Nature’s GREEN-RELEAF™ First Bloom ™ Growing Media is a blend of 60% Compost and 40% Aged Pine Bark Fines. This University tested growing media has a proven ability to deliver exceptional plant growth when compared to the standard media mix of pine bark and sand. First Bloom ™ Growing Media has excellent water and air balance. Compost provides increased organic matter which is essential for an increase cation exchange of nutrients and an increased water holding capacity. Aged Pine Bark Fines provide the required air space for root health and a lowering of the Compost pH. This product was developed to provide the nursery industry with a value added media product.

Certified Compost

Novozyme’s –Nature’s GREEN-RELEAF produces the certified compost portion on the First Bloom TM Growing Media Mix. This is made from select raw materials like ground yard trimmings, sawdust and food grade enzyme residuals. These materials are composted by the turn windrow method of composting. This method ensures that all raw materials go through a homogenous mixing and proper aerobic decomposition. This process is monitored for temperature and oxygen. During the active phase of composting piles reach temperatures over 150 degrees Fahrenheit. This high temperature kills all detrimental pathogens and weed seeds. The active phase of composting takes 60-90 days. The compost product is then allowed to cure and mature for an additional 60 days.

Aged Pine Bark

The Aged Pine Bark portion of First Bloom TM Growing Media is a base material, or “organic skeleton” that nurserymen typically combine with other components (such as lime, sand, fertilizer, micronutrients, etc.) to create a growing media for container plants. Pacific Mulch ages their pine bark to stabilize the final product for nursery use. This stabilizing process addresses both chemical properties (pH and soluble salts) as well as physical properties (primarily reducing wood content in the pine bark, and creating sufficient small bark particles for moisture retention) After the initial processing, pine bark immediately begins to go through a state of change due primarily to naturally occurring microbial activity in bark piles. The goal is to provide a product that is stabilized and resistant to rapid changes. Improper aging of pine bark can lead to low pH’s and high soluble salt levels that can be phytotoxic. It can also result in anaerobic condition. This condition can lead to the development of mycelium fungus, a gray band found 24 to 30 inches below the surface of the bark pile. This fungus makes the bark nearly impossible to wet, and is accompanied by low pH and EC readings. The Aged Pine Bark is stabilized 4 to 6 months. Reaching the stabilized level is determined by absence of high temperature “spike” while aging.

First Bloom TM Growing Media is a marriage of two high quality organic medias. University research indicates that that First Bloom TM Growing Media provides the grower with a strong quick start and accelerated finish for short term perennial and annual crops. This shorter growth cycle offers the grower a significant economic advantage. It saves money and makes money by lowering production inputs and decreasing time to market.
US Composting Council’s Seal of Testing Program

Compost Testing Parameters

 

Application & Use Guidelines

 

 

Containers Filled/Cubic Yard of First Bloom

 

Professional Grower’s Technical Data

 

 

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