This week, I give you an almost one-of-a-kind product – a compost and expanded shale mix.
It comes from Heirloom Soils of Texas, a line of products from the Warren family – as in Warren’s Southern Gardens, Warren’s Kingwood Garden Center and Warren’s Rock, Mulch, Compost & Soil Yard on U.S. 59 in Porter.
Warren’s products may be unknown to some folks. They are available at some non-Warren’s locations, but in my opinion, they should be stocked at many more, even those that carry bagged soil, mulch, and compost products from other companies I endorse. I think it’s smart to have multiple options for customers.
If you’re already a savvy GardenLine retailer, you should contact Warrens and find out about stocking their line. And if you’re a homeowner looking for Warren’s products outside the Kingwood area, ask your favorite garden center, hardware retailer or feed store to start stocking some products from Heirloom Soils of Texas, too.
In our area, we are blessed to have several providers of high-quality mulch, soil and compost, and Heirloom Soils of Texas is among them. I just think they should be carried at many more places.
So, back to what makes Heirloom Soils’ Expanded Shale & Compost so unique.The Warrens started making their own compost during a time when they couldn’t get enough in bulk for their aeration and top-dressing services. They also realized how useful it could be in other applications, such as renewing raised beds, starting new beds, amending tree plantings, and more.
And, knowing how important expanded shale is when planting big trees and shrubs, they added it to their leaf mold compost and ended up with this double-benefit product that will help break down the heavy clay soils people often encounter when planting.
So, compost is good for amending and planting, and when we have to dig deep for big tree and shrub root systems, expanded shale will keep the area from getting too boggy. Shale permanently aerates and can absorb up to 40% of its weight in moisture, which is released back into the soil or compost as it dries out.
Kudos to the Warren family for this one-of-a-kind product and the whole arsenal of Heirloom Soils of Texas organic products. The leaf mold compost is great, and I’m also a huge fan of their native brown mulch. And I’ve been anxiously awaiting Warren’s new rose soil, being introduced very soon. I’ll definitely let you know when it hits the market, because that will also be a one-of-a-kind blend.
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PHOTOS: Randy Lemmon