Soil conditioner is a material added to soil that improves plant health and growth. The soil mixture, climate and type of plant will determine which type of soil conditioner should be used. Some soils are lacking nutrients that are required for plant growth. Other soils hold too much or too little water. A single conditioner may be enough to treat some soils, while others may need a combination of conditioners to correct deficiencies.

Soils lacking nutrients will need a conditioner that will correct this insufficiency. Fertilizers such as compost, manure and peat correct nutrient deficient soils and bolster plant health. Dry soils need fillers such as clay, shredded bark or vermiculite to help the soil retrain proper amounts of moisture. Clay soils need soil conditioners containing gypsum to improve the structure of the soil. When looking for soil conditioners for your landscaping business, consider the following:

1. Use nutrient rich soil conditioners

2. Apply hydrating soil conditioner for dry soil

3. Include gypsum containing soil conditioner for clay soil

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use a soil conditioner rich in nutrients for nutrient deficient soils

When your clients have you landscaping property that has nutrient-deficient soil, you will need conditioners that are rich in nutrients. There are many soil conditioners available that are made from natural ingredients that will improve soil structure and aid in plant growth.

I recommend: Biocontrol is a soil conditioner provider that sells nutrient rich Humate. Humate adds phosphate, potash, Zn, Fe, Mg, Mn, & Ca to the soil. It is 100% natural. This soil conditioner is available in 6 or 50 pound increments. Natural Environmental Systems is a retailer of TerraVive soil conditioner. This natural conditioner improves soil structure, increases the uptake of nutrients, is a microbial growth stimulator and adds organic matter. TerraVive is available in quantities from 16 oz. to 50 gallons.

Find a hydrating soil conditioner for dry soil

When your business is an especially dry climate, working with dry soils is a given. Dry soils do not retain water, resulting in plants that are easily dehydrated. Adding a soil conditioner that contains ingredients such as perlite, vermiculite, sawdust or shredded bark will help soil to hold moisture.

I recommend: Find soil conditioner for dry soils at Home Harvest. Their soil conditioner list of ingredients contains perlite & vermiculite to help soils retain moisture critical for plant growth. All Earth carries a soil conditioner that contains peat, sawdust, humus woodfines, chicken manure, gin gin Red loam. This conditioner improves soil fertility and increases it's ability to retain water.

Purchase a gypsum containing soil conditioner to improve soil conditions

When you are working for clients that have dense clay soils, you will need a gypsum based soil conditioner to loosen this heavy soil. Gypsum soil conditioners work to break down clay and allow it to be penetrable by water.

I recommend: Hoe Down is a provider of Hoe Down gypsum soil conditioner. This soil conditioner works to loosen heavy, compact and water-impenetrable clay soil. This is an all natural conditioner that will aid plant and lawn growth. Art Wilson is another provider of gypsum soil conditioners. Cal-CM Plus™ Calcium Sulfate is their gypsum containing conditioner that will aid in loosening tough soil.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Perform soil tests before purchasing a soil conditioner so you will know exactly what your clients soil needs. Talk to an expert at a local nursery to get the exact soil conditioner information you need in order to improve the soil.