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Made of all natural ingredients:
Coconut Coir
Lady Bug Garden Soil is based on Coconut coir, the short fiber from coconuts. Because coir is porous, it allows air to circulate reducing the incidence of root diseases. Compared to peat moss, coir retains more moisture and nutrients and is easier to keep wet. Coir lasts up to four times as long as peat and is a renewable source. In horticulture, coir is recommended as a substitute for sphagnum moss because it is free of bacteria and fungal spores, and is sustainably produced without the environmental damage caused by peat mining. Coconut coir from Mexico has been found to contain large numbers of colonies of the beneficial fungus Aspergillus terreus which acts as a biological control against plant pathogenic fungi. Once considered as waste material, coir is now being used as a beneficial and renewable source for soil treatment and enriching growth mediums.
Decomposed Granite
LadyBug Garden Soil includes decomposed granite as a mineral amendment and structural benefit as part of its composition. Decomposed granite is reddish-brown in color. As it decomposes, it becomes what is commonly known as decomposed granite gravel. It is high in trace minerals, very organic and environmentally safe. Perfect to help rejuvenate soil structure and elements.
Composted Cattle Manure
Composted cattle manure is derived from a process which takes raw cattle manure and allows for a controlled decomposition process. During this process, moisture and oxygen are continually introduced causing the manure to heat up between 120-160 degrees. This heat allows beneficial bacteria to multiply while killing any weed seed that is present. The final product is pathogen free and rich in trace minerals and organic matter as well as nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous.
Expanded Shale
We chose to use expanded shale as part of the component mix for its proven benefit as a soil conditioner. Expanded shale is useful in loosening tight clay soils and making them more friable (workable). 'Blue Shale' from the Midway Shale formation is present in a pattern across Texas through Corsicana to Texarkana and stopping near Laredo. It is usually found 10-15 feet underground. It was formed during Cretaceous times when Texas was a large lakebed and the lakebed sediments solidified under pressure into the present-day shale formation.
Jack Sinclair of TXI Industries has explained that the shale is mined and ground to 1" to l/2" range particles and then kiln fired. As it progresses through the kiln for 40 minutes at 2,000 degrees C, certain chemical processes take place in the silica content (60-70%) causing the material to expand. As the material cools, cavities are left after gases escape, leaving a porous lightweight chunk capable of absorbing water and releasing it slowly at a later time. Recommendations for using expanded shale come from Dr. Steve George of the Texas Cooperative Extension. He recommends expanded shale use in containerized pots and soil incorporation for improved water retention and proper drainage. Dr. George also remarked: "Based on a two-year research study and six years of field trials, I feel that expanded shale will open up and aerate heavy, sticky clay soils faster than any material that I have ever tested. Due to its porous nature, it provides aeration from within the shale particles and, in poorly aerated clay soils, resulted in a more extensive and healthier root system than did other treatments being tested. Even though I dearly love finished, plant-based compost, if I were limited to only one application of one soil amendment with which to open up heavy clay soils, I would take expanded shale and never look back!"
Texas Native Hardwood Mulch
An important and key component of Lady Bug Garden Soil is Texas Native Hardwood Mulch. It provides an environment for beneficial fungi to develop and expand. Native Hardwood mulch has been the number one mulch for many years—it is always beautiful and very consistent. It is composted so it has very dark, chocolate color. The mulch is produced from indigenous Oak, Cedar and other hardwoods from tree trimming and clearing projects. It is environmentally conscientious and is a practical use of a natural product. The Texas Native Hardwood Mulch is a rich ingredient to facilitate moisture and nutrient absorption for trees, shrubs, on perennial beds and wherever you put it. Lady Bug Garden Soil uses only the finest hardwood mulch.