The Real Soil Company has called on retailers to take time to review their growing media offer and consider whether they are actively providing customers with sustainable solutions that will significantly improve soil health and promote biodiversity in their gardens and allotments.

According to the United Nations, World Soil Day 2022 (December 5th), aimed to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human wellbeing by addressing the growing challenges in soil management, increasing soil awareness and encouraging societies to improve soil health.

Considering the rate at which the World’s topsoil is disappearing, it has never been more important for garden retailers to advise customers about these topics and provide them with products that will help make a difference to their growing environment and the planet.

Sustainably sourced ‘gold dust’

As the industry moves away from peat, companies have strived to find growing media solutions that still deliver great growing results but have less of an impact on the environment. This has resulted in a mixed bag of products, including some that aren’t necessarily as ‘green’ as they claim or that don’t do an awful lot for soil health, once a consumer digs them in.

Fortunately, The Real Soil Company was able to draw on the legacy and experience of its parent company, Boughton. From its headquarters in Northamptonshire, Boughton has been supplying organic ‘as dug’ topsoils commercially for decades, thus inspiring The Real Soil Company’s garden retail offering, which includes SuperSoil, Vegetable & Fruit Topsoil, and SuperLawn.

 The material used in all The Real Soil Company’s topsoil products is typically sourced from pre-construction and construction sites surrounding Northamptonshire. Not only are these topsoils completely natural, organic and peat-free but, if Boughton didn’t remove them, they could end up being used inappropriately or even sent to landfill.

The re-purposing of this natural, biodiverse topsoil – a real gardening gold dust – creates horticultural products that offer outstanding growing potential, whilst making sure this valuable natural resource isn’t wasted or lost.

Improving Soil Health

Not only does the sourcing of raw materials for The Real Soil Company’s products promote sustainable soil management but the products themselves work wonders for improving soil health and creating thriving ecosystems. You’ll find that many products on the market that profess to be topsoil are simply manufactured compost (you can usually tell by the weight of the bag) and can’t possibly offer the same benefits as natural single-source ‘as-dug’ top soil.

As the uppermost layer of soil, (usually the top 5-10 inches), topsoil boasts the highest concentration of organic matter and microorganisms. The decomposition of organic matter by organisms has a major influence on soil fertility, plant growth, soil structure, and carbon storage.  

That is why The Real Soil Company only selects the finest natural topsoils as the main ingredient in its SuperSoil, Fruit & Vegetable Soil and SuperLawn. Each batch is analysed by soil scientists and precisely blended, in accordance with the company’s stringent formula, to ensure optimum characteristics and performance. 

Natural boosters in SuperSoil and Fruit & Vegetable Soil help plants establish quicker and mean they are more resilient to pests and disease, while edible crops are nutritionally enhanced, healthier and provide a better yield.

SuperSoil is ideal for replacing border soil, replenishing raised beds or tackling new planting schemes, helping gardeners of all skillsets truly improve the soil health in their outdoor areas. Meanwhile, Fruit & Vegetable Soil helps get edible plants off to the best start possible and the latest addition to the portfolio, SuperLawn helps stimulate quicker lawn establishment and better reliance against drought, whilst also creating a thick and healthy lawn.

The Real Soil Company really does have a product for all applications and, by re-purposing and utilising natural topsoil, this British company is setting a new standard for sustainable gardening. This World Soil Day, ensure you are offering your customers the very best, whilst also making the best decisions for the environment.

The Real Soil Company portfolio

SuperSoil

The original SuperSoil from The Real Soil Company has been ‘super charged’ with organic single-source plant-derived materials that are expertly blended with the finest natural topsoil.  This exceptional formula consistently outperforms current market-leading topsoils in its phosphorous, potassium and magnesium content, plus organic matter which improves soil structure, water retention and drought tolerance. SuperSoil is also free of the low-quality inorganic fillers which so many soil brands rely on to bulk out their bags.

Vegetable & Fruit Topsoil

Teeming with organic nutrients for optimal plant health, specialist Vegetable & Fruit Topsoil perfectly blends 100% natural topsoil with 100% organic peat-free compost that is PAS100 certified. Entirely free of chemicals or artificial fertilisers, each bag incorporates slow-release nutrients, trace elements and minerals to continually boost plants throughout the growth cycle. Vegetable & Fruit Topsoil will also improve soil type and structure, helping it to retain more water whilst offering better resistance against pests and diseases.

SuperLawn

Brand new for 2023, all-in-one SuperLawn is a rich blend of natural topsoil, soil improver and horticultural sand, delivering the ideal ground for perfect garden lawns. Teeming with slow-release nutrients, trace elements and minerals, SuperLawn will improve the soil structure and give lawn grass the best possible start, without the use of artificial fertilisers or added chemicals. As well as opening up more opportunities for peat-free, organic gardening, SuperLawn will help extend the lawncare sales period into autumn.

To find out more about The Real Soil Company please visit www.therealsoilcompany.co.uk or email info@therealsoilcompany.co.uk