Put back the soil your fields lost. Grow in it again.
Every heavy rain carries topsoil off the land and into rivers and lakes, where it settles as rich, fine sediment. Gyttja Enterprises recovers that sediment from scheduled dredging projects and turns it into amendments and topsoil that add organic matter, hold more water and loosen tired ground.
Structure first. Yield follows.
Sediment is eroded topsoil coming back home. Worked into your ground, it builds the parts of soil health that fertilizer alone can't supply.
More organic matter
Research blends raised soil organic matter, the base of a living, productive soil.
Better water holding
Fine silts and clays give sandy ground the moisture storage it lacks between rains.
Looser, lighter soil
Lower bulk density means easier root growth and less compaction to fight.
Nutrient holding
Higher cation exchange capacity and calcium help soil hold onto the nutrients you apply.
Three ways to put it to work
Every product starts as dewatered, screened sediment. What changes is how it's finished and who it's built for.
Field Amendment
Dewatered sediment for broad-acre application on sandy, eroded or worn-out ground.
- Spreads with standard manure spreaders
- Typical rates of 1–3 inches, worked in
- Built for row crops, pasture and hay
Screened Topsoil
Weathered and screened to a loose, plantable topsoil for building beds and finishing sites.
- Nurseries, landscapers and turf
- Raised beds and new plantings
- Site restoration and reclamation
Compost Blend
Sediment blended with compost for a richer, more biologically active growing mix.
- Vegetable and specialty growers
- Container and greenhouse mixes
- Garden centers and home growers
Every lot is lab-tested. Reports are available on request.
Best results where soil needs it most
Sandy & Marginal Farmland
The biggest yield responses in the research came from adding sediment to sandy soils.
Vegetable & Specialty Growers
High-value crops on small acreage, where better soil pays back fastest.
Nurseries & Landscapers
A steady supply of screened topsoil in regions where good topsoil is expensive.
Row Crops at Scale
Broad-acre corn and soybeans near river terminals, where freight costs stay low.
From delivery to first crop
Sediment works alongside your fertility program. It doesn't replace it. Think of it as rebuilding the foundation, then farming it as usual.
Test your soil
Start with a standard soil test so you know your organic matter, pH and nutrient levels before you add anything.
Pick a rate
Thin rates of 1–2 inches suit most fields. Very sandy ground responds to heavier layers.
Spread & work in
Spread with a manure spreader or loader, then disk or till it into the top few inches.
Plant & adjust
Plant as normal and adjust your fertilizer to the next soil test. Many fields need less over time.
Decades of field and greenhouse results
Universities and state programs have grown crops in dredged sediment for decades. Here's what they found.
Ohio demonstration farm
Researchers spread Lake Erie harbor sediment on working fields and reported improved soil health and higher crop yields. The added material also offset compaction from heavy equipment.
Soil health in greenhouse trials
Blending dredged sediment into farm soil raised organic matter, cation exchange capacity and calcium and lowered bulk density. Soybean biomass and yields rose with higher sediment ratios.
Four years on sandy soil
University of Illinois plots topped Plainfield sand with Illinois River sediment. Corn showed higher growth and grain yields, and soybeans grew more vigorously too.
Vegetables in the open field
Lettuce, radish and tomato trials with Lake Erie sediment showed positive crop responses in an open-field production system.
Topsoil-grade properties
Peoria Lakes sediment is mostly silt and clay with about 2–6% organic matter and a pH of 7 or higher, comparable to quality Illinois topsoil.
Mud to Parks
About 105,000 tons of Peoria Lake sediment went by barge to a bare Chicago slag field. It weathered into loose soil that now grows grass, prairie and trees.
Sediment that's already being dug up
Lakes, lagoons and river channels across the country are dredged on a schedule to keep water moving and boats afloat. Most of that material is simply stockpiled. We partner with the agencies and contractors already doing the work, so nothing is dug up just for us.
- Florida lakes & lagoonsOrganic-rich muck from lake and estuary restoration projects
- Midwest river backwatersSilt and clay sediment close to native topsoil
- Great Lakes harborsMaterial from routine navigation dredging
Run your own numbers
See what an application costs and what it would need to return to pay off. Change any input to match your ground and your quote.
Illustrative only. Excludes time value of money, taxes and how long benefits last on your ground. Not agronomic or financial advice. Confirm with a soil test and a certified crop adviser.
Common questions from growers
Is this the same as topsoil?
Close to it. Most river and lake sediment is topsoil that eroded off the land. Once it's dewatered and weathered, it handles and grows much like native topsoil. Our Screened Topsoil is finished for that use.
Does it replace fertilizer?
No. It improves organic matter, structure and water holding, and it brings some nutrients with it. You'll still need a fertility program, but many growers can fine-tune rates down after follow-up soil tests.
How much should I apply?
Most fields do well with 1–2 inches worked into the topsoil. Very sandy ground can take heavier layers. Start with a soil test and a trial strip, then scale up.
Is it certified organic?
Not yet. Gyttja Enterprises is in development, and certification would come with product launch. Ask us about your certifier's requirements.
How is it delivered?
Bulk by truck, or by barge to river terminals where available, which keeps freight costs down. The Compost Blend will also be offered bagged.
Is it tested?
Yes. Every lot is lab-tested, and reports are available on request.
Tell us about your ground
Growers, landscapers, nurseries, distributors and dredging partners are all welcome. This form opens a pre-filled email in your mail app. Nothing is sent until you hit send.