For four years, Heirloom Soils has been quietly toiling, honing their craft, and perfecting their soil mixes. Nestled in the heart of Texas, Heirloom Soils has grown to become a premier provider of soil blends, gracing the shelves of major garden centers across the state. Their business focus is the thriving metropolises of Houston, Austin and Eastern shoreline of Texas, with an eye on expansion.
Luis Chamorro, Director of sales, marketing, and operations, has always harbored a deep-rooted desire to offer something truly unique to consumers. He wants to breathe new life into the gardening center experience and provide gardeners with a fresh perspective. It is this unwavering commitment that has propelled Heirloom Soils to experience a tremendous surge in growth over the past five months.
“Our growth over the past five months has been substantial,” Luis exclaimed. “Much of this success is due to our dedication to being different and serving as a breath of fresh air in the garden center industry.”
But how has Heirloom Soils achieved such remarkable growth? The answer lay in their ingenious grassroots marketing campaign. They embarked on a quest to capture the attention of gardening influencers throughout the state. These influencers, with their green thumbs and loyal followers, became Heirloom’s steadfast allies. They embraced Heirloom’s products, experienced remarkable results, and shared their triumphs with their eager audience.
Mark Bowen, Product Development Manager, a self-proclaimed “gardening geek” has been tinkering with plants and crafting gardening and landscaping products full time for thirty plus years now. In collaboration with other gardeners he joined forces with Luis to create a truly unique mix for the Garden Center that took the best ingredients, in precise measurements designed to maximize growth and yield, and ultimately make every garden a success. “The combination of the right ingredients, in the right proportion is truly what makes our mixes different,” said Mark. “At Heirloom, we listen to our customers, we make changes with our customers. They are the backbone of the company and their commitment to our products, makes everyone successful.” He continued.
The ripple effect was astounding. Word spread like wildfire, and soon, Heirloom Soils found themselves riding a wave of success that seemed almost too good to be true. Their growth skyrocketed, soaring to an incredible 300% in just five months of 2023. The gardening world had taken notice.
During this period of exponential growth, Heirloom Soils observed a fascinating trend emerging among garden centers. They witnessed a shift, a departure from the reliance on non-renewable resources like peat moss, and a growing embrace of sustainable alternatives. It was as if the gardening world had collectively realized the importance of treading lightly on Mother Earth’s soil.
One such alternative that captivated the attention of both Heirloom Soils and the gardening community at large was coir. Derived from coconut husks, coir offered an organic and sustainable growing medium with exceptional water retention properties and optimal aeration for root development. The potential was undeniable, and Heirloom Soils knew they had to explore this green path further.
As with any successful venture, Heirloom Soils recognized the significance of forging strong partnerships with reliable suppliers. They had learned the hard way in the past, facing issues with inconsistent products and the subsequent dissatisfaction of their customers. But salvation arrived in the form of a game-changing alliance with Fibredust, a leading coir provider.
Fibredust, renowned for their commitment to quality and consistency, became the cornerstone of Heirloom Soils’ success. They delivered coir with low electrical conductivity (EC), meeting the stringent requirements set by Heirloom and ensuring product consistency that was unmatched in the industry. With Fibredust by their side, Heirloom Soils stood tall, confident in their ability to deliver exceptional soil mixes time and time again.
Yet, partnerships extended beyond the realm of suppliers. Collaboration with garden centers and master growers became the lifeblood of Heirloom Soils’ operation. They engaged actively with these horticultural aficionados, fine-tuning their soil mixes to incorporate the precise components necessary for a bountiful harvest.
Heirloom Soils listened intently to the needs of their customers, from the seasoned gardener to the novice plant enthusiast. They sought to minimize the time and effort spent on sourcing materials by creating the best medium that combined essential ingredients needed for success.
In late 2022, Heirloom unveiled their latest creation: “The Works Indoor Potting Mix,” an innovative blend housed in an 8-quart bag. This blend struck a chord with gardening enthusiasts, who marveled at its versatility and unparalleled performance. Then, in early 2023, Heirloom expanded their product line, introducing a similar-sized bag specifically tailored for succulents. These new offerings opened doors to untapped markets, inviting smaller plants into the fold and paving the way for explosive growth potential.
The success of Heirloom’s coco-based blends was a pivotal factor in capturing the hearts of growers far and wide. Gardeners marveled at the stark contrast between these coco-infused concoctions and their peat moss-based counterparts. The advantages of coco became abundantly clear—better water holding capacity, improved aeration, lower bulk density, and reduced maintenance requirements for plant health. It was a natural choice, a paradigm shift in the world of soil mixes.
As Heirloom Soils looks to the future, their eyes are firmly set on expanding their presence throughout the great state of Texas. They aim to solidify their footing in Houston, Austin, and the coastal regions, seeking to leave no gardening center untouched by their transformative offerings. Currently, 99% of their business emanated from garden centers, but their sights were also trained on an exciting market—cannabis.
The cannabis industry holds immense promise and potential, and Heirloom Soils saw themselves as pioneers in this rapidly growing field. With Fibredust as their trusted partner, they are poised to provide tailor-made solutions that catered to the unique needs of cannabis cultivators. Among Fibredust’s arsenal of products, CalciGro stood out as a shining example—an environmentally-friendly creation that offered a buffered nutrient blend, allowing plants to draw in nutrients more effectively. It was a win-win situation for growers and the environment alike.
Luis, ever the visionary, summed up the essence of Heirloom Soils’ journey: “Products like CalciGro represent an excellent option for multiple markets. Our partnership with Fibredust, built on consistency and environmental consciousness, enables us to offer solutions that are truly beneficial for growers and the world they cultivate.”
And so, the story of Heirloom Soils unfolds—a tale of innovation, growth, and a shared passion for nurturing the Earth’s bountiful flora. With each bag of soil mix they deliver, Heirloom Soils leaves a lasting imprint, empowering gardeners to sow the seeds of their dreams and reap the rewards of their labor. As the seasons turn and the years pass, their story continues, interwoven with the ever-evolving tapestry of Texas’s vibrant gardening landscape.
