Dry, depleted soil can feel like the end of the road for gardeners and growers—but with the right composting practices and organic amendments, you can bring your soil back to life.
At 1st Choice Fertilizer, we believe healthy soil is never too far gone—you just need the right ingredients, timing, and care.
♻️ Part 1: Composting the Right Way
Compost is the #1 tool for restoring life to dead or dry soil. It adds organic matter, microbes, and moisture-holding ability.
✅ What to Compost
- Greens (Nitrogen-rich): Vegetable scraps, grass clippings, coffee grounds
- Browns (Carbon-rich): Dry leaves, cardboard, straw, shredded newspaper
Mix greens and browns at a 1:2 ratio to keep balance and prevent odor.
⏳ Composting Tips
- Turn the pile weekly to add oxygen
- Keep it damp—like a wrung-out sponge
- Add a little soil or 1st Choice™ Compost Starter Earth-Care Plus 5-6-6 to boost microbial activity
Part 2: Revitalizing Dry Soil
Dry soil usually means compacted, lifeless ground with poor structure. It doesn’t hold water, and it can’t absorb nutrients. But with consistent care, you can transform it.
Step-by-Step Revitalization
- Break the Crust
Gently aerate the top 4–6 inches with a garden fork or broadfork—don’t over-till, which damages structure. - Add Compost Generously
Spread 2–3 inches of mature compost and mix lightly into the topsoil.
Use: 1st Choice™ Earth-Care Plus 5-6-6 for instant organic matter and nutrients - Rebuild Soil Life
Apply microbial inoculants or organic fertilizers that support microbial revival.
Use: 1st Choice™ Earth-Care Organic – loaded with microbe-friendly ingredients - Water Deeply and Mulch
Water thoroughly to rehydrate the soil profile, then cover with mulch (straw, bark, compost) to retain moisture. - Repeat Regularly
Dry soils recover over time—reapply compost and mulch each season.
Extra Tip: Use Water-Retaining Amendments
In extremely dry soils or sandy conditions, use products designed to hold moisture longer.
Try: 1st Choice™ Earth-Careganics – a blend made to improve water retention and root access in poor soils
Final Thought
Dead soil isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of something regenerative.
With compost, moisture-smart practices, and the right organic inputs, you can revitalize even the driest ground into a thriving, living soil that supports healthy growth.
Start with what you have. Grow with 1st Choice Fertilizer.
Explore soil-rebuilding solutions now.
