Authored by:
Earth Science Team
Did you know that your home could be killing your plants? Large construction projects leave behind compacted soil that offers poor growing conditions.
Starting in 2010, new home construction began to surge, and reached an all-time high in 2022.
This is great news for our national housing supply, but less so for plants.
Before new homes are constructed, builders typically scrape off all the topsoil first. The soil base that’s left—particularly after all the heavy machinery has departed—is compacted, leaving less-than-ideal growing conditions. Whatever healthy topsoil isn’t taken away is often buried during grading and foundation work. The top 6 to 12 inches—where many of the most helpful nutrients are concentrated—can be lost with a single backhoe sweep.
That’s to say nothing of the construction debris, paint and chemicals that contaminate the soil that remains.
But particularly when these conditions affect an entire garden or yard, bringing in all new soil is both cost- and labor-prohibitive.
Enter soil amendments, which can help turn even the most difficult soil conditions around—especially in gardens and pots.
Too much or too little water can spell disaster for your plants. Soil amendments improve soil texture, water management and aeration, allowing oxygen to reach the roots.
Soil needs the right balance of phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen and more in order to feed your plants. Amendments like RevitaSoil deliver those nutrients directly to the roots—in a natural way.
Microorganisms, earthworms and other beneficial critters are looking for a reason to hang out in your soil. Give them a good one. Healthy soil biology helps suppress diseases and break down organic matter, and a thriving ecosystem supports plant health.
It doesn’t take much. In the case of Earth Science’s RevitaSoil, one 8-pound bag can revitalize 32 square feet of an in-ground garden, or 16 12-inch pots. The premium earthworm castings, natural nutrients and beneficial microbes have been found to grow up to three times more vegetables and flowers.
New homes should be happy homes not just for the people who move in, but for the plants that will live there too.
