Bailey’s of Norfolk is a family-run topsoil business that has been supplying gardeners, landscapers and green keepers for over thirty years. During that time we have gained a wealth of experience in supplying growing media that meets the most rigorous standards. Our business is built on the supply of fertile, 100% natural topsoil; we have also developed a range of environmentally friendly compost based products and are market leaders in the supply of topdressings and root zones for use in the maintenance and construction of fine turf sports surfaces.

In the spring of 2009 Bailey’s plan to launch their ‘Topsoil for Schools’ project. Together with air and water, topsoil is one of the world’s most important natural resources; ‘Topsoil for Schools’ will help teachers and parents plan their own school garden projects and will encourage children to learn about the importance of topsoil and the role it plays in shaping our world.

Recognising the need to meet the specific requirements of landscape architects, sports surface agronomists and horticultural professionals we built our first soil-testing laboratory in 1995. In 2007, to keep pace with the successful growth of our business we built a completely new soil-testing laboratory. Our soil testing services are now available anyone wishing to test the physical characteristics of their topsoil.

Whatever your requirement Bailey’s of Norfolk has the perfect material for creating a beautiful garden. Perfect for laying turf, landscaping, building raised beds, topping up flowerbeds, growing vegetables or improving your existing soil.

Why are peat bogs so important?

Peat bogs 'lock up' carbon that would otherwise increase the greenhouse effect. Carbon, removed from the atmosphere over thousands of years, is released when bogs are drained and peat starts to decompose.

Peat bogs are also an important and unique habitat supporting their own indigenous plants and animals. When peat bogs disappear, so does the habitat supporting this biodiversity.

Gardeners haven’t always used peat...

The use of peat on a large scale only started as recently as the late 1

950s - prior to this, a wide variety of composts were used. Back then, the accepted wisdom was that peat wasn’t much use horticultural because of its lack of nutrients. Peat became heavily marketed by producers, so driving demand.

A good quality compost used as a soil improver will contribute more nutrients than sterile peat. For mulching, peat is poor because it dries out and blows away. As a growing medium, commercial nurseries are finding that alternatives work well and are better than peat in most situations.