• 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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  • 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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  • 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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