SOIL & AMENDMENTS

Starter mixes or seedling starters, are specially formulated soil blends designed to provide everything a seed and young seedling need to germinate and thrive during the earliest stages of growth. These mixes must hold moisture effectively while still offering plenty of aeration to support healthy root development.

A typical starter mix contains a high proportion of peat moss (or sometimes coco coir) to retain moisture, combined with ingredients that improve drainage and structure, such as perlite or vermiculite. This balance ensures the mix stays light, fluffy, and well‑drained—ideal conditions for delicate new roots.

Compost and manures—such as worm castings, steer manure, or mushroom compost—are forms of organic matter that have been aged or decomposed over time. This aging process makes nutrients more stable and available to plants, helping to enrich the soil with essential raw nutrients and build long‑term soil health. They offer a natural alternative to synthetic fertilizers, which can carry a higher risk of over‑fertilization when misused.

These organic amendments tend to hold a lot of moisture and often have poor drainage on their own. Because of this, they are usually mixed with lighter, more aerated materials (like perlite, sand, or peat‑based mixes) to create a balanced growing medium.

Compost and manure are also excellent for revitalizing existing soil, helping to restore structure, increase microbial activity, and bring depleted soil “back to life.”

Soil conditioners are another name for soil amendments that improve drainage, moisture retention, aeration, and overall soil texture. Some of these materials also offer nutritional benefits due to their porous structure, while others simply enhance the physical properties of the soil without adding nutrients.

Common soil conditioners include perlite, vermiculite, zeolite, pumice, peat moss, and activated charcoal. Each of these products helps create a healthier root environment by keeping the soil loose, breathable, and better balanced for water management.

A potting mix, also known as an all‑purpose mix, is a blend of soil and amendments designed to create a versatile, multi‑use growing medium. It can be used for transplanting, top‑dressing, or refreshing existing soil. Potting mixes are formulated to provide both drainage and water retention, creating a balanced environment for healthy root development and vigorous growth.

We also offer organic potting mixes suitable for growing food and supporting long‑term soil health. Some of our most popular brands include: 

• Green Harvest, 
• Groundskeeper’s Pride, 
• Gardener’s Choice
•  Island’s Finest.

Different plants have their own specific needs in order to thrive. Each one requires a soil mixture that replicates the natural conditions it would experience in its native environment. Since most of our houseplants come from climates outside our local growing zone, they need specialized care to stay healthy. That’s why we offer specialty soil blends such as:

•  Succulent and cactus mix
• African violet mix
•  Bonsai mix
• General houseplant mix.

These tailored blends provide the ideal balance of drainage, aeration, and moisture retention, giving each plant the best possible chance for long‑term success.

Mulch is extremely versatile for landscaping and gardening. A few key benefits of using mulch include reducing weed growth, maintaining soil moisture and temperature, and adding a clean, attractive look to outdoor spaces. Mulch is available in a variety of sizes—large, medium, small, or fine shavings—and comes in many different colours to suit any landscape design.

At Hannas Seeds, we carry a selection of high‑quality mulches, including:

•  Cedar mulch
•  Hemp mulch
• Rubber mulch.