Aguinaga Forest Floor Humus

In Soil Science, “Humus” refers to any organic matter that has reached a point of stability, where it will break down no further, and if conditions do not change might remain essentially as it is for ever.

Aguinaga Forest Floor Humus is a recycled, clean green composted soil amendment made from shredded tree trimmings which have been screened to 3/8 minus for uniformity in particle size. It has then been carefully monitored for oxygen and moisture content as it aged for several months, thereby attaining a carbon nitrogen equivalent which is usually less than 20:1

Mature humus provides fertility to the soil in both a chemical and physical sense. Physically, it helps the soil retain moisture by encouraging microporosity and encouraging good soil structure. Chemically, it feeds the soil population of microorganisms and other creatures thus maintaining a high level of soil life and making plant nutrients more available.

The structure of humus enables it to buffer or moderate excessive acid or alkaline soil conditions and it is able to hold somewhere around 80-90% of it’s weight in moisture thus increasing the soils capacity to withstand drought conditions.

Aguinaga Forest Floor Humus has a rich, dark brown/black color and a handful cupped to the nose gives the beautiful fresh scent of soil after a rain.

COMMON USES:
Aguinaga Forest Floor Humus is used is various Aguinaga proprietary mixes. It is an excellent soil conditioner and may be used as a pre-plant amendment for general planting.

General Purpose Soil Amendment - #3

Here are some specifications on our GPS3

Material composition consists of Aguinaga Green Humus, sand, and specifically selected organic materials.

Selected soils and volcanic aggregates complete the compliment of materials in this mix. Variations are available dependent upon project requirements, so specific analysis of site material is required to assure proper utilizations of available recipe.

GPS3 pH and E.C. (electric conductivity) are variable dependent upon final use of product – again pointing out the necessity of accurate site-material analysis.

Material is screened to the 3/8 minus particle size in order to achieve consistency and material uniformity.

GPS3 Material is a light weight grow-medium and has long term residual characteristics. It is characterized with improved to excellent drainage and aeration properties, and as well contains an excellent nutrient package similar to Aguinaga Green planter mix.

COMMON USES: This material is a special mix formulated for a multiplicity of applications in a wide range of products.

Color-point beds, general planting for acid loving plants such as Azalea, Camelia, and Rhododendrons are examples wherein the product substantially enhances plant growth.

Aguinaga's Overstructure Mix

The overstructure mix is formulated to nourish and grow nearly any sort of planting material where there lies a structural limitation regarding weight, and a light weight mix which provides soil nutrients and maximizes drainage is therefore necessary.

Material composition consists of an Aguinaga Green nutrient package carefully selected and blended for quality and performance in order to satisfy general N/P/K requirements. This blend is married to a combination of pumice, sand, and 0-1/4 fir bark. Pumice increases volume at a low weight, and sand assure drainage. Firbark assures adequate nutrient and moisture retention.

There are premium variations of overstructure mixes utilizing alternate materials, and dependent upon application. Each is pH balanced with an emphasis on E.C. (electrical conductivity – which is a measurement of salts as it would relate to plant and soil requirements).

Overstructure mixes are generally two stage, where the top layer consists of a composition growth medium of sand, pumice, organic material, and nutrients, and the lower player consists of a composition drainage medium. More recently a single layer has been incorporated which simplifies installation as well as insures growth medium throughout the profile. This encourages further root growth into the lower planter drainage area.

Please email us at info@aguinagagreen.com or call us at 1-877-OC-MULCH for ordering information.

Planting a new lawn

A sometimes overlooked aspect of planting or maintaining a lawn lies in not taking into account the nature of the soil the lawn is to be planted in.

There are three basic types of soil; clay-laden - consisting mainly of very fine particles that retain water nd have a tendency to stick together or ball-up if you try to squeeze a handful, sandy soil - made of much more grainy particles and thaat have a greater difficulty holding moisture, as it tends to percolate right through this material, and loam - which is a combination of both sand and clay.

Once you have a sample of the soil in your planting area, it is wise to get a soil analysis which will tell you the pH (acidity or alkaline nature of the soil) and the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and other organic material present - and - how far off the mark your soil is to an ideal composition and texture that will best promote growth.

Soil amendments are materials such as humus, peat moss, shaved bark, compost, lime, gypsum, and sulphur, and must be added only as necessary dependent on the specifics and/or deficiencies of a given soil. They can result in improved aeration, drainage and root penetration, and a healthy microbial environment that will promote the growth and well being of your lawn.

Contact Aguinaga for further information in planning your next lawn - or any other project requiring mulches or soil reparation.

Planting a Vegetable Garden?

If you're planting a vegetable garden, make sure you pick up some of Aguinaga's Organic blend mix. You can pick it up or we can also deliver it. Call 1-877-OC-MULCH for ordering and for delivery prices.

Here's more about Aguinaga Green's Organic blend:

Aguinaga Green's Organic Blend is a fortified planting mix and can be used as general planting medium specifically for vegetable gardens. It contains a substantial level of organic matter and contains naturally available calcium, as well as balanced ingredients that are specially blended to complement plant growth.


Specifications:
BASE FEED STOCK: Base feed stock material consists of uncontaminated clean green shredded tree trimmings and plant material native to the area, by an STA approved facility. There is NO inclusion of grasses of any kind, curbside material, or miscellaneous foreign debris.


COMPOSTING: Material is initially ground to four-inch-minus and composted by the formation of windrows which are turned every three days at a minimum, for fifteen days. During this fifteen day period, moisture, aeration, and temperature will be monitored and recorded to assure that a minimum of 132F degrees is obtained throughout the process. The temperature detailed herein will assure that weeds which can germinate and raw material contained pathogens are destroyed, and a microbial–friendly environment is formed for the production of required plant-growth nutrients. Windrows do not become anaerobic.


MATERIAL PARTICLE SIZE: Material is subsequently screened to the specified 3/8 minus particle size in order to achieve consistency and material uniformity.

As in all Aguinaga products, Aguinaga Green STA composted Organic Blend contains no curbside green waste.

Using compost with gypsum improves clay soils

Gypsum, otherwise known as calcium sulfate, can be used to amend clay-based soil and also to improve soils with high concentrations of sodium.

Amending clay-based soils with gypsum leads to healthier and more productive plant growth. Gypsum also improves soil structure and infiltration rates when there are high concentrations of sodium.

Aguinaga’s General Purpose Soil Amendment 1 (GPS 1) is one of Aguinaga’s special blends. It consists of general purpose mulch, recycled green matter, turf plus, and gypsum. The blending of these products has brought forth an excellent balanced planting soil amendment that has a multiplicity of uses throughout the garden area, regardless of soil texture. Sandy soil will begin to retain moisture and clay soil will have improved drainage and aeration.

The addition of turf plus improves the nutrient levels in the product and adds organic nitrogen for long term, slow-release microbial activity. The improved levels of soil bacteria greatly enhance root development and stimulate plant growth. GPS 1 particle size is 0 to 1/2 inch. It is nitrolized and stabilized and fully composted.

All of Aguinaga's products are STA Certified.

pH and Compost

What is pH?
pH Factor means potential Hydrogen and measures soil’s acidity or alkalinity. The scale runs from 0 to 14 where 7 represents a neutral soil. Numbers below 7 indicate the degree of acidity, and numbers above 7 indicate the degree of alkalinity. The pH scale is logarithmic and each jump is a ten fold increase. A soil with a pH of 4 is 10 times for acidic than one with a pH of 5 and 100 times more acidic than one with a pH of 6.

Composting and the pH Factor
The microorganisms in compost operate best under neutral to acidic conditions with the pH in the range of 5 to 8. In the beginning stages of decomposition, organic acids are formed. Conditions that are acidic are best for the growth fungi and breakdown of lignin and cellulose. As composting goes on, the organic acids become neutralized. “Mature” compost generally has a pH between 6 and 8.

If there is not enough oxygen (anaerobic), the acid accumulation can lower the pH to 4.5 and limit microbial activity – thus slowing down the composting process. Aeration is needed to return the compost pH to an acceptable range.

Compost and Plants
Most garden plants do best in a slightly acidic to neutral soil – around pH 6.5 to 7. Compost can modify and stabilize pH. When compost is added to the soil, it acts as a chemical buffer and increases the plants tolerance to pH. Adding compost to a slightly alkaline soil will make it more neutral.

pH, STA Certification, and Aguinaga
Each month, Aguinaga sends a sample of compost to the US Composting Council where the pH and other properties are tested. By passing these lab tests every month, the US Composting Council awards us with the Seal of Testing Assurance (STA Certified.)

Aguinaga Materials Overview

General Ground Cover: 0-2 (particle size in inches)
Aguinaga ground covers are made from shredded tree trimmings and plant material that has been fully composted to STA standards established by the American Compost Council, which require the material to pass stringent testing after being exposed to 132degrees F for a period of time which eliminates seeds and pathogens. It is an economical, nitrogen stabilized material with a rich brown color that will preserve ground moisture, help prevent weeds, and add a pleasant contrast continuum to any garden area and deteriorates at a slow rate.

General Ground Cover: ½ to 1½ (particle size in inches)
This ground cover - similar to the one above but with a finer particle size - is made from native shredded tree trimmings and plant material. It is screened for uniformity, nitrogen stabilized and used for ground cover as well as for tree box mixes.

General Purpose Amendment (GPS2)
GPS2 is a fully composted soil amendment (thereby void of renegade seeds and deleterious pathogens) made from clean-green recycled material that can be used for back-fill material for planting shrubs and plants, or rototilled into the soil as a general amendment.

It is nitrogen stable – that is will not create nitrogen drag from the soil and plantings, and will generally achieve improved soil moisture retention in sandy soils and alleviate compaction in clay laden soils.

Planter Mix:
Planter mix is great for shallow planter boxes and color burst. It contains mature peat moss for micro nutrient supply as well as pearlite and redwood to help maintain moisture.

Seed Topper:
Seed topper, as the name implies is designed mainly to be used for covering seeds, but in many cases can be used as mulch, for planting mediums as a back-fill amendment. As a top dressing, the material can be used to dress walked-on corners, or for re-seeding turf.

Organic Matter Content

Organic matter content is the measure of the vast array of carbon based materials in compost and is typically expressed as a percentage of dry weight. Organic matter is an important ingredient in all soils and improves soil structure, physical condition, soil temperature, water holding capacity, and nutrient availability – especially the soil bacterial processes which affect the availability of mineral salts to plants.

High quality organic soil amendments should contain at least 40 percent organic matter. Soil and silica make up the remainder of the compost dry matter. The range for ideal organic matter content for compost ranges from 30 to 70 percent.

Being aware of a product's organic matter content is necessary for determining compost application rates on specific applications, such as soil incorporation, turf establishment, agricultural crop production, and topsoil production. Knowing the organic matter content is also useful for estimating the age and physical properties of the compost.

Each month, we send a sample of our compost to the US Composting Council lab where it is analyzed and tested. Organic matter content is one of the many properties that is tested.

Achieving the Correct Moisture Content of Compost

In order for a compost pile to work efficiently, the correct moisture content must be achieved.

The organisms that do the composting need water to live and when the moisture content is too low, the biological activity stops because the organisms need water for their metabolism. Low moisture content slows down the composting process. Compost that is too dry looks more dusty and less like fresh soil. It will often crumble apart in your hand.

High moisture content must also be avoided. When excess water fills the pore spaces in the compost, oxygen diffusion is impeded and this leads to anaerobic conditions. The microorganisms drown because they are deprived of oxygen. If you hold compost in your hand, and you can squeeze water out of it, the compost is too wet. The compost is often foul-smelling (ammonia) and clumped or matted together.

The moisture content of compost should range between 40 to 55 percent. Compost should not release water, but stay compacted. Piles that are aerated well and turned often will have a desirable moisture content percentage.

Each month, we send a sample of our compost to the US Composting Council lab. One of the many properties that is tested is the moisture content.

Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio

Each month, we send a sample of our compost to the US Composting Council. The Carbon-to-Nitrogen ratio is one of the properties that is tested.

The Carbon-to-Nitrogen ratio is an important factor in the quality of compost. Composting microorganisms require the correct proportion of Carbon for energy and Nitrogen for protein production.

All organic matter is made up of substantial amounts of Carbon combined with lesser amounts of Nitrogen. The course of decomposition or ogranic matter is affected by the presence of these two elements. The balance of Carbon and Nitrogen is called the Carbon to Nitrogen ratio (C:N ratio). If a material has a C:N ratio of 25:1, that means there is 25 times as much Carbon as Nitrogen.

Decomposition of organic matter is done by living organisms that require Carbon for energy and require Nitrogen for protein production and building cell structure. The best compost has a C:N ratio around 25 to 30 parts Carbon to 1 part Nitrogen and is dark, rich colored, soft, and easily malleable in your hand.

If there is too much Carbon on the C:N ratio is too high, decomposition slows down. This is because there is not sufficient nitrogen for optimal growth of the microbial populations, so the compost won't get hot and it will decompose at a slower rate. If the C:N ratio is too low, you will have a smelly compost pile because the microorganisms can't use all the nitrogen and the excess is lost in the form of smelly ammonia gas.

We send a sample of our compost to the US Composting Council under the STA program and each month, properties such as the C:N ratio are tested. You can be assured that when buying compost from Aguinaga Green, you are receiving the very best quality.

Aguinaga Green = Biosolid Free

According to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, biosolid compost comprises around 20 tons of the 82,000 tons of solid material removed from the city's sewer every year. The sludge goes to a composting facility where it is mixed with green waste and composted (heated to 130 degrees for 30 days.)

The San Francisco Chronical is reporting that a debate is going on over the safety of this biosolid compost.

You can read the full article here.

Aguinaga Green does NOT use any biosolids in our products. All of our products are derived from tree trimmings and bush trimmings from local tree trimmers.

Cocoa Mulch can be dangerous for your pets

Make sure to buy your ground covers and mulches from Aguinaga Green. Our products are safe for your children and pets.

Cocoa mulch, which is sold at stores like Home Depot and other garden supply centers, can be dangerous to pets. Cocoa mulch contains theobromine and caffeine - two ingredients that could be fatal to dogs.

If a dog eats a few ounces of cocoa mulch, they could get stomach problems. It is especially dangerous for smaller breeds. Dogs may start to act restless and have seizures.

Cocoa mulch contains 300 to 1200 mg. of theobromine per ounce, which makes cocoa mulch one of the strongest concentrations of theobromine a pet may encounter.

All of Aguinaga's products are safe for your pets. Call us today at 1-877-OC-MULCH if you need ground cover or mulches. We also deliver.

Nitrolized Products

Aguinaga is proud to offer...

Nitrolized Fir Shavings: Nitrolized Fir Shavings are nitrogen fortified/stabilized to prevent drag (removal) from the soil. This product is particularly useful in sandy soil to aid in the retention of moisture, slowing percolation and leaching, and thereby aiding in the retention of nutrients.

Nitrolized Fir Chips: Nitrolized Fir Chips are nitrogen fortified/stabilized to prevent nitrogen drag from the soil. The particle size of this material is 3/8 minus and it is excellent as a soil amendment, improving the porosity for excellent drainage as well as good aeration in the soil. The product stands alone as a general soil amendment and is more resistant to decay than sawdust. It is also used as a supplement in other mixes.

For a list of all of our products, visit our website: http://www.aguinagagreen.com/

We are also taking quotes by email - info@aguinagagreen.com

Pictures added to our website

We've added pictures of our products to our website. Visit www.AguinagaGreen.com Please email us at info@aguinagagreen.com for quotes!!!

See us at the Nursery Mart Show - June 2, 2010

Come visit us at the Nursery Mart Show!

The Nursery Mart will be in the building next to the California Grown Show.

The show is located at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, California. Show hours are from 9am to 5pm.

You can register onsite the day of the show.

We look forward to seeing you!

For more information: http://www.cangc.org/

There is no soil that can not be amended!

Clay laden soils cause difficulties in growing plants for several reasons - there is little oxygen within it, the impermeable character of the clay is a barrier to young propagating roots, it is sticky and hard to work with - and further, clay laden soil has a high alkalinity which is hard on roots.

When clay laden soil is mechanically broken up by tilling or spading, the loosened of the soil structure makes air pockets for much needed oxygen which is introduced - and when an amendment is added to the soil such as gypsum, further chemical remediation is added to the mix.

Gypsum is used both as a chemical and physical amendment for such soils. Sulphur is added from the gypsum, and the calcium in gypsum when mixed with water becomes soluble and is also taken up by the plant; both essentially for growth. The gypsum both mechanically and chemically breaks down the clay barrier to the plant growth and promotes porosity for drainage.

At Aguinaga Green, we contend that there is no soil that can not be amended!

GPS1 (general purpose soil amendment) is made from composted and totally "green" plant and tree cuttings. Visit either of our locations (East Orange or Irvine) to pick up some GPS1. We can load it right into your truck bed. We also deliver. Call 1-877-OC-MULCH for delivery prices or if you'd like some advice on how much product you need for your project. The general rule is that one cubic yard will cover approximately 100 square feet with three inches of material

Once you have the GPS1, you'll need to break up the top six inches of the clay soil. It's best to do this when the soil is dry, not wet. You can do this with a shovel or you can rent a tiller. Then add the GPS1 and mix it in. The area will be higher, and this will help with drainage.

Erosion testing with UC Riverside

Last summer, Aguinaga Green was ask to participate in erosion testing performed by the University of California – Riverside.

August 8th. 2009 a site was burned by members of the Riverside Fire Department and treatments were randomized within each of three rows with a variation in the compost application.

Two composting media were applied in different thickness. One consisted of “CLEAN GREEN COMPOSTED MATERIAL” and the other of “COMPOSTED BIOSOLID WASTE”
AGUINAGA GREEN provided all the clean green mulch for the project.

The testing plots are shown here on a hillside near the university - being discussed between AG and the university project manager. Rain events were monitored and runoff samples were collected from plastic bins following each storm event. Samples were analyzed for volume, pH, salinity, phosphorus, ammonia, nitrates, etc.

The sites were planted with seeds native to the area at twice the suggested rate per acre to assure a visually strong result.

Of great interest to us was that even after following the complete growing season – there was no result at all, on the biosolid plots - which is adequately shown even in the now-spent and cycled landscape test plots.

Our beliefs towards biosolids are further fortified that among other things that the salinity, heavy ammonia and phosphorus contained in this particular biosolid waste had an adverse impact – or curtailed the germination of the seeds spread under control in the project.

Aguinaga makes it to the front page of OC Register

Check it out!
http://jan.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/16/o-c-family-has-made-soil-rich-for-63-years/37383/

Aguinaga's Athletic Field Mix - 15% off

Mention our blog and get 15% your order of Athletic Field Mix.

It's almost summer, and time to rejuvenate your athletic fields. Keep them healthy and dependable by following these simple steps: mow your turf very short and then mark where your sprinklers are. This is so that they don't get hit when you aerating the field. Next, aerate the field. Aerating is putting small holes into the turf so that soil compaction is reduced and air and water can reach the roots of the turf. Next, add the top dressing. Aguinaga's Athletic Field Mix is the perfect product. This process can be done quickly by operating a spreader machine, which Aguinaga can do for you. After the Athletic Field Mix is put down, it's time to add grass seed to the field. Grass seed strengthens the turf and fills in the thin spots - which makes the field safer to play on and more dependable.

Our specially formulated Athletic Field Mix is a nitrogen stabilized top dressing, that is 0-1/4 inch in particle size. It is ideal for turf aeration, moisture retention, and root development. Our Athletic Field Mix also helps reduce compaction.

We can also apply our Athletic Field Mix on your fields with our spreader. We have applied our Athletic Field Mix on dozens of parks, schools, and high schools in Orange County. Call Amy to discuss your next field rejuvenation job at (714) 865-6521

We look forward to speaking with you soon!

What's that SMELL?!?!

We have received calls regarding four rotten egg like odor coming from bulk compost that had been deposited in their neighborhood.

Properly composted material has a distinctive but pleasant earthy smell.

The odors that we find offensive are ammonia, hydrogen sulphide, and those coming from volatile fatty acids.

Ammonia is generated by the buildup of nitrogen in an area of the compost that does not get enough air. This is called an anaerobic condition and is caused by the compost not being turned and aerated properly. At Aguinaga Green, we turn our compost every three days - both to eliminate this problem, and as well to assure complete composting and temperature increase to 132 degrees F within the pile (and hence elimination of all seeds and pathogens.)

Hydrogen sulphide is also caused by anaerobic (loss of oxygen) conditions and smells like rotten eggs. This is also eliminated with proper control of the compost material.

Volatile fatty acids are produced by microbial decomposition under anaerobic conditions, within the pile - also caused by improper control of compost.

Use only STA certified and approved sources such as Aguinaga Green, Inc for the compost you place around your home and family.

Roger Aguinaga recieves a Commendation from the City of Irvine

Happy Earth Day 2010

We pride ourselves in manufacturing the best quality landscape materials in Southern California. All of our products originate from local tree trimmers, and we recycle every last branch, leaf and twig. Our carefully controlled composting process results in products which are rich in humic compounds which make it useful for agricultural applications and for the restoration of organic matter in soils - the basis for promotion of the growth of vegetation. On this Earth Day, we'd like to say a special THANK YOU to all of our customers, and for using our 100% organic and earth-friendly products!

Aguinaga Green will Receive Commendation from the City of Irvine

This Tuesday, the City of Irvine will be recognizing Aguinaga Green for over 50 years of service in the City of Irvine. The Aguinaga brothers will be receiving the commendation at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 5pm.

Aguinaga Green has been in business for over 60 years, in which 50 of those have been in the city of Irvine. Aguinaga Green manufactures and recycles clean green agriculture and landscape materials.

Raymond Aguinaga Sr began hauling fertilizer from the dairies in L.A. to the local orange groves in Orange County and the Irvine Companies lima bean fields. Raymond initiated and developed a relationship with the growing community of the agricultural division of the Irvine Company by supplying all their agricultural needs. Aguinaga Fertilizer was created in 1947 in the city of Anaheim. Aguinaga moved to Irvine in 1957 due to the large amount of work needed here. Roger Aguinaga, Raymond Srs son, is a part of the day to day operations. Inspired by his fathers enthusiasm for the environment and love of agriculture, he has taken on and continues the Aguinaga family business. We are very proud to be part of the history of Irvine, and continue to be one of the largest suppliers of agriculture and landscape materials in southern California,

Saddleback Green Fair this Wednesday

We will be at the Green Fair this Wednesday, April 21 from 10am to 3pm at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo. The address is 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, California 92692. Look for signs for the Green Fair.

Other vendors there are: City of Mission Viejo, Casper's Wilderness Park, OC Mud Run, Recycling Guy, Second Harvest, Sierra Club, and more.

Using Mulch for Erosion Control

Applying mulch to an area or hillside is important for soil erosion control. By putting down a layer of mulch, the topsoil will stay put when it rains. The picture above is a resident in Orange County California that used our mulch for this very reason.

Not only will this hillside be protected by the rain, but it also looks nice and the mulch will help with weed control. The mulch will retain water, which is especially important for summer which will be here before we know it. Mulch helps save water.

Call us if you'd like to order some Forest Floor mulch for your hillside or garden area. 1-877-OC-MULCH

We look forward to speaking with you!

linkedin

Aguinaga Green is now on linkedin. Connect with us!

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/aguinaga-green/1b/a00/11b

East Orange Composting Facility

Aguinaga Green promises to provide the best quality products. Only clean green material (not curbside) is used for our products. Careful monitoring of all feedstock, grinding, composting, screening, and blending produces consistent quality products, with unsurpassed results.

Above is a photo of our facility, located in East Orange, California.

We can accept green waste materials here as well as dirt, asphalt grindings, and clean wood. Other materials can be brought in on a seasonal basis.

Aguinaga now offers Certified Playground Chips

Our Certified Playground Chips have been manufactured specifically for use in playgrounds, both public and private. They are used as a safety surface in the playground, and around the equipment. They are clean and safe and also nontoxic. Our Certified Playground Chips can also accommodate wheelchairs.

Call us today at 877 OC MULCH to order.

FREE landscape workshop

Resident of the Irvine Ranch Water District? Go to the next FREE landscape workshop on Friday, March 26, 2010 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Learn about picking the right plants for water conservation, how much to water your plants, and other important water saving tips.

More information and reservation forms can be found at the Irvine Ranch Water District website:

http://www.irwd.com/FreePrograms/workshops.php

Roger Aguinaga will be speaking about composting and using mulch for erosion control.

Aguinaga Green is S.T.A. Certified

What does S.T.A. mean anyways? Each month, we send in samples to the US Composting Council’s Seal of Testing Assurance Program (‘STA’) which tests our material in approved laboratories. We then can make these lab analyses results available to anyone who requests them. Because Aguinaga is S.T.A. certified, customers are assured that the compost we provide is the best of quality and is more than suitable for the planned use. That is why many companies and organizations specify S.T.A. certified products.

What does Top Dressing do?

Aguinaga's Top Dressings are designed to be used primarily as seed covers. In many applications these products can also be used as mulches, planting mediums and backfill amendments. The uniform particle size of these composted products will substantially enhance residual capabilities in the soil, and replenish organic matter levels. Aeration and drainage will be greatly enhanced and this creates yet another vital level of plant nutrition and stability.

Our Top Dressing products are available on request with Gypsum for soil aeration. A nutrient Package for balance application is also available.

Aguinaga's Forest Floor Mulch

With spring approaching, it's time to start thinking about our yards again. What can be used to aid in weed control and help with moisture retention in our gardens???

Aguinaga Green is the only manufacturer of Forest Floor Mulch. Our Forest Floor Mulch comes from shredded tree trimmings and plant material, which are native to the area. It is recycled, ground, and screened to a zero to four inches specification. Forest Floor Mulch has excellent moisture retention capabilities and aids in weed control. The organic levels are good and provide an excellent source of nutrients. This product is dark in color, has strong aesthetic appeal, and very residual. Call 1-877-OC-MULCH to order some cubic yards of Forest Floor Mulch. Remember, all of our products are STA Certified.

“Forest Floor” mulch and nutrients

Nitrogen is a nutrient - macro nutrient actually - and is part of chlorophyll; the green pigment in plants that is responsible for photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert energy from the sun into starches and sugars - - which are foods to plants and to all growing things. Essentially, with the sun’s energy, the process takes carbon dioxide from the air and hydrogen and oxygen from water to do this.

Composting of “clean green” as is done at Aguinaga, puts nitrogen as well as other nutrients back into the system. When temperatures are too low, or when compost becomes anaerobic (lacking oxygen), or when there is no moisture present, nutrients can not multiply. And when compost becomes too hot, the nutrients are eliminated.

Trademarked “Forest Floor” composted mulches made by Aguinaga, are carefully processed to assure a maximum benefit for you in your gardens.

We Walk the Talk

We talk about being conscious and cautious with our environment.

We do not by any means let up on ourselves in this regard... and internally we remain very careful ourselves, in maintaining control over our facilities.

Shown here is one of our settling ponds, where excess rain water is contained rather than being allowed to run uncontrolled.

It's hot at one thirty

It takes over one hundred thirty degrees to kill seeds and pathogens that are present, even in "Clean Green" compost material.
The other components also required for the task are moisture as well as oxygen.
In order to maintain our STA certification and properly compost our products, we check temperature consistently to assure compliance with this minimum temperature required.

By rolling and spreading our windrows forward, then again reconstructing them into another windrow oxygen is added, which stops the material from becoming anaerobic, and promotes the microbial action that is generating the heat.

Controlling Temperature

So, what’s all the fuss about temperature in the compost??

Unlike many competitors, Aguinaga controls the temperature in our compost to assure it reaches a minimum of 131 degrees F.

Why is this important? Because, only at high temperatures all seeds and pathogens are eliminated.

Seeds, we all know about. The word pathogen comes from the Greek pathos (suffering, passion”) and gignomai “I give birth to” - - so what we have here is an infectious agent that causes disease to it’s host.

So why is Aguinaga any concern over this Greek stuff?

The key: SOIL CONTAMINATION has the longest or most potential for harboring a pathogen !!! And pathogens are responsible for the transmission of communicable disease. They are generally bacteria, viruses and parasites, such as worms, amoeabae or protozoa that invade the body and cause illness in a variety of forms.

Hundreds of pathogen have high enough survival rates they can live in an aerobic – or oxygen prevalent – environment, like compost.

That is why we daily measure the temperature of our composting piles to both to maintain or STA status and to assure that you have a great looking but dormant mulch, in your garden. And also why we absolutely do not understand why anyone would put composted biosolid waste such is available in our area, in theirs!

“Clean Green” is not just anything green

If you have ever tried to compost at your home, even inadvertently by leaving a pile or canister of grass for a week after cutting the lawn, you will notice something very obvious: THE SMELL.

The smell; hydrogen sulfide which smells like rotten eggs and is one of the more offensive odors to human beings and is caused by the grass clumping together because of it’s base structure and becoming anaerobic – or lacking in oxygen.

Grass also tends to be nitrogen rich, and once again can pose problems in this regard if large clumps of grass become anaerobic - the resulting odor produced in this case is ammonia; another of the odors quite offensive to us.

By contrast, if you visit the Aguinaga site in beautiful Baker Canyon, California and wander amongst thousands of yards of composting material you will find only a woodsy/outdoors rather pleasant odor, as unlike many competitors, we do not allow grass or any other curbside waste into our composting raw material stream.

Much harder to control? Yes! But you enjoy the results when our product is used in and around your home.

Booth at Landscape Industry Show last week

Here's a picture of our booth from last week's show. More pictures on our facebook.

The Aguinaga Story

There was a common theme or thread among the early developers and settlers of Orange County. Most had a dream, ambition, and determination - and were not afraid of the hard work required to support a family and nourish the dream.

The Aguinaga family fit into this category.

In the mid forties, shortly after being discharged from the Navy, Raymond Aguinaga Sr. began hauling fertilizer from the dairies in L.A. to the local orange groves in Orange County and to the Irvine companies lima bean fields. Raymond initiated and developed a relationship with the growing community of Japanese growers farming the area which was the Agricultural Division of The Irvine Company. At this time the Irvine Company was also diversifying their farming practices, and both had recognized that chicken fertilizer prompted more vigorous growth than that from the dairies. Aguinaga had become a household name in the area, and began his own business in 1947, now playing a major part in the supply of fertilizer to local agriculture.

Let men with a vision do a difficult job and they will come up with an alternative. Aguinaga took a lesson from the mining industry and began developing and building conveyors, loading mechanisms, and spreaders. This first of many industrious drives to automation, replaced seven men and wheelbarrows with one loading mechanism and helped keep The Aguinaga Fertilizer Company at the cutting edge of their trade

As time went on four brothers joined the dad, and the Aguinaga Fertilizer Company became a well know factor in the agricultural community, moving fertilizer throughout Irvine, and growing with the urban sprawl. As the farmers were pushed out, there was an increased need for organic material and landscape projects – and landscape trimming material that needed to be dealt with as reclaiming “clean green” was added to the company activities.

Son Roger, off to school studying agriculture, continued the intuitive bent of father Raymond, and working in the fields with the Japanese, noticed that the plants sometimes “burned” and that the cause appeared to be related to fertilizer particle size. Roger began working with various sized screens and applying vibrating mechanisms to control this attribute, and then began studying composting of the material which totally eliminated any contingent odors.

Roger always was – and still remains, very skeptical regarding bio-solids (which have been utilized in compost since the 20’s/30’s). “They are fine as far as nutrients are concerned”, says Roger, but the inherent presence of heavy metals from bio-solid waste is an issue; “once they are in there – they are in there”, exclaims Aguinaga “There was never a risk assessment, for the carcinogens (cancer causing agents) in bio-solids and that is why bio-solids remain a concern and real potential problem!”

Excess nitrogen and salts are yet another component of this waste stream to be dealt with.

A next natural progression for the family industry was to add soils to the mix. Once again Roger analyzed product needs and refined the process, with emphases on the impact of soil character to plant growth, and appropriate remediation where required.

“It is a requisite, to understand the sensitivity to fertilizer, E.C. (salts), and pH in order to assure the use of proper amendments when we set out to establish the soil-basis for appropriate nourishment and growth”, states Aguinaga.

Today, Aguinaga Green, Inc. continues to supply a multitude of agriculture and landscape projects and materials, as one of the largest suppliers in Southern California.

Sneak Peek: Landscape Industry Show 2010

We're looking forward to seeing you at the 2010 Landscape Industry Show tomorrow and Thursday at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

2010 Show Dates & Times
Wednesday, February 3
9 a.m. - 4 p.m
Thursday, February 4
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Make sure to stop by Aguinaga's Booth - #938

See you soon!

Erosion Control

We all recognize the impact of erosion – but what can be done to avoid or abate it?

At Aguinaga, here in Orange County east of Irvine Lake, we work and live in the pristine natural environment of Baker canyon, enjoying nature at its best and also experience first hand vulnerability, when it comes to erosion.

Notice how rich sandy loam soil has been totally stripped from a hillside leaving only rock and underlying clay-laden material which will have difficulty fostering growth.

Notice how even relatively gentle hill slope still is invaded with downward rivulets gouging away material and leaving an unsightly path behind.

Notice how a gulley is easily formed as water collects and looks for an exit to the lowest level it can find.

Now by comparison, note how mulch covered hillsides – gentle as well as steep - are basically intact, and even after the heavy rains we have experienced, remain with their grasses attached. Aguinaga continues erosion research with Cal State riverside and continuously monitors testing on erosion remediation materials.

Don’t hesitate to call on us for information and guidance with your particular problems. 1-877-OC-MULCH

Aguinaga can take your green waste - call 1-877-OC-MULCH

The first step in processing clean green waste at Aguinaga involves the use of a diesel driven thousand horsepower grinder, which chews up chunks of trees to two feet in diameter in seconds, and will produce hundreds of yards of material per hour.

OC Register Article about Aguinaga Green

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/new-230242-compost-web.html

Forest Floor Mulch - We are the ONLY Producer

“FOREST FLOOR” MULCH: THE STORY

There is a very special connection between the Aguinaga family and the reason their company has remained in business since 1947: meticulous attention to detail in understanding, manufacturing, and supplying superior products.

Years ago, Roger Aguinaga was studying the symbiotic relationship that occurs in composting clean green materials. He very quickly grasp the fact that the wide range of close and long term biological interactions between bacteria and other unlike organisms where relationships exist, is either beneficial or even necessary for their survival.

To make a superior product, it would be absolutely necessary to assure this natural relationship was both promoted and maintained in the Aguinaga products.

The composting process that Aguinaga has applied for years has some very specific controls and requisites as to time and temperature in processing, that allow beneficial and natural micro-organisms to survive and prosper - at the same time destroying the seeds and pathogens which exist in collected clean green material before it is processed - that would result in the growth of weeds in the final mulch products.

In contemplating a special name for the superior and special product that resulted, Roger thought the naturalness of the forest appropriate and obtained the registered trade mark “FOREST FLOOR” for the Aguinaga product line.

Real “FOREST FLOOR” is only available from Aguinaga Green, Inc.