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In the pasture, the soft rustle of grazing sheep merges with the occasional chime from the bell around our ram, Zuzu, gently punctuating the quiet. It’s here that wool begins its journey, serving as a living thread that weaves together land, animals, and soil in a cycle as old as shepherding itself.
Pelletized Wool
Wool pellets — derived from the shorter, coarser fibers of shearing, such as belly and britch wool that aren’t suited for spinning—holds a gift for the soil.
When added to garden beds or mixed into potting soil, it absorbs and releases water like a sponge, nurtures plants with slow-releasing nitrogen, aerates the soil encouraging roots to stretch deeper, and as it decomposes, wool feeds the soil, creating a regenerative balance that enriches the earth.
Whether in the garden or on your windowsill, wool pellets help plants thrive with less water and fewer inputs. Beyond practicality, wool pellets invite a mindful approach to gardening, connecting you to the sheep who grew the fleece, the shepherd who cared for them, and a way of growing that seeks balance rather than shortcuts. It’s a way to care for the earth while nurturing your own little patch of it, whether outdoors in a flower bed or indoors with a houseplant.
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By choosing wool pellets, you divert what would otherwise be discarded wool from landfills, reduce the need for non-renewable materials like peat, avoid introducing microplastics into the soil, and support shepherds.​​
Benefits of Wool Pellets
Naturally Retains Water
Like how a wool sweater feels heavier once it’s soaked. That same property helps your plants stay hydrated longer, especially in warm or dry conditions
Regenerative
Wool pellets reinvigorate soil, support biodiversity, and transform wasted fibers into vital nutrients—fostering a closed-loop system for sustainable gardens.
Made entirely of natural fibers, our wool pellets fully decompose, leaving no microplastics or residues—just healthier, richer soil.
Biodegradable
Slug Deterrance
The natural texture of wool creates a barrier slugs and snails avoid, offering a chemical-free way to protect your garden.
Ways To Use Wool Pellets
1
General Application
Add 1/2 cup of wool pellets per 1 gallon of soil mix to enhance moisture retention and physical support for your garden.
2
Transplating
Place a handful of wool pellets in the transplant hole to help maintain moisture around roots.
3
Slug Deterrance
Spread a layer of wool pellets around plants to create a natural barrier slugs and snails avoid.
Wool Pellets: How They Are Made
1
Devote a full year to caring for the flock, ensuring they thrive in a comfortable and stress-free environment.
2
Harvest the wool with care during the annual shearing, without harming the animals or the fibers.
3
Gently pull apart the wool to avoid dense clumps and feed it into the pellet mill.
4
Package the finished pellets with the same attention to quality we give to every product, ready to help nurture gardens everywhere—returning the wool’s benefits to the soil and completing its natural cycle of regeneration.
From Us
(Our Flock Included)
Thank you for choosing to plant with intention and grow with care.
Explore the Collection
Help us make sustainable gardening a reality for more Chicagoland gardeners.
If you’re interested in partnering with us, we’d love to hear from you!
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Bradshaw T, Hagen K. Wool Pellets Are a Viable Alternative to Commercial Fertilizer for Organic Vegetable Production. Agronomy. 2022;12(1210). doi:10.3390/agronomy12051210.
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Juhos K, Papdi E, Kovács F, Vasileiadis VP, Veres A. The Effect of Wool Mulch on Plant Development in the Context of the Physical and Biological Conditions in Soil. Plants. 2023;12(684). doi:10.3390/plants12030684.
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Broda J, Gawlowski A, Rom M, Kobiela-Mendrek K. Utilisation of waste wool from mountain sheep as fertiliser in winter wheat cultivation. Journal of Natural Fibers. 2023;20(2200047). doi:10.1080/15440478.2023.2200047.
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Zheljazkov VD, Stratton GW, Pincock J, Butler S, Jeliazkova EA, Nedkov NK, Gerard PD. Wool-waste as organic nutrient source for container-grown plants. Waste Manag. 2008;28(11):2588‑2592. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2008.02.004.
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University of Vermont. Wool Pellet Fertilizer Handouts [Internet]. [cited 2025 Jan 13]. Available from: https://www.uvm.edu/sites/default/files/media/wool_pellet_fertilizer_handouts_jan_20_0.pdf