Evergreen Top Soil

17 years ago

I purchased several bags of Evergreen brand top soil to make a potting mix. One cubic foot of material packed in a heavy sealed plastic bag.

When I open the bag, there is a strong noticeable smell of ............. not pine or creasote, exactly, but quite strong. It gradually dispurses, especially after I add my other potting soil ingredients to the mix. It is a very dark natural brown color and has the texture of soil conditioner (pine fines or very small bark).

Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Similiar experience?

I do add a natural fertilizer and minerals to the mix.

I appreciate any help and hope I've come to the right forum to ask this question.

Brenda

Featured Answer

tigerland1

11 years ago

Evergreen top soil contains no soil. It is ground bark. It contains no soil, dirt, clay or sand. Walmart sells real soil. Evergreen should re-label their product to read bark mulch. It mislead me into buying 50 bags of bark for planting grass seed. It seem grass wont srout and grow in it. Rip off.

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Comments (11)

Kimmsr
17 years ago
For potting mixes you want a soilless mix, not "topsoil" which can make drainage of your container a problem.
gottahosta
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for your help.
The Evergreen top soil is not the texture of soil, does not look like soil- it is the texture of soil conditioner. Like small chunks of composted bark. Very well-draining.

My concern is the smell. ........ if it has some additive or if it in in fact not well composted, as the color and texture indicate. ?????????

Does anyone have a similiar experience with this kind of product?
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rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
17 years ago
I use bark fines for my potting mixes, but have not noticed any aroma other than what one would expect from pine bark. I am not familiar with the product you've mentioned.
gottahosta
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks, Rhizo, maybe I'm just being a little too picky about the scent. Other than that, it is a great buy for just what I need!
User
11 years ago
"Walmart sells real soil." That just flat out sounds wrong. :-)
toxcrusadr
11 years ago
Nevertheless tigerland1 is correct, this should not be labeled topsoil. It's suitable as soil conditioner, or maybe potting mix, but from the description, it's not soil. You should call them and complain.

I always advise people to find a torn bag (or accidentally make a finger sized hole if you have to), and get a look at the contents of any bagged product before buying. The cheaper it is, the more important this becomes.
Leah Allen
7 years ago
I've used it to spread over bare spots, put in the bottom of big containers that would take up too much potting soil, and put over seeds that I planted to keep moisture in. It is GROUND UP PINE BARK, very loose, no nutrients, and yes, it is NOT TOP SOIL, they are misleading customers!
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
7 years ago
How does one come to the conclusion that pine bark has no nutrients?
David Shropshire
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Evergreen has a product called 'Soil Conditioner' which is exactly what one needs for heavy clay soil, or even sandy soil if planting Gardinia shrubs, since they don't like wet feet. Mix the conditioner 50/50 with the existing turf.
Joseph Miller
last year
I've used evergreen top soil for three years in a planter bed. Planted tomatoes each year and with the help of miracle grow, they've done great! I'll use it again!