Soils
Compost, Mulch & Amendments
What’s the Difference?
A guide to soil, compost & mulch.
The terms can get a bit confusing, so here is a simple reference guide:
Soil
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.
Compost
Compost is decomposed organic matter (leaves, small tree limbs, food waste, manure) which when added to the soil improves its fertility and supports beneficial microbes, insects, fungi, and bacteria in the soil.
Mulch
Mulch is similar to compost but usually contains decomposed tree and shrub material. Many gardeners place mulch on top of the soil to keep moisture in, keep weeds from growing, and protect the plant’s root system. It breaks down over time and feeds the soil too.
Buchanan’s Calculator
Not sure how much soil, mulch or compost you need? Use our handy calculator.
Available Varieties
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.
- Tropicior Tropical Mix 12 Qt.
- Life Below All-Purpose Mix 1 cu ft.
- Heirloom Soils Veggie & Herb Mix 1 cu ft.
- The Works Potting Soil 1 cu ft.
Quantities may vary. Please call the nursery at 713-861-5702 to confirm product availability.
- Farm Dirt Plant Based Compost 40 lb.
- Acid Cotton Burr Compost 2 cu ft.
- Landscaper’s Pride Black Humus 1.5 cu ft.
- Heirloom Leaf Mold Compost 40 lb.
Quantities may vary. Please call the nursery at 713-861-5702 to confirm product availability.
- Black Velvet Mulch 2 cu ft.
- Native Texas Cedar Mulch 2 cu ft.
- TGU Native Hardwood 2 cu ft.
- Pine Straw Bales 2 cu ft.
Quantities may vary. Please call the nursery at 713-861-5702 to confirm product availabilities.
- Nature’s Guide Expanded Shale 40 lb.
- Soil Mender Lava Sand 40 lb.
- MicroLife 6-2-4 40 lb.
- Soil Mender Texas Greensand 40 lb.
Quantities may vary. Please call the nursery at 713-861-5702 to confirm product availabilities.
- Pea Gravel 1/2 cu ft.
- Black Star Gravel 50lbs (1/2 cu ft.)
Quantities may vary. Please call the nursery at 713-861-5702 to confirm product availability.
Buchanan’s Picks
Buchanan’s Peat Free Blend
Tropicoir Peat Free Blend for House Plants
Sustainable & locally made by us!
Buchanan’s Tropicior is a peat-free container mix designed to be an easy and responsible choice for your favorite tropical plants. Locally crafted with sustainable ingredients, Tropicoir maintains the perfect balance of moisture and nutrient retention for both indoor and outdoor containers. Plant your houseplants directly into Tropicoir and watch them thrive!
Buchanan’s All-Purpose Soil
Life Below
Locally made by us!
To make gardening a little easier we have formulated our very own, organic Buchanan’s All-Purpose Soil Blend! This mixture is meant for containers or hanging baskets, raised garden or veggie beds, and in-ground plantings. Our mix is comprised of mostly compost, coco-coir, expanded shale, and bio-char. All the ingredients included are perfect for turning our dense, clay soil into a loamy, well-draining soil.
TGU Native Hardwood
Native mulch for Houston winters.
Protect your garden without losing beauty! TGU Native Hardwood Mulch is our pick for a mulch that is both aesthetically pleasing and durable. Composted vegetative waste, shredded once and composted then shredded a second time with a 1.5″ screen. Small shred with composted fines that will ultimately incorporate into the soil system of your landscape.
Seed Starting
Organic Mechanics
Seed Starting Blend
Organic Mechanics is a company that successfully produces high-quality potting soil and soil amendments that are earth-friendly and cost-effective!
Go organic this year with sustainable, earth-friendly soil for your edible garden! Click through the tabs below to learn more.
Use as a perlite substitute, fungus gnat deterrent, and weed control!
- Perlite Substitute: Mix into soil to lighten a blend and increase porosity, air space, and drainage. Use 10% less Rice Hulls than you would with perlite!
- Fungus Gnat Deterrent: Make your plants a place they don’t want to go! Add 0.5″-0.75″ to the top of your soil as a mulch.
- Weed Control: Stop weeds from growing by adding 1.5″-2.0″ to the top of your soil as a mulch.
- Grown, Harvested, and Packaged in the USA!
- 100% Organic
The perfect 100% organic potting soil for starting all types of seeds.
- Use for vegetables, herbs, annuals, and perennials
- Formulated for optimal seed germination, providing 3-4 weeks of fertilization power
- Water less! Holds moisture, yet drains well for healthy root growth
- Use in seedling flats, small fiber pots, or any container for planting seeds
- Contains: coconut coir, pine bark, rice hulls, worm castings, and an OMRI-listed organic fertilizer
Useful Resources
Soil & Mulch Calculator
Use this tool to determine how much material you need for your project!
Seed Starting Basics
In this video, Clay teaches us the basics of seed starting, and what products work best!
Composting 101
Looking to start composting? Let us help with the basics!
