Frequently Asked Questions
What is mulch?
What is compost?
Can compost be used as mulch?
Why is it important for compost to be fully composted?
What is 'finished' compost?
Why is soil pH important?
When is soil pH important?
How can I determine the pH of my soil?
Is Pine Bark a good soil amendment or mulch?
Is Saw Dust a good soil amendment or mulch?
Are Cotton Burrs a good soil amendment?
Is Manure a good soil amendment?
Should I be concerned about the chemical Picloram?
Should I be concerned about the herbicide
Clopyralid?
What are the differences between and
pH Balanced Compost and other SBS composts?
What is the difference between
compost made from plant material and compost made from animal waste?
What materials are used in SBS
composts and soil mixes?
What are the differences between
the various composts that SBS sells?
Is mulch an adequate cushion for a playground?
What other alternatives are there?
Does SBS offer installation services?
Can SBS refer me to a landscape contractor?
How do I determine the amount of soil
that I need?
What is the difference between SBS
materials and materials manufactured by other companies?
What is the best soil for a vegetable garden?
Didn't see what you needed? E-mail us so we can answer your specific question.
What is mulch?
Mulch is a product
that is placed on top of the soil for protection of the plants,
to retain moisture, or for beautification. It can range from fresh
organic material to well composted organic material.
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What is compost?
Simply stated,
when organic material has been thoroughly decomposed and been through
the appropriate number of composting cycles it becomes compost.
More specifically, the composting process requires moisture, oxygen,
aerobic microbes, carbon/nitrogen ratios and time. Compost is a
nutrient rich material that feeds plants and creates an environment
that is conducive to plant growth. It differs from mulch, as mulch
(or partially decomposed matter) is typically non-decomposed material,
and therefore harmful to plants if placed in the root zone (see
our Common Problems page to view
other common problems associated with so-called ‘compost’
that has not been fully decomposed).
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Can compost be used as mulch?
Yes. Compost
can be used as mulch, but mulch should not be used as compost, nor
should it be placed in the root zone.
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Why is it important for compost to be fully composted?
When a poorly
composted organic material is mixed into the soil it will consume
the nutrients for its own decomposition and cause a deficiency in
the plants. This decomposition process creates methane gas and other
toxins, which often robs the plant roots of oxygen. As a result,
planting in improperly or partially decomposed materials will typically
stunt or kill the plants. See our Common
Problems page to view other common problems associated with
non-SBS soils.
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What is 'finished' compost?
Compost which
undergoes adequate decomposition will normally result in a product
that favors plant growth, improves soil fertility and potentially
suppresses soil-borne pathogens. Such a compost is considered a
"finished compost". Unfortunately, often times compost
will not be fully matured, meaning it does not undergo sufficient
breakdown to become stable and growth promoting. Such composts may
not only be odorous, they may also be "phytotoxic", and
will suppress plant growth. The primary cause of the retardation
is oxygen deprivation within the root zone (from methane gas emissions
via the decomposition process) and direct damage via volatile organic
acids present in unripe compost. Such composts often have a medium
to high respiration rate, and may have a high ammonia level as well.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to visually inspect compost to determine
whether or not it is 'finished', therefore, it is imperative to
use compost from trusted and reputable suppliers.
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Why is soil pH important?
Nearly all plants prefer
the pH to be in the neutral zone (6.5 – 7.5) in order to flourish. Plants
are able to absorb and assimilate nutrients much more easily when the soil has
the proper pH. Plants suffer in soil with an elevated pH. The Metroplex soil
has a naturally high pH arond 8.4. The alkaline soil causes plant growth to
be slowed or stunted.
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When is soil pH important?
Most landscape
plants do their best when planted in a neutral pH soil.
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How can I determine the pH of my soil?
Soil pH can be determined
by soil testing companies and special equipment that measure pH levels of soil.
Generally speaking, all Metroplex soil has an elevated pH of about 8.4.
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Is pine bark a good soil amendment or mulch?
Absolutely not!
Although pine bark is extensively promoted as an inexpensive soil
conditioner and/or mulch it is actually the very worst organic material
you could use (with the exception of saw dust, which may be worse).
You should avoid all forms of pine bark, regardless if it is raw,
aged or composted. Pine bark is nearly void of any nutrient content,
very slow to decompose, a poor aerator, does not significantly aid
in moisture retention and can cause severe nitrogen tie-up in the
soil (requiring prodigious amounts of nitrogen to prevent chronic
chlorosis in the planted material. See our Common
Problems page to view other common problems associated with
non-SBS soils.
For more information on this topic, here is Howard Garrett, the Dirt Doctor:
First, it doesn't behave itself - wont stay in place. It washes and blows around. When it does stay in place, it's not very good for plants. As pine bark breaks down, some rather nasty natural chemicals are released - such as phenols and terpenes that outgas and damage biological activity in the soil. These chemicals are basically antimicrobial. That works fine while on the tree trunk but not well in the soil.
Pine bark is used widely as a bed preparation material but should not be. The fine and medium sized products are the worst choices. Very fine particles of pine bark mulch can rob nitrogen from the soil. The large size deco bark is a fair mulch to use for shrubs and ground covers. The large chunks stay in place a little better and allow air to flow around the large pieces and down to the soil and to the plants' roots. But, there are much better choices.
The best mulch to use is shredded native tree trimmings. Ground up trimmings straight from the tree care company's truck are a perfect balance of carbon from the wood and bark along with protein (nitrogen) from the flowers, fruit, buds, stems, cambium and green leaves. Some people object to the coarse texture but the horticultural aspect is perfect. Not only is the product a perfect balance of carbon and nitrogen (C:N), the shredded texture functions to hold the mulch in place even on slopes. Shredded cedar is available and is really an excellent mulch but a shredded mix of trees types and bushes is even better. Variety is the spice of life! Some compost companies regrind and partially compost the product to produce a more visually pleasant look but the raw product works just as well or better.
Is sawdust a good soil amendment or mulch?
No! Sawdust
should not be used as a soil amendment or mulch. As a fresh soil
amendment, it is very slow to decompose, is void of nutrient content,
is a poor aerator due to its small particle size, does not significantly
aid in moisture retention and can cause severe nitrogen tie-up in
the soil. Some Metroplex compost yards use saw dust as a major ingredient
of their materials, however, to avoid numerous problems (short and
long-term), it is strongly recommend that you avoid materials containing
sawdust. See our Common Problems
page to view other common problems associated with non-SBS soils.
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Are cotton burrs a good soil amendment?
Yes! Cotton
burrs are very rich in protein and have nearly twice the nutrient
values of normal manures. Once fully decomposed, cotton burrs are
a powerful supply of nutrients and nitrogen available to the plants.
Cotton burrs also break-up tight clay based soils, improve moisture
retention in sandy soils, encourage mycorrhizal interaction with
root systems, and does not tie up nitrogen or other nutrients in
the soil. The fully decomposed cotton burrs used in SBS compost
have no chemicals, weeds or insects and are ecologically friendly.
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Is manure a good soil amendment?
Yes! Manure
is a great source of nitrogen and nutrients, as long as the manure
is fully composted. If not fully composted, the manure will emit
methane gas, which is detrimental to plants. Over-use of manures
can contribute to excessive levels of nitrogen and potassium, as
well as a lack of available phosphorus, which can cause excessive
leaf and stem growth, delayed maturity and poor storage quality
in flowers. Raw manures are higher in total nutrient content than
dry manures, have a higher population of micro-organism and contain
high levels of organic matter, however, the high levels of ammonium
in fresh manure can burn plant material. Raw manures may also contain
viable weed seeds, as well as high levels of sodium, which is harmful
to soil structure and can severely inhibit the growth of plants.
In contrast, fully composted manure should be odorless, have the
appearance of black dirt, and should not burn plants when blended
with other soil. Fully composted manure makes a great soil amendment
that will produce desirable results. See our Common
Problems page to view other common problems associated with
non-SBS soils.
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Should I be concerned about the chemical Picloram?
Yes! The chemical
Picloram is a persistent herbicide used to control broadleaf plants,
brush, conifers and broadleaf trees. It is used to control weeds
for agricultural and industrial applications including pasture,
rangeland, railroads and power lines. Picloram is extremely phytotoxic
(toxic to plants). It poses a significant risk to non-target plants.
Estimated concentrations of Picloram in the environment are hundreds
to thousands of times the ‘level of concern’ at which
25% of seedlings fail to emerge. As little as 1 part-per-billion
in water was found to be enough to permanently damage plants. Animals
exposed to toxicity studies showed changes in the liver, decrease
in body weight gain, food consumption, liver enzyme changes, skin
irritation, redness and swelling. In developmental studies, some
signs of maternal toxicity were observed. Picloram is toxic to legumes
and some nitrogen fixing grasses. Natural soil building processes
may be halted by Picloram. See our Common
Problems page on Picloram.
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Soil Building Systems composts and soil mixes are free of Picloram.
SBS has periodic lab tests run for the detection of Picloram. The
test results show SBS composts to have no (zero) trace elements
of Picloram.
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Should I be concerned about the herbicide Clopyralid?
Yes! The chemical Clopyralid is a weed-killing chemical that does not break down well during composting, unlike most other herbicides and pesticides. It is found in herbicides used by professional lawn care companies and in agriculture. It is not found in lawn and garden products for home use. According to the EPA, Clopyralid is not harmful to people or animals at low levels found in compost products. The problem, however, is that Clopyralid tainted compost has been found to damage some non-target plants. Especially vulnerable are tomatoes, peas, beans, potatoes and sunflowers, as well as some landscape plants. Damage to non-target plants result in abnormal growth and may prevent fruit set. Clopyralid is damaging to sensitive crops at concentrations as low as 10 ppb or less.
Soil Building
Systems composts and soil mixes are free of Clopyralid. SBS conducts
periodic lab tests for the detection of Clopyralid. The test results
show SBS composts to have no (zero) trace elements of Clopyralid.
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What are the differences between pH Balanced Compost and other SBS composts?
All SBS composts
are thoroughly composted and heat sterilized through a natural aerobic
process. When a material has been thoroughly composted it becomes
alkaline from the composting process. Likewise the Metroplex soil
naturally has an elevated (alkaline) pH level. The pH Balanced Compost
products receive additional processing so that when tilled into
the Metroplex soil they will help balance the pH of the targeted
areas. In addition, the pH Balanced Compost also has a very rich
cotton burr base, and therefore has higher levels of nutrients available
to the plants.
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What is the difference between compost made from plant material and compost made from animal waste?
The animals’
consumption habits will dictate the potential quality of the manure-based
compost. With this in mind, and as long as both materials are composted
fully, both will be beneficial to your plants.
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What materials are used in SBS composts and soil mixes?
Depending upon
the specific soil product selected, the following various organic
materials may be included: landscape and tree trimmings, vegetative
materials, cotton burrs, dairy compost, and in the case of soil
mixes, various types of soils and sands. SBS does not use treated
lumber, pine bark, pallets, mushroom compost or raw manure in any
of their products, as these items have been found, through extensive
testing, to be detrimental to routine landscape plants and/or to
the environment.
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What are the differences between the various composts that SBS sells?
The following provides a brief description of SBS’s different composts (listed from least expensive to most expensive). All SBS composts are fully composted.
| Compost | Description |
| Professional Compost | Fully composted vegetative compost, for cost sensitive jobs |
| pH Balanced Compost | Cotton burr-based compost, has a neutral pH (Recommended) |
| Blended Compost | Blend of dairy cow manure and vegitative composts |
| Manure Compost | Dairy cow manure compost, TCEQ endorsed, TxDOT compliant |
| Acid Lovers Compost | Very low pH, specifically for acid loving plants |
Is mulch an adequate cushion for a playground? What other alternatives are there?
Mulch is an
adequate cushion for playgrounds. SBS also offers cushion materials
that are specifically engineered for playgrounds and are compliant
with government ASTM standards for impact attenuation and wheelchair
accessibility. SBS also offers several pea gravels and sand for
this purpose.
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Does SBS offer installation services?
SBS recomends using YardHookup.com. It is
a free service and is a great resource for ideas, pricing and getting the job done right the first time by reputable contractors.
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Can SBS refer me to a landscape contractor?
SBS does not
offer this service at this time.
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How do I determine the amount of soil that I need?
Measure the
areas that you will be planting (length, width (front to back),
and depth). Enter these values into the Cubic
Yard Converter on the SBS site. This tool will convert your
measurements into cubic yards. Cubic Yards is the unit of measurement
that the material is sold in.
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What is the difference between SBS materials and materials manufactured by other companies?
SBS has a 30-year track record of success and repeat business. SBS conducts extensive product research and growth charting (over multiple seasons). SBS composts are properly decomposed and are fully composted. SBS products are used in exclusive installations throughout the Metroplex. They are commonly used by premier landscaping companies, municipalities; premier commercial installations, residents of local celebrities, hospitals, schools, State Capital Grounds, Governor’s Mansion, and the like. The products are tried and true, which is how SBS built their business – exclusively through word of mouth and impeccable reputation and integrity. View our Installation Photos to see SBS results. View our Endorsements page to see what customers are saying about SBS products. View our Common Problems page to see what types of problems many others have encountered when using soil products produced by someone other than SBS.
What is the best soil for a vegetable garden?
SBS offers a number of soil choices appropriate for vegetable gardens. Click HERE for more info
Didn't see what you needed? E-mail us so we can answer your specific question.