850kg of the wrong soil delivered - can I still use make use of it??

[juslh]

I ordered a fruit and veg 'pro-blend' that claimed to be high in organic material. I needed it for a variety of things, but mostly to fill a couple of large trough planters. The soil that was delivered is not like what i would consider to be 'normal' compost - it is super fine and dense, more like silt than compost. From the pics on the company's website I reckon they have delivered turfing top soil. I have contacted the supplier and they are studiously ignoring me so no joy there. My worry is that it is going to be too heavy for the troughs, it turns to a gloopy sludge when you water it, and given it is so dense and heavy in the first place Im not sure they'll cope. So, could I mix it with something to lighten and aerate it?? If so what would be best to use? Thanks for any advice.

[Runtpuppy]

If you ordered soil (and not compost), this might not be the wrong item. Any potting soil (John Innes 3, JI ericaceous soil) I've ever used has always looked more like cement than soil to me, but it is what it is. You could probably use more compost or coconut coir to lighten it up. I ordered bricks of the stuff, so just put one in a bucket and soak it in water for a bit. Crumble it and it makes the lightest fluffiest seed planting medium. I mixed in 50% compost for pricking out and replanting seedlings. The cucumber seedlings seem to be quite happy in it.

[Snadger]

You will find the John Innes formulae mixes online.Its basically soil, sand and peat/coir. with a small amount of fertiliser JI 3 is the best to use for perennials and all have enough weight to stop pots and tubs falling over.

[quanglewangle]

If you are *convinced* it's wrong and are getting no reaction from the vendor tell your card company/PayPal/Amazon. Stopping the payment will get their attention.
Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 is what you need.

[Jungle Jane]

When you google fruit & veg pro blend high in organic matter,it comes up as a soil,not compost,still use it as normal it sounds like the proper stuff but it is topsoil?

[rary]

I think you are quite fortunate to have that, I like to add soil with compost for my baskets as you don't need to water as often when you have soil in the mix, and though I don't know if it has been proved by trials, I think you don't need to feed as often when there is a higher soil content present, as for your troughs, if you think its necessary mix in some compost to make it lighter and use as required