Built on Biological Principles. Inspired by the Forest Floor. Proven in the Field.
If you’ve ever lifted the mulch on a forest floor, you’ll know the smell — earthy, sweet, and alive. Below the surface, a quiet system is always at work: fungi extending through layers of decomposing leaves, microbes breaking down carbon-rich material, and moisture held where it matters most. This natural process steadily transforms organic matter into the rich, living layer we call topsoil.
That’s the biological foundation behind Soil Builder™.
A Living System, Not Just a Mulch
Soil Builder™ is more than surface cover. It is a carefully developed living input that mimics the structure and function of a natural forest floor. Unlike conventional mulches and composts, which often break down too quickly or offer limited microbial benefit, Soil Builder™ is designed to actively support soil regeneration.
When applied to the surface or mixed into planting zones, it does more than suppress weeds or insulate roots. It actively supports the growth of microbial networks, improves soil structure, enhances nutrient cycling, and helps retain moisture where it’s needed most.
The Four Pillars of Soil Builder™
Every ingredient in Soil Builder™ has been selected to support soil health and biological activity. Each batch is hand-packed to maintain freshness and microbial viability.
CARBON
We include raw thatch and fibrous materials to slow decomposition and sustain mulching. These carbon sources also bond with nutrients, making them more stable and available over time.
NUTRIENTS
Green components such as lucerne deliver fast-release nitrogen and organic matter to feed microbes and support early plant growth.
TRACE ELEMENTS
Derived from salt pan seawater, these naturally occurring minerals help restore balance to the soil’s micro-environment, supporting cell function and soil structure.
LIFE
Concentrated microbial inoculant and naturally occurring crystals help kickstart microbial activity and fuel long-term biological processes.
Macro videos show microbial activity and fungal colonisation within days of application — clear indicators of a living, biologically active mulch.
Supporting Soil Function at Every Level
Healthy soil is more than a medium for plant roots — it is a functioning ecosystem. And like any ecosystem, it thrives when biodiversity is present.
Soil Builder™ supports this through multiple mechanisms:
Moisture retention: Thriving, living soil rich in biodiversity and humus, naturally holds water.
Improved nutrient availability: Microbial activity enhances nutrient release and uptake
Increased plant resilience: Healthier root systems and stronger soil support better overall growth
Developed by Experienced Landscape Technologists
Soil Builder™ is the result of decades of hands-on work in the field. It was developed by Arlo Mitchell and Sarchen Bassingthwaighte, both qualified Landscape Technologists with decades of experience in gardening, landscaping, and ecological design.
Soil Builder™ is inspired by pioneering research by soil scientists and was developed through years of field-based observation, practical application, and iterative refinement across a variety of environmental conditions and soil types — from the sandy coastal zones of the Western Cape to the red desert soil of Namibia.
Soil Builder™ provides a way to rebuild soil naturally, using principles of ecosystem mimicry to create conditions that support long-term fertility, resilience, and biodiversity.