Critical BuildASoil reviews
Every review rated 1, 2, or 3 stars — 489 total. We publish them all, unfiltered, alongside the positive ones. A growing product that works perfectly for every customer every time doesn't exist, and we'd rather you see the whole picture.
228 3-star·96 2-star·165 1-star·1.8% of all reviews
A note from BuildASoil
Over the last 13+ years, we've grown into a much better company — and a lot of that growth came directly from our critical reviews. Every 1, 2, or 3-star review on this page taught us something. New formulations, better packaging, improved shipping, clearer instructions, stronger customer support — almost all of it traces back to a customer who took the time to tell us what wasn't working.
If you haven't tried BuildASoil in a while — or you tried us early on and it didn't go great — we'd genuinely love another shot. We get better every year, and we have the receipts to prove it. See what's new at buildasoil.com →
Showing 26–50 of 453 critical reviews
Balmore
I do like the product. My only issue is that when I received my package, the postman mentioned there was sand coming out of box. They placed the box in a plastic bag for me so I won't lose as much material. It turns out that the sand is actually the soil builder I purchased. I'm not sure how much was lost on the way. My suggestion is for you guys to double pack and/or tape package so I can prevent this from happening to other customers. I have picture. Just a mess.
Aloha!
on 3.0 Soil Building Kits →James A.
I purchased Highgrove Cypress Evo 3 during early Black Friday sale. Did not receive light until after Christmas and I’m still waiting on the RJ11 adapter so I can’t use it with my ACI controller yet. Which was not included like BAS advertised. Also the ballast bracket/ mount does not fit the light. Would fit evo6 but strips on evo 3 aren’t close enough. Made to snap in on middle two rows of lights on evo6 as they are closer together. No instructions in box either. I did not contact BAS about this issue as I hate complaining and I already had to contact them about not getting it before Christmas and the RJ11 adapter missing. I just have it sitting on top of the light not secure. Hopefully it’s a good light. Can only review my experience so far.
on Highgrove Cypress EVO →Steven P.
Once again, you are asking for a review. It's a hard PASS for me on any other build a soil products. I see nothing special about these flakes. Fairly expensive for the amount I received. Not to mention there were no considerable results that I saw since using this product. I use aloe vera and it has a profound effect when using it in my garden. Your product seems as if there us Zero percent aloe in the ingredients. There is absolutely no way I would return repeat business with build a soil. I was fooled. Build a soil got me this time. There won't be a second I promise you that. Completely Unsatisfied. Looking to do business elsewhere. Bye Felicia
on 200x Aloe Vera Powder Flakes Certified Organic →Steven P.
Order process and delivery were WAY TOO LONG for my taste or to even e helpful. Difficult to understand how you guys are so close but seemed to drag your feet with shipping. The whole situation has deterred me from using buildasoil or having any interest in your company. Thanks but NO THANKS
on Certified Organic Straw Mulch →Heather W.
The product was great as expected. The customer service however, was not. I clearly should’ve spent more money to get better service, truly disappointing experience from such a well respected and great company.
on BuildASoil Potting Soil Recipe 3.0 →Ben
I'm sure the product is good, the straw was put into the box without a bag or anything. Im sure you can guess what happened after I ripped the box open.
on Certified Organic Straw Mulch →Rickey G.
Received my order, but 1 of the bags was busted open and over half of the contents was missing from the bag. There was some of it in the bottom of the box but most of it was lost during shipment.
on 3.0 Soil Building Kits →Good morning,
Did you reach out to us via email regarding this shipment damage? If not, please reply to your order or shipment confirmation email with these pictures and we will take care of you. If you no longer have either of these emails, please send to support@buildasoil.com
We truly appreciate you and thank you for choosing BuildASoil.
Please don't hesitate to let us know if you have any further questions.
Happy growing!
Roluu
The pump assembly tube was cracked and the inside rusted... Nothing but troubles!
on Chapin 19069 Industrial Stainless Steel Sprayer →Melissa
Not really digging how this automatically gets added to your cart....
on BuildASoil Shipping Protection →Robert K.
I know Jeremy is operating in a supper dry climate. For those in a more humid climate the Goat Grinder gets really gummed up. I am considering returning for that reason.
on Goat Grinder →Austin B.
I should have checked the ingredients list before ordering. Tomatoes listed first so they’re the most prominent ingredient… Real hot sauce doesn’t need tomatoes, save that for the salsa lol. It just tastes like spicy ketchup.
on Sweet Heat Carolina Reaper Hot Sauce →James R.
Works, but definitely seems dry like it has been on the shelf for awhile.
on #1 BuildASoil Worm Castings →Nicholas S.
The Niwa GrowHub+ was an enormous improvement over not having automated environmental control. That being said, there's room to get better. My system takes a few tries to switch from 'auto' mode to 'manual' or vice versa (which may be because it doesn't play nicely with 5G wifi. Also, the outlets only work for limited options in limited configurations. It would be better, too, if the settings on the app were 'remembered' so i don't have to remove VPD, CO2, and DewPoint from the graph every time I want to see the chart in usable detail. Luckily my needs are basic...so I kinda love it even if this review seems to the contrary. Also, I was ready to pay the $199 list price on the website, but I think it only cost $129 once it was in my cart. So, great value for the price.
on Niwa Grow Hub+ →Ray W.
I followed the directions,poked the holes and nothing happened! I used the straw as a mulch layer and I have a severe case of bugs! I couldn’t recommend this product to anyone!!
on Blue Oyster Mushroom Straw Log (Living Mulch) →Kim M.
A video showing the proper use of this brush would be helpful. It definitely helps to have the material you’re working with be very dry. Not too dry or you risk loosing an excessive amount of trichomes when brushing. I could never find a good balance. If the plant wasn’t dry enough more force was required to remove the stems and leaves. Which means more Trichomes were removed also. If the plant was dryer when starting , the.stems and leaves were removed much easier. Unfortunately so were the trichomes. I never could find a sweet spot on how dry the plant should be.
on Trimming Brush →Peter L.
It’s ok but very heavy, holds a ton of water. Also the fungus gnats are a bit out of control right away. Plants are doing ok but definitely not loving this mix. I think it may be a tad too strong and will be trying the light mix next time and picking up some craft blend which is amazing stuff. Will post another review
on BuildASoil Potting Soil Recipe 3.0 →Das E.
Don't see any worms after 3 weeks. I'm sure it has life, just not all the life they had led me to expect
on Colorado Worm Company Premium Vermicompost Worm Castings →Skyler H.
I think there should be a back lable with NPK value and directions for use. Seems to be missing label
on BuildAVeg: Vegetative Plant Booster by BuildASoil →Overseed E.
I'd say this knocked down the gnats a bit but they are not gone. Granted I'm growing in a greenhouse which is paradise for gnats. I've used Gnatrol in the past and with that product I can achieve complete control when combined with an oil spray such as SuffoilX. This year I tried the WDG3000 but, have used the entire bag so far this season, use it every watering and I still have gnats. All through veg the flying gnats were kept at bay with the sprays, now in flower can't spray and doing what I can to knock down the flying gnats by just spraying the soil surface with Neem, tweetmint, and EM5. Seems like you would get the same results using something much cheaper like Mosquito bits or Microbe-lift, going back to the Gnatrol for now.
on WDG3000 Extra Strength BTI →The manufacturer that we use invented the entire process. They are responsible for making the lower concentration products such as Mosquito Dunk and liquids like Microbe Lift etc. So it's basically a game of how to buy from and we felt it was best to go direct to the source. Gnatrol same thing. SuffoilX is petroleum based. One thing that helps is to understand that the way the bacteria works, they cannot build an immunity, so if there are still gnats after diligent soil treatment, there is another location unnoticed, possibly under your containers? Somewhere still moist and dark and not treated would provide a way for them to continue. I really hope this helps, I want you to have confidence in using this product.
Transparent R.
Used according to the label's recommendation (4+ oz's to less than 3/4 gallon... five applications of product day over day) but the solution did not prevent pest issues. Product smelt like apple cider but is not effective in preventing nor resolving pest issues. It is too weak unless you are in an exactly perfect environment (indoor or outdoor). Not happy with the product.
on Formula EM-5 - All Natural Garden Cleaning Concentrate →Eric
I love your products, but your packaging needs serious attention. I have purchased a few of your amendments and I truly love them. That being said I've had issues with your packaging from day one Today was the worst. My bag of craft blend fell off the cart and exploded while I was transplanting. The other stuff I've purchased from you has always had issues with resealing the zip seal. Great stuff that needs better packaging.
on BuildASoil Craft Blend - Nutrient Pack →New package incoming!!!! Some are on the ground now but we aren't discussing until they are on the shelves and shipping. It's been really hard to save up money and do the whole process but we are starting with Craft Blend and then every product after that. Thanks for the review, we know how important this is and up until now have only focused on the product and not the package. Going forward we are organized and getting better.
Karma H.
Used the entire bag as directed and it did not help, in all honesty I think it made the problem worse. Organishield helps keep gnats off the plant itself but WDG3000 does not rid them of the soil. I love BaS and all they have to offer but this is a no go for me 👎
on WDG3000 Extra Strength BTI →This product really works!! But many times it's the application. If there are any damp areas underneath your container you'll need to bottom water to ensure we are taking care of all areas where they can possibly develop. If we eliminate them from the mulch layer but there are still dark moist areas left untreated it's going to seem like nothing works. I hope this info help! If you truly feel something was wrong, please reach out and follow up as we guarantee all of this.
Louis R.
Not impressed. Solid chunks not powder. No bueno.
on BuildASoil Quillaja Saponaria Extract Powder 20 →