What's the Difference?
We have a great selection of assorted soils, composts, mulches, and soil amendments. Our knowledgeable staff will be happy to help you select the right product and determine how much you will need. Use our handy soil and mulch calculator to figure out how many bags you’ll need for your project.
A guide to soils, compost & mulches.
The terms can get a bit confusing, so here is a simple reference guide:
- Soil is the foundation of the garden — the base. It is comprised primarily of sand, silt, and clay particles as well as various trace minerals. There are many types of soil blends that are created for different applications. Garden mix soil makes a great base for raised beds. Potting soil is usually a soilless sterile mixture of raw materials (coir, peat, vermiculite, perlite, etc.) used for starting seeds, and container plantings. Good potting soil should be porous for root aeration and drainage while retaining water and nutrients.
- Compost is decomposed organic matter (leaves, small tree limbs, food waste, manure) which when added to the soil improves it’s fertility and supports beneficial microbes, insects, fungi and bacteria in the soil.
- Mulch is similar to compost, but usually just contains decomposed tree and shrub material. It is placed on top of the soil to keep moisture in, weeds from growing and roots cool. It breaks down over time and feeds the soil too.
Buchanan's All-Purpose Soil
Locally made by us!
Locally made, we developed Life Below to make gardening a little easier. It is an organic, all-purpose soil blend designed for all gardening applications. It is specifically formulated as a one bag solution that amends the dense, Houston clay to cultivate a nutrient rich and aerated habitat that supports ALL Life Below.
Magic Worm Ranch Worm Castings
Worm castings allow plants to quickly and easily absorb all essential nutrients and trace elements in simple forms. The earthworm’s unique digestive system coats the castings with polysaccharides, providing optimum soil structure for a maximum aeration and water retention. Along with essential nutrients, worm castings also contain an extremely high population of beneficial microorganisms.
Light Warrior Seed Starter
Light Warrior is designed to promote an environment beneficial to seed germination and root development. Light Warrior includes soil microbes that can help enhance root efficiency and encourage nutrient uptake. We’ve also included earthworm castings, a gentle source of nutrition for seedlings and small plants. Great for seed germination, cuttings and new plant starts for both indoor and outdoor cultivation.
Foxfarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil
This potting soil is a powerhouse blend of aged forest products, sphagnum peat moss, earthworm castings, bat guano, fish emulsion, and crab meal. Aged forest products, sandy loam, and sphagnum peat moss give Ocean Forest its light, aerated texture. Start with Ocean Forest and watch your plants come alive!
Rabbit Hill Cactus Mix
This is a soilless mix containing organic material to provide nutrients, proper conditions of root aeration, and improve drainage. This is soil is ideal for cactus, succulents, and any other indoor or outdoor plants that need a very well-draining soil. Rabbit Hill Cactus mix is available in two sizes!
