Organic matter is the best way to amend the clay soils of Colorado— Various types will act to lighten the soil texture, discourage compaction, add nutrients, improve drainage and aeration, moderate soil temperature, and provide pore space which is essential to plant growth.

Called ‘The World’s First Living Organic Super Soil’

Made in Paonia Co

“The Bomb” is a class-defying mix that some would call soil and others would call soilless media, yet everyone knows it will Make Your Plants Explode!

There are four different variants in the Bomb Line to fit your growing style. All of these mixes perform quite similarly, will grow at relatively the same rate and have similar amount of nutrients and amendments built into them. The only thing that is different about each of the four ”Bombs” is the base. Original Bomb™ has an all Coco coir base. Sphagnum Bomb™ has an all Sphagnum peat base. Let us explain what is different about these bases.

While Coco is a little easier to hydrate, Sphagnum makes a more cohesive root ball. The 50/50 blend offers the best of both. If you don’t have a preference, choose Bomb 50/50™. The fourth type is called Raised Bed Mix and is just like Bomb 50/50™ but we swap the perlite with organic rice hulls. This works great in raised beds and landscape applications where clients don’t want to see the white perlite specks or when extra water retention is desired. We do add a bit more nitrogen to Raised Bed Mix to offset the additional carbon from the rice hulls.

Peat Moss by Premier

Available at McGuckins

Peat moss can be beneficial for building soil in Colorado because it has many properties that improve the soil's ability to support plant growth: 

• Water retention

  Peat moss's spongy texture absorbs and retains water, which helps keep soil moist and plant roots hydrated. This is especially useful for seed starting and for plants like tomatoes that need a regulated water supply. 

• Soil pH

  Peat moss is highly acidic, with a pH around 3.0–4.0, which can help plants that grow well in acidic soil, such as azaleas, camellias, hydrangeas, irises, and dogwood trees. Peat moss can also help neutralize alkaline soil. 

• Disease resistance

  Peat moss is sterile, so it doesn't introduce diseases and pathogens to the soil or potting mixes. 

• Non-compacting

  Peat moss doesn't compact when people walk on it, making it an excellent choice for mixing into clay and compacted soils. 

• Nutrient retention

  Peat moss helps retain nutrients within your soil so that they don't get washed out when you water it. 

• Cleanliness

  When you spill peat moss, you don't make much of a mess. 

However, peat moss is also a non-renewable resource, it contributes to climate change, can be expensive, and it can also be too acidic for some plants.

Expanded Shale

Available at McGuckins in Boulder | at Harlequin’s Gardens in Boulder

and in bulk at Colorado Materials in Longmont

Expanded shale is a soil amendment that can improve Colorado soil in many ways, including:

• Aeration

  Expanded shale adds space for roots and microorganisms, and improves aeration. 

• Water retention

  Expanded shale can hold up to 40% of its weight in water, and slowly releases it into the soil. 

• Pest deterrence

  Expanded shale's gravelly texture makes it difficult for ground-dwelling pests like moles and voles to dig through. 

• Soil structure

  Expanded shale improves soil structure and makes heavy clay soils lighter and easier to work. 

• Durability

  Unlike organic additives, expanded shale doesn't break down over time, so the soil stays loose and friable. 

• Hydroponics

  Expanded shale is a popular growing medium for hydroponics and water gardens because it filters water and creates oxygen pockets for plant roots. 

Expanded shale is made by heating shale rock to high temperatures, which causes it to fracture and create small pores. It's also known by other names, such as Haydite and Buildex.

MYCORRHIZAE by Big Foot

Available at McGuckins or any Hydroponics store

Mycorrhizae are a beneficial fungus that can improve soil quality and plant health in a number of ways, including:

• Improved soil structure: Mycorrhizae produce glomalin, which improves soil tilth by binding clay particles together and creating more pore space for roots. 

• Increased water and nutrient uptake: Mycorrhizae help plants absorb more water and nutrients, which can reduce the need for additional watering and feeding. 

• Reduced transplant shock: Mycorrhizae can help plants tolerate transplant shock. 

• Increased resistance to disease and drought: Mycorrhizae can help plants tolerate environmental stress like drought and dry winter weather. 

• Reduced soil-borne diseases: Mycorrhizae can help prevent soil-borne diseases from spreading in the root zone. 

• Improved soil water-holding capacity: Mycorrhizae can improve the soil's ability to hold water. 

• Reduced nutrient loss: Mycorrhizae can reduce nutrient loss in the soil. 

• Stimulated beneficial microbial activity: Mycorrhizae can stimulate beneficial microbial activity in the soil. 

Mycorrhizae are a natural resource that can be found in most soils, and they form a symbiotic relationship with plants. The plant provides sugars to the mycorrhizae through photosynthesis, and in return, the mycorrhizae provide nutrients and water to the plant. 

Pulverize

Organic Weed Control

It works because it has a high iron content which broad leaf plants can’t digest but grass roots can disperse.

Liquid spray— Best for Spot Spraying technique to target individual weeds

Different formulas for different garden areas — Make sure to select the right one for your needs

Safe for people, pets, planet

$20-30 at McGuckins

Copper Fungicide

Organic approved application for powedery mildew, black spot, leaf spot, blight, peach leaf curl, and other fungal issues.

It works using a low concentration of copper, which is widely used for helping control above issues.

Liquid spray— Best for leaf spray and/or root drench.

Safe for plants, people, pets, planet

$15-25 at McGuckins or Home Depot

Use

Great for weed control without the poison!

Different formulas for different garden areas — Make sure to select the right one for your needs:

A) Safely Removes dandelions and broad leaf weeds from the grass, but doesn’t kill the grass (which can tolerate high iron)

B) Safely Removes weeds and grass from within the garden area, be careful to use just on the weeds themselves, do not spray too close to your other plants

C) Safely Removes fungus, vines, and other growth from wet soil areas

Use

Control fungus and disease in your garden with Captain Jack's liquid copper fungicide ready-to-use spray

• Approved for organic gardening, this fungicide is suitable for the production of organic produce and can even be used up until the day of harvest

• Copper fungicide is effective in the control and prevention of a wide range of plant diseases, listed common garden diseases include blight, black spot, powdery mildew peach leaf curl and more

• Apply copper fungicide to fruits, vegetables, ornamentals and other plants in your lawn and garden for complete and long-lasting disease control

McCauley Family Farm | Biodynamic CSA | Organic Vegetables + Meats

Sturtz & Copeland | Organic & Local Flowers & Herbs

Harlequin’s Gardens | Organic Native & Local Shrubs, Flowers & Herbs

The Flower Bin | Organic Native & Local Shrubs, Flowers, Herbs

Creekside Tree Nursery | Organic Local Tree & Shrub Nursery

Tree Farm | Tree & Shrub Nursery

Soil Rejuvenation | Local Organic Producer + Cultivar of Garden Soil + Amendments

Lee Hill Peat | Gravel, Soil, Mulch, Landscaping Materials

Pioneer Sand | Stone, Soil, Mulch, Landscaping Materials

Colorado Materials | Stone, Soil, Mulch, Landscaping Materials

Tribble Stone | Natural Stone Quarry

CPS Distributors | Wholesale Irrigation Supply & Landscape Parts 

McGuckins | Local Hardware, Plants, Garden Materials, Tools, Products