The Ground Up

What The Ground Up does

The Ground Up is a private Texas landscape-materials manufacturer and supplier operating under Ceres Environmental Services, Inc. The company recycles Houston natural resources and green vegetative waste into mulch, soils, and compost, and also sells sands, bases and gravels, stone products, nursery plants, bagged products, tools, fertilizers, and other landscaping supplies. Its stated customer base includes contractors, garden centers, municipalities, homeowners, plant enthusiasts, co-ops, and small-scale farmers across Texas.

The company’s operational base is physical infrastructure rather than software: green-waste transformation, bulk-material processing, a wholesale nursery, and a packaging facility. Products are sold in bulk cubic-yard quantities, bags, pallets, and one-cubic-yard super sacks, with delivery available for orders of at least 3 cubic yards and fees based on distance. Go-to-market combines three company-owned locations in the Houston metro area, direct job-site delivery, a weekday wholesale nursery for trade customers, Saturday retail access, and independent retail partners such as Ace Hardware stores, nurseries, feed stores, and specialty landscape retailers.

Name

The Ground Up

Legal name

Ceres Environmental Services, Inc.

Website

https://thegroundup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Ground Up recycles green vegetative waste into mulch, soils and compost, while selling broader landscape materials, nursery stock and supplies through Houston-area locations, delivery and Texas retail partners to contractors, municipalities, garden centers and homeowners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Landscape Materials Manufacturing

NAICS

Compost Manufacturing (325315), Fertilizer and Compost Manufacturing (32531), Nursery, Garden Center, and Farm Supply Retailers (44424), Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers (444)

SIC

Retail-Building Materials, Hardware, Garden Supply (5200), Cut Stone & Stone Products (3281)

akta.pro primary industry

Compost & Soil Amendment Product Manufacturing/Blending (Value-Added Organics) (BPALAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Yard Waste, Land Clearing & Green Waste Processing (Mulch/Compost Feedstock) (BPALAEAG), Compost Product Distribution, Retail & Landscape Supply (Bulk/Bagged) (BPALAEAI), Digestate & Compost Product Processing, Marketing & Distribution (Soil Amendments, Mulch) (EUAIAEAE), Concrete, Cement & Aggregates Retail (Bagged Mix, Sand, Gravel) (CRAIAEAG)

Keywords

• Landscape materials manufacturing
• Mulch and soil production
• Green waste recycling
• Compost manufacturing
• Wholesale nursery

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Bulk Materials Sales: Sale of bulk landscape materials including mulch, soils, compost, sand, gravel, and stone products sold by cubic yard to contractors, municipalities, and homeowners. Minimum delivery quantity is 3 cubic yards.
2. Bagged Products: Pre-packaged landscape materials sold in 1 CF, 1.5 CF, 2 CF bags and 75lb bags at retail locations and through partner retailers. Also available on pallets (60 bags per pallet).
3. Super Sack Sales: One cubic yard sacks of bulk materials available for easier handling and transport. Common for residential customers and small-scale projects.
4. Nursery Plant Sales: Wholesale nursery operation offering curated selection of healthy plants and vibrant seasonal color. Strictly wholesale Monday-Friday, open to retail customers on Saturday.
5. Tools & Supplies: Sale of fertilizers, weed control products, landscape tools, concrete, steel edging, and other landscaping supplies. Products sourced from MicroLife, Nitro-Phos, and other manufacturers.
6. Delivery Services: Delivery fees based on distance traveled from TGU to job site. Fuel surcharges may apply. Monday through Saturday delivery. Supersacks and pallets delivered on paved/hard pack surfaces only.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Ground Up manufactures and distributes premium landscape materials including mulches, soils, compost, sands, gravels, stone products (flagstone, pavers, boulders, chopped stone, Mexican beach pebbles), nursery plants, and landscaping tools. The company's core activity is transforming Houston's green vegetative waste into nutrient-rich, professional-grade landscape products sold through three company-owned retail locations, a wholesale nursery, and a network of Texas retail partners.

Product overview

The Ground Up is a Texas-based landscaping materials manufacturer and supplier offering a comprehensive portfolio of sustainable landscape products. The company operates as a single unified offering platform centered around premium mulches, soils, and compost (the founding and core products), supplemented by aggregates (sands, gravels, bases), stone products (flagstone, pavers, chopped stone, boulders), nursery plants, and tools & supplies. All products are sustainably produced from green vegetative waste and serve contractors, garden centers, municipalities, and homeowners across Texas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mulches Premium landscape mulches including hardwood, black dyed, red dyed, cedar, pine bark, pinestraw, and IPEMA-certified Kiddie Cushion playground mulch. Available in bulk by the cubic yard, 2 cu ft bags, and 1 cu yd super sacks for contractors, garden centers, municipalities, and homeowners across Texas.
• Soils and Compost Nutrient-rich soils and compost products including Compost DS (double screened), Organic Compost, Leaf Mold Compost, Bed Mix flowerbed soil, Rose & Azalea Soil, Veggie & Herb Soil, Enriched Top Soil, Turf Mix Premium, and Golf Divot Mix. Sold in bulk, 1 cu ft bags, and super sacks to agricultural, residential, and commercial customers.
• Sands Landscape and construction sands including Sharp/Torpedo Sand, Mason Sand, and Bank Sand. Available in bulk cubic-yard quantities, 1 cu yd super sacks, and 40lb bags at Brittmoore and Westpark locations.
• Bases and Gravels Crushed stone and aggregate products including Decomposed Granite (DG), Washed Limestone, Bull Rock, 1-2 inch Gravel (septic rock), 3/8 inch Pea Gravel, Blackstar Gravel (5/8 inch basalt), and Expanded Shale. Used for pathways, driveways, drainage, and septic applications.
• Patio Squares and Pavers Concrete patio squares and reinforced concrete pavers in various sizes and colors for outdoor living structures, sold to contractors and homeowners through TGU retail locations.
• Flagstone Natural stone flagstone in Wister, Moss, Hackett Blue, Penn Full Color, and Silvermist varieties sold in irregular or tile-cut forms for patios, walkways, and outdoor installations.
• Chopped and Dry Stack Stone Natural stone blocks in various shapes and sizes for building fire pits, fireplaces, flowerbed edging, and other outdoor and indoor living structures.
• Boulders Natural stone boulders in Wister, Moss, and Cobble Creek varieties used for landscape decoration and drainage applications.
• Mexican Beach Pebbles Decorative pebbles sourced from the Mexican coast of Baja California, available in black and buff colors in various sizes, sold in 75lb bags at Brittmoore and Westpark retail locations.
• Nursery Wholesale nursery offering a curated selection of healthy plants and vibrant seasonal color. Strictly wholesale Monday-Friday for trade customers, open to retail customers on Saturday.
• Tools and Supplies Landscape tools, fertilizers (MicroLife, Nitro-Phos, Azomite), weed control products, concrete bags (Sakrete), mortar mix, steel edging, weed barrier, and other landscaping supplies. Sizes include 40lb bags, 7lb jars, 1gl, and 1qt containers.
• Bagged Products Pre-packaged landscape materials in 1 CF, 1.5 CF, 2 CF bags and 75lb bags, including Product Line, Compost Line, Soils Line, and Specialty Soilless Media for growing hemp and herbs. Also available on pallets (60 bags per pallet).
• Delivery Services Delivery of bulk materials to customer job sites, available Monday through Saturday. Minimum 3 cubic yard order. Fees based on distance from TGU to job site; fuel surcharges may apply. Supersacks and pallets delivered on paved/hard pack surfaces only.

Quantifiable outcome

• Thousands of tons of material diverted from landfills annually

Named customers19 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Wabash Feed StoreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent retail partner located at 4537 N. Shepherd, Houston, TX 77018. Phone: 713.863.8322. Sells TGU products at retail.
• Ace Hardware CityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAce Hardware store at 14455 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77079. Phone: 281.496.2113. Part of Ace Hardware national chain.
• Green-Eco ProvisionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEco-focused retailer at 14518 Hempstead Rd, Suite 3J, Houston, TX. Phone: 1.866.371.1947. Website: www.grnecopro.com.
• 290 Grass LLCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLandscape materials retailer at 12423 Huffmeister Rd, Cypress, TX 77429. Phone: 281.469.5300. Offers bulk options of bedmix. Website: www.290grass.com.
• Castle Hardware & MoreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHardware store at 16028 West Rd, Houston, TX 77095. Phone: 281.815.5843.
• Woodlands Wholesale NurseryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale nursery at 4598 FM 1488 Rd, Conroe, TX 77384. Phone: 936.271.2244.
• Ace Hardware ChampionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAce Hardware store at 9001 Spring Cypress Rd, Spring, TX 77379. Phone: 281.251.0100. Part of Ace Hardware national chain.
• Sienna MulchminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBulk landscape materials retailer at 9615 FM 521, Rosharon, TX 77583. Phone: 281.431.2130. Offers bulk options. Website: www.siennamulch.com.
• Hill Country Water GardensminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWater garden specialty retailer at 407 N Bell Blvd, Cedar Park, TX 78613. Phone: 512.260.5050. Website: www.hillcountrywatergardens.com.
• Backbone Valley NurseryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNursery at 4201 FM 1980, Marble Falls, TX 78654. Phone: 830.693.9348. Offers bulk options. Website: www.backbonevalleynursery.com.
• Maas NurseryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNursery at 5511 Todville Rd, Seabrook, TX 77586. Phone: 281.474.2488. Offers bulk options. Website: www.maasnursery.com.
• Cottage CuttingsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPlant nursery at 1315 Bancroft Rd, Orange, TX 77632. Phone: 903.539.0245. Website: www.cottagecuttings.com.
• Remodel DepotminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHome improvement retailer at 1605 Genoa Red Bluff, Pasadena, TX 77504. Phone: 832.230.4184. Website: www.remodeldepot.com.
• Ceres Environmental Services, Inc.coreOthersParent company that handles SMS communications and privacy policy for The Ground Up. Respects customer privacy and does not share, sell, or rent mobile phone numbers or personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Moon Valley Nurseries: Moon Valley Nurseries is a Texas-based (with multi-state presence) grower and retailer of nursery stock, trees, and landscape supplies, with large-format retail yards. It overlaps with TGU's wholesale/retail nursery operations and Texas contractor/homeowner customer base.
• Houston Grass & Sod: Houston Grass & Sod is a Houston-area supplier of grass, sod, and related landscape materials to homeowners and contractors. It is regionally comparable to TGU's nursery and bulk landscape materials operations in the same Houston metro geography, though focused primarily on turfgrass.

Emerging players

• Nature's Yield Compost & Soils: Nature's Yield is a smaller-scale compost and soil amendment manufacturer producing organic compost and soil blends for agricultural and landscape use. It is an emerging peer in the compost/soil manufacturing niche that overlaps with TGU's core manufacturing activity, though at a smaller scale and with a more agricultural focus.

Direct peers

• Lurvey (a SiteOne company): Lurvey is a Midwest-based landscape supply yard offering mulch, soil, natural stone, pavers, and nursery plants to contractors and homeowners. It is comparable to TGU's combined retail/wholesale yard format, product breadth, and contractor-focused service model.
• Kurtz Bros. Kurtz Bros. is a family-owned landscape materials manufacturer in Ohio that produces mulches, soils, compost, and aggregates from recycled green waste and sells through retail yards and wholesale. It mirrors TGU's recycling-to-product model, nursery offerings, and contractor/homeowner customer mix.
• Whittlesey Landscape Supplies & Recycling: Whittlesey is a Texas-based landscape materials manufacturer and recycler producing mulch, compost, soils, and aggregates from green waste, operating multiple production and retail locations in Central Texas. It is the closest direct peer to TGU in terms of recycling-feedstock model, product mix, and Texas geography.
• Garick: Garick is one of the largest U.S. manufacturers of compost, mulch, and organic soil products from recycled yard and food waste, selling bagged and bulk products through retail and wholesale channels. It is directly comparable to TGU's manufacturing core - composting green waste into mulches, soils, and soil amendments.
• Pioneer Sand & Gravel: Pioneer Sand is a multi-state landscape materials supplier offering decorative rock, mulches, soils, flagstone, pavers, and boulders through company-owned retail yards. It is comparable to TGU's stone/aggregate/soil retail operations and direct-delivery model, though operating across a broader western U.S. footprint.

Broad incumbents

• SiteOne Landscape Supply: SiteOne is the largest national distributor of landscape supplies, including mulch, soil, aggregates, stone, and nursery products, serving professional contractors and retail customers across the U.S. It is a comparable scale incumbent that competes for the same Houston-area contractor demand as The Ground Up, but as a broad-line distributor rather than an integrated manufacturer.
• Oldcastle APG (CRH): Oldcastle APG is a national manufacturer of masonry, hardscapes, pavers, bagged concrete, and landscape products under brands like Sakrete and Belgard. It is comparable to TGU's bagged products and paver/stone retail lines but operates as a broad-line building products incumbent rather than a regional recycler.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TGU_tweets
• Facebookfacebook.com/thegroundup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Ground Up