Build soil.
Don't till it.
Small-batch living soil blends and amendments made for no-dig beds. Top-dress, mulch, and plant, and let the worms and fungi do the digging.
- Made to top-dressSpread it on, never turn it in
- Peat-free & aliveCompost, castings & fungi
- Ships in the lower 48Or pick up locally in Maine
Our blends
These are our starting points. Every order is mixed by hand in small batches and tuned to your beds, crops, and soil test, so each one is priced as a custom quote.
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Feed the soil, not the plant
The same minerals, fungi, and carbon that go into our blends. Add them to a custom order, or ask for them on their own for top-dressing your beds.
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Soil is alive. Tilling breaks it.
Every time soil gets turned, fungal networks tear, worm channels collapse, and stored carbon burns off. No-till gardens skip all that. They build soil from the top down, the way a forest floor does, and they get better every year.
Our blends are made for that kind of garden. We start with aged compost and worm castings for biology, add mineral rock dusts for long-term fertility, and finish with charged biochar and mycorrhizae so your beds keep improving instead of wearing out.
- Biology
Aged compost, worm castings, and leaf mold bring the microbes.
- Minerals
Azomite, rock phosphate, and gypsum for slow, steady fertility.
- Carbon
Charged biochar holds water and nutrients for years.
- Fungi
Mycorrhizal partners extend roots and help plants through dry spells.
- Structure
Coir and pumice keep it light, airy, and draining well.
No-till in four steps
Whether you're starting a new bed on top of lawn or switching an old garden over, the routine is the same.
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1
Smother, don't dig
Lay cardboard over grass or weeds and wet it down. It breaks down by the time roots reach it.
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2
Top-dress 1–2 inches
Spread No-Till Top Dress or Northern Living Soil over the surface. Never turn it in.
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3
Mulch & plant through
Cover with straw, leaves, or wood chips. Pull mulch aside to plant, then tuck it back.
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4
Cut, don't pull
At season's end, cut spent plants at the soil line so roots feed the soil. Top-dress again in spring.
Custom blends for serious growers.
Send us your soil test or tell us what you're growing, and we'll build a blend for your beds. We also mix bulk batches for no-till bed builds and hugelkultur projects nearby.
Request a custom blend- Soil test reviewWe read your lab results and recommend what to add (and what to skip).
- Custom batch blendsA recipe built for your crops, containers, or beds.
- Bulk bed fill & top dressYard-scale batches for local pickup or delivery.
- No-till bed conversionsHelp turning a tilled garden or lawn into permanent beds.
- Compost & worm-casting teasBrewed to order for local growers.
Tell us about your garden.
Send us what you're growing and how much soil you need. We'll put together a blend and send you a quote with a secure payment link.
- You send a requestBeds, crops, soil test if you have one.
- We send a quoteUsually within a day or two, by email.
- You pay onlineCard, Apple Pay, or Google Pay through Stripe.
- We mix & deliverShipped, or picked up locally.
Shipping & FAQ
What is no-till gardening?
Growing without digging, turning, or tilling the soil. Instead, you add compost and mulch to the surface and let soil life pull it down. It means fewer weeds, less watering, and soil that gets richer every year.
How does pricing work?
Every order is mixed to fit your garden, so we price each one as a quote. Send a request, and we'll email you a quote with a secure link to pay online. Shipping is included in the quote, or you can choose free local pickup.
How fast do orders ship?
Most orders are mixed and shipped within a week of payment. Larger batches may take a little longer. We'll email you tracking when it ships, or let you know when it's ready for pickup.
How should I store living soil?
Keep the bag slightly open, out of direct sun, and don't let it dry out completely. It's alive, and the biology stays happiest when it's lightly moist and can breathe.
Is paying online secure?
Yes. Payments are processed by Stripe. We never see or store your card number. Stripe accepts all major cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
What if something goes wrong with my order?
You can cancel for a full refund any time before we start mixing. If anything arrives damaged, wrong, or missing, tell us within 7 days and we'll replace or refund it. Details are on our refunds & shipping policies page.
How do I contact you?
Email hello@notill.garden, or use the form above and choose "General question." We answer within 2 business days.