If there’s one thing lawn care in the Chicago area teaches you, it’s this: timing is everything. Plant grass seed too early and it sulks. Plant it too late and winter shows up like an uninvited guest. Plant it at the right time? That’s when the magic happens. Here at… Read More

As the leaves turn and temperatures drop, many homeowners wonder: how late is too late to fertilize the lawn in the fall? The answer depends on your grass type, local climate, and the specific needs of your soil. Fall is one of the most important times of year for lawn care, and fertilizing correctly sets… Read More

When most gardeners think about improving their soil, compost and organic matter usually get all the attention. But there’s a quiet hero in the gardening world—sand. When used correctly, sand can dramatically improve your garden soil’s structure, drainage, and plant health. The key is knowing which type of sand to use and why. Why Add… Read More

After a long, dreary northern Illinois winter, most homeowners are itching to get back into their yards. While spring may feel like the natural time to fix or renovate the lawn, fall is actually the best time. From late August through mid-September, cooler temperatures, warm soil, and increased rainfall provide ideal conditions for new grass… Read More

A Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide from Tim Wallace Soil Mix Supply If you’ve been thinking about growing your own vegetables but feel overwhelmed about where to begin, take a deep breath. You don’t need a green thumb, a massive backyard, or years of experience to build a thriving garden. You just need a little guidance—and the… Read More

Your End-of-Season Garden Checklist from Tim Wallace Soil Mix Supply As the growing season winds down and the weather begins to chill, it’s time to shift focus from harvesting to preparing your vegetable garden for winter. What you do now—before the ground freezes—can make all the difference in how your garden performs next spring. At… Read More

Many people create their backyard garden using the soil that exists there. We refer to that as “native soil”. They often remove the sod (grass) and then roto-till the underlying dirt. But for several different reasons, that existing soil is most likely clay. In and around the greater Chicagoland area, clay soil is quite common.… Read More

Let’s face it—your lawn may be green, but if it’s patchy, spongy, or just plain sad, it’s probably trying to tell you something.   You water, you mow, you might even throw down some fertilizer and cross your fingers. But here’s the dirt on grass health: if you're not feeding the soil, you're only doing… Read More

If your shrubs and perennials are looking a little tired—despite regular watering and mulching—you might be missing a critical step in their care: replenishing the soil’s nutrients. Over time, even the most well-maintained landscape beds can become depleted, especially when wood mulch is involved. At Tim Wallace Soil Mix Supply, we know healthy soil means… Read More

As a gardener, one of the most crucial tasks in maintaining a thriving garden is ensuring your soil is well-balanced and nutrient-rich. Whether you’re growing vegetables, flowers, or shrubs in your landscape, adding amendments like compost to your soil is essential for healthy growth. But how often should you amend your soil? In this post,… Read More