Healthy soil is the foundation of every successful landscape project. Whether you're planting perennials, building raised beds, or prepping a new lawn, starting with the right soil amendment makes all the difference. At Schlegel Barkdust, we offer a range of high-quality soil products, each designed with specific uses in mind. Here’s a closer look at five popular options and how to choose the right one for your project.
Best for: Improving drainage in clay-heavy soils, mixing into cactus or succulent soil, leveling low spots in lawns.
Garden sand is a coarse-textured material that helps break up dense, compacted soils. If your yard has heavy clay that stays soggy after rain, working garden sand into the topsoil can boost drainage and aeration. It's also a key component in custom soil mixes for plants that prefer drier conditions, like lavender or succulents. For lawn care, it can be used as a topdressing or to fill shallow depressions.
Best for: General garden soil improvement, new garden beds, turf installation.
Sandy loam is a well-balanced soil mix with a blend of sand, silt, and a small amount of clay. It’s a versatile choice for most gardening applications because it drains well, yet retains enough moisture for healthy plant growth. Sandy loam is ideal for filling new garden beds, leveling out areas before laying sod, or improving existing soil structure in vegetable and flower gardens.
Best for: Installing mature shrubs, trees, or perennials.
This rich, ready-to-use mix is designed specifically for planting established plants - not seedlings or starts. Our planting mix has the structure and nutrient content to support larger root systems, giving mature plants the best chance to settle in and thrive. Use it to backfill planting holes or to amend poor soil when planting trees and shrubs around your home or business.
Best for: Enriching tired soil, feeding vegetable gardens, improving moisture retention.
Compost is the go-to amendment for gardeners who want to boost soil health naturally. Packed with organic matter and beneficial microbes, compost improves nutrient content, water retention, and overall soil structure. Mix it into garden beds each season to feed heavy feeders like tomatoes and squash, or spread a thin layer over lawns and flower beds to revitalize depleted soils.
Best for: Starting new raised beds, preparing vegetable gardens, improving compacted or nutrient-poor soil.
This nutrient-rich blend combines screened topsoil with well-aged composted manure. The result is a fertile, moisture-retentive amendment that’s especially effective for growing fruits and vegetables. It’s an excellent choice when you’re building new raised beds, prepping large garden plots, or rejuvenating areas where the soil has been stripped or neglected.
No two gardens are exactly the same, which is why choosing the right soil amendment matters. Whether you're breaking ground for a brand-new flower bed or refreshing your vegetable garden for the season, Schlegel Barkdust has the products and advice you need to get the job done right.
Need help picking the right mix for your next project? Give us a call or stop by! We’re happy to help you build better soil from the ground up.
