Topsoil Manufacture
To address topsoil shortfalls, a topsoil substitute may be manufactured from soil-forming materials.
Many development sites do not possess adequate topsoil for soft landscaping. Commonly this is because site topsoil has been stripped and exported during previous development.
Historically, topsoil shortfalls were typically addressed by imported soils. Increasingly, this option is becoming less viable particularly where Greenfield sites have not been developed to provide a source of topsoil.
Furthermore haulage costs or the poor quality of local topsoils can also prohibit importation.
Where necessary, a topsoil substitute may be manufactured by blending a suitable mineral base with appropriate source(s) of organic matter and other additives, depending on the nature of the mineral material. The topsoil can be manufactured in situ or ex situ and spread into its final location.
Our Service
CL Voelcker offer a complete consultancy service to assist in any topsoil manufacture project, helping to:
- Address topsoil shortage;
- Manufacture a growing medium suited to the proposed planting list;
- Ensure a consistent product of suitable quality;
- Maximise the reuse potential of site materials for landscaping;
- Improve project sustainability.
Service Description
The principle elements to this service are:
| Feasibility Study | Potential sources of mineral materials are assessed by site examination and laboratory analysis |
|---|---|
| Materials Specification | Where needed, preparation of full specification for sourcing component materials off-site. Method statement & Product Specification Preparation of a comprehensive blending process method statement and final product specification |
| Supervision & Quality Assurance | Site supervision of the blending process and quality assurance testing of the product |
Full guidance is available to help manufacture a viable topsoil substitute
