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 209 critical reviews
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.
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.
Kyle H.
I think it’s a little pricey for its effectiveness. Has only knocked down the gnats. Been treating for 10 days.
on WDG3000 Extra Strength BTI →I get it! These biologicals can be pricey. Most expensive is the product that doesn't work. I promise this one works and will provide results but it takes up to 14 days based on the Fungus gnat lifecycle. We guarantee the product and hope that you have since kept up and seen the results. Another factor is these dang gnats will start going to other damp and dark places like underneath your pot, so be sure to treat any area where they can breed.
Drew
3 mushrooms. It's awesome mulch, my plants reacted instantly. Shrooms wise, this isn't the way to go.
on Blue Oyster Mushroom Straw Log (Living Mulch) →Ryan
First, the cost compared to the Q 20 is quite high, not sure it’s worth the extra money for a more potent product which goes into my next point.
The packaging. It’s in the typical packing you’d find 1-3 pounds of other amendments, about 6”x9”. Upon opening this bag you’re met with a cloud of this expensive powder that vanishes in the air. Due to how powdery it is, it sticks to all of the bag and gets stuck inside the ziplock, when you’re buying 2oz of this product, those factors make a dent. I’ve always used Yucca as an emulsifier but this just seems to be unsustainable longterm. I also can’t speak on its increased trichomes head size as I did not reach harvest yet.
on BuildASoil Quillaja Saponaria Extract Powder 60% →Melissa S.
Need bigger size for men like up to 5 x not every one is little person
on Pop Seeds Everyday T-Shirt Organic →Bill S.
Too many rocks for my application, we needed to 1/4 screen, we will see how it works when we plant.
on BuildASoil Light Recipe Soil →David C.
I never really had a chance to use the shipping protection. I wonder if I should have said something about the leaking craft blend bag that I ordered?!? Maybe that would have been covered?? IDK, what do you think Build a soil?? Should I have submitted a claim for a leaking bag of Craft Blend?? There was probably a half cup or so in the bottom of the box when it arrived, but no more than a cup.
on BuildASoil Shipping Protection →Tanner D.
My plants don’t seem to like this. I was looking for a way to boost my calcium before flower but every time I use it I see a negative reaction that takes a few days to recover. Leaf twisting, bubbling of leaf surface, etc. Foliar application at the lowest recommended dose. Not seeing the benefits. Maybe more info on how to properly use it as the directions are vague and also mention it can’t be used with sulfates, which are in a majority of other products.
on Grow-Cal | Amino Acid Chelated Liquid Calcium →Mike
Shipping company should be responsible for getting the product from point A to B
on BuildASoil Shipping Protection →Jim A.
I only gave it a 3 star rating because I have nothing to compare it to. This is only my 3rd attempt at gardening so my opinion basis is limited. Was it great? It didn't kill anything for starters. So I win. I split the 12lb. bag between four 5gal. fabric pots after about 5-6 weeks when the initial soil has settled some. It has an unusual aroma I haven't smelled since I was a kid but, my dog likes it. The plants aren't finished yet so I can't say the dressing will be a benefit to the end but the new growth it inspired short term at least was, well, inspirational! Thank You. I also cannot answer the questions below. Appearance? Moisture? Consistency? Brown/damp/mushy. I don't know how that fits with "Poor to Excellant" as choices.
on BuildAFlower Top Dress Kit →Ron
The barley seed is supposed to be malted, it’s not, just regular barley seed. So false advertising for sure and not the same advantage I would assume but I do love sprouting my own seeds just wish the label was more honest cuz this is clearly sprouting barley not malted barley. 3 stars so I’m not a jerk
on Clackamas Coots Official Gnarly Barley - Artisan Sprouted Seed Blend →Eric I.
Small package was granual, which i liked. This is like powdered sugar fine, super dusty when using.
on BuildASoil Quillaja Saponaria Extract Powder 60% →Randall C.
Work great in the AC infinity tent, hooks do not fit the gorilla tent poles.
on AC Infinity - Tent Trellis Netting - Flexible Elastic Cords →Austin
I only received 1 of the 2 bags I ordered... Hoping my order is corrected so I can start :(
on Dominion Soil Blend - Duke Diamond x BuildASoil Collab →Gonk
As a lifelong student/practitioner of fermentation I'd suggest that this is, in fact, Putrefied Watermelon Extract. If you were thinking a FFJ/FPJ, don't. If you're thinking of a typical temp controlled LAB + plant matter ferment, don't. This is closer to a flyblown JLF that spent weeks in the sun, uncovered. If Watermelon Grease Trap is what you're looking for, you're in luck. I can't see using this, myself.
on Fermented Plant Extracts: Watermelon Seasonal →Cody B.
Not super impressed, after a few weeks of application, no bueno.
on The Amazing Doctor Zymes Eliminator Insecticide And Fungicide →Derrick
Seems weird and gets in the way . Doesn't seem like it'll break down
on Clackamas Coots Official Gnarly Barley - Artisan Sprouted Seed Blend →Scott G.
I have an officially sewed seed in it yet, but I’m all prepared. I got some strawberry milk and cookies Skywalker OG, auto flower, and some gummy bears. I’m about to put in there along with the city picker raised bed. I’m real happy with everything I’ve got from Bill Doyle and the knowledge from Jeremy‘s videos. Thank you so much for that. I’ll attach the video and a picture of a seed I found on the seat of a car I think it was the gumbo. I like to call this plant my omega since the legalization in Minnesota. It’s my first full growth start to finish I’ve been able to do I did almost killed this plant twice I overwatered it in the beginning to the point of lock where it was dying and then I decided to just transplant it to try to save it and then I ripped out like half the roots Just goes to show how resilient these plants are. I transplanted into build the soil light soil and the other half 3.0 so we could grow from the light into the 3.0 and it’s just flourished ever since it is a bit of a run but I’m gonna get a pretty good yield so I’m pretty happy and it looks just bomb. Thank you so much build the soil.
on EarthBox SIP - Sub Irrigated Planter →