Soil/compost question

[Wheelie]

Hello, I will be doing much of my growing in raised trug planters so I can do it from my wheelchair. I was wondering what is considered the best soil/compost to fill the planters with? I want good quality, but not outrageously expensive.

[ecudc]

It probably doesn't matter so much what brand you use but what type. The RHS recommend using mixes described as John Innes number 2 or 3.

They also suggest you could make your own if you are filling large beds using 3 parts organic matter, 2 sharp sand, 7 topsoil.

I've bought topsoil from wicks in a tonne bag before. It was ok but very sandy so I would if buying that again forget the sharp sand and replace with organic matter.

[burnie]

If you intend to replace it on a regular basis(every year?) it wouldn't matter too much which brand. If you intend to keep it and part replace/top up each year, then I'd use farmyard manure and think about watering too. Maybe add some water retaining materials like you can add to hanging baskets. I'm retired now, so I can water twice a day if required and the hanging baskets in the greenhouse have needed that.