soil or compost

[andrea1966]

I am starting both a veg and flower garden from scratch.Should I fill my beds with topsoil or compost.I only have hardcore down at the moment.
Many thanks
A.Armstrong

[Hawkwalk]

I assume you intend to remove the hardcore first? The I would dig over the area as deep as possible perhaps with a rotovator and then double digging. Best to then add in a good farmyard manure and then mix in a good compost. Do not use topsoil as the main ingredient.

[andrea1966]

Many thanks for your advise.
I will do as you advise and enjoy my lovely flowers and veggies this summer!
Thanks again
A.Armstrong

[sunflower71]

good question, as this will be my first year with a garden.

So is compost and fertilizer the same?

[tomwakeman]

You need to dig out the hardcore first-then fill with whatever is most nutrient-rich e.g. compost is more rich than ordinary topsoil. You could get bulk mushroom compost or stable horse manure cheaply if it is a big patch.