17 Jun 2025

Screened Top Soil $20 / cubic yard

Topsoil is the uppermost layer of the soil surface, typically ranging from 5” to 10” deep. It is rich in organic matter, nutrients, and microorganisms that are adapted to the local conditions, which are all essential for plant growth. The structure of topsoil encourages root growth, water infiltration, and gas exchange.
Removing topsoil during the construction process is a standard practice, as it is typically thought of as a waste product that needs to be discarded. Topsoil is not a waste product, but a valuable resource. It takes 500 years or more for nature to form one inch of it naturally. Recycling and reusing it are essential for its conservation.
Highway Fuel Co accepts waste topsoil from the local community, also known as fill dirt. Fill dirt is the raw soil that has not been filtered, so it may also contain unwanted materials. Since the consistency of the fill dirt varies, it can be picked up for free at our retail yard (when available) or delivered for a fee based on zip code. During the dry season, the fill dirt is screened to remove the majority of the rocks, roots, clumps, and other debris, resulting in fine, easy-to-spread topsoil.

Screened topsoil is a valuable, non-renewable resource (on human timescales), so consider using it in your next improvement project to:

  • Level uneven areas in the landscape
  • Establish lawn or seed
  • Amend poor-quality soil
  • Fill raised garden beds

Reusing topsoil helps maintain a healthy ecosystem, supports sustainable land use, and reduces costs.

15 May 2025

Summer BBQ

Clean the grill – and your landscape! Everybody looks forward to the backyard BBQs that are a nationally loved celebration of summer.

With the right tools, anyone can host a BBQ. If you want to make yours one to remember, up your game with a standout patio that will wow your family and friends. Here at Highway Fuel Co, we have all the ingredients you need to give your space the makeover it needs.

Is consistency your key to life? CASToHN’s and Allan Block’s man-made manufactured products are exactly what you’re looking for and will rid your project of any surprises!

Our Natural Stone is perfect for any of you looking to give into your wild side. We have a variety of sizes and colors available for purchase. Though our photos are great, we highly recommend driving over to look at our rock yard before making your final decision.

Who knows? During your visit, inspiration may strike!

But remember, don’t forget about your veggies during your project. We’ve got a few tips to help you there as well, otherwise it’ll be plain burgers at the barbecue.

21 Apr 2025

April showers bring May flowers

April showers bring May flowers… and numerous events and holidays without enough time to plan and prep for them all – at least not without a bit of help.

A crucial step in event planning is a freshly landscaped setting. This plays a crucial role in a memorable event and quality photos to look back on for years to come. A bit of HFC bark dust will go a long way in freshening up a venue.

Highway Fuel’s blower service is a quick and efficient way to install bark dust and many other landscape products with the work of our professional crews. With a combined 100+ years of experience, they can install material at any specified depth with a finished appearance, and will take care of all the clean-up, in a fraction of the time it would take to spread it by hand.

Relax and give us a call. Don’t know how much you need? Check out our handy material calculator. When you have a million and one things to plan before the big day, let us take landscaping off your list!

18 Mar 2025

Biochar

Biochar is a stable form of carbon that can remain effective in the soil for many years. It helps soil retain water, nutrients, and beneficial microorganisms. Pricing information is available on our Biochar product page here.

Important information when using Biochar:
• It should be inoculated with microbes/nutrients for a week before planting into it, otherwise, it will deplete them from the soil.
• Activate biochar by adding it to compost, 5-15% by volume, depending on nitrogen content.
• Apply the compost to the land using methods like tilling, trenching, or lasagna style. If adding biochar to other soil mixes, use 5% of the total volume.
• It can increase soil pH due to ash, so it may not be suitable for acid-loving plants like blueberries.

More information about Biochar:
In addition to benefiting soil heath, Biochar’s carbon sequestration through pyrolysis allows, in principle, an actual reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.

Cool fact: Biochar’s surface area is immense! One gram of Biochar has up to 400 m² of surface area. This surface area plays an important role in its ability to adsorb pollutants and other contaminants.

Biochar’s history goes back over two thousand years. Traditional methods of creating Biochar were not environmently friendly. Modern methods using pyrolysis (burning with limited oxygen in a closed system) allow for capture of CO2 and other greenhouse gases, making Biochar a green-friendly soil addition for gardeners!

Biochar under electron microscope
Biochar closeup to show detail
10 Dec 2024

Winter Mulching

Winter Mulching

In northern regions, like the Willamette Valley, winters can be harsh, with fluctuating temperatures that cause repeated freezing and thawing temperatures throughout the season. This cycle can damage plant roots if they are left unprotected. Think of mulch as insulation for the soil as it provides a protective barrier from the elements.  It also provides the following additional benefits:

  • Moisture Retention – Winter winds and low temperatures can lead to soil dehydration. Mulching helps retain moisture by reducing water evaporation, ensuring that the soil stays adequately hydrated during the dormant winter months.
  • Weed Suppression – Mulch blocks the sunlight which helps inhibit weed seed germination and growth.
  • Soil Enrichment – Organic matter, such as bark, compost, shredded leaves, etc. breaks down gradually over time, slowly enriching the soil with essential nutrients. Decomposition slows down but doesn’t stop during the winter.

Numerous materials can be used as mulch such as aged bark, compost, leaves, hazelnut shells, etc. Organic mulches that will decompose over time are the best choices for easy spring cleanup. It is not too late to winterize the garden, now is the perfect time as the Willamette Valley just had its first hard frost. Make sure to prepare the area before putting the mulch down by removing any dead/dying vegetation including weeds to prevent pests and diseases from overwintering in the garden. Apply at least 2-4 inches on landscaping beds and cover the area completely to protect all the plants and the soil. (Keep the mulch 1-2” away from the base of the plants).

LEAVE some of the Leaves

A layer of leaves is vital insulation from the cold for the many insects that hide within or in the soil beneath, like native bees and butterflies. One of the best things that you can do to help pollinators and other invertebrates survive winter is to leave some leaves as they provide habitat and insulation from the cold.   They don’t have to be left where they fall, as they can be raked into garden beds, around the bases of trees and shrubs, or composted. Leaves make great soil mulch as they can suppress weeds, retain moisture, and boost nutrition. They don’t need to be left there permanently, any leaves remaining in the springtime can be removed then. If you have more leaves than you can use, they can be dropped off at Highway Fuel where they will be composted.

04 Jun 2024

June Gardening

Now that summer has arrived, it is a good time to add mulch to the garden beds. Mulching is an important landscaping step that is often overlooked despite the fact that it provides many benefits to the existing landscape such as:

  • Improving soil structure and increasing water infiltration.
  • Preventing soil erosion and compaction.
  • Temperature moderation through insulation and moisture retention.
  • Weed control as the barrier that bark products create prevents many weed seeds from germinating, effectively reducing the need for chemical pesticides.

 

Raised Garden Beds

Highway Fuel Co. carries a wide variety of bark and compost products for use in the landscape. Our Bark Products are byproducts of the timber industry and are made locally in the Pacific Northwest using bark from cedar, fir, or hemlock trees. Our base compost is USCC Certified and is produced on-site from local recycled yard debris.

Cedar

The benefits of using Cedar include:
  • It breaks down very slowly and won’t need to be replaced as often.
  • It naturally releases an oil that smells pleasant and repels some insects like mosquitos, ants, flies, fleas, and ticks.
  • When used as mulch it retains water, suppresses weeds, and provides insulation.
cedar-chips
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Cedar Chips and Hog Fuel are nice, natural golden-colored bark products that are a great option to use as ground cover, paths, dog runs, and under play structures. 

Hemlock

Hemlock is known for its naturally beautiful long-lasting color. We carry both Red and Dark Hemlock. Red Hemlock is fresh and has a rich red/brown color whereas Dark Hemlock is aged, giving it a warm brown color. It can be used in soil mixes, as mulch, and on trails.  Hemlock Bark is a favorite for gardeners as it has the following benefits:

  • The fibers are soft fibers and therefore have fewer slivers than other bark products which makes it more child and pet friendly.
  • Beautiful, natural, long-lasting color.
  • When used as a mulch it retains water, suppresses weeds, and provides insulation.
  • Can help acidify the soil around acid-loving plants like azaleas, blueberries, rhododendrons, and trees.
Red Hemlock
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Fir

Fir bark is a favorite among landscapers and offers the following benefits:

  • Used as a soil amendment, it can help break up clay in compacted soils or provide erosion prevention on sloped areas, pathways, and running trails.
  • Can help acidify the soil around acid-loving plants like azaleas, blueberries, and rhododendrons.
  • Makes a nice mulch in flower beds and vegetable garden beds as it helps retain moisture, reduces weeds, and stabilizes the temperature.
  • Can be dyed either Red or Brown color, which will last 2 to 3 times as long and contain fewer slivers than the undyed product.
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Fir is the most popular bark product that we sell as it is an efficient and economical choice that creates a natural appearance. It comes in a variety of sizes and colors including Medium Fir, Dark Fir, Dark Fine Fir, Chips, Nugget, Hog Fuel. We also stock our dyed in-house fir products: Mocha Bark and Coastal Red. Fir bark is versatile and can be used as a soil amendment, in soil mixes, as mulch, and on trails. 

Compost

Fir bark is a favorite among landscapers and offers the following benefits:

  • Used as a soil amendment it can help break up clay in compacted soils or provide erosion prevention on sloped areas, pathways, and running trails.
  • Makes a nice mulch in flower beds and vegetable garden beds as it helps retain moisture, promotes healthy plant growth, and improves soil health to plants in an organic form.
  • Rich, dark brown color.
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For those in the need of mulch with a higher nutritional value, Compost is a great option. Our Base Compost is a popular and economical choice, though we also have additional options such as Fine Dairy Compost and Compost Mix, which is a mix of the two different types. Ask us about our USCC certified Compost!

Us Composting Council
10 May 2024

May Gardening

Plant a Flower Garden for Mother’s Day
Fresh cut flowers are one of the most popular Mother’s Day gifts, with Americans spending billions of dollars on them annually. Bouquets make for a beautiful gift, but they aren’t the only option. Mother’s Day is one of the biggest planting times for warm-season flowers, so it is a great time to plant your garden in time for it to be enjoyed all season long. The following flowers can be planted outdoors on or around Mother’s Day: Marigolds, Geraniums, Bee Balm, Calendula, Cosmos, Nasturtium, Strawflower, Sunflower, Begonia, Dahlias, and Zinnias. Next time you are at our retail office, take a walk around our retail area and look at the flower garden we planted in the decorative rock area.
Plant a Warm-Season Annual Garden
This time of year is ideal for planting a warm-season annual garden as the weather turns warm. Most plants used in warm-season gardens are annuals that must be replanted each year. Mother’s Day is also typically the right time to plant temperature-sensitive varieties, such as tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, and corn, now that the danger of frost has passed. We are in the process of planting our own pumpkin patch comprised of giant and regular-sized pumpkins with our USCC certified compost that we now make onsite. Stay tuned for updates!

Garden Soil Preparation
One of the most common gardening mistakes is not feeding the soil before planting. A healthy, living, nutrient-rich soil is key to having a successful garden. Healthy soil is made up of both living and nonliving elements that together provide the basis for maintaining plant life. Plants, like us, require a well-balanced diet of nutrients which should be provided by the soil, rather than synthetic fertilizers. One of the best ways to feed the soil is to amend it with organic matter, such as compost, which will break down slowly over time. Currently, we carry two types of compost made from either yard debris or dairy cow manure, or you can purchase them together as Compost Mix.

New Product Alert – Worm Castings
Stay tuned! In the near future we will begin carrying a new and exciting soil amendment: worm castings! This is the result of composting worms, such as Red Wigglers, consuming organic matter and producing a waste product that is beneficial and safe for all plants. When used as a soil amendment, its diverse microbial populations and nutrient content act as a natural fertilizer to provide the following benefits to both the soil and the plants:
• Improve soil structure
• Conserve water and increase drought tolerance
• Provide micro and macro nutrients that are in a plant-available form

05 Apr 2024

Celebrate Earth Day & Ag Fest with us!

We are looking forward to an exciting weekend Friday 4/26 through Sunday 4/28. Earth Day, Ag Fest, along with planting and gardening at home, let’s get ready for a great Summer!

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Who: Marion County community members are welcome to come party at the park. This event is family-friendly and free for everyone.

What: Get outside and enjoy earth-friendly activities to celebrate Earth Day.

When: Friday, April 26th from 3pm – 7pm

Where: Spong’s Landing County Park

Why: Learn about environmental work done by local agencies and celebrate our Earth with fun activities!

RSVP

 

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Join us at the Oregon State Fairgrounds for over 25 hands-on activities for kids to learn more about where their food, fiber, and flora come from. Family fun includes horse and wagon rides, stage entertainment, food demonstrations, and much more! At Oregon Ag Fest, you can ride ponies, watch chicks hatch, dig for potatoes, plant seedlings, enjoy the petting zoo, and watch a sheep get a haircut.

We strive to bridge the gap between urban and rural life and to share the wonder and abundance of Oregon’s bountiful and diverse harvest. Most importantly, we do this in a family-friendly way, where kids 15 and under receive free admission, and virtually all activities at the event are free of charge. Come check it out for yourself: join us April 27-28, 2024 for the 32nd annual Oregon Ag Fest.

Kids 15 and under are FREE. 16 and over $15.00 admission. Saturday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Parking is FREE courtesy of Ag Fest.

Sorry, no pets are allowed. Service animals only.

23 Jan 2024

New Composting Facility!

2023 was a big year for Highway Fuel. We are happy to announce that we have completed phase one of our new Composting Facility.

The lengthy process of permits, engineering, and construction has resulted in a cutting-edge facility that recycles local yard debris waste into a Premium Compost product.

Construction is taking place in two phases. Phase 1 took place this past summer. Phase 2 is scheduled for the summer of 2024.

We began composting this past Fall. We are excited to announce that our first couple batches of compost are full of microbial life, ready for use in your next landscaping project!

We inspect all our feedstock, follow all of our recipes, and record all temperature and moisture readings to make sure that our compost is kept aerobic (with air) throughout the entire process, as anaerobic conditions (without air) will create poor quality compost. Curing and screening result in a premium quality product that is ready to become an important part of many of our soil blends.
Highway Fuel’s new Premium Compost officially meets the requirements of the US Composting Council’s (USCC) Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) Program. The STA program requires compost manufacturers to be permitted and follow all required regulations. The compost must be tested regularly by a certified laboratory and the results must pass EPA standards for pathogens and metals to remain in the program.
02 Nov 2023

The rainy season has arrived!

Rainy Season Has Arrived!

November typically marks the beginning of the rainy season in Oregon, and this year it looks like it is going to arrive right on time as a burst of heavy rain and an atmospheric river are forecasted to drop 1 to 2 inches of rain in the Willamette Valley over the next few days.  This may cause some urban flooding impacts due to leaves blocking the storm drains causing water to pool on roadways.

The City of Salem has issued guidelines for residents and business owners to dispose of fallen leaves responsibly, as blowing or dumping leaves into the streets may block drains, potentially causing street flooding and water backups. Residents are encouraged to gather fallen leaves from their properties and place them in yard waste or compost bins for disposal. While it’s necessary to keep the leaves out of the storm drains it is also important to know that they do not belong in the landfill. There is no oxygen in a landfill to decompose organic matter properly, which causes anaerobic conditions and the generation of methane, which is a greenhouse gas. 

Leave Some of the Leaves

Turf grass is the single largest “crop” grown in this region which leaves a disproportionate ratio of lawn to garden in most yards and is the main reason we rake, mow, and blow leaves in our yards. While a thick layer of leaves is too much for turf grass to handle, a thin layer can provide benefits like adding organic matter to the soil, suppressing weeds, and moisture retention. Any remaining leaves can be piled up a couple of inches thick around ornamental trees, shrubs, and perennials and used as free mulch. Fallen leaves have a lot of the same properties as shredded wood mulch as they are high in Carbon. If you still have extra leaves that need to be disposed of, please take them to a composting facility such as Highway Fuel, where they will be safely recycled into compost.