Dig In

Getting dirty in the garden has never felt so clean.

We’ve all grown up hearing the phrase “a little dirt never hurt” (thanks, Dad), and the words ring truer than ever with  Good Dirt’s new Dirt in a Box. Just in time for spring planting, the Raleigh-based garden supplies biz has released its proprietary potting mix in sustainable (and totally chic) packaging made entirely from post-consumer waste materials. 

In keeping with their mission of simple, successful and sustainable, founders Al and Suzy Newsom decided to say “see ya” to virgin plastic in their packaging and create an industry-disrupting alternative that would be as Earth-friendly as their one-of-a-kind potting mix.

“One of the things we were always talking about was that we’re working in a zero-waste manufacturing facility; we’re doing all the things we can for what’s in the product to be sustainable, chemical-free, and vegan- and nut-free—but then there’s the plastic,” says Suzy, whose marketing background complements her husband’s lifelong career in horticulture. “So, we did a ton of research and came up with what we kept calling Dirt in a Box. … But it had to be more than a box because anybody can ship dirt in cardboard. It had to be a box that was sustainable, a box that was a compostable, a box that you can use in your garden and would suppress weeds.”

In addition to constructing the box from 100% post-consumer waste, Al notes the company uses local resources whenever possible, driving a circular economy that ensures sustainable growth and keeps the company’s carbon footprint low. “We’re not perfect, but we strive to be,” he says. 

Did we mention the box is also gorgeous? Featuring a lively watercolor print by Seattle artist Sarah Simon
(@themintgardener), the elevated packaging speaks to the Newsoms’ own appreciation for art (they are avid collectors and heavily involved in Raleigh’s creative scene) and is a far cry from the industrial-looking garden products carried at most big-box stores. “We really wanted to bring the human element to all of our products,” Al shares. 

In short, Dirt in a Box doesn’t harm the environment, looks fabulous on a shelf and can be renewed once empty (take Raleigh City Farm’s lead and lay out the corrugate as mulch). What’s not to love? And the good news is Good Dirt continues to innovate, thrive and grow, both here in Raleigh and beyond. “The collaboration with different people is a huge gratification for us,” says Al of the local community. Adds Suzy, “In general, I believe plant people are the best people.” Select Target stores, Grove Collaborative and getgooddirt.com

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