This invention relates to an improved soil product and methods of making the same.
Various types of soil mixtures are used commercially and for retail such as for potted plants, nursery beds, etc. These mixtures include a minimum of actual soil since good natural soil is difficult to obtain and has other disadvantages such as for example it is heavy to handle, it has poor moisture retention qualities, etc. One mixture that is popularly used as a soil additive or conditioner is barkdust since it has good moisture retention qualities and it decomposes at a slow rate. However, barkdust is now being used extensively in other products, such as structural board, adhesive, etc., and the demand thereof has made it too expensive for mass usage as a soil conditioner. Straw has been used as a soil conditioner and has some attractive features, namely, it is abundant and inexpensive and also makes a good mulch when decomposed. Straw, however, has the disadvantage that it decomposes at a fast rate and thus is not feasible for commercial use. Artificial soil mixtures have also been used but such mixtures are too expensive at least for commercial use.