Healthy plants start with healthy soil. Understanding soil structure and using the right amendments can improve drainage, nutrient availability, and overall plant performance. Compost, conditioners, and other soil amendments help create a balanced growing environment that supports strong root development and long-term success. This guide highlights common soil products and their uses to help you choose the right solution for your project.
Amendments:
Anything added to the soil to improve its physical properties – water retention, drainage, aeration, and structure. Effective for providing a better environment for roots.
Coast of Maine Acid-Loving Planting Soil
1 cu. ft. – compost, peat moss, aged bark – 5.0 pH
Uses – rhododendron, azalea, holly, blueberry, ferns, evergreens.
Coast of Maine Rose and Flower Planting Soil
20 qt. – compost, lime, aged bark – 6.2 pH
Uses – roses, annuals, perennials.
Coast of Maine Tomato and Veggie Planting Soil
20 qt. – compost, lobster, lime – 6.8 pH
Uses – tomatoes and vegetables.
Grow !t Coco Coir Mix
9 lb. 14 oz. block (2.5 cu. ft.)
Uses – Improves moisture retention and drainage. Loosens clay soils.
Organic Perlite
8 qt., 18 qt. – 100% perlite
Uses – loosens, aerates soil.
Organic Soil Perfector
100% expanded slate aggregate
Uses – promotes root growth, improves drainage, and prevents compaction. One-time application.
Organic Vermiculite
8 qt., 18 qt. – 100% vermiculite
Uses – loosens, aerates soil.
One Step
1.5 cu. ft. – pine fines, compost, leaf mulch, hardwood fines, gypsum, mycorrhizae, .61-.66-.55, 2.85% calcium, 1.6% sulfur, .30% iron – 6.0-7.5 pH
Uses – garden beds, loosens hard soils, and aeration.
Peat Moss
8 qt., 3.8 cu. ft. – 100% sphagnum peat moss
Uses – garden beds, water retention, aeration, and compost.
Pelletized Gypsum
25 lb. – calcium sulfate
Uses – aeration, loosens clay soils, drainage, and minimizes pet burns.
Pumice
2 qt.
Uses – for drainage and aeration of indoor & outdoor containers, garden beds.
Biochar
2 qt., 4 qt.
Uses – Increases microbial activity, boosts nutrient retention, and retains moisture.
Topsoil
.75 cu. ft. – humus, peat, sand.
Uses – fill, grass seed cover.
Compost:
A natural process of recycling organic matter into fertilizer that can enrich soil and plants. Compost puts nutrients and organic matter back into the soil. These materials can be mixed in or placed on top to percolate down.
Cotton Burr Compost
2 cu. ft. – 100% cotton burr leaves, stems, hulls.
Uses – flower and vegetable beds, lawns, trees, and shrubs. Can also be used as mulch.
Espoma Land and Sea Gourmet Compost
1 cu. ft. – 35-45% aged forest product, sphagnum peat moss, humus, lobster, crab meal.
Uses – garden beds, trees, shrubs, add 2-3” in garden area and mix in.
Espoma Mushroom Compost
.75 cu. ft. – blend of mushroom compost, aged forest product.
Uses – vegetable and flower beds, add 2-3” at the time of planting. For trees and shrubs, add 50/50 to the existing soil.
Adoria Organic Compost
1 cu ft. – Green waste, mycorrhiza.
Uses – Breaks up heavy soils, adds nutrients.
Potting Soil:
Anything added to the soil to improve its physical properties – water retention, drainage, aeration, and structure. Effective for providing a better environment for roots.
Baccto Raised Bed Mix
1.5 cu. ft. – Organic compost, composted manure, earthworm castings.
Uses – raised beds, containers.
Fox Farm Ocean Forest Potting Soil
12 qt., 1.5 cu. ft. – 50-60% aged forest product, sphagnum peat moss, perlite, sandy loam, earthworm castings, bat guano, fish emulsion, crab, shrimp, kelp, oyster meals, .30-.45-.5, 1% calcium.
Uses – containers, houseplants, gardens, vegetables, fruits, berries, roses.
Fox Farm Happy Frog Potting Soil
2 cu. ft. – 50-60% aged forest product, sphagnum peat moss, perlite, earthworm castings, bat guano, oyster shell, dolomite lime, 1.5% humic acids, mycorrhizae, .30-.30-.05. 1 % calcium.
Uses – containers, vegetables, and annual gardens.
Professional Potting Mix
1.5 cu. ft. – sphagnum peat moss, southern pine bark, perlite, vermiculite, starter fertilizer .51-.12-.21, lime.
Uses – indoor and outdoor containers, flowers, vegetables, baskets, cannabis.
Hoffman Organic Potting Soil
8 qt. – 50-60% sphagnum peat moss, composted pine bark, poultry litter, and contains organic fertilizer.
Indoor Soil:
Indoor potting soils are specially formulated growing media designed to provide proper drainage, aeration, and moisture retention for plants grown in containers.
All Espoma Varieties – Organic – 4 qt.
African Violet Mix – sphagnum peat moss, humus, perlite, yucca extract.
Bonsai Mix – calcined clay, expanded shale, aged forest products.
Cactus Mix – peat humus, sphagnum peat moss, perlite, yucca extract.
Orchid Mix – aged pine bark, perlite, yucca extract.
Orchid Bark – pine bark
Charcoal – improves drainage in containers and terrariums.
Grow !t Clay Pebbles – 10L, 40L. – hydroponic, drainage, aeration.
