• How to Select a Christmas Tree - Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 5:04 PM

  • 1) Check the delivery date
    Most pre-cut Christmas trees were cut several weeks before arriving on the lot. Ask the lot attendant when the trees were cut and delivered. Buy your tree early in the season for the best selection.

    2) "Drop test" for freshness
    To test for freshness, lift the tree a couple of inches off the ground and drop it on its trunk. If it's fresh, green needles should not shed.

    3) Pull on branches
    Another easy way to test for freshness is to hold a tree branch and lightly run your hand outwards. Very few needs should come off if the tree is fresh.

    4) Check the tree trunk
    Check the trunk for straightness. Securing a tree in a stand can be a challenge if the trunk is crooked. You also want to make sure that limbs can be removed without hurting the tree's shape.

    5) Inspect the Christmas tree for insects
    Check your Christmas tree thoroughly for egg masses, insects and other pests.

    6) Be mindful of where you set up your Christmas tree
    Avoid placing your tree near like fireplaces, air ducts, radiators and other heat sources. The ideal height for a Christmas tree is at least four feet below the ceiling height.

    Remember to recycle your Christmas tree after you have enjoyed it and use the mulch created from it throughout your garden.

    Christmas trees are sustainable products. Agromin, the green materials recycler from Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties and portions of Los Angeles County, takes thousands of post-Christmas trees and transforms them into mulch and soil products at its green waste recycling facilities. The finished mulch products are used by local agricultural operations, consumers and landscapers--thus completing the sustainability loop .

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  • November Gardening Tips for Southern California - Monday, November 3, 2008 at 9:45 AM
  • Winter gardens have a beauty all their own and November is the time to plant hearty cool season flowers, trees and vegetables, say experts at Agromin, a Camarillo-based manufacturer of premium soil products.

    Certain Flowers Thrive in Cool Weather: Plant fall annuals such as pansies, violas, primrose and calendula so they will be in full fall and winter bloom. Perennials including nemesia, godetia and schizanthus are also good choices for a richly varied fall and winter flower garden.

    Keep Lawns Healthy: Rake falling leaves from lawns as leaves could impede lawn growth. If a lawn is looking "tired," sow in annual rye seeds to cover brown spots and to introduce new growth. After seeding, scatter a light covering of soil amendment and water thoroughly.

    Plant Trees Now: Fall is the ideal time to plant trees. Our fall climate, with cool nights, mild days and moderate rainfall, gives trees a strong beginning that will serve them well when growing season begins in spring. Just about every tree type can benefit when planted in fall. The key to success is to select a planting location that is best suited for the tree type. Take into account the tree's rate of growth, root configuration, leaf type (evergreen or deciduous), tree shape and ultimate height at maturity. Make sure the site you select has enough sun. Other issues: is the selected location on a slope where watering may be difficult? Is it near a walkway or patio where in a few years roots may cause a problem? Will the tree at maturity be too big for the site? Better to answer these questions now or you may find yourself trying to extract a tree and its roots when it outgrows its location.

    Winter Vegetable Garden: You can enjoy fresh vegetables even during winter months by planting cool-season vegetables including beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, celery, cauliflower, lettuce, onions, turnips and rutabaga. Plant fall herbs including oregano, garlic, rosemary and thyme.

    For more planting and gardening tips, go to www.agromin.com.

    About Agromin:

    Agromin manufactures premium soil products for the agriculture and horticulture trades and for consumer use. For more than 30 years, Agromin has provided quality soil amendments and products to some of California's largest vegetable, citrus, avocado and strawberry growers. Agromin is also the green waste recycler for 19 cities in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Each month, Agromin receives and processes hundreds of thousands of tons of urban wood and green waste. Agromin then uses a safe, organic and scientific system to formulate its soil products from the processed recycled green waste. The result is more vigorous and healthier plants and gardens, and on the conservation side, more room in landfills and less greenhouse gas emissions.

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  • Fall Planting Keeps Landscapes Looking Fresh & Vibrant - Tuesday, September 30, 2008 at 8:00 PM
  • Planting cool season flowers and lawns in October will keep backyard landscapes looking fresh with vibrant colors throughout fall and winter, say experts at Agromin, a Camarillo-based manufacturer of premium soil products.

    Cool Weather Flowers: About this time of the year, many summer flowers have lost their luster and gardens need an infusion of hardy new growth that thrive during the upcoming cooler months. Flowers that do particularly well in fall include sweet peas, pansies, violas, primrose, calendula, chrysanthemums, cineraria, dianthus, delphiniums, Iceland poppies, nemesia, snapdragon and wild flowers. Wildflowers that thrive in Southern California are California poppies, larkspur, linaeria and gypsophila.

    Spring Bulbs: Plant daffodils, hyacinth, tulips and crocus bulbs. Planting now should result in resilient, bright flowers in spring. Make sure your soil's clay content isn't too high. Till soil conditioner into the top 12 inches of soil. This should help break up the clay and make the soil more conducive for planting.

    Lawns: Lawns are still growing vigorously in October. Mow weekly. Now is the time to replant or patch with cool season grasses such as fescue, ryegrass and bluegrass. If planting from seed, use a topper mix to help keep seeds moist and to stimulate growth.

    Fall Gardens: Gardens can thrive year-round. Pull out summer vegetables that have stopped producing. Plant such herbs as oregano, cilantro, dill, fennel and thyme. Garlic, peas, spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, lettuce and rutabaga do well when planted in fall. Apply a two-inch layer of organic mulch over plantings to help conserve moisture and encourage growth.

    For more planting and gardening tips, go to www.agromin.com.

    About Agromin:

    Agromin manufactures premium soil products for the agriculture and horticulture trades and for consumer use. For more than 30 years, Agromin has provided quality soil amendments and products to some of California's largest vegetable, citrus, avocado and strawberry growers. Agromin is also the green waste recycler for 19 cities in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Each month, Agromin receives and processes hundreds of thousands of tons of urban wood and green waste. Agromin then uses a safe, organic and scientific system to formulate its soil products from the processed recycled green waste. The result is more vigorous and healthier plants and gardens, and on the conservation side, more room in landfills and less greenhouse gas emissions.

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  • Agromin To Donate 1 Ton of Compost at Moorpark's Composter Event - Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 8:36 PM
  • Agromin will donate 1 ton of compost to the City of Moorpark's "Home Composter Event," Saturday, September 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Moorpark Public Services Facility (627 Fitch Ave., Moorpark). Each person who purchases a compost bin from the city will receive a free bag of Agromin compost.

    Agromin is the green materials recycler for Moorpark and 18 other cities in Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles Counties. Each year, it collects more than 250,000 tons of green materials for composting. Compost your own grass clippings, leaves and other green materials with a compost bin from the city. Only 50 bins will be available for sale on Saturday.

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  • Agromin To Offer Fall Planting Tips and Green Recycling Info at Ventura Home Show - Monday, September 15, 2008 at 3:08 PM
  • Agromin will be providing fall planting tips and green waste recycling information at the Ventura County Home & Garden Show, September 19 - 21 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura.

    Agromin soil experts will demonstrate how to select the proper soil for fall and spring vegetable and flower gardens, and provide free soil samples. Agromin offers six bagged soil products to consumers (outdoor plating mix, soil conditioner, potting soil, vegetable garden mix, decorative bark and topper mix for lawns). In addition, it provides custom soil blends, mulch and bark in bulk.

    As the area's green waste recycler, Agromin will pass out information on how to properly dispose of green waste (i.e., lawn clippings, leaves, wood and brush) in residents' green waste barrels. Agromin turns this green material into compost that is then fortified with nutrients and turned into soil products used locally by farmers, landscapers and consumers. Residents can feel good knowing that the green material they put in their recycling barrels each week is transformed and returned to the land.

    Show hours are noon to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.

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  • September Gardening Tips for Southern California - Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 1:28 PM
  • September can be a question mark when making landscape and gardening plans. In Southern California, summer can easily extend into September or the month can bring cooler temperatures. Still, there is much to do and plant in the garden during early fall, say experts at Agromin, a Camarillo-based manufacturer of premium soil products.

    Lawn Care: Lawns are still growing in September and October. Mow weekly. For cool season grass such as Kentucky bluegrass and fescues, now is the time to fertilize as they grow rapidly in fall. Also, consider aerification (coring) with an aerator that can be rented at equipment rental shops. Coring allows for better water and nutrition penetration.

    Plant Trees: The best time to plant trees is when they are dormant--in fall or early spring. To reduce transplant shock, dig a hole for planting at least three times the size of the plant's root ball is wide, but only as deep as its roots. Don't plant the tree too low in the ground to allow for some settling. Firmly pack the soil around the tree to eliminate air pockets. Cover the soil with mulch to keep in moisture and help moderate extreme soil temperatures. The mulch should be one to two inches away from the tree trunk.

    Flowers for Fall: Warm Septembers allow gardeners to plant flowers for fall blooms. These include chrysanthemums, sweet peas, snap dragons and asters. Also, plant bulbs such as autumn daffodils and crocuses

    Add to Your Vegetable Garden: Some vegetables can still be planted in fall for a winter or early spring harvest. These vegetables include peas, fava beans, kale, leeks beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, radish, carrots, celery and winter zucchini.

    For more planting and gardening tips, go to www.agromin.com.

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  • How to Plant Bulbs - Friday, August 22, 2008 at 5:54 PM
  • Bulbs are a very economical way to ensure beautiful spring color year after year. The ideal time to plant bulbs is in the fall. This should result in very resilient, bright flowers for the spring.

    Soil Preparation
    Having a good soil base is essential for growing healthy bulbs. Make sure your soil's clay content isn't too high. Till soil conditioner into the top 12 inches of soil. This should help break up the clay and make the soil more conducive for planting.

    Fertilization
    Phosphorous is a necessity to the bulbs' root development. Mix a phosphorous fertilizer with the soil beneath the bulbs' location so that it can benefit the roots.

    For bulbs to come back year after year, you will need additional fertilizer. Mix five tablespoons of 10-10-10 fertilizer, plus two cups of bone meal per 10 square foot section. As soon as you see evidence of the plant sprouts, apply fertilizer. Don't fertilize spring bulbs once they start flowering.
    This may rot the bulbs and shorten their life.

    For summer and fall blooming bulbs, fertilize once per month from the time they start peaking out of the ground to the time they reach full bloom. Apply seven tablespoons of the 10-10-10 fertilizer, split over two or three applications. Monitor the pH levels of your soil. The ideal range for bulbs is a 6 to 7. For healthy bulb development, till bone meal into the soil when you plant the bulbs. You can buy pH level testing kits at most garden centers.

    Planting
    A basic rule of thumb is to plant bulbs at least twice as deep as the bulb is tall. Hyacinths, tulips and daffodils should be planted with the top of the bulb facing upward and the plate facing down. If you are planting several bulbs, you can simply loosen the entire bed of soil, press in the bulbs and cover with soil. This technique helps with drainage and allows the bulbs to last longer.

    Once the bulbs are planted, the garden area should be covered with at least two inches of mulch. The mulch helps to insulate the soil and retain the moisture.

    Watering
    Water bulbs immediately upon planting. As you water regularly , keep in mind that water needs to penetrate to the bulb. You can water with a soaker hose to keep the water off the bloom. Be careful -- over-watering can cause the bulb to rot.

    Staking
    You may need to add some extra support to some of the blooming bulbs such as delphiniums and dahlias. You can add a support ring around a tall weak stem. You can also use stakes, but be careful when you drive the stake into the ground so as not to damage the bulbs or roots.

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  • - Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 5:09 PM

  • Agromin is the blue ribbon winner at this year's Ventura County Fair in the education category. The Agromin display tells the story of green waste recycling from the curb to the final application. The self-directing display includes descriptive signs and photos that follow the recycling process from start to finish.

    The Ventura County Fair Board of Directors recently recognized Agromin's Brian Critchley for his more than 10 years of dedicated volunteer service. Brian can be found every year as the fair nears offering suggestions to young Future Farmers of America as they ready their fair displays. Agromin often donates high quality bark to these displays to help give them a finished look.

    Agromin is dedicated to recycling. The pine rounds that circle this year's Agromin display will be donated or recycled. The banner sign in the middle of the display is made from biodegradable cloth. Even the signs and photos contain organic ink.

    The fair runs now through August 10 and is open from 11 am Monday through Friday and from 10 am on Saturday and Sunday. Come visit the Agromin display ar the fair's Flora Culture garden area.

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  • August Gardening Tips For Southern California - Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 5:10 PM
  • Many gardeners believe that if you don't plant flowers and vegetables by June or July, planting season is over. That's not the case in Southern California, say experts at Agromin, a Camarillo, Calif.-based manufacturer of premium soil products. Many summer flowers and vegetables can still be planted in August.

    Plant Summer Annuals: Plant summer annuals including cosmos, zinnias and marigolds from transplants for quick color. Sow seeds for cool-season annuals including calendula, pansies and snapdragon.

    Plant Herbs and Warm Season Vegetables: An assortment of herbs can be planted in August and still provide a hearty harvest. Plant basil, oregano, parsley, rosemary, thyme and mint from transplants. The plants with thrive through fall. Beans, beets, carrots, celery, corn, cucumber, spinach and squash can all be planted now, as well as cool season crops such as broccoli and cabbage.

    Harvest Your Vegetables: Your summer vegetables are ripening almost daily. Zucchini, squash and cucumber seem to grow overnight. Pick ripened vegetables frequently, whether you use them or not. This will encourage the plants to continue to produce for the rest of summer and into fall.

    Mow Weekly: Lawns grow quickly during the summer months. Grass blades should be at least an inch long to protect the soil from heat, help protect against water evaporation and to stimulate deeper root growth.

    Houseplant Maintenance: Clear out dead foliage and water regularly, especially if plants are in direct sunlight. During summer growing months, plants may outgrow their containers. If a plant begins looking weak or its growth slows, it may need repotting. Gently remove the plant from the pot and examine the root system. If all you see is a mass of roots without soil, the plant needs repotting to a larger pot.

    For more planting and gardening tips, go to www.agromin.com.

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  • Gardens Love Organic Mulch - Friday, July 18, 2008 at 10:12 AM

  • Organic mulch offers tremendous advantages when placed around your garden flowers and vegetables. A 2" layer of mulch prevents moisture from evaporating, so less watering is needed. Mulch blocks weed growth and reduces the amount of insects and other pests.

    Mulch acts as an insulator to protect soil from extreme heat or cold so a layer of mulch around your plants is a smart idea year round. Plus, mulch makes an attractive groundcover. Mulch comes in a variety of colors from blond to red to dark brown (depending on the source wood). The size of the materials ranges from 1/4" to 3".

    Organic mulches contain only natural wood materials. Depending on the blend, mulches can include fir, buckwheat hulls, redwood bark, evergreen boughs, hops, ground corncobs, sugar cane and cottonseed hulls. Avoid buying mulch that contains hay, manure and straw. These types might contain weeds.

    Mulches that contain more wood will provide fewer nutrients and decompose slowly. Softer mulches will provide more nutrients but decompose more quickly.

    How to Lay Down Mulch

    1) Apply a 2" to 4" layer of mulch over the planting beds of already established plants. Leave a 5-inch radius around each plant. Do not put mulch over recently planted seeds because it will hinder their growth.

    2) Rake the mulch every so often to expose new mulch.

    3) The mulch will decompose over time. When only a thin layer is left, add more.

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  • Last Chance to Plant Pumpkins - Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 9:38 AM
  • HOW TO PLANT AND GROW PUMPKINS

    Pumpkins are related to gourds, cucumbers, melons and squash. They grow on plants that have long, stretching vines that sprawl across the ground. The best time to plant pumpkin seeds is during the last part of May to the middle of June, but plants are available at garden centers and can be planted now for a fall harvest.

    The blossoms (yellow flowers) will start to appear after about three weeks of growth. The blossoms that produce pollen will appear first. About a week later, the female blossoms will begin to appear. The female blossoms will have a little pumpkin at their base. When both sexes appear on the vines, bees will carry the pollen from the male to the female. The little pumpkin will develop into a full size pumpkin after it has been pollinated. During the pumpkin's growth period, the plant will continue to blossom.

    It takes about three to six months for a pumpkin to grow to its peak size. The seeds found inside pumpkins can be saved to grow new pumpkins the following year.

    Recommended - plant your pumpkin in Agromin's Vegetable Garden Mix -- a specific organic soil conditioner blend for vegetables. Vegetable Garden Mix is particularly effective in conditioning sandy or clay soil conditions but is also beneficial for any vegetable planting application including raised vegetable beds or even flowers, roses and shrubs. No need to fertilize. ProPower keeps delivering essential nutrients for up to 45 days with a combination of immediate release and timed release ingredients.

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  • Agromin on KRLA-AM - Friday, June 20, 2008 at 1:25 PM
  • Agromin's Bill Camarillo was recently on "Home Wizards," heard throughout Southern California on KRLA-AM and hosted by Cindy Dole. Bill took questions from listeners about soil, composting and gardening. To listen to the interview, go to http://homewizards.tv/archive_view.asp?id=189 and click on "Composting for a Beautiful Garden."

    "Home Wizards" is on every Saturday morning from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. It can also be heard live on the Home Wizards' website: http://www.homewizards.tv/.

    If you have questions about the right kind of soil for your garden, planting or watering tips, please write us.

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  • Welcome to the Agromin Blog - Monday, June 16, 2008 at 3:24 PM
  • We'd like to introduce you to the Agromin blog. Check it out often for new offers, soil and planting tips, green materials recycling news and updates.

    Agromin unveils its new website this month. We've added new content designed to help gardeners plant healthier gardens, trees and shrubs. We've also devoted a section, "Complete the Circle," on green materials recycling.

    Agromin premium soil products begin with the grass clippings, leaves and other materials you put in your green waste barrels every week. These materials are then cleaned, chopped, composted and blended into a variety of nutrient-rich soil products for your gardens. By depositing your green waste properly, you are doing your part to complete the green recycling circle.

    Please write with your gardening or recycling questions, interests and experiences. We'd love to hear from you and our readers will too.

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