Is there a store/retailer in my area?
Never sold in the “big box stores,” Coast of Maine Organic products are only available at independent retailers and garden centers. (There are hundreds across New England and the Mid-Atlantic.) Simply enter your zip code into our STORE FINDER to find the closest one!
Stonington Blend™ Organic & Natural Grower’s Mix – what feeding regimen do you recommend?
Our Nutrient Feeding Schedule for Stonington Blend™ Organic & Natural Grower’s Mix, recommends using Stonington Blend™ Organic Plant Food and Fish Bone Meal.
Stonington Blend™ Organic & Natural Grower’s Mix and Platinum Blend, are they the same product?
Yes! They are the same product, just slightly different packaging.
Is there an expiration date to your soils?
No. There is not an expiration date to our soils. As long as the unopened bags are stored in a cool dry place, they are good to use for several years.
Can I use a bag of leftover soil next year? Will the biology survive if it freezes in an unheated garage over the winter?
You absolutely can use it next spring. Just make sure to fold or roll the bag over tightly so the moisture is retained in the bag and store in cool dry place. The garage is fine. Remember, it came from Maine!
What does the date stamped on the top left corner of the bag mean?
The date stamped on the top left corner of the bag is the date that the bag itself was made. It is not the date that the soil was bagged.
Can I buy products at your Portland Office?
Our Portland office is just our administration office. We don’t sell direct to consumers. You can only buy our products at local garden centers/ independent retailers. (There are hundreds across New England and the Mid-Atlantic.) Our store locator can help you find one in your area.
Are you available in California?
We are working on direct distribution to the West Coast but are not there yet. However, most of our products are available via Shopify through our website or through our store on Amazon, which was established to serve customers who do not live near one of our independent retailers. You can buy most items using Amazon Prime if you are a member.
Can you ship Stonington to Canada?
At this time, we do not ship outside of the US.
I have an allergy to Shellfish – is Quoddy Blend, Lobster Compost safe to use?
Our first recommendation would be to consult with your physician. While we are aware of a few people with a shellfish allergy that do use our products (while wearing gloves) and do consume the grown food without any problems, we do not recommend it.
I am severely allergic to coconut. Is your soil safe to use?
Our first recommendation is to consult with your physician. If your allergy also includes the husk of coconut, then we wouldn’t recommend you use any of our soil products. While Stonington Blend Growers Mix and Master Nursery Growers Mix are the only two manufactured Coast of Maine Brand products that directly contain coir, (coir is the outside husk of coconut), there is always a possibility that airborne coir fibers could blow in to the other piles, or contaminate via secondary transfer onto the equipment.
Are your bags recyclable?
Yes, The material in our packaging is recyclable. They are number 4 LDPE plastic.
How do you recycle the bags?
Contact your local solid waste authority to see if it accepts number 4 LDPE plastic in your curbside recycling program. If so, simply place the number 4-coded items into your bin according to instructions, and set out on the appropriate day.
Are you working on using more greener / reusable / materials?
Yes. Our mission is fundamentally centered on caring for the living planet that we all share, so we are ALWAYS looking for better greener packaging. Unfortunately, historically, there have not been great alternatives. The plastic bags used by the entire lawn and garden industry must have the durability to handle both the heavy weight and transport of soil product, as well as withstand multiple season long exposure to the elements. Our long-term projects are three fold: First, we are pursuing ways to expand the recyclability of our current packaging. Second, we are evaluating alternative material sources that would theoretically improve the sustainability of the bags. Third, and finally, we are continually looking for a better solution for all or part of our line. We expect to have some good news on progress to share with you soon, so please check back with us.
What is the source of your seaweed? And how is it harvested?
Our ambition is to support successful organic gardening and growing by offering what we believe are the best organic composts, soils and fertilizers on the market. Kelp has been used for hundreds of years as an effective, organic fertilizer. Our kelp meal products fit with this organic mission in that we source materials that are reviewed and approved by OMRI (Organic Material Review Institute), the most widely accepted organic certification for our categories in the United States. Specifically, we source our products in Maine from North Atlantic Laboratories and Acadian Sea Plants. We are aware of the current debate on kelp harvesting along the Maine coast, and have made efforts to be sure we are doing business with licensed suppliers who have implemented sustainable harvesting practices and comply with the regulations of the State of Maine.
Is the Cow Manure in your Soil Organic? Where does it come from?
Our manures come from several large local farms near our production facilities. These are composted in accordance with NOP standards (National Organic Program) and combined with sphagnum peat moss. The result is a naturally lightweight, easy-to-use soil. Additionally, our compost based soils meet the organic production standards of the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) and feature the OMRI logo on their bags, indicating that they are OMRI listed for organic production.
I found a lobster band in my bag of Quoddy.
Lobster bands come in with the lobster shells that we compost. (It is real lobster shells!) While most of them are screened out at the end of the composting process, there are some that go through our ½” screen and find their way into bags. They do not impact the efficacy of the product and we are sorry for the inconvenience.
How is Coast of Maine Brands responding to concerns about Peat sustainability?
Coast of Maine Brands strives to provide the very best soils available to homeowners and commercial growers who are as concerned as we are about sustainability. Our products have always contained varying amounts of peat moss depending on the product. Most of the peat moss we use comes from Canada and of the 280 million acres of Canadian peatlands, only 0.03% of those acres are being harvested. Despite the regulation and regrowth efforts by harvest companies, the sustainability of peat harvesting is debatable.
In an effort to lessen our dependence on this resource, we are decreasing the volume of peat moss in our soil recipes. It is being replaced by a combination of materials including compost, aged bark fines and wood fibers. You will notice a change in the texture of the mixes and will likely need to adjust watering according to plant needs. Overall, this change will allow us to become more sustainable while delivering the same product quality that you have come to know from our Company.
