We get this question a lot. Living soil is exactly what it sounds like, soil that’s alive! It's home to a thriving ecosystem of microorganisms that work together to support healthy plant growth. These microbes break down organic matter into nutrients that plants can actually absorb. At the same time, they help protect your plants by outcompeting harmful pathogens and creating a more balanced, resilient environment.

We build this ecosystem by starting with nutrient-rich worm castings, compost, and microbial inoculants. These inputs are packed with the biology that brings soil to life. Then, we add premium biochar to give those microbes a long-term home where they can grow and multiply. Biochar’s porous structure offers shelter, moisture retention, and increased surface area for microbial activity, making it an ideal foundation for life in the soil.

Finally, we feed that soil life with organic inputs such as fish bone meal, alfalfa meal, and fresh ground malted barley. These not only provide nutrients for your plants but also nourish the microbes that make all this magic happen. Ultimately, biologically active soil leads to resilient plants. It’s all connected!

All inputs used in our products are approved for use in organic agriculture. We are currently going through the process to get all of our products OMRI listed but this can take quite some time.

At Riverview, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a core part of how we grow. From day one, we’ve been committed to producing high-performance soil blends and fertilizers using responsible, climate-conscious practices that support the health of plants, people, and the planet.

What Makes Our Soils a Sustainable Choice?

Veriflora® Certified Peat Moss: We source our peat moss exclusively from Canadian bogs that meet the Veriflora® certification standard, one of the most rigorous sustainability frameworks in the horticulture industry. Canada is a global leader in peatland management, with strict federal and provincial regulations that govern harvesting, restoration, and long-term ecological health. Less than 0.03% of Canada’s peatlands are harvested, and every site is required by law to be restored after use. Veriflora® goes even further by auditing for biodiversity conservation, greenhouse gas management, and social responsibility. The result is a responsibly harvested resource that respects ecosystems while delivering exceptional performance in soil.

In-House Worm Castings: We produce our own high-quality worm castings using locally sourced organic inputs. This not only reduces transportation related emissions but also gives us complete control over input quality and sustainability, creating a nutrient-rich, living amendment that enhances soil health naturally.

Biochar:
We include biochar in our blends not only for its long-term soil benefits—like improved structure, water retention, and microbial life, but also for its carbon-sequestering power. Biochar is one of the few soil inputs that actively draws down atmospheric carbon, making it a climate-positive choice.

Soil Inputs Approved for Organic Use: All of our inputs are carefully selected to meet the standards for use in organic production. This ensures our blends deliver the nutrition plants need without compromising the values that matter to growers committed to organic and sustainable practices.

We know today’s gardeners and growers care about more than just results, they care about impact. That’s why we’re proud to offer products that meet the moment: sustainable, transparent, and made with integrity.
For the climate conscious consumer, Riverview is a soil solution you can feel good about, because what you grow in matters just as much as what you grow.

We won’t go into all the nitty gritty, but it’s important to understand why soil testing really matters. These tests help us make sure nutrients are not only present in luxury amounts but also properly balanced.

Here’s the deal: different nutrients compete with each other for uptake into the plant. So if there’s too much of one thing, it can actually block other important nutrients from being absorbed. Without testing, you’re basically guessing what your soil needs and that can lead to all kinds of issues.

Soil tests give us a clear picture of how to hit our target nutrient levels in every batch. We don’t follow a fixed recipe, we follow set nutrient targets. Testing also helps us dial in the pH. Because if the pH is too high or too low, it doesn’t matter how perfect the nutrient levels are, plants just won’t be able to absorb them.

By testing consistently, we can make sure every single bag of soil we produce performs at an elite level. And since some of what we grow is going to be eaten, we also test for heavy metals to make sure your food is safe for you and your family.

We publish all our test results because we believe transparency is key. You should know exactly what you're growing in.

For a deeper dive into this topic and why soil testing is SO important to performance click here

At Riverview Living Soils we are committed to keeping products accessible, sustainable, and easy to get to your door. That is why some the products we offer online come in slightly smaller sizes than what you'll find in retail stores.

With that being said, this is why we strongly suggest purchasing from local retailers if there in one near you. Our main goal is getting the highest quality products into your garden for the best price possible.

Local pickup is available at Riverview Farms for those looking to save on shipping costs. However, since we have amazing retail partners throughout Columbia and the surrounding areas, we reserve local pickups for bulk orders only.
To qualify for pickup, you must be purchasing at least 1 cubic yard of soil or 6 cubic feet of worm castings. After you meet that minimum order requirement you can purchase smaller amounts of other items. Exceptions can be made for products that aren’t carried, or are out of stock, at your local retail store.
Pickups are by appointment only, but we’re usually pretty flexible with scheduling. We always enjoy having visitors out to the farm and love the chance to show you our headquarters and how everything is made!

Follow this link to see a list of product sizes for online and retail options

Where to Buy Riverview

We do not have a retail store, but our headquarters are located in Columbia Missouri at

8801 East New Haven Rd. Columbia MO, 65201

What is "Water Only" Soil?

A "water only" soil is a pre amended growing medium that’s been enriched with all the nutrients your plants need for extended, healthy growth, no additional fertilizers required. Once planted, you're only job is to water.

So why is “water only” such a game changer?

For one, it keeps things simple. This method is perfect for beginners and pros alike. Beginners have one less thing to worry about and pros can now focus their attention on other aspects of their garden. Water only also saves money, since you don’t need to buy additional fertilizer or worry about feeding schedules. And when it's properly formulated and tested, water only soil delivers high performance results, supporting vigorous, resilient growth from seed to harvest.

But here’s the catch, not all "water only" soils are created equal. This is why lab testing is so important. Accurate nutrient profiles and biological activity must be verified to ensure the soil can truly sustain plant life without additional inputs. A soil that claims to be water only, but lacks the proper balance, can lead to deficiencies down the road.

At the end of the day, a true water only soil is about trusting what’s in the bag and knowing that your plants have everything they need, right from the start.

Fertilizing and Pot Size in Water-Only Soils

Different plants have different nutritional needs, and they consume the nutrients in their soil at different rates. Some are grown indoors, some outdoors. Some thrive in small pots, while others are grown in large containers or raised beds. These variables all affect how long a water only soil can support a plant without needing additional fertilizer.

One way to think about it is to compare pot size to the size of a gas tank in a car:

The larger the pot, the more nutrients (or "fuel") your plant starts with. But just like cars, plants have different fuel economies. Some are efficient and use nutrients slowly, while others burn through them quickly and need frequent refills.

Fruiting and fast growing plants like tomatoes, peppers, and cannabis have high nutritional demands. If you’re growing them in a smaller pot (say, a 5-gallon), they’ll likely need additional fertilizer to stay healthy and productive over the course of a long season. Those plants are like trucks with poor gas mileage, they just burn through it.

However, if you grow them in a larger pot (10–15 gallons or more), you give them a bigger fuel tank. That means they can often go much longer, often the whole season, with just water.

On the other hand, most houseplants have much lower nutrient requirements. In a water only soil, they can often grow for months and months without needing any fertilizer. But even the most efficient cars need to stop for gas eventually. When your houseplants start showing signs they’re running low, it’s good to have organic fertilizers on hand to top them off.

Plants grown outdoors, especially in containers exposed to rain, will also need to be fertilized more often. Rain naturally leaches nutrients from the soil over time. Fortunately, growing organically helps many of those nutrients stay bound in the soil much better than conventional chemical fertilizers, reducing the rate of loss.

Need more help in understanding what fertilizers are best for you plants? Follow this link for more information!

The “right” pot size really depends on both the plant and your goal. Are you growing veggies for food? Planting flowers? Adding a little green to your office or living room? Each goal comes with different nutritional demands.

Fruits and veggies need lots of nutrition to keep producing all season long, which usually means bigger pots work best. Houseplants, on the other hand, don’t need as much fertilizer, especially indoors where light levels are lower, so they can thrive in smaller pots.

That doesn’t mean you can’t grow veggies in small pots, it just means you’ll need to fertilize more often. On the flip side, putting a houseplant in a big pot often means you won’t need to fertilize for months (sometimes even a year or more).

Think of pot size like a gas tank: the bigger it is, the longer you can go without refueling. A larger pot (7.5 gallons and up) gives your plants more access to nutrients and allows “water-only” growing for much longer.

Every situation is a little different, so if you’d like specific recommendations for your plants, feel free to reach out to us at info@rvlsmo.com—we’re happy to help you make a plan that works for you.

Proper irrigation is key to growing healthy plants and keeping your garden productive. But knowing when and how much to water isn’t always intuitive if you’ve never been taught. That’s where a tensiometer comes in, it measures soil moisture so you don’t have to rely on guesswork or vague methods like sticking your finger in the soil.

It’s simple: press a button, check the number, and compare it to your target range. If it’s higher, you water; if it’s lower, you skip watering. No guessing, no stress. We’ll help you set the right moisture targets for different plants and show you how to use the tool properly.

Over time, using a tensiometer also trains your own senses. You start to recognize how wet or dry soil feels, how fast it dries out in summer heat, and how planting or canopy density affects water needs. In a way, the tensiometer becomes your teacher, helping you develop an intuitive feel for soil moisture, so eventually, you don’t need to rely on tools at all.

No. Whenever you see runoff after watering, that’s nutrients leaching out of your soil. It’s like someone taking food off your plate before you’re finished eating. Instead, water deeply and slowly so your plants get the full benefit of a full watering without washing nutrients our of your soil.

As mentioned in another FAQ, a tensiometer can be your best friend. This tool measures soil moisture and takes out all the guesswork. Just press a button, check the reading, and you’ll know exactly when to water. While cheap versions usually don’t work well, quality tensiometers are worth the investment, especially for vegetable gardens, cannabis grows, or anyone highly motivated to correct their bad habits of over or under watering. We use several here on the farm, and they’ve lasted 5+ years (and counting).

The only time we recommend watering to runoff is if you’re intentionally leaching the soil to correct excessive salt buildup.

Definitely not! One of the best things about living soil is that it actually improves over time.

For high production plants, like garden veggies, we recommend re-amending after each crop cycle. Just do a light till of the top few inches and mix in Bio-Boost and Revive. In deeper pots or raised beds, work amendments into the top 6" or so.

For houseplants, there’s no need to mix nutrients in. Instead, top-dress with a ¼"–2" layer of Bio-Boost and water in with our soluble fertilizers, Flora Fuel or Foliage Fuel, depending on the plant’s needs.

See our complete Q&A section using the link below:

Commonly asked Questions

And ask away at info@rvlsmo.com, or using the "Contact Us" form below to be connected to one our plant experts!