Using wool pellets
How much wool should I use in a pot?
Mix ½ cup of wool pellets into every 4 cups of potting soil before planting (a 1:8 mix). The usage guide lists amounts for 4", 6", 8", 10" and 12" pots. For a plant already in the pot, sprinkle a layer on the surface, gently mix it into the top layer of soil, and add more soil if needed. Water well.
How do I use wool pellets in my garden?
For pots, mix ½ cup of wool pellets into every 4 cups of soil before planting. For beds, scatter the pellets evenly and work them into the top couple of inches of soil. For existing plants, sprinkle a layer on the surface and gently mix it into the top layer. Then water well so the pellets can swell and start to work. The usage guide has amounts for raised beds, pots, soil blocks and bare lawn patches.
Can I use wool pellets in small pots, like herbs on a windowsill?
Yes, but use less, a little goes a long way! For 4" pots, mix ½ cup of pellets into a 4-cup batch of soil, which fills about 2 pots. Mix it through the soil, then water well. The usage guide has amounts for every pot size.
How much wool do I use in a hanging basket?
It depends on the width of your basket: 1/4 cup for an 8" basket, 1/4 cup for a 10" basket, 1/2 cup for a 12" basket or 3/4 cup for a 14" basket. Mix it through the potting soil, then water well. These are in the usage guide too.
Can I use wool pellets in raised beds or containers?
Yes. In containers, mix ½ cup of wool pellets into every 4 cups of soil (a 1:8 mix). In raised beds, the amount goes by how much soil the bed holds, so it depends on its size and depth; the usage guide has a table. Either way, water to activate and let them work. Raised beds benefit from the moisture retention just as containers do, especially in warm dry climates when beds can dry out quickly.
How much wool do I use in a 4×8 bed?
Beds go by soil volume, not floor area, so the amount depends on how deep your soil is. Pick a rate: 2.5 g of pellets per litre of soil (Light) for established beds or soil with added compost, 5 g of pellets per litre of soil (Medium) for most everyday gardening, or 10 g of pellets per litre of soil (Heavy) for higher-demand situations. The usage guide lists totals for a 2' × 4' bed at each depth; a 4×8 bed takes four times those. Scatter the pellets evenly, work them into the top couple of inches, then water well.
How much wool goes in a planting hole?
It depends on what you're planting. Use 1/4 cup per planting hole for a vegetable or flower transplant, or 1/2 cup per planting hole for a small shrub or perennial. For trees, go by trunk width: 1 cup per planting hole for a larger shrub or a tree with a trunk 2" wide or less; 1 1/2 cups per planting hole for a tree with a trunk 2–4" wide; and 2 cups per planting hole for a tree with a trunk over 4" wide. Mix the pellets into the soil you put back in the hole, then water well. These are in the usage guide too.
How much do I use if my soil is poor?
For beds, use the Heavy rate: 10 g of pellets per litre of soil (Heavy), worked into the top couple of inches of soil before planting. The usage guide lists totals by bed size and depth. More isn't always better, especially if you're also adding compost, manure or other fertilizers.
Can I use wool pellets for seed starting?
Incorporate wool pellets into your seed starting mix (1 part wool pellets with 4 parts soil) for healthy seedling growth. See the usage guide for soil blocks and seed rows.
Can I use wool pellets on my lawn?
Yes, but only on bare patches. Don't use them to top dress a whole lawn. For a bare patch, spread 1/4 cup per 1 ft x 1 ft bare patch, then lightly scratch it in and add a thin layer of topsoil. Seed, lightly rake or press the seed in, and water thoroughly. Keep the patch moist while the seed germinates. It's in the usage guide too.
What should I expect when I first water my wool pellets?
Expect the pellets to swell, then release nutrients gradually. They help your soil hold moisture, so you may water less often, depending on your climate, soil and pot size.
How often do I add more wool pellets?
Once a season is usually enough. Mix the pellets in at planting at the usage guide rate, which for pots is 1/2 cup wool pellets to 4 cups soil (1:8 mix ratio). For established plants, sprinkle a light layer on the soil surface, mix it into the top layer, and water well. Pellets break down over the growing season, faster in warm, moist soil and slower in cool or dry soil. More isn't always better, so check how your plants are doing before adding more.
How long do wool pellets last in the soil?
It depends on your soil biology, moisture, and temperature. In most gardens, pellets break down over a growing season. Felted and loose wools will persist into the following year(s), especially in drier or cooler conditions. Whatever remains can stay in the soil as it continues to decompose.
Can I use wool pellets alongside other fertilizers?
Yes. Wool pellets release nutrients slowly, so they complement a balanced feeding program rather than replace it. You can use them with compost, granular or liquid feeds, but more isn't always better: stick to the recommended rates, especially alongside compost, manure or other fertilizers.
Will wool pellets burn my plants?
This scenario is unlikely as wool pellets release their nutrients slowly. As the wool breaks down, they're much less likely to burn plants than a quick-release fertilizer. Stick to the usage guide amounts, and mix the pellets through the soil rather than leaving them in one spot. Don't leave a thick wet layer sitting on top. For pots, mix 1/2 cup wool pellets to 4 cups soil (1:8 mix ratio).
Which bag of wool pellets should I buy?
There are three sizes: a 350 g starter bag, a 5 lb home garden bag and a 10 lb full-season bag. Work out how much you need with the usage guide, which shows how many pots each bag covers, then pick the smallest bag that covers it. If you're new to wool pellets, the starter bag is an easy way to try them in a few pots first.
How should I store wool pellets, and do they go off?
Wool pellets don’t go off. As long as they stay dry and sealed, they’ll keep indefinitely, so you can use what you need this season and save the rest for next year.
The usage guide lists exact amounts for each pot, bed and planting hole →
Using wool garden felt
What is wool garden felt, and how do I use it?
WoolGrown wool garden felt is a natural, certified organic landscape and growing fabric. It’s made in Ontario from 100% sheep wool. No plastic, no synthetic binders, nothing to pull out of your beds later. It’s 1/8" thick and is available as 1' x 10' roll, 3' x 6' sheet and 1' x 10' hole-punched: pre-spaced openings, so you plant right into the pre spaced holes. Need a different size? Custom dimensions are available. Just ask. The felt blocks light from reaching the soil, which helps keep weeds down around your plants. It holds moisture and lets water and air pass through to the roots. Because it’s a natural fibre, it breaks down gradually where you lay it. How fast depends on your soil, moisture and climate. How to use it Prep your soil. Clear out existing weeds, roots included. The felt is good at keeping new weeds down, but it works best on a clean start. Lay down the felt. Roll or place it over the bed. Overlap the edges of neighbouring pieces a little so nothing pokes through the gaps. Optional pinning it down with garden spikes or wood chips at the edges. Plant. With the hole-punched felt, plant right into the openings. With solid felt, cut a small X or slit wherever you want a plant, tuck it in, and press the felt back around the stem.
What sizes does the wool felt come in?
Wool Garden Felt is a roll of solid felt, 1/8" thick. Available in 1' x 10' or 3' x 6', plus a 1' x 10' hole-punched version. Custom dimensions are available. Our felt tree mats come uncut at 18" x 18", so you can trim one to fit around your tree or shrub.
Does wool felt let water through?
Yes. Wool felt is a breathable, permeable fabric, so rain and irrigation water pass through it to the soil below. Unlike plastic landscape fabric, it doesn’t shed water or create a barrier between your plants and the moisture they need. Wool also does more than just let water pass. The fibres absorb and hold moisture, so the felt acts like a sponge. It takes in water when it rains or when you irrigate, then releases it slowly to the soil underneath. It also shades the soil surface, which cuts down on evaporation. This keeps the soil under the felt more evenly moist between waterings, so you may find you need to water less often. Because the felt lets water and air through, the soil underneath stays alive and active. Over time, the wool slowly breaks down and adds organic matter and nutrients to your soil.
How long does wool felt last?
Wool felt typically lasts 1 to 2 growing seasons, and sometimes longer. Since it’s a natural fibre, it’s designed to break down over time instead of sitting in your garden for years like synthetic landscape fabrics. How quickly it decomposes depends on a few factors: Weather & climate Soil health Application of additional mulches Irrigation and watering frequency Sun exposure Foot traffic and wear Contact with the soil As the felt decomposes, it doesn’t leave anything behind except organic matter and nutrients that feed your soil. Wool is naturally rich in nitrogen, so the material that protected your plants ends up nourishing them as well. When it’s time to replace it, you can simply lay new felt over what’s left.
How is wool felt different from plastic landscape fabric?
The main difference is the material composition. Our wool felt is made from 100% sheep wool and is certified organic, with no plastic or synthetic fabric inputs unlike poly plastic landscape fabrics. Blocking light to suppress weeds, the wool felt also holds moisture, moderates soil temperature and breaks down naturally as it decomposes leaving nothing behind.
About our wool
Are WoolGrown's wool pellets safe to use in an edible garden?
Yes! The wool pellets are made from natural sheep wool with no synthetic chemicals or additives. As always, follow good garden hygiene and wash your produce before eating.
Do wool pellets smell?
They can have a mild wool scent when first wetted, but it fades quickly. Most gardeners don't notice it after the first watering.
Will wool pellets attract pests to my balcony or backyard?
There's no evidence that wool pellets attract insects or pests. Some gardeners report the texture may discourage slugs and snails due to the coarseness of the fibre.
Where does WoolGrown's wool come from?
It's 100% Canadian wool, sourced locally. WoolGrown is based in Ontario, and we process that wool into pellets and felt products right here. When you buy from us, you're supporting Canadian wool and keeping the supply chain close to home.
Orders, shipping & returns
Products
All products are manufactured in Ontario Canada using 100% Canadian wool. Due to their nature, products may vary slightly in appearance, colour, texture or performance. Standard products listed online can be customizable to suit your specifications. Any thread used in production of Wool Pots is 100% cotton.
Order processing
We strive to process and ship all orders as quickly as possible. Orders are typically processed within 3 business days. This includes order verification, packing, and preparation for shipment. Once processed, delivery times will vary depending on the shipping method and your location.
How much is shipping, and where do you ship?
We ship within Canada and the United States. Shipping costs are based on the total weight of your order, and carrier rates can change. Every order is trackable, and we email tracking once it's processed, usually within 3 business days.
Shipping
All orders are trackable, and tracking is emailed once your order has been fully processed. Shipping costs are calculated based on the total weight of your order. Shipping rates are subject to change based on carrier pricing. Any increased rate changes will be communicated to you prior to shipping for confirmation. Customers are responsible for providing accurate shipping addresses. If a typographical error in the address results in additional shipping fees, these costs will be billed to the customer. WoolGrown is not responsible for delays caused by carriers.
Returns & refunds
If your item arrives defective, damaged, or we made a shipping error, please notify us within 7 days of delivery. To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it and in its original packaging. A receipt or proof of purchase is also required. If your return is accepted it is customers responsibility for the cost of return shipping (unless the return is for a defect or error on our part). All returned items are subject to a 10% restocking fee. If items are sent back to us without first contacting and requesting a return the return will not be accepted. Once we receive and inspect your return, a refund will be issued to your original method of payment within 4 business days. To start a return, you can contact us at info@woolgrowncompany.com.