Advantages of EssentialSoil™

Because EssentialSoil™ is engineered, use-specific blends formulated for performance, they have many advantages over regular topsoil.

In situations needing erosion or structural soils, the proven attributes of EssentialSoil™ can mean the difference between success and failure on a project.

In planting beds, veggie gardens and lawns, EssentialSoil™ allows ample room for air and water, while maintaining a dense nutrient base and structure.

• A living soil, rich with beneficial microbial activity

• Supports rapid, healthy and self-sustaining plant & root growth

• Can be customized to meet specific site and vegetation needs

• Can be applied to slopes in deep layers

• Reduces sediment by 99%-100%

• Reduces runoff by up to 60%

• Binds heavy metals, bio-degrades hydro-carbon pollutants

• Can be applied on slopes up to 70 degrees or more

• Designed for pneumatic installation

• Easily tele-conveyed into place

• Reduces height or eliminates retaining structures

• Reduces need or eliminates storm and drain systems

• Bonds to hillsides without netting withstanding weather until vegetation is established

• Balances water retention and permeability

  • Greater infiltration into the soil

  • Greater evapo-transpiration from healthier plants

• Soil structure workable in extreme wet conditions, does not compact or turn to mud

• Oxygen diffuses easily and rapidly into the soil to prevent and remediate anaerobic conditions

• Beneficial to waterways, shorelines, fish and wildlife

Disadvantages of other materials

Planting Methods

• Require more up-front maintenance for success of plant material

• Increase labor costs to install plant materials

• Lack quality soils and produce weak or sickly plant, which:

  • creates necessity for plant mortality budgeting

  • creates unattractive aesthetics

  • necessitates noxious weed control

  • undermines reputation

Netting

• Application usually requires a great deal of grade preparation

• Compaction by heavy equipment hardens soil surface

• Time/labor intensive

• Some synthetic netting does not bio-degrade

• Some synthetics contain toxins harmful to the environment

• Application causes a permanent hazard to wildlife

• Wildlife can cause significant damage to the application

• Can bind or cut into roots creating structural flaws and disease in plants

• Usually offers only a small decrease in water velocity and runoff

Tackifiers and Sealers

• Seal the surface shut, cutting off oxygen for plants and microorganisms

• Application is not a sustainable resource

• Products can be toxic to the environment

Hydroseeding

• Not always effective on hard-pan surfaces

• May take multiple applications

• Does not prevent erosion or sedimentation until fully established

• Synthetic fertilizers used by many hydroseeders damage soil microorganisms, the process that develops sustainable plant establishment

Structures

• Costly and time consuming

• Lasts only as long as the material from which they are built, and will eventually decompose and necessitate rebuilding of another structure

• Sometimes require complex drainage and maintenance