Garden Soil Amendments

Whether you are amending to improve and reuse old nutrient-deficient soil from previous years or optimizing a sub-optimized soil to get the most out of your upcoming growing season, we have a great list of helpful additives to get your soil quality where it needs to be for a productive and efficient growing season.

To amend soil means to improve it with additional materials. These soil amendments or soil conditioners improve the physical nature of soil. They reduce compaction, aerating the soil to allow water and nutrients to more easily move through it and reach plant roots. Some soil amendments also add nutrients to the soil, help retain moisture and help maintain the correct pH balance.

Improve Soil Structure (Mositure/Water Retention, Aeration)

Garden Compost

Malibu Compost

Compost is a rich source of organic matter and nutrients. It helps improve soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability. Compost also introduces beneficial microorganisms.

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Peat Moss

Sphagnum Peat Moss

Peat moss is used to improve soil moisture retention and aeration. It is particularly helpful in sandy soils that drain too quickly.

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Coco Coir

Coco Coir

Coco coir is a sustainable alternative to peat moss. It helps with moisture retention, aeration, and nutrient uptake. It's often used as a growing medium.

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Perlite

Perlite

Perlite is a lightweight, porous material that improves soil aeration and drainage. It prevents soil compaction and allows for better root development.

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Above are just a few examples of garden soil amenedments we carry at Hydrobuilder.com. Check out all of our soil structure inputs to find the perfect amendments for your garden and soil.


Add Minerals For Various Benefits

Different soil types may require different minerals. Check out all of our minerals & elements to find the perfect addition to your specific tpye of soil.


Add Organic Meals Depending On Needs

Organic meals are usually derived from bone, blood, kelp, fish, or alfalfa. Meals are widely used in organic gardening and have produced great results for many years. There are lots of different types of organic meals, each having its own purpose.


Popular Build-A-Soil Soil Building Kits

Complete Soil Building Kit
Complete Soil Building Kit

This nutrient kit is proven and is simple and affordable

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Mineral Kit - (For Peatmoss)
Mineral Kit - (For Peatmoss)

If you intend on using sphagnum peat moss then this kit is perfect for you.

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Re-Amend Old Soil Nutrient Kit
Re-Amend Old Soil Nutrient Kit

This kit was perfectly designed to re-amend your soil after your first grow cycle and every time there after.

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Enrich Soil With Cake Fertilizers

Karanja Cake is good to use as an organic fertilizer as it has a rich source of NPK to improve soil fertility. The cake when applied to the soil, has pest management value, particularly against nematodes, and others similar diseases.

Neem Cake organic manure protects plant roots from nematodes, soil grubs and termites, probably due to its residual limonoid content. It also acts as a natural fertilizer with pesticidal properties.

Build-A-Soil Karanja Cake
Karanja Cake

Karanja Oil Cake is the residue obtained from Karanja seed kernels which have been crushed to extract the oil

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Build-A-Soil Neem Cake
Neem Cake

Ahimsa Neem Cake Pellets is the residue obtained from neem seed kernels which have been crushed to extract the oil.

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Build-A-Soil Neem and Karanja 50/50 Mix
Neem and Karanja 50/50 Mix

Neem Cake and Karanja Cake mixed into one to provide all of the important benefits on Karanja & Neem into 1 conveiant product

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Help Future Nutrient Uptake During Growing Season

These beneficial fungi form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, enhancing nutrient uptake and improving plant health. This fungus gives new or recently moved plants a head start on life, and can help buffer stresses from the environment.

We carry a wide range of mycorrhizae products at Hydrobuilder. These will help you improve your grow and get your plants off to a strong start. You can also check out our Root Stimulators. Many of these contain mycorrhizae along with tons of other good stuff to boost root growth!


Top Garden Soil Amendment Brands


Popular Garden Soil Amendment Blog Posts

Bone Meal: How to Use This Organic Fertilizer in the Garden
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When you need to add phosphorus to the soil in your garden, many organic gardeners turn to bone meal fertilizer for plants.

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Perlite vs Vermiculite: What's The Difference Between These Two?
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If you’ve ever found yourself trying to determine the difference between perlite and vermiculite, you’ve come to the right place.

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How To Amend Garden Soil For Healthy, Organic Gardening
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As you finish up your grow, you are likely wondering how to amend your soil for the next growing season.

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Garden Soil Amending Common Questions

Soil amendment refers to the process of improving the physical, chemical, or biological properties of soil to enhance its fertility, structure, and overall quality for better plant growth. This can involve adding various materials to the soil to address specific deficiencies or challenges. Soil amendments can be organic or inorganic and serve multiple purposes, such as enhancing nutrient levels, improving water retention, promoting aeration, adjusting pH levels, and supporting microbial activity.

The terms "soil amendment" and "fertilizer" are related concepts, but they serve different purposes in improving soil quality and supporting plant growth. while both soil amendments and fertilizers play roles in optimizing plant growth, soil amendments focus on improving overall soil health and structure, while fertilizers are targeted at supplying specific nutrients for immediate plant use.

Increasing the organic matter in your soil is a beneficial practice as it improves soil structure, water retention, nutrient availability, and supports beneficial microbial activity. Compust, Mulching, and the use of Worm Castings are all great methods for adding organic material. When incorporating organic matter, aim for a balance and avoid overloading the soil with one type of material.

Several signs can indicate that your soil may benefit from amendment. Here are some common indicators that suggest it's time to consider soil amendment: Poor Plant Growth, Compacted Soil, Waterlogged or Poor Drainage, Frequent Erosion, pH Imbalance, Low Organic Matter, Nutrient Deficiencies, Invasive Weeds, or Soil Texture Issues. To determine the specific needs of your soil, consider conducting a soil test. Soil tests provide information about nutrient levels, pH, and other important factor.

The frequency of soil amendment depends on various factors, including the type of soil, the specific needs of your plants, and the type of amendments used. It's important to note that over-amending can also have negative consequences. Applying excessive amounts of certain amendments, especially fertilizers, can lead to nutrient imbalances or environmental issues.

Correcting the pH of your soil is important because different plants have specific pH preferences, and soil pH influences nutrient availability. Here are steps you can take to correct the pH of your soil: Test Your Soil, Choose the Right Amendment, Use pH-Adapted Plants. Remember that the effectiveness of pH adjustments depends on various factors, including soil type, the chosen amendments, and environmental conditions.

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