diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 2671dd1..bf921c1 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,11 +1,16 @@
 Bonemeal mod [bonemeal]
 
-This mod adds two new items into the game, bones which can be dug from normal
-dirt and bonemeal which is crafted from bones and player bone blocks.
+This mod adds four new items into the game, bones which can be dug from normal
+dirt which can be made into bonemeal, mulch which is is crafted using a tree and
+8x leaves, and fertiliser which is a mixture of them both.
 
-Bonemeal can be used on added saplings for a 1 in 2 chance to grow them quickly
-as well as specified crops which are grown 1 to 4 steps at a time.  Dirt can
-also be clicked for random grass, flowers or registered decoration to appear.
+Each item can be used on saplings and crops for a chance to grow them quicker as
+well as dirt which will generate random grass, flowers or whichever decoration
+is registered.
+
+Mulch has a strength of 1, Bonemeal 2 and Fertiliser 3 which means the stronger
+the item, the more chance of growing saplings in low light, making crops sprout
+quicker or simply decorate a larger area with grass and flowers.
 
 The api.txt document shows how to add your own saplings, crops and grasses to
 the list by using one of the 3 commands included and the mod.lua file gives you
@@ -17,3 +22,4 @@ Changelog:
 
 - 0.1 - Initial release
 - 0.2 - Added global on_use function for bonemeal growth
+- 0.3 - Added strength to on_use global for new items (mulch and fertiliser).
diff --git a/api.txt b/api.txt
index 50fc578..bc4e7fa 100644
--- a/api.txt
+++ b/api.txt
@@ -57,14 +57,17 @@ bonemeal:add_deco({"default:dirt_with_dry_grass", {"default:dry_grass_1", ""},
 Global ON_USE Function
 ----------------------
 
-bonemeal:on_use(pos)
+bonemeal:on_use(pos, strength)
 
 This function can be called from other mods to grow plants using alternative
 bonemeal items and have the same effect.
 
+  {pos} is the location to apply growing
+  {strength} is how strong to grow [low of 1 to high of 4]
+
 
 Final Words
 ===========
 
 I hope this guide helps you add your own plants so you can grow them quickly
-with bonemeal.  Please check the mods.lua for more examples.
+with the items included.  Please check the mods.lua for more examples.
diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index 3c9c8c1..d3829e8 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ end
 -- default biomes deco
 local deco = {
 	{"default:dirt_with_dry_grass", dry_grass, flowers},
-	{"default:sand", {}, {"default:dry_shrub", "", ""} },
+	{"default:sand", {}, {"default:dry_shrub", "", "", ""} },
 	{"default:desert_sand", {}, {"default:dry_shrub", "", "", ""} },
 	{"default:silver_sand", {}, {"default:dry_shrub", "", "", ""} },
 }
@@ -104,7 +104,6 @@ local function grow_tree(pos, object)
 	elseif type(object) == "function" then
 		-- function
 		object(pos)
-
 	end
 end
 
@@ -112,11 +111,6 @@ end
 -- sapling check
 local function check_sapling(pos, nodename)
 
-	-- 1 in 2 chance of spawning sapling
-	if math.random(1, 2) == 1 then
-		return
-	end
-
 	-- what is sapling placed on?
 	local under =  minetest.get_node({
 		x = pos.x,
@@ -167,7 +161,7 @@ end
 
 
 -- crops check
-local function check_crops(pos, nodename)
+local function check_crops(pos, nodename, strength)
 
 	local stage = ""
 
@@ -179,7 +173,7 @@ local function check_crops(pos, nodename)
 
 			-- get stage number or set to 0 for seed
 			stage = tonumber( nodename:split("_")[2] ) or 0
-			stage = math.min(stage + math.random(1, 4), crops[n][2])
+			stage = math.min(stage + strength, crops[n][2])
 
 			minetest.set_node(pos, {name = crops[n][1] .. stage})
 
@@ -195,11 +189,16 @@ end
 
 
 -- check soil for specific decoration placement
-local function check_soil(pos, nodename)
+local function check_soil(pos, nodename, strength)
 
+	-- set radius according to strength
+	local side = strength - 1
+	local tall = math.max(strength - 2, 0)
+
+	-- get area of land with free space above
 	local dirt = minetest.find_nodes_in_area_under_air(
-		{x = pos.x - 2, y = pos.y - 1, z = pos.z - 2},
-		{x = pos.x + 2, y = pos.y + 1, z = pos.z + 2},
+		{x = pos.x - side, y = pos.y - tall, z = pos.z - side},
+		{x = pos.x + side, y = pos.y + tall, z = pos.z + side},
 		{"group:soil", "group:sand"})
 
 	-- set default grass and decoration
@@ -282,7 +281,7 @@ end
 
 
 -- global on_use function for bonemeal
-function bonemeal:on_use(pos)
+function bonemeal:on_use(pos, strength)
 
 	-- get node pointed at
 	local node = minetest.get_node(pos)
@@ -292,27 +291,68 @@ function bonemeal:on_use(pos)
 		return
 	end
 
+	-- make sure strength is between 1 and 4
+	strength = strength or 2
+	strength = math.max(strength, 1)
+	strength = math.min(strength, 4)
+
+	-- grow grass and flowers
+	if minetest.get_item_group(node.name, "soil") > 0
+	or minetest.get_item_group(node.name, "sand") > 0 then
+		check_soil(pos, node.name, strength)
+		return
+	end
+
+	-- light check depending on strength (strength of 4 = no light needed)
+	if (minetest.get_node_light(pos) or 0) < (12 - (strength * 3)) then
+		return
+	end
+
 	-- check for tree growth if pointing at sapling
-	if minetest.get_item_group(node.name, "sapling") > 0 then
+	if minetest.get_item_group(node.name, "sapling") > 0
+	and math.random(1, (5 - strength)) == 1 then
 		check_sapling(pos, node.name)
 		return
 	end
 
 	-- check for crop growth
-	check_crops(pos, node.name)
-
-	-- grow grass and flowers
-	if minetest.get_item_group(node.name, "soil") > 0
-	or minetest.get_item_group(node.name, "sand") > 0 then
-		check_soil(pos, node.name)
-	end
+	check_crops(pos, node.name, strength)
 end
 
 
 ----- items
 
 
--- bonemeal item
+-- mulch (strength 1)
+minetest.register_craftitem("bonemeal:mulch", {
+	description = "Mulch",
+	inventory_image = "bonemeal_mulch.png",
+
+	on_use = function(itemstack, user, pointed_thing)
+
+		-- did we point at a node?
+		if pointed_thing.type ~= "node" then
+			return
+		end
+
+		-- is area protected?
+		if minetest.is_protected(pointed_thing.under, user:get_player_name()) then
+			return
+		end
+
+		-- take item if not in creative
+		if not minetest.setting_getbool("creative_mode") then
+			itemstack:take_item()
+		end
+
+		-- call global on_use function with strength of 1
+		bonemeal:on_use(pointed_thing.under, 1)
+
+		return itemstack
+	end,
+})
+
+-- bonemeal (strength 2)
 minetest.register_craftitem("bonemeal:bonemeal", {
 	description = "Bone Meal",
 	inventory_image = "bonemeal_item.png",
@@ -334,8 +374,38 @@ minetest.register_craftitem("bonemeal:bonemeal", {
 			itemstack:take_item()
 		end
 
-		-- get position and call global on_use function
-		bonemeal:on_use(pointed_thing.under)
+		-- call global on_use function with strength of 2
+		bonemeal:on_use(pointed_thing.under, 2)
+
+		return itemstack
+	end,
+})
+
+
+-- fertiliser (strength 3)
+minetest.register_craftitem("bonemeal:fertiliser", {
+	description = "Fertiliser",
+	inventory_image = "bonemeal_fertiliser.png",
+
+	on_use = function(itemstack, user, pointed_thing)
+
+		-- did we point at a node?
+		if pointed_thing.type ~= "node" then
+			return
+		end
+
+		-- is area protected?
+		if minetest.is_protected(pointed_thing.under, user:get_player_name()) then
+			return
+		end
+
+		-- take item if not in creative
+		if not minetest.setting_getbool("creative_mode") then
+			itemstack:take_item()
+		end
+
+		-- call global on_use function with strength of 3
+		bonemeal:on_use(pointed_thing.under, 3)
 
 		return itemstack
 	end,
@@ -348,19 +418,43 @@ minetest.register_craftitem("bonemeal:bone", {
 	inventory_image = "bonemeal_bone.png",
 })
 
--- bonemeal recipes
+
+--- crafting recipes
+
+
+-- bonemeal (from bone)
 minetest.register_craft({
 	type = "shapeless",
 	output = "bonemeal:bonemeal 2",
 	recipe = {"bonemeal:bone"},
 })
 
+-- bonemeal (from player bones)
 minetest.register_craft({
 	type = "shapeless",
 	output = "bonemeal:bonemeal 4",
 	recipe = {"bones:bones"},
 })
 
+-- mulch
+minetest.register_craft({
+	type = "shapeless",
+	output = "bonemeal:mulch 4",
+	recipe = {
+		"group:tree", "group:leaves", "group:leaves",
+		"group:leaves", "group:leaves", "group:leaves",
+		"group:leaves", "group:leaves", "group:leaves"
+	},
+})
+
+-- fertiliser
+minetest.register_craft({
+	type = "shapeless",
+	output = "bonemeal:fertiliser 2",
+	recipe = {"bonemeal:bonemeal", "bonemeal:mulch"},
+})
+
+
 -- add bones to dirt
 minetest.override_item("default:dirt", {
 	drop = {
diff --git a/textures/bonemeal_fertiliser.png b/textures/bonemeal_fertiliser.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b187c9a
Binary files /dev/null and b/textures/bonemeal_fertiliser.png differ
diff --git a/textures/bonemeal_mulch.png b/textures/bonemeal_mulch.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df00ac2
Binary files /dev/null and b/textures/bonemeal_mulch.png differ