McKittrick Nurseries

04/27/2026

1 gallon Winter Gem boxwood.

03/12/2026

Many raised beds struggle before the first plant ever goes in. The problem usually isn’t sunlight or spacing — it’s the soil itself.

Most bagged soils look almost identical on the shelf: the same dark color, the same word organic printed across the front. But what’s actually inside those bags can vary far more than most gardeners realize.

Some mixes contain biosolids from municipal sewage processing, which may carry heavy metals and persistent compounds that don’t break down the way natural organic matter does. Others include plastic-coated slow-release fertilizer pellets, which release nutrients gradually but can also shed microplastics throughout the growing season.

Bulk topsoil can sometimes contain aminopyralid, a long-lasting herbicide used in agriculture. It can remain active in soil for years and damage sensitive plants like tomatoes, beans, and peppers. Plants growing in contaminated soil often show curled leaves and stunted growth, and unfortunately there’s no easy fix once that soil is in your bed.

Growing healthy food isn’t only about what you add to the soil — it’s also about what was already there when you opened the bag. 🌱

🌿 What to check before filling a raised bed this spring:

• Read the ingredient list on the back, not just the marketing on the front. Labels may say “organic,” but the ingredients reveal the real contents.

• Avoid soils that list biosolids, sewage sludge, or municipal waste.

• Choose mixes with clear, specific ingredients like composted bark, peat moss or coconut coir, perlite, or worm castings. Vague ingredient lists often mean less transparency.

• Ask questions when buying bulk soil. Find out where it came from and whether it has been tested for herbicide contamination.

• Start with a simple, reliable mix for a new bed:

⅓ high-quality compost

⅓ clean topsoil from a trusted source

⅓ perlite or coarse vermiculite for drainage and aeration

Even the best-built raised bed won’t grow healthy crops if the soil starts with hidden problems. Clean, balanced soil is the foundation of a productive garden. 🌿

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12/24/2025

What better task for a wintry day than making your own holiday wreath? Grab a round frame, florist wire, pruners, and some evergreen boughs — then get the full step-by-step tutorial here: https://buff.ly/8ZSZt1B

(📷: Kristin Green)

10/10/2025

Barely caught this one before it dipped down to the 40's and I turned into an ice cube!

10/03/2025

09/08/2025

Now is the time to harvest your milkweed seeds.

09/06/2025

The New Jersey State Board of Agriculture will be hosting a virtual Budget Listening Session on October 1, 2025 at 6pm via Zoom. This is a great opportunity to share your thoughts on what should be included in the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget!

Please RSVP to attend this event using the QR code or link: https://forms.office.com/g/TDYBnA4UP0

08/18/2025

08/08/2025

What progress from yesterday to today! We can turn that area of your garden into a beautiful landscape. Small spaces with big results.

07/30/2025

The zinnia flower symbolizes endurance, and strong friendships. 🐝 🐦 🦋