Soils & Amendments

Amendments are recommended in situations such as compacted soils, new construction sites  with disturbed soil, and soils with excessive clay. In addition, trees will exhibit faster growth the first few years if soil is amended, so we recommend adding a high quality compost and/or a product like VermiBlend for Japanese maples and other high value plants. We stock Vermiblend (an amendment made of compost, earthworm castings, and other ingredients-see below), Redi-Grow soil amendment, and Redi-Grow potting soil (a high quality potting soil which is similar to the potting soil that we use in the nursery for our Japanese maples). We recommend a mixture of a good quality compost of your choice and Vermiblend for most plantings. This will not only improve plant growth, but healthy soil is the foundation for disease prevention as well.  

Information on VermiBlend can be found at http://www.vermicrop.com/product_details.php?products_id=4   or in our office. VermiBlend is a premium soil amendment that contains high quality compost, earthworm castings,  Alaskan Humus, Fossilized Kelp, and endo/ecto mycorrhizae. We stock this product at the request of many of our customers who have found it to be highly beneficial to their Japanese maples, dramatically improving the first year growth and health of the trees.  

We also recommend mulching all trees and shrubs with a high quality, organic-type mulch to 2-4" deep. Keep the mulch 3" away from the trunk of the tree or shrub to discourage disease to the crown of the plant.