Soil FAQ
The soil questions we hear most at the counter, answered for the clay, sand, alkaline ground and hard water that come with gardening in the Uintah Basin.
What soil do you recommend starting seeds in?
We recommend a seed-starting soil mix or Pro-Mix with Mycorrhizae. We use the Pro-Mix with Mycorrhizae when we plant our own vegetable starts.
What is the best mix to improve the soil in my flower beds?
For an existing bed, topdress with Soil Prep. If you are building a new bed, mix your existing soil with Soil Prep or Topsoil Plus.
What is the best soil additive for my vegetable gardens?
We recommend adding Fertimulch, Steer Manure, Premium Organic Compost, or Soil Prep.
What soil should I use in my outdoor pots or raised beds?
We recommend Miller’s Mix for Box Gardens.
What should I do if I have hard, clay soil?
For hard clay soil, add Soil Prep or Fertimulch. We also carry a product called Clay Buster that is made specifically to help break up heavy clay.
What should I do if I have sandy soil?
For loose, sandy soil, add Soil Prep, Peat Moss, or Premium Organic Compost to help it hold moisture and nutrients.
What should I use to topdress my lawn?
Topdress lawns with a thin layer of Soil Prep, Premium Organic Compost, or Topsoil Plus.
What do you recommend when planting trees and shrubs?
When first planting trees and shrubs, use a mix of about half your native soil with half Tree and Shrub Planting Mix or Soil Prep.
My soil is alkaline, like a lot of ground in the Uintah Basin. What can I do?
Much of the Basin sits on high, alkaline, high-desert ground, and a high pH can lock up iron so leaves yellow between the veins. Work plenty of organic matter such as Premium Organic Compost, Steer Compost or Peat Moss into the bed, since organic matter gently lowers pH and feeds soil life. For plants that struggle in alkaline ground, choose varieties suited to it, and ask us about iron and sulfur products that help green plants back up. Come in and we can point you to the right amendment for your bed.
We have hard water here. Does that affect my plants and soil?
Basin water is often hard and slightly alkaline, and over time it can leave mineral and salt buildup in pots and beds. Water deeply and less often so salts flush down through the root zone rather than collecting at the surface, and topdress or refresh potting soil each season. Adding organic matter and, for containers, a fresh potting mix like our Organic Potting Soil or Black Magic helps keep the root zone healthy. Ask us if you are seeing white crust on pots or soil and we will help you sort it out.
What planting zone is the Uintah Basin, and what should I plant for it?
The Basin falls in USDA zone 5, but our staff recommends choosing plants hardy to zone 4, rated to about 30 below, for a margin of safety against a hard winter. Everything we stock is chosen to perform in this cold, high-desert climate. See our Info and Links page for hardiness zone maps.
Need to figure out how much to buy? Our Soil Amendment Guide has a coverage calculator, and our soils page lists every bagged product. Still stuck? Call (435) 789-5512.
Bring us your soil questions
Every yard in the Basin is a little different. Tell us what you are working with and we will match you to the right amendment. No guesswork.