My Broccoli seedlings, which were spindly and sickly looking were replanted in Organic Mechanic Potting Soil a couple of weeks ago. They now look like they were given a vitamin shot since they are standing strong and tall with several leaves.
Organic Mechanics is no ordinary potting soil. My broccoli obviously knows this. It is comprised of all organic matter including worm poop and compost that is locally harvested. What make this product so special? Compost and worm castings help create healthy soil. See the Company’s detailed explanation as to the benefits of compost and worm castings.
There are no synthetic fertilizers, wetting agents, or sewage sludge in the potting soil. The best part is it is peat-free. Why does that matter since all of us seem to use a little peat here and there in the garden?
According to the Company,
“Each year almost 32 million cubic yards of peat are harvested from virgin land for horticultural use. Imagine 10 football fields covered in a pile of peat 5 stories tall! Harvesting peat destroys one-of-a-kind ecosystems for both flora and fauna, and is particularly damaging to insect and migratory songbird populations. England has run out of peat for horticultural use, their entire horticultural industry is going peat-free by 2010. Ireland will stop harvesting peat by 2020.”
As you can see from the above picture, I made a fatal peat faux pas by using up my peat jiffy pots to plant the broccoli plants! Never again.
Creating this potting soil was a seven year labor of love for soil man Mark Highland, the president of the Company. He caught the horticulture bug as a young child and pursued his passion in college where he received an undergraduate degree in environmental horticulture from the University of Florida and a graduate degree in Public Horticulture Administration from the University of Delaware. While working, he learned the art and science of vermiculture (composting with worms) from veteran farmers and has applied that knowledge to the potting soil.
Highland is also passionate about the environment. The company’s primary goal is to produce a local product produced and delivered with a minimal amount of fossil fuels. The potting soil is produced in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Their electrical needs are met by 100% wind power, and their delivery trucks run on bio-diesel fuel. In addition, their bags are made of 20% post consumer recycled plastic.
Products are available in several areas or can be ordered online through the company. I bought my potting soil at the Princeton, NJ Whole Foods.
The potting soil can be used to start seedlings. To the right is a picture of my tomato seedling that just sprouted a week ago. (Yes, with the jiffy peat pots…)
For comparison pictures of plants potted in Organic Mechanics and other potting soil, visit the gallery on the website.
The Company recently received OMRI (Organic Material Review Institute) listed status for their flagship product, Organic Mechanics Potting Soil. Since 1997, OMRI has provided a list of independently reviewed products for the gardening industry intended for use in certified organic production, handling, and processing. Recently, this organization achieved USDA accreditation under International Organization for Standardization Guide 65:1996 (ISO-65). According to Highland, OMRI is the “go to” organic organization for the gardening industry. The future plans of the Company are to seek OMRI listed status for their entire product line.
If you asked my broccoli about the potting soil, then they would say peat who?
N. & J. says
April 24, 2008 at 8:39 pmYou can also purchase fertilizer from Terracycle which is worm castings and may be more easy to find since even Walmart sells it and they are packaged in old soda bottles- recycling without creating any additional toxins which is pretty cool.
N. & J.’s last blog post..Alaska Experiment Review
Green Talk says
April 24, 2008 at 11:44 pmI see Terracycle in home depot and walmart too. Have you tried it yet on outside plants?
CompostGuy says
April 26, 2008 at 11:43 pmThis stuff sounds great – thanks for the info.
Vermicompost (worm castings) is phenomenal stuff, and a little goes a long way.
Green Home Improvements says
April 28, 2008 at 2:47 pmI always thought that peat was a “green product”, it looks as if I might be mistaken. Scotland uses peat when they produce scotch (or at least good scotch) so they should protect their resource.
Green Home Improvements’s last blog post..Starting Seeds a Green Home Improvement
Brenda says
May 3, 2008 at 1:24 amOrganic soil makes complete sense as to the health of your little broccoli seedings. When the soil is full of nutrients, then the plants become healthy. A vitamin shot indeed! Worm castings provide some phenomenal results. Great post!
Brenda’s last blog post..Podcast: Treating Thatch in a Lawn
Funchal says
April 11, 2011 at 7:20 amGreen Home Improvements, peat certainly is not a “green product” – peat extraction destroys natural habitats and leaves a barren landscape.
I know Monmouth Council in the UK collects garden and food waste from householders and recycles it into compost with the help of millions of worms. I can testify, it produces excellent compost for seedlings. The entire scheme was set up with the help of a grant from the EU.
What a shame more local councils have not introduced similar schemes.