Good for Soil and the Planet

Healthy soil is the backbone of farming, gardening, and landscaping. When soil isn’t getting the right nutrients, plants and crops will suffer.

Composed of sustainably manufactured premium compost, SoilBuilder enhances soil health and protects the planet.

  • Reduces irrigation requirements up to 50%
  • Reduces stormwater runoff up to 50%
  • Reduces pollutant loads in stormwater runoff
  • Improves percolation for better drainage
  • Holds more nutrients at the root zone
  • Improves nutrient uptake
  • Reduces compaction for better root development

Choosing the Right Compost

Premium compost increases the organic matter in soil and replenishes the soil microbes responsible for nutrient uptake and improving water management. SoilBuilder is rich in both macro- and micro-nutrients, giving plants a well-balanced diet.

McGill SoilBuilder is a versatile product designed to meet a range of needs. Use it as a soil amendment or top-dressing in lawn and garden, or as a component of soil blends and on-site manufactured topsoil.

Applications

SoilBuilder is purpose-built to deliver optimal results across a wide range of uses.

  • Lawns
  • Gardens
  • Topsoil Manufacture
  • Planting Mixes
  • Turfgrass Performance

What’s in a Bag

Each bag of SoilBuilder contains 1 cubic foot (about 40 lbs.) of premium compost manufactured from a variety of blended feedstocks that include:

  • Woody materials
  • Yard waste
  • Agricultural by-products
  • Biosolids
  • Food and food processing waste

SoilBuilder in Action

To refresh your lawn or turfgrass areas, SoilBuilder can be mixed into soil for replenishment or raked into the surface of turfgrass prior to seeding or sodding to lock in moisture and add organic nutrients.

When topsoil is thin or non-existent, mixing SoilBuilder premium compost with existing soil helps build and improve poor topsoil creating the foundation for a healthy growth environment.

Using SoilBuilder in landscaping projects encourages faster green-up after sod installations and seeding and extends a lawn’s green season in both spring and fall.

Use Instructions

  • Use 1/4 to 1/2 inch of compost if applying to the top of the soil
  • Add 1 to 2 inches for every 6-8 inches of soil depth if working into the soil
  • Maintain maximum of 30% compost in a soil blend, and no more than 25% in containers or raised beds
  • Blend up to 25% of SoilBuilder with 75% or more of native soils for raised beds
  • Use 1 to 2 inches of SoilBuilder in native soil beds and incorporate to a depth of 6 to 8 inches, plant and water
  • Condition soil beds this way every other year
  1. Dig a hole the same depth as the root ball and two to three times as wide
  2. Mix up to 25% of SoilBuilder with 75% of soil saved from the planting hole
  3. Place the plant in the planting hole and apply amended soil around the root ball
  4. Firm the soil as the hole is backfilled and water thoroughly
  1. Apply 1 to 2 inches of SoilBuilder to existing soil and incorporate to a depth of 6 to 8 inches
  2. Apply seed or install sod, rake and water

Mix 1 part SoilBuilder with 3 to 4 parts soil and blend

Where to buy

McGill SoilBuilder is sold in tractor-trailer load quantities from facilities in the mid-Atlantic, Carolinas, New Jersey, Florida, and through authorized resellers.

Where to Buy

How much to buy

Determine the amount of compost you will need for your planting project with our compost calculator.

How much to buy
Sustainability Resources
Navigate back to top of page