SuperSoil™
A nutrient-dense blend designed for high-performance gardening, providing an ideal environment for robust root growth and optimal nutrient uptake.
Recommended For: Thriving plant varieties that need rich, balanced nutrition such as tomatoes, peppers, and cannabis. Perfect for outdoor growers or raised beds.
How to Use: Apply this soil directly in large containers or raised beds. Water thoroughly and avoid the need for additional fertilizers, as the slow-release nutrients support the plant throughout its life cycle. SuperSoil Plant Guide
TropicSoil™
A rich mix designed for tropical plants that require well-draining yet moisture-retentive soil.
Recommended For: Tropical trees, palms, ferns, and fruiting plants such as bananas, papayas, and citrus.
How to Use: Ideal for both pots and in-ground planting. This mix ensures moisture is retained while preventing root rot in tropical environments. Keep soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging. TropicSoil Plant Guide
DesertSoil™
Crafted to mimic arid conditions, ideal for plants that thrive in dry, well-draining soil.
Recommended For: Cacti, succulents, tomatoes, pumpkins, and Mediterranean herbs like oregano and basil.
How to Use: Best suited for garden beds or containers. Ensure the soil is well-drained, and water deeply but infrequently to mimic the natural dry cycle of desert environments. DesertSoil Plant Guide
CarnivoreSoil™
A specialized blend that caters to the unique needs of carnivorous plants, offering low-nutrient content and excellent drainage.
Recommended For: Venus flytraps, pitcher plants, and sundews.
How to Use: Use in containers designed for carnivorous plants. Keep the soil consistently moist with distilled water, as these plants are highly sensitive to chemicals in tap water. CarnivoreSoil Plant Guide
LivingSoil™
A balanced and nutrient-rich blend for universal gardening needs. It is optimized for a variety of plant types, with both organic materials and mineral amendments.
Recommended For: Vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruit trees.
How to Use: This mix is suitable for pots, raised beds, and garden beds. Ideal for gardeners looking for a reliable, all-purpose soil. It provides a well-balanced environment for plants to flourish with minimal added fertilizers. LivingSoil™ Plant Guide
Nutrients Guide
Macronutrients (Required in larger quantities)
Nitrogen (N)
Role: Nitrogen is a key component of chlorophyll, which is necessary for photosynthesis. It promotes healthy leaf and stem growth, giving plants their green color.
Effect: Plants grow more foliage and exhibit lush, green leaves.
Deficiency Symptoms: Yellowing of older leaves, stunted growth.
Phosphorus (P)
Role: Phosphorus is crucial for energy transfer within the plant and is vital for root development, flowering, and fruiting. It helps plants convert nutrients into usable forms.
Effect: Strong root systems, increased flowering, and improved fruit or seed production.
Deficiency Symptoms: Stunted growth, poor flowering, and darkening of leaves (sometimes purplish).
Potassium (K)
Role: Potassium helps regulate water and nutrient movement in plants, boosts disease resistance, and improves overall plant health. It strengthens plant tissues and is important for root growth.
Effect: Improved drought tolerance, enhanced fruit and vegetable quality, and stronger stems.
Deficiency Symptoms: Leaf edges turn yellow or brown, weak stems, and poor root development.
Calcium (Ca)
Role: Calcium is essential for cell wall structure and growth. It also aids in the transport of other nutrients and helps maintain a balanced soil pH.
Effect: Stronger stems, better fruit set, and overall plant structure.
Deficiency Symptoms: Blossom-end rot in tomatoes and peppers, distorted leaf growth, and stunted roots.
Magnesium (Mg)
Role: Magnesium is a central component of chlorophyll, necessary for photosynthesis. It also supports the activation of many plant enzymes.
Effect: Healthy leaf production and efficient energy use in plants.
Deficiency Symptoms: Yellowing between leaf veins, especially in older leaves.
Sulfur (S)
Role: Sulfur is important for the production of amino acids and proteins. It is also necessary for the formation of chlorophyll.
Effect: Enhances protein synthesis and improves plant health and growth.
Deficiency Symptoms: Pale green or yellow leaves, stunted growth.
Secondary Macronutrients (Needed in moderate quantities)
Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), and Oxygen (O)
Role: These are obtained from air and water and are essential for photosynthesis and cellular structure.
Effect: Carbon forms the backbone of plant structure, while hydrogen and oxygen help create carbohydrates that provide energy.
Deficiency Symptoms: Not typically an issue, as plants usually receive enough from air and water.
Micronutrients (Needed in smaller quantities, but still essential)
Iron (Fe)
Role: Iron is necessary for the synthesis of chlorophyll and plays a role in oxygen transport within the plant.
Effect: Improves photosynthesis efficiency and enzyme function.
Deficiency Symptoms: Yellowing between veins (chlorosis) of new leaves.
Manganese (Mn)
Role: Manganese assists in photosynthesis and enzyme activation. It helps in nitrogen assimilation and nutrient absorption.
Effect: Supports chlorophyll production and nitrogen metabolism.
Deficiency Symptoms: Yellowing between leaf veins, similar to iron deficiency.
Boron (B)
Role: Boron is vital for cell wall formation and nutrient transport. It helps in flower and fruit development.
Effect: Promotes proper development of flowers, seeds, and fruit.
Deficiency Symptoms: Poor fruit set, brittle stems, and distorted growth.
Zinc (Zn)
Role: Zinc plays a critical role in plant hormone production and enzyme function. It helps plants produce proteins and regulate growth.
Effect: Better root development and stronger plant growth.
Deficiency Symptoms: Small leaves, shortened internodes, and delayed maturity.
Copper (Cu)
Role: Copper is essential for photosynthesis, respiration, and enzyme activity.
Effect: Enhances disease resistance and overall plant metabolism.
Deficiency Symptoms: Wilting, pale leaves, and stunted growth.
Molybdenum (Mo)
Role: Molybdenum helps plants convert nitrogen into a usable form (nitrate) and plays a role in enzyme function.
Effect: Improved nitrogen utilization and enzyme activity.
Deficiency Symptoms: Yellowing of older leaves and poor growth.
Chlorine (Cl)
Role: Chlorine is involved in osmosis and ionic balance within plants. It aids in water movement and transpiration.
Effect: Improves disease resistance and water regulation.
Deficiency Symptoms: Wilting, leaf spots, and restricted root growth.
Nickel (Ni)
Role: Nickel is essential for nitrogen metabolism and is involved in enzyme systems.
Effect: Helps with nitrogen fixation and enzyme activation.
Deficiency Symptoms: Leaf tip necrosis and reduced growth.
Key Functions Summary:
Nitrogen: Leaf and vegetative growth.
Phosphorus: Root development and flowering.
Potassium: General plant health and fruit quality.
Calcium: Cell structure and growth.
Magnesium: Chlorophyll production and energy transport.
Sulfur: Protein and enzyme function.
Micronutrients: Essential for enzymatic processes, disease resistance, and overall health.
These nutrients work together to ensure plants can grow healthily, resist diseases, and produce high yields. Let me know if you'd like more information on a specific nutrient or application!
Amendment Kit Recipe (for 1 cubic foot of soil):
Elemental Sulfur: 3 tablespoons
Peat Moss: 2 cups
Used Coffee Grounds: 1 cup
Acidic Compost: 2 cups (compost made from acidic materials like fruit scraps or pine bark)
Optional: Pine needles or oak leaves for mulch on top
Instructions:
Mix 3 tablespoons of elemental sulfur thoroughly into the soil.
Add 2 cups of peat moss and mix it into the top 6-8 inches of soil.
Incorporate 1 cup of used coffee grounds evenly into the soil.
Blend in 2 cups of acidic compost.
Optionally, apply a layer of pine needles or oak leaves as mulch to maintain acidity over time.
This simple recipe will help you lower the soil's pH by approximately one point, depending on the soil type and its buffering capacity.