Our Soil Enrichment Compost is made entirely from tree trimmings. The trimmings are ground twice then wind rowed, watered, and turned for aeration on a weekly basis. The carbon/nitrogen ratio (C.N. Ratio) is reduced to 25:1 or less. Before mixing, the windrows are leached with well water for a minimum of 20 hours to dissolve and remove excessive salts, reducing the electrical conductivity (E.C.) to .85 or less. The finished compost has a 6.5+ pH, depending on the individual windrow used.
A soil surfactant is injected with the leach water to reduce the hydrophobic nature of the compost. The surfactant will have a continuous and useful life within the substrate for approximately 12-14 weeks, thus allowing easier absorption of water within the planter.
The substrate as described above has an intended low nutritional value. It is highly recommended by Civano Nursery that a controlled release fertilizer (C.R.F.), such as Osmocote, be added to the mix at a rate of 4 to 8 lbs per cubic yard depending upon the plant species. A controlled release fertilizer with a duration of 12-14 weeks is recommended.
The mulch is composted moistened and turned frequently in wind rows.
A close-up image of the composted mulch.
