Which Soil or Compost Should You Use?

Not sure which soil or compost to use in your garden? Whether you’re growing vegetables, planting fruit, or filling hanging baskets, Green Onion Landscaping can help.Choosing the right soil or compost makes all the difference in your garden. Whether you’re growing vegetables, planting fruit, creating raised beds, filling hanging baskets, or potting flowers, Green Onion Landscaping can help. Our experienced team in Stockton has over 30 years of knowledge in landscaping and horticulture across Teesside, County Durham, Darlington, Middlesbrough, and the North East.

We’ll guide you on which compost or soil blend will give your plants the best start, from nutrient-rich topsoil to specialist composts and eco-friendly options.

Specialist Compost for Healthy Growth

Specialist compost gives your plants the right balance of loam, nutrients, and organic material. Each type supports specific plant needs. For example, ericaceous compost works perfectly for acid-loving plants like Rhododendrons, Azaleas, and Camellias. Using the correct compost ensures strong roots, healthy leaves, and vibrant blooms.

Hanging Basket and Container Compost

For long-lasting displays, choose a compost made for baskets and containers. This type of compost contains slow-release nutrients and moisture control technology that reduces the need for daily watering.
At Green Onion Landscaping, we use specialist hanging basket compost for all our summer and Autumn through to spring hanging baskets, ensuring lasting colour and growth.

Green Onion Landscaping's Autumn through to spring hanging baskets which are underplanted with spring flowering bulbs. Purchase by emailing info@green-onion.co.uk

Multi-Purpose Compost

Multi-purpose compost is great for most everyday gardening tasks. Use it for seed sowing, growing vegetables, taking cuttings, potting on young plants, and filling containers or hanging baskets. It provides a balanced mix of nutrients, air, and drainage, giving plants a solid start.

Soil Improvers and Organic Manure

Strong plants start with healthy soil. Soil improvers increase fertility and help clay or compacted ground drain better. Organic manure is one of the best ways to improve soil naturally. It’s 100% organic and peat-free, rich in nutrients, and adds valuable organic matter.
Aged manure also boosts moisture levels and feeds crops throughout the growing season. If you can, visit a local farm for affordable or even free manure — a simple, sustainable way to improve your soil.

Need help improving your garden soil? Call us today on 07701097196 or 01642 640303 for expert advice from Green Onion Landscaping.

Quality Topsoil

Topsoil is ideal for levelling ground, filling raised beds, or preparing new planting areas. It’s also the foundation for a healthy new lawn. When we lay turf, we always use screened, nutrient-rich topsoil to ensure strong roots and a smooth, professional finish. Good topsoil provides the structure and drainage your plants need to grow well.

Peat-Free Compost

Peat-free compost is an environmentally friendly choice that improves drainage and water distribution. It’s ideal for borders, containers, and flower beds, helping you garden sustainably while protecting peat bogs and wildlife. Green Onion Landscaping always recommends using peat-free products whenever possible.

Bark Mulch and Ground Cover

Bark is both decorative and practical. It helps your garden retain moisture, keeps weeds down, and protects roots from temperature changes. When combined with a weed control fabric, bark provides a neat, low-maintenance finish for borders and beds.

Sand and Grit

Horticultural grit and sand help improve heavy soils by adding structure and drainage. Mix grit into compost to stop pots from becoming waterlogged. You can also add sand to seed composts for easier transplanting, or spread it across lawns to reduce compaction and improve surface drainage.

Growing in Bags and Small Spaces

If you don’t have room for a raised bed, grow bags are a perfect alternative. Each one contains a balanced mix of compost and nutrients, ready for fruit and vegetable growing. They’re simple to use and perfect for patios, small gardens, or balconies. Tomatoes, strawberries, and herbs grow beautifully in them without the need for digging or large garden beds.

Creating a Raised Bed Garden

Raised beds make gardening easier and more productive. They warm up quickly in spring, drain well after rain, and help control weeds. The soil also stays loose because you don’t walk on it, allowing roots to grow deeper. Green Onion Landscaping’s team of expert landscapers can build you sleeper bed raised flower beds in your garden like the ones below which were constructed as part of a landscaping project in Hartburn, Stockton, County Durham. 

raised timber flower or vegetable beds, raised beds, sleeper beds, soil, compost, manure, fertiliser, turf, hanging baskets, pots, garden, Green Onion Landscaping, Teesside, Stockton, Fairfield, Hartburn

How to Fill a Raised Bed

Start with a mix of soil and organic manure to add nutrients. Then add topsoil and a little grit to improve drainage. Level the surface, water well, and start planting. Raised beds are easy to maintain, look neat, and suit gardens of any size.

Learn more about raised hay beds and vegetable growing at green-onion.co.uk/raised-beds.

Expert Soil and Compost Advice in Teesside

At Green Onion Landscaping, we take the guesswork out of choosing the right compost or soil. Whether you’re filling planters, laying turf, or creating raised beds, our team in Stockton can help you select the best products for your garden. We supply and use high-quality soils, composts, and bark across Teesside, County Durham, Middlesbrough, and North Yorkshire.

Ready to get started? Call 07701097196 or 01642 640303, or visit www.green-onion.co.uk to speak with Green Onion Landscaping today.