Black Wood Mulch: Fine to medium texture, 2" minus ground wood mulch. The colourants are environmentally friendly, absorb efficiently into the wood and are UV stable. The colourants are long lasting and they do not readily "wash" away. As it is a wood mulch is very slow to decompose and will wear well. Because it is a wood mulch, the decomposition and decay process can take valuable nitrogen from the soil. As a suggestion, in order to minimize nitrogen depletion in the underlying soil, it would be good practice to apply a 1 to 2" thick layer of compost first and then cover with the coloured wood mulch. Other colours available are "Red" Wood Mulch and "Brown" Wood Mulch. "Red" wood mulch is made from Recycled Wood Mulch and is enhanced by using iron oxide colourants.

Primary Uses: Many of the uses and benefits of mulch in general. Through the use of colour, these wood mulches are aesthetically enhanced and are naturally accented in landscapes.

Classic Cedar Mulch: Freshly ground white cedar bark. This mulch has a fine to medium texture, fibrous and knits together very well. It has a distinctive natural cedar aroma and has a natural golden brown colour. This mulch weathers well, is slow to decompose and lasts a long time. However with UV exposure its colour does grey quickly with age.

Using environmentally friendly, natural iron oxide colourants, this mulch is also available in 5 different colours. The colourants are absorb efficiently into the bark and are UV stable. The colourants are long lasting and they do not readily "wash" away. Enjoy all the benefits of Cedar bark mulch longer with these available colours - Natural Red, Bright Red, Black, Brown and Gold.

Primary Uses: Many of the uses and benefits of mulch in general. This mulch is well specified and recommended by landscape architects in the horticultural industry. Through the use of colour, these cedar bark mulches are aesthetically enhanced and are naturally accented in landscapes.

Shredded Pine Bark Mulch: A freshly ground blend of pine species with a touch of hemlock. This mulch is aromatic and has a natural reddish brown colour. It has a fine, shredded uniform texture and knits together very well. This mulch weathers well and lasts longer than most other bark mulches. Over time, through decomposition and decay this mulch will age to a black colour and enrich the underlying soil by adjusting pH levels (decomposed pine bark is acidic), improving fertility (more nutrients available to plants), and increasing organic matter, to name just a few.

Primary Uses: Many of the uses and benefits of mulch in general. This mulch is well specified and recommended by landscape architects in the horticultural industry.

Utility Mulch: A blend of hardwood and softwood bark species and with some fine wood nuggets. Utility mulch is processed and ground to a fibrous, medium texture and is dark brown in colour. With time it ages to a greyish colour. This mulch decomposes and decays quicker than other mulches and requires yearly replenishing. It is an economical mulch used for large commercial projects.

Primary Uses: Many of the uses and benefits of mulch in general. It is used in commercial projects, matting for open natural areas, street tree planting projects, and forested areas for pathways.

Forest Mulch: A mixed blend of bark species and wood trimmings which is a by-product of the composting process. This mulch is ground and shredded to a fine to medium texture. Having gone through the composting process, it is quite stable and has a natural dark brown to black colour. It is slow to decompose and decay further therefore rendering it long lasting. As it is an economical mulch with increased benefits, gaining popularity in the landscape and horticultural industry.

Recycled Wood Mulch: Recycled Wood Mulch is made from clean, dry recycled wood. It is ground to a fine to medium texture of about a 2" minus using a mesh screen. It wears a raw wood colour. As it is a recycled wood product, it is the most economical mulch available. As a dry wood, it is slow to decompose and over time with UV exposure will turn dull grey to brown in colour.

Primary Uses: Many of the uses and benefits of mulch in general. It is used in commercial projects, matting for open natural areas, street tree planting projects, and forested areas for pathways. This product can be used as an animal bedding material as well.

Screened Peat Loam: Peat Loam that has been processed through a 1/2" screen. Clean, uniform textured and light weight, much of the large clumps, roots; rocks and foreign content have been removed from the soil.

Primary Uses: Basically as a soil amendment for producing soil blends. As a screened product, it is used in the production of potting soil for the greenhouse industry. It is used to top-dress lawns, and for "topping up" (replenishing) the existing soil in flower and vegetable gardens. Because of its characteristic dark colour, it is used to enhance gardens aesthetically as well.

Screened Topsoil: Topsoil from a Stockpile that has been processed or "screened" through a 1/2" (12 mm) screen and marketed for use. This material is easy to work with since many soil clumps, rocks, roots, and unwanted debris over 1/2" (12 mm) in size has been removed. Depending on the natural inherent soil characteristics of the topsoil such as soil texture (% sand, % silt, and % clay), ph, organic content, fertility and other elements in its make-up, this screened product has a variety of uses.

Primary Uses: Ideal for replacing topsoil around new construction projects, around sidewalks, in boulevards; for building up, leveling off and preparing grade surfaces to receive new sod (grass) and as a base for growing grass seed in open commercial areas. In some cases it has also been used to plant large trees and shrubs from tree growers and garden centers.

Stock Pile Topsoil: Topsoil originating from a farmer's field or vacant undeveloped land that has been stripped and placed in a stockpile under dry conditions for future re-use, prior to the development of that land. Careful attention is taken to strip the topsoil to a depth of no more than 8 to 12 inches, ensuring that only the most fertile soil is taken to be processed. The topsoil is made available unscreened for various applications and is the most economical material for use.

Primary Uses: Ideal for replacing topsoil in large open areas where previously removed, ponds, parks; for creating berms, re-shaping and re-grading of land and as a base for growing new grass cover.

2" Screened Topsoil: Topsoil from a Stockpile that has been processed or "screened" through a 2" (50mm) screen and marketed for use. This material is easier to work with than the stockpile topsoil since many soil clumps, rocks, roots, and unwanted debris over 2" (50mm) in size has been removed. Depending on the natural inherent soil characteristics of the topsoil such as soil texture (% sand, % silt, and % clay), ph, organic content, fertility and other elements in its make-up, this screened product has a variety of uses.

Primary Uses: Ideal for replacing topsoil around new construction projects, large open areas where topsoil was previously removed, ponds, parks; for re-shaping and re-grading land and as a base for new grass cover.

Premium Soil Mix: Our Premium Soil Mix is a high organic soil blend (more than 15% organic matter) and is an enhanced form of our Triple Mix. We say "enhanced" because over 50% of the soil blend is made up of organic soil conditioners. It is composed of 50 to 60% Compost, 10 to 30% Sandy Topsoil and 10 to 30% Peat Loam and is processed through a 1/4" screen or less.

Primary Uses: Ideal for topdressing lawn areas, creating new planting gardens, reviving and replenishing existing garden areas; for planting trees and shrubs; for planting flowers and garden vegetables. Generally it is an excellent soil conditioner, increasing the nutrient exchange capacity and organic matter content of that soil. In addition, the water holding capacity, moisture availability, soil aeration, drainage and workability of the soil will greatly be improved.

50/50 Planting Mix: This is our most economical "triple mix" that we have available. It is a blend of 50% Screened Topsoil and 50% Compost and is processed through a 1/2" screen. Basically the inherent soil characteristics of screened topsoil such as organic content and nutrient levels are enhanced with a small percentage increase of Compost, and Peat Loam.

Primary Uses: Ideal for creating new planting beds in commercial landscape construction projects; for planting trees and shrubs. It can also be used as a base for new grass cover

Triple Mix: A generic soil term which in its simplicity means "a blend of three things". In the soil blending industry the term triple mix has been loosely used to describe or imply a soil which is enhanced or enriched in some way to provide and sustain better, healthier, and more vigorous plant growth. There are many variations of triple mix available that range in composition, texture, specific density (weight), workability, fertility, functional performance and colour. Primarily it is an organic soil, which means it has less than 15% organic content (high biological living matter made up of decomposed vegetation, moisture, air and friendly microbial activity); that provides good soil structure and stability, plant nutrients, moisture and air for new plants to grow & thrive. Our "Triple Mix" is composed of Topsoil, Compost (from decomposed leaf, tree & shrub trimmings, bark, and manure) and Peat Loam and is processed through a 1/2" screen. It ranges in colour from dark brown to black.

Primary Uses: Ideal for creating new gardens, reviving and replenishing existing garden areas; for planting trees and shrubs; planting flowers and garden vegetables; for growing new lawns from sod or seed.

Triple/Sand Mix:

60/40 Topsoil / Sand Mix: This blend is composed of 60% Screened Topsoil and 40% Coarse Sand and is processed through a 1/2" screen. With this blend, the natural soil texture of the screened topsoil has been modified to a sandy topsoil texture to increase workability, aeration and enhance drainage properties of the soil for a specific function or use.

Primary Uses: Ideal for use as a soil base for sport fields and play areas where high wear and use is expected. Improving drainage in soil allows for quicker removal of water from the turf surface thereby allowing play in a shorter time span after rainfall. Used as a base for planting beds, some contractors prefer using this blend because the added sand in the soil helps keep the soil "loose" and "airy" which makes for easier maintenance. In this application, some organic soil conditioners may be added to increase organic content and nutrient levels; as well as retain good soil moisture levels for plant growth.

Compost Soil Mix: This soil blend is composed of Compost and Screened Topsoil and is processed through a 1/2" screen. The compost naturally improves the inherent characteristics of the screened topsoil especially the organic matter content, fertility and functionality. Generally, the compost to topsoil ratio is 50/50 however this can vary primarily according to the intended use of the soil; as well as the properties of the compost and screened topsoil used.

Primary Uses: Ideal for creating new gardens, reviving and replenishing existing garden areas; for planting trees and shrubs; planting flowers and garden vegetables; for growing new lawns from sod or seed.

Structural Soil Cu™: Cu-Structural Soil™ is an urban tree mix which was patented in 1998 by Cornell University's Research Foundation. It is a patented blend of coarse aggregate, amended clay loam, and hydrogel tackifier, proportioned so that when compacted in place, the aggregate is in a dense state, forming a rigid, load bearing stone lattice, but the soil within the aggregate void matrix is not over compacted. Structural soil is approximately 80% (by dry weight) crushed stone (typically _" to 2" in diameter) and approximately 20 percent clay loam (by dry weight). The clay loam is amended as required for ph, organic content, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. A small amount of GelscapeR Hydrogel Tackifier is used to help the soil adhere to the crushed rock during transportation and placement, reducing segregation.

Primary Uses: Structural soil is used under pavements, unit pavers and sidewalks creating a continuous structural support system while providing a material for tree root growth. The benefit of using this urban tree mix is that its design provides an integrated, root penetrable, stable pavement system. In the long term, this contributes significantly to improved tree growth, health, and life expectancy as well as reduced movement, failures and maintenance costs for adjacent pavements and flatwork. Please note: The description and uses of structural soil was taken from an article published in Land Development Today magazine and was authored by Jason Grabosky, Dr. Nina Bassuk, Laura C. Knutson, P.E., and Greg Yoko. For a full copy of this article please contact gino@earthcosoils.com.

Roof Garden Blend: Roof Garden Blend is a mixture of lightweight aggregate, sandy loam and compost. It is a light weight soil which has specific properties for drainage, water holding capacity, air content (porosity), organic content and available nutrients. The composition guidelines for green roof planting media vary in accordance with specific roof assembly design and to whether the landscape is going to be "extensive" (shallow, veneer like vegetated ground covers with growing media depth of about 3 to 6 inches), "intensive" (deeper, broader vegetative planting program with trees and shrubs with growing media up to several feet (1 to 4 feet), or in isolated planters.

Primary Uses: This soil blend is used for roof top landscapes, court-yard landscapes, streetscapes and planters. Used green roof technologies as an integral part of a roof system design, this type of soil blend also has benefits for project owners from a monetary / cost savings standpoint. Some specific benefits include property enhancement via landscape accents in urban dense areas, added protection to the roof waterproofing system, improved performance of the roof insulation system, and offers controlled solutions for rainfall runoff issues.

Silva Cell Soil: This soil is a specialized growing medium that is placed into Silva Cells or Co-plex. It has a sand content between 48-up to 60% dependending on the specifications set out by the Landscape Architect. These soils contain an organic matter 3.5-5%, silt content 20-40% & a clay content 1-20%. Theses soils have an excellent percolation rate with a PH Level between 7.3 – 7.8.

Primary Uses: Inside Silva Cells. Main use for the Silva cell mix is for the planting of trees & shrubs that require a free draining soil.

Bio Retention Soil: An engineered soil mix that includes various percentages of fine sands, silt, clay and organic amendments. The material's pH should range from 5.5 to 6.5.

Primary Uses: In Bio Swales for high drainage that can grow vegetation very well.

2" Screened Topsoil: Topsoil from a Stockpile that has been processed or "screened" through a 2" (50mm) screen and marketed for use. This material is easier to work with than the stockpile topsoil since many soil clumps, rocks, roots, and unwanted debris over 2" (50mm) in size has been removed. Depending on the natural inherent soil characteristics of the topsoil such as soil texture (% sand, % silt, and % clay), ph, organic content, fertility and other elements in its make-up, this screened product has a variety of uses.

Primary Uses: Ideal for replacing topsoil around new construction projects, large open areas where topsoil was previously removed, ponds, parks; for re-shaping and re-grading land and as a base for new grass cover.

Premium Soil Mix: Our Premium Soil Mix is a high organic soil blend (more than 15% organic matter) and is an enhanced form of our Triple Mix. We say "enhanced" because over 50% of the soil blend is made up of organic soil conditioners. It is composed of 50 to 60% Compost, 10 to 30% Sandy Topsoil and 10 to 30% Peat Loam and is processed through a 1/4" screen or less.

Primary Uses: Ideal for topdressing lawn areas, creating new planting gardens, reviving and replenishing existing garden areas; for planting trees and shrubs; for planting flowers and garden vegetables. Generally it is an excellent soil conditioner, increasing the nutrient exchange capacity and organic matter content of that soil. In addition, the water holding capacity, moisture availability, soil aeration, drainage and workability of the soil will greatly be improved.

Sportsfield Mix: This soil blend is composed 40 to 60% Screened Topsoil, 20 to 40% Coarse Sand and 10 to 20 % Compost. It is processed through a 5/16" screen. The percent compositions will vary according to the inherent texture, properties and characteristics of the screened topsoil. This soil blend is engineered to enhance its performance with sand and compost to be used as a base for a playing field. Since playing fields are subjected to high use and want to be played on as quickly as possible after rainfall, the underlying soil must be sufficiently resilient and quick draining to withstand the demands it is subjected to.

Primary Uses: Used as an economical yet effective topdressing material for sport fields, play areas, and open areas in general. It has also been used to establish new turf grass especially where repair and restoration of the existing turf is required. As it has a high sandy soil nature, it is excellent as a base for constructing sport fields and as a base for new sod/grass cover in general.

Golf Course Divot Mix: This soil is a blend of 75% Topdressing Sand, 15% Premium Compost, and 10% Bark Compost Fines. It is designed to repair divots on golf tee decks and fairways. This soil blend is free flowing, with little to no compaction, quick draining and has good structure for its intended use. The compost is blended to the sand to increase organic matter, add nutrients and improve moisture retention so new turf can be established.

Primary Uses: Ideal for divot repairs on golf tee decks and fairways, top-dress lawns, sport fields, open play areas and golf fairways.

Classic Compost: Fine to medium textured Compost with generous amounts of compost fines, minimized woody content, no foreign content. This product is processed through a 1/2" screen with all of the finer compost material present.

Primary Uses: An excellent soil conditioner and amendment product with all the benefits mentioned that compost provides! This product is used for topping up and blending it into soils for all types of gardens, mulching of trees and garden beds. It is also used in the production of our various soil blends to improve the quality of topsoil. In commercial applications it is used in terraseeding for vegetative (turf and grass cover)

Aged Bark Fines:

• screened from aged bark
• extremely high organic content
• uniform texture
• dark to black colour
• acidic pH balances top soils

Peat Loam: Naturally derived from nature's processes, peat has developed over hundreds of years from the natural decomposition of plant, animal and mineral material; from microorganisms and the stable by-products of microbial breakdown (humus). Peat can vary in colour from light brown to dark black. Peat can also vary in texture from fibrous and stringy (sphagnum); to fine loam (a balance of coarse sand, medium silt and fine clay particles); to slimy muck (a combination of very fine sand, silt & clay particles in a very wet state). Because of its high, stable organic content, peat has an excellent capacity for holding nutrients and moisture for the optimum availability to plants. It also improves soil structure when used in soil blends.

Premium Compost: Fine textured Compost. Basically it is the finer compost material with most to all of the woody content removed. It is screened through a 3/8" mesh producing very uniform particle sized compost. It is dark brown to black in colour.

Primary Uses: Same uses as Classic Compost. Due to its fine texture nature, this product is specifically used in producing topdressing soil blends and topdressing applications in general.

Bark Compost Fines: Fine textured Compost. As the name suggests, this product is made from screening out the finer material solely from naturally decomposed bark mulches. It is processed through a 3/8" screen producing a uniformly particle sized compost. It is dark brown to black in colour.

Primary Uses: Same uses as Classic Compost however it has more specific applications. Since it is derived for naturally decomposed bark, it has a more acidic or lower pH reading than most compost therefore, providing specific benefits. It is used to modify and compliment compost blends, topdressing soil blends, and lower pH levels in soils generally. It is also used in producing potting soils and custom soil blends. In addition, it can be used on its own as fine bark mulch.

Compost: Compost is decomposed and partially decomposed organic matter that is dark and crumbly. The majority of compost available today is produced by the aerobic (biological) decomposition of organic matter sources. Organic sources include leaves, yard trimmings, grass clippings, wood chips, paper fiber, bark, food scraps, manures, and other vegetative matter. Compost can be made by any combination of these sources listed and depending on the sources used will vary in texture. The final product suitable for the consumer market is Grade A Standard compost which is well decomposed, stable, weed free, biologically dynamic and nutrient rich.

Compost provides numerous benefits for the end user. The major benefit of using compost in landscaping and all gardening is that over time it greatly improves the overall soil quality of our gardens therefore promoting healthy vegetative plant growth and establishment. Specifically as an excellent soil conditioner, compost improves soil structure, increases soil fertility, promotes healthy microorganism and earthworm proliferation, reduces soil compaction, improves soil aeration, improves water penetration and moisture retention of the soil, and moderates soil temperatures. As a topping or mulch, compost suppresses and reduces weed establishment and as it is dark brown to rich black in colour greatly enhances any garden aesthetically.

In land remediation and restoration, compost reduces soil erosion and movement, controls dust, controls sedimentation, and can bind and degrade specific contaminants (toxic substances) in the soil.

Primary Uses: Compost is used as a soil conditioner/enhancer, as a topdressing material and organic mulch; in producing specific soil blends for various applications, in soil erosion, remediation and slope stabilization projects.

Compost Products Offered by Earthco:

Basic Compost: Coarse, woody texture Compost where up to 70% of the finer compost material has been removed and has been processes through a 5/8" screen. This product may contain very minimal foreign content i.e. plastic.

Primary Uses: Excellent product as a compost mulch and for amending bulky topsoil in large commercial projects and soil remediation/ erosion projects. An economical compost.

Premium Compost: Fine textured Compost. Basically it is the finer compost material with most to all of the woody content removed. It is screened through a 3/8" mesh producing very uniform particle sized compost. It is dark brown to black in colour.

Primary Uses: Same uses as Classic Compost. Due to its fine texture nature, this product is specifically used in producing topdressing soil blends and topdressing applications in general.

Bark Compost Fines: Fine textured Compost. As the name suggests, this product is made from screening out the finer material solely from naturally decomposed bark mulches. It is processed through a 3/8" screen producing a uniformly particle sized compost. It is dark brown to black in colour.

Primary Uses: Same uses as Classic Compost however it has more specific applications. Since it is derived for naturally decomposed bark, it has a more acidic or lower pH reading than most compost therefore, providing specific benefits. It is used to modify and compliment compost blends, topdressing soil blends, and lower pH levels in soils generally. It is also used in producing potting soils and custom soil blends. In addition, it can be used on its own as fine bark mulch.

Mushroom Compost: Medium to coarse fiber texture. It is composed of peat moss, vegetative fibers, manure, chemical fertilizer residues and decomposed mushrooms. It is the growing medium and by-product of the mushroom farming industry. It is an unscreened product and depending on how and where it is stored and stockpiled at the farm source, it may contain some foreign content such as small wood debris and container materials such as plastic and cardboard. The organic sources listed in this compost are partially decomposed and therefore will still be quite "hot"; actively working to complete the decomposition process. It is not fully cured compost. Because it is partially decomposed, the fresher compost will have strong "manure" like odor and can be unpleasant to sense of smell. However the odor does dissipate quickly the longer it is exposed to oxygen (air).

Notwithstanding its strong odor however, mushroom compost provides many benefits fully cured compost does.

Quality Bark and Wood Mulches: Bark Mulches are derived from the raw bark which is a by-product of the wood processing mills, the wood pulp and paper industry. The raw bark is stripped from the cut trees (logs) and processed through mechanical equipment to be shredded, ground and screened to desired size. Bark mulches vary according to the type of tree species being used, texture and age; colour and aroma; each having their own individual effect. Wood Mulches are derived from the overburden wood residue of the composting industry (partially decomposed tree and shrub brush and uprooted tree stumps) as well as chemically free construction and industry wood waste. Using modern technologies, what was commonly considered wood waste, has become a beneficial commodity to the landscape industry.

Primary Uses: In general, mulches are used as ground cover around trees and shrubs, in flower gardens, and as matting for open dusty areas and pathways. Mulches have gained much popularity for their many recognized benefits they provide to gardening and planting in general. They are used to help maintain good moisture levels in soils around plants. In hot temperatures, mulch helps keep the root zone of plants cool and moist and in cold temperatures offer protection by acting as an insulator. Mulch also helps reduce gardening maintenance since it works well to suppress and reduce weed overgrowth. Another valuable benefit of mulch (more so with bark mulches than wood mulches) is that over time with the influences of sunlight, temperature, wind, rain water, and soil dynamics, it becomes an excellent soil conditioner. Through this process of decomposition, mulch adds valuable organic matter, nutrients, and healthy microbial activity generally improving the overall performance of the underlying soil.

With today's modern technologies, we are able to apply environmentally friendly, iron oxide colourants to mulch. This process provides long lasting colour to mulch thereby aesthetically enhancing its appearance and adding more appeal to landscapes in general.

Mulch Products offered by Earthco

Primary Uses: Many of the uses and benefits of mulch in general. It is used in residential and commercial projects, matting for open natural areas, street tree planting projects, and forested areas for pathways.

Composted Pine Bark Mulch: This mulch is quite unique and is the elite of bark mulches available. It is processed from fresh pine bark and composted for two years. It has a fine to medium texture and has a long lasting, natural rich dark black colour. Since this mulch has already gone through the composting process, it is considered a first rate soil conditioner. Having characteristics of pH acidic, rich in organic matter content and biologically dynamic, it is the most beneficial mulch for any garden, flower or vegetable and for planting trees and shrubs in general.

Primary Uses: Many of the uses and benefits of mulch in general. This mulch is well specified and recommended by landscape architects in the horticultural industry. Used to enhance colour and enrich garden soils in general. An excellent organic source for amending soils and producing custom soil blends. This mulch is also used in producing potting soil for the greenhouse industry.

Special Custom Mixes: soil and aggregate blends for sports fields, ball diamonds and golf courses can be made available customized to the type of application or function they need to perform. For more information on any custom soil mix you may require, please call our head office at 416.789.4749.