Specials and Events
April’s Featured Product
Conserve water and suppress weeds with Grower’s Mulch as it warms up in April! This composted mulch is a courser blend for longer lasting results. It excels at controlling erosion on steep slopes and pathways and has a natural, earthy color that looks great anywhere in the landscape. Use it in garden beds, orchards, around shrubs, and on walking paths.
For optimal results, add a 3″ to 4″ thick layer in the garden and throughout the landscape.
Our composted mulches are tested and shown to be free of pathogenic organisms meeting the highest quality requirements of the US Composting Council (USCC). Rest assured that this mulch is safe to use around all of your trees, shrubs, and plants.
Resources for using Mulch
Dr. K’s Compost and Mulch Tips, CalRecycle’s Compost and Mulch Use Toolbox
Dr. Jim Downer of UCCE Ventura, “Benefits of Mulch” article
SPV Soils Resources. Feel free to contact Dr. K with any questions.
Compost and mulch feeds the soil and adds beauty!
Click on the Calculator to figure out how much you need.
To order call 760-746-4769
Free Product Giveaway Saturday!
Second Saturday of the Month
We love to give back to our community! On the second Saturday of each month we will offer our Featured Product to the public for free. You are invited to come and load up whatever amount you need for your own benefit.
Free if self-loaded into your vehicle using your own containers and tools. Product must be tarped in trucks or contained. *
Don’t miss out… it only happens once a month!
Event may be canceled due to rain or low product inventory. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Google Business to see the latest event notifications. All guests must comply with our SPVS Public Event Safety Guidelines.
*We will load any standard pick-up truck or small trailer (approx. 1-2 cubic yards) for a fee of $10/load (cash only during event). Guests that would like larger quantities must self-load it manually or purchase the material at our standard wholesale price which includes loading at no additional cost. Delivery of purchased material is available for a fee throughout San Diego county by SPV Soils trucks.
CHECK-IN
Enter yard, and drive up to an attendant to check in and get directions on where to go to pick up free product.
Thank you for the wonderful response to our Free Product Giveaways!
Workshops – Events
Each One Teach One:
Organic Waste to Resource
Instructor Compost Workshops
5/10, 5/17, & 5/24
11am – 1pm
The Water Conservation Garden
12122 Cuyamaca College Drive West
El Cajon, CA 92019
Learn everything about the SB 1383 mandate including definitions and applications in this three course workshop. The curriculum is designed to help instructors integrate this knowledge and project-based climate action learning into their classrooms. Learn from expert guest speakers in indoor and outdoor learning forums. There will be garden, compost, and soil demonstration sites at the Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon, CA.
Workshop Topics:
5/10 11am-1pm WEEK 1: Organic Waste Recycling taught by Dr. K
5/17 11am-1pm WEEK 2: Soil Dynamics and Climate Change
5/24 11am-1pm WEEK 3: Integrating Curriculum
*Free Registration for Teachers and Instructor. If you are not able to attend all three workshops, you are still encouraged to attend! Donations are also accepted
Thank you to event sponsors the Association of Compost Producers, California Association of Compost Producers and our host, the Water Conservation Garden.
Come see Dr. K at the San Diego Seed Swap
April 27th
10 am – 1 pm
Snapdragon Stadium at SDSU Mission Valley River Park
9449 Friars Rd, San Diego, CA 92108
Plan to stop by this family-friendly community event to swap seeds, chat with local gardening experts and vendors. There will also be some fun activities for the family to enjoy. Dr. K will be there to promote Healthy Soil! The event is free, but registration is required. Click on the button to learn more and register.
Thank you to San Diego Seed Swap and Berry Good Food Foundation for hosting this community event for the sustainably-minded.
CA Compost Workshop and Demo Day
June 5, 2025
8:30 am to 7:30 pm
Salinas, CA
Mark you calendars and plan to attend the Third Annual California Compost Workshop and Demo Day in Salinas, CA on June 5, 2025! Includes a tour of the Atlas Facility, a Contamination Reduction Discussion Panel, a Procurement Discussion Panel, and a Compost Market Discussion Panel. Lunch and networking breaks are included.
This event is courtesy of the California Association of Compost Producers.
Landscaping for Watershed Pollution Prevention Panel
June 14, 2025
10 am – 12 pm
The Water Conservation Garden
12122 Cuyamaca College Drive West
El Cajon, CA 92019
Learn how to manage storm water to prevent soil erosion and water pollution. Solana Center Educator Deanna Milton and
Dr. K will share effective compost application strategies to manage and protect watersheds. A case study of the manure composting demonstration site at Ramona’s International Equestrian Center will be presented. This workshop will conclude with a tour of the Water Conservation Garden’s watershed protection features.
Strategies Discussed:
Mid scale windrow composting
Compost, compost socks, and compost blankets
Water catchment basins and rock interrupters
Native plantings
This event is courtesy of Solana Center of Environmental Innovation, hosted by the Water Conservation Garden with funding provided by the County of San Diego.
Vermicast Compost Tea Sale
By Earthworks International
Fresh brewed for optimum use within 15 hours
May 10th
7:00 am – 1:30 pm
Sold in one gallon increments (cash only during event)
$10 per gallon if you bring a container
$11 per gallon if we supply container
Vermicast Compost Tea details and benefits:
1. Can be diluted 5 to 1 ratio.
2. Compost tea can be used as a root drench and/or as a foliar spray. Both have benefits for healthy plants.
3. Compost tea can be an excellent source for beneficial microbes for soil and plants.
4. Compost tea is Non Toxic for humans and animals.
5. Compost tea may help plants and trees to build up an Immunity against pests and disease.
Get expert advice from Dr. K!
May 10th
7:00 am – 1:30 pm
Do you have questions about our products? Drop by and ask Dr. K! He provides expertise and resources to our customers to improve the soil and help plants thrive. Ask him about compost best management practices to sequester carbon and cool the planet.
“Healthy Soil Check-up with The Farmer & The Doctor” Drawing
Congratulations to April’s winner, Hailee Cagle!
She will also receive a $50 Grangetto’s Gift Certificate!
Enter our monthly drawing for small San Diego County commercial farms, orchards, and vineyards on 2-20 acres and you could win a Healthy Soil Check-up and a $50 Grangetto’s Gift Certificate generously donated from Grangetto’s Farm and Garden Supply!
What is the Healthy Soil Drawing?
The Healthy Soil Drawing is our way of supporting the local agricultural community and sustainability. It is open to small commercial farms, orchards, or vineyards on two to twenty acres in San Diego County. The monthly winner receives a “Healthy Soil Check-up with the Farmer and the Doctor”! The drawing is held on the first Friday of every month.
What is a Healthy Soil Check-up?
The Healthy Soil Check-up is an on-site consultation at the drawing winner’s farm, orchard or vineyard with Dr. K and Ernie Klemm. During the visit, Ernie and Dr. K share and discuss resources for assessing, creating and maintaining healthy soil for the winner’s farm, orchard or vineyard.
The check-up includes soil test laboratory results and a summary report from Dr. K with an interpretation of the test results. Additional suggestions for improving and maintaining healthy soil on the winner’s farm, orchard, or vineyard are also provided along with links to useful resources based on the test results.
In addition, the lucky winner will be presented with a $50 Gift Certificate to Grangetto’s Farm & Garden Supply!
Who are the Farmer and the Doctor?
Ernie Klemm is a long time Heritage Farmer with over fifty years of farming experience in the San Pasqual Valley and Ramona area.
Dr. K (Craig Kolodge, PhD) is the current Manager of SPVS Business Development and Sustainability. He is a retired Plant Pathologist, Farm Advisor, and County Director with the University of California Cooperative Extension.
Ernie and Dr. K want to support the local agricultural community by sharing their combined 100 years of knowledge and experience in agriculture and healthy soil creation.
How to enter
Small commercial farmers who would like to win a consultative visit with the Farmer and the Doctor can enter the drawing by clicking on the button below. Winners will be announced on our website and social media accounts. Dr. K contacts the winner by email or phone to schedule the consultation.
Enter one time per year to qualify for all monthly drawings until you win or a new year begins. If your name is not drawn, your entry is included in the next drawing through December. We start accumulating a new set of entries in January. The earlier you enter the drawing, the greater your chance of winning a free site visit and consultation.
Good Luck and here’s to Healthy Soil!
This drawing is sponsored by San Pasqual Valley Soils in cooperation with KD Farms of Escondido. Thank you to Grangetto’s Farm & Garden Supply for their generous contribution and for partnering with us to promote Healthy Soil in the San Diego Area,
There is no financial obligation to purchase any products or services associated with the Healthy Soil Check-up. The consulting visit must be scheduled prior to the end of the calendar year or during the first month of the following year.
Our Loyal Customers Get Rewarded!
Buy 9 yards of select SPV Soils products and get the 10th yard free!
Rewards can be earned and redeemed on purchases of Grower’s Mulch, Planter’s Blend, Valley’s Best Compost, Nitro-Blend Compost, Monkey Hair Mulch and California Native Mulch®. Stop by our office to pick up your Customer Rewards Card and start earning free products!
Honoring our Active Military and Veterans all year long!
Military Discount
Current Military Members and Veterans qualify for a 10% discount on all orders at SPVS. Simply provide proof of current or past military service at time of purchase. We will honor the discount throughout the year as our way of saying “Thank you for your service”.
Recycle your Christmas Tree at SPV Soils through January 11th
Check in at office when you arrive for directions on where to drop off tree.
This complimentary annual recycling service is available to San Diego County residents who would like to recycle their Christmas trees.
Trees must be free of tree stands, tinsel, ornaments, bags, netting, lights, and decorations. NO flocked or artificial trees.
Drop your tree off during regular business hours. Thank you for recycling your trees with us!