As each of us begins a gardening project, we all have the end result in mind: a bountiful vegetable garden, an overflowing flower covered basket or perhaps a thick and rich new lawn! At Sun Gro, we believe that the key to these and many other gardening successes is directly related to the quality of product that we, as a manufacturer, put in a bag. We hope the following chart will illustrate the advantages of Black Gold® made by Sun Gro Horticulture, North America’s largest producer of professional growing mixes - over the competition.
Is there a quality assurance program where my potting soil is made?
Black Gold mixes and amendments are made using an industry-leading quality assurance process - the same program we use when we manufacture professional growing mixes.
The commitment to quality varies. Most manufacturers can only produce products for the consumer market. Their facilities are not capable of producing products to the same quality standards of products manufactured by Sun Gro facilities.
What quality standards does the company use for their raw materials?
Specific raw material standards exist for every component put in a Black Gold mix. If it does not meet our standards, it is not put in our mix.
Raw materials are often bought on the open market, and the only standard that might exist would be that of the raw material vendor.
How many graduate-level trained horticulturalists does the company have to support its quality program?
Three in the Western United States alone.
Unknown
Are the natural and organic potting soils and amendments OMRI Listed?
Yes, all of them. If a commercial grower wants to become certified, they know that using OMRI listed products is an important aspect in becoming certified.
Few competitor products are OMRI Listed due to the additional costs, additional raw materials and higher quality process standards.
Is Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss a major component of the potting soils and amendments?
Yes. Just like professional growing mixes, Black Gold® uses Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss as a major component for their mixes and amendments.
Since Peat Moss is expensive compared with other products, the percentage of peat moss is often reduced and replaced with cheaper filler products.