How to Grow a Thriving Summer Garden with Coast of Maine Organic Soil
Summer is peak gardening season in Bergen County, NJ, and it’s also the time when soil health, watering practices, and plant care matter most. At a recent Coast of Maine Organic Products Q&A event held at Rohsler’s Allendale Nursery, local gardeners had the chance to learn how to grow healthier, more resilient gardens using organic methods.
Backed by Coast of Maine’s approach—building soil with natural, compost-based ingredients sourced from land and ocean—the event reinforced one simple principle: Healthy soil equals healthy plants. Below, you’ll find expert-backed strategies, locally relevant tips, and answers to the most common homeowner questions.
Why Use Coast of Maine for Organic Gardening
Coast of Maine has been producing organic soils, composts, and fertilizers since 1996, focusing on sustainable ingredients like:
- Composted manure
- Sphagnum peat moss
- Aged bark
- Lobster and crab shell meal
- Kelp, fish, and other marine-based nutrients
These blends are designed to improve soil structure and aeration, enhance moisture retention, provide slow-release organic nutrients, and support beneficial microbial life. Unlike synthetic fertilizers, these products feed the soil ecosystem, not just the plant.
Organic Summer Gardening Tips for Bergen County
Bergen County presents unique gardening challenges—heat, humidity, and often clay-heavy soil—but with a few smart adjustments, you can set your garden up for success. Improving heavy soil is key, so adding compost each year helps loosen clay and improve structure, while raised beds filled with compost blends can enhance drainage and encourage stronger root development.
To combat summer heat, apply 2–3 inches of organic mulch, which helps retain moisture and keeps soil temperatures more consistent. When it comes to watering, focus on depth rather than frequency; deep watering a few times per week encourages stronger root systems, and compost-rich organic soils help retain moisture longer. Choosing climate-appropriate plants makes a big difference—native and heat-tolerant varieties are better suited to New Jersey summers, and proper spacing improves airflow to reduce disease in humid conditions.
Common Organic Gardening Questions
What makes Coast of Maine soil different?
It uses compost-based organic ingredients from both land and ocean sources, including lobster shells, kelp, and composted manure. These materials improve soil biology, structure, and nutrient availability naturally.
Is lobster compost really effective?
Yes. Lobster compost adds calcium and nutrients, improves drainage and moisture retention, and supports microbial activity and root growth.
How often should I water in summer?
Water deeply 2–3 times per week. Organic, compost-rich soils hold moisture longer, so daily watering is usually unnecessary.
Grow Better by Growing Organically
The Coast of Maine Q&A at Rohsler’s highlighted a powerful shift in gardening. It’s not about feeding plants; rather, it’s about building living soil ecosystems. By using compost-based organic products, choosing the right soil blends, and adapting to Bergen County’s climate, homeowners can create gardens that are more resilient to heat and humidity, more productive over time, and better for the environment. Come visit Rohsler’s for more gardening tips or to see our full selection of Coast of Maine products!