bulk bags of 0.73m³ suit gardens with tight access, staged work and clean storage, and can be set down close to where the soil is going. Loose loads by tipper, up to 9 tonnes booked online within the delivery radius, work out cheaper per tonne for driveways and larger fills the lorry can reach, with bigger quantities arranged on request. For small touch-ups, refill bags and soil by the kilogram from the yard save buying a whole bag.
Levelling before turf? Order both together. The turf is cut the morning it goes out, so the soil wants to be down, raked and firmed before the rolls arrive rather than on the same lorry as an afterthought.
Delivery and collection
General Purpose Topsoil is delivered across Dorset, Somerset and the South West on Sherborne's own vehicles, charged by postcode, or collected from The Lawn and Landscape Centre in as much or as little a quantity as you need. Combining soil with turf and other materials into one delivery spreads the charge across the whole order. See delivery information for areas and costs, or browse the soil range for the full choice.
Frequently asked questions
What is General Purpose Topsoil made of?
It is a 10mm screened sandy loam, graded to remove stones and debris, with a pH of about 6 to 7. It is barn stored, so it stays dry and usable year round.
Is it suitable for laying turf?
Yes. It is recommended for spreading under turf and for making up levels, because it rakes to a fine, firm, stone-free bed that turf roots into well.
How much does a bulk bag cover?
A bulk bag holds 0.73m³, about 900kg. That covers roughly 15m² at 50mm, or around 29m² at 25mm under turf. The calculator works it out from your measurements.
Can I buy it loose or in small amounts?
Yes. It is sold loose by the tonne, with loads up to 9 tonnes bookable online, and as refill bags or by the kilogram from the yard for smaller jobs.
Do you deliver, and how much is it?
Delivery runs across Dorset, Somerset and the South West, charged by postcode. Collection from the yard avoids the charge. Check the delivery information page for your area.
Order General Purpose Topsoil
Screened, barn-stored and ready year round, General Purpose Topsoil is the soil for levelling and laying turf from Sherborne Turf, The Lawn and Landscape Centre, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 4GH. Work out your quantity with the turf and topsoil calculator, add the turf you need from the turf range, and call 01935 850388 or email enquiries@sherborneturf.co.uk for a delivery quote or a soil sample.
