If you want to improve all of your landscape plantings, try Fafard Premium Topsoil. This enriched soil amendment is regionally formulated to best suit your local garden soils.
Author: Jan Perez
Give Your Garden an Edge With Resilience®!
Sun Gro® Horticulture is proud of its exclusive potting mix additive, RESiLIENCE®, our trade name for horticultural silicon (Si), a beneficial plant substance. RESiLIENCE® is an all-natural, water-soluble mineral that is included as an ingredient in many Black Gold® mixes. RESiLIENCE®-enhanced growing mixes are enriched with beneficial silicon—a technology developed by the company’s own research horticulturists. Potting mixes fortified with RESiLIENCE® could offer gardeners real growing benefits.
Numerous trials have shown that plants grown in RESiLIENCE®-enhanced mixes may exhibit:
- Improved Trichome Development
- Earlier Flowering
- Better Root Growth
- Longer Time Before Wilting
- Increased Stem Diameter
- And Quicker Recovery from Infrequent Watering
In some trials, certain species of container- and garden-grown plants were also found to recover better from less-than-perfect watering, which may give your potted plants an edge on hot, sunny days.
Gardeners have had additional questions about RESiLIENCE®. Here are some of the most common FAQs:
What are the benefits of RESiLIENCE®-enhanced mixes?
Time and time again, research at universities, commercial grower trials, and the Sun Gro Horticulture Discovery Center, supported positive growing results with RESiLIENCE®. The results were impressive in over 40 common bedding plants tested, such as red salvia, snapdragons, calibrachoa, verbena, and black-eyed-Susans. The plants tested showed visible increases in plant growth and vigor in addition to better roots and stems, earlier flowering, and delayed wilting.
Do RESiLIENCE®-enhanced mixes benefit all garden plants?
We cannot be certain, but positive research results were shown in a wide variety of common bedding plants. For the plants tested, week-by-week growth data was collected in a controlled greenhouse setting. Tests were conducted using Black Gold®, Fafard®, and Sunshine Advanced® retail mixes as well as Sun Gro’s Sunshine®, Fafard® and Metro Mix® professional lines of peat-based and bark-based growing and propagation mixes. All of the mixes trialed were fortified with the same level of RESiLIENCE®. According to Janet Rippy, Ph.D., lead researcher of the RESiLIENCE® program at the Sun Gro Discovery Center, “Results may vary by species, growing conditions, and growing practices, but after extensive research and trialing, we are confident that RESiLIENCE® mixes may benefit plant growth in numerous important horticultural plants.” The research is ongoing, but as we learn more, the benefits become increasingly clear. Silicon-enriched RESiLIENCE® mixes may offer natural growing support to container plants grown indoors or out. Savvy gardeners should seek growing mixes with valuable RESiLIENCE® additive.
How do RESiLIENCE®-enhanced mixes work?
Plants take up easy-to-absorb RESiLIENCE® beneficial silicon from the roots and draw it up into stems and foliage. This all-natural, water-soluble mineral may provide reinforcement to make plants tougher and more resilient and help them cope better with environmental stresses. Stronger stems and longer time before wilting can help plants with durability, wind-resistance, and the stresses of drought.
See the RESiLIENCE® difference!
Thus far, the research results have been so impressive that we believe RESiLIENCE® silicon-enriched growing mixes will become the new standard for gardeners. Why? Because we have been able to see the results in carefully conducted studies and trials. When you use Sun Gro’s quality potting mixes enriched with RESiLIENCE® your plants may be stronger, last longer, and recover more quickly from infrequent or inconsistent watering. Try these mixes, and we hope that you will see the difference!
Where can I find RESiLIENCE® mixes?
Selected Black Gold®, Fafard®, Sunshine®, and Sunshine Advanced® products contain RESiLIENCE® technology in addition to many of Sun Gro’s professional products. To find a retailer near you, please visit our Store Finder.
* Results will vary by the kind of plant you grow and how you grow it.
© 2019 Sun Gro Horticulture Canada Ltd. All Rights Reserved. ® Fafard, Sunshine Advanced, Sunshine, Our Expertise is Growing, All the Riches of the Earth, RESiLIENCE and Sun Gro are registered trademarks of Sun Gro Horticulture Canada Ltd. ® Black Gold is a registered trademark of ODIN Enterprises II, LLC. Used under license.
RESiLIENCE® – A Beneficial Plant Substance that May Make a Plant Stronger*!
Sun Gro® Horticulture is proud of its exclusive potting mix additive, RESiLIENCE®, our trade name for horticultural silicon (Si), a beneficial plant substance. RESiLIENCE® is an all-natural, water-soluble mineral that is included as an ingredient in many Black Gold® mixes. RESiLIENCE®-enhanced growing mixes are enriched with beneficial silicon—a technology developed by the company’s own research horticulturists.
Potting mixes fortified with RESiLIENCE® could offer gardeners real growing benefits. Numerous trials have shown that plants grown in RESiLIENCE®-enhanced mixes may exhibit:
- Improved Trichome Development
- Earlier Flowering
- Better Root Growth
- Longer Time Before Wilting
- Increased Stem Diameter
- And Quicker Recovery from Infrequent Watering
In some trials, certain species of container- and garden-grown plants were also found to recover better from less-than-perfect watering, which may give your potted plants an edge on hot, sunny days.
Gardeners have had additional questions about RESiLIENCE®. Here are some of the most common FAQs:
What are the benefits of RESiLIENCE®-enhanced mixes?
Time and time again, research at universities, commercial grower trials, and the Sun Gro Horticulture Discovery Center, supported positive growing results with RESiLIENCE®. The results were impressive in over 40 common bedding plants tested, such as red salvia, snapdragons, calibrachoa, verbena, and black-eyed-Susans. The plants tested showed visible increases in plant growth and vigor in addition to better roots and stems, earlier flowering, and delayed wilting.
Do RESiLIENCE®-enhanced mixes benefit all garden plants?
We cannot be certain, but positive research results were shown in a wide variety of common bedding plants. For the plants tested, week-by-week growth data was collected in a controlled greenhouse setting. Tests were conducted using Black Gold®, Fafard®, and Sunshine Advanced® retail mixes as well as Sun Gro’s Sunshine®, Fafard® and Metro Mix® professional lines of peat-based and bark-based growing and propagation mixes. All of the mixes trialed were fortified with the same level of RESiLIENCE®.
According to Janet Rippy, Ph.D., lead researcher of the RESiLIENCE® program at the Sun Gro Discovery Center, “Results may vary by species, growing conditions, and growing practices, but after extensive research and trialing, we are confident that RESiLIENCE® mixes may benefit plant growth in numerous important horticultural plants.”
The research is ongoing, but as we learn more, the benefits become increasingly clear. Silicon-enriched RESiLIENCE® mixes may offer natural growing support to container plants grown indoors or out. Savvy gardeners should seek growing mixes with the valuable RESiLIENCE® additive.
Fafard® Ultra Container Mix with Extended Feed
Fafard® Ultra Container Mix with Extended Feed is specially formulated to retain water better than ordinary potting soils. It can be used for indoor or outdoor growing and contains a fertile blend of compost, bark, Canadian sphagnum peat moss, controlled-release fertilizer, water-holding crystals, and other fertile ingredients.
The 2018 Landscape Show
Check out Fafard and Sun Gro Horticulture at this year’s Landscape Show held from October 4-6, 2018 at the Orange County Convention Center in sunny Orlando, Florida. The Landscape Show is the hottest landscape and horticulture conference and trade event in the whole of the American Southeast. The expansive show presents over 800 vendors displaying their best across a 5 acre show floor. The Landscape Show is presented by the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association, Inc. (FNGLA) and also offers loads of educational and networking opportunities for attendees.
Tropical Plant International Expo (TPIE) 2018
Come out and see Sun Gro and Fafard at the Tropical Plant International Expo (TPIE) held from January 17 – 19, 2018 at the Broward County Convention Center! It is THE trade event showcasing the latest trends in South Florida tropical plants. The massive trade show features nearly 5 acres of vibrant plants in addition to green industry vendors. Come and see all the new things Sun Gro will offer in 2018.
We will be at booth #1102
Sun Gro’s PAR Vegetable Garden: 17 Years and Growing
Back in 2000, the Sun Gro® Horticulture corporate office in Agawam, MA moved to a new site that included a garden. The garden was originally used for display, but eventually we transformed into the Plant a Row for the Hungry (PAR) vegetable garden. [The Plant a Row for the Hungry (PAR) program was launched in 1995 by the Association for Garden Communicators (GWA) and GWA Foundation as a public service to encourage gardeners to grow fresh produce for community food banks and soup kitchens.] The garden was expanded and upgraded in 2010 and has been yielding produce for our local food pantry ever since.
Over the years, the Sun Gro® PAR garden volunteers/employees have planted, weeded, watered, and fertilized the garden and reaped the harvest. As the company has changed with time, so have our employees who volunteer in the garden. Plenty of longstanding staff have participated in the garden since the beginning, and there are always new employees willing to get their hands dirty to support the effort. Sometimes family members help out, too. It’s a community effort!
Engaging Volunteers
More recently, we invited outside volunteers to help keep our PAR garden productive. Our biggest help comes from the horticultural students from Westfield Technical Academy in nearby Westfield, MA. Our garden gives them hands-on training in garden prep and planting, and we are grateful for the help! They come in spring to help us get the garden prepped and sometimes they help plant. They also help at harvest time when we weigh in our crops and deliver them to the Westfield Food Pantry, also in Westfield, MA.
Like most gardens, we have bountiful harvests some years and other years the weather and weeds get out of hand, but it’s not just about our gardening success. Our PAR garden also teaches us about working together and committing time to our local community.
In our best harvest year we weighed in nearly 450 pounds of fresh produce, so we know our garden is making a difference! This year, we plan to do much better. Our volunteers have signed up for 2017 and are scheduled to start planting vegetables in late May. We will also be installing three raised beds (filled with Sun Gro® container mixes), with lumber donated from Lucia Lumber Co. Inc. in Agawam, MA, and fencing to keep out unwanted wildlife.
Bring Fafard to Your Local Garden Center!
Can’t find Fafard® or other Sun Gro Horticulture products at your local garden center? Interested in carrying Fafard mixes Then please email us at info@sungro.com. We will work with you to find a solution!
Fafard products are quickly moving beyond the Eastern United States to garden centers and hydroponics stores near you. It’s easy to see why. Gardeners choose our products because of their reliably great performance. What’s more, many of our products are OMRI Listed, so you can feel confident that you are growing with the best.
Want to be part of the action? Then request our top-quality growing products today!
If you are a retailer ready to join the thousands of other happy Fafard vendors, please email us here.
Homemade Pico De Gallo
Feeling a little spicy after you have harvested your fresh veggies? This pico de gallo recipe tastes delicious with crunchy tortilla chips or as a taco topper.
Ingredients:
- 2-3 medium fresh tomatoes, diced
- 1/2 a red onion, finely chopped
- 1 serrano chili pepper, finely chopped
- Juice of one lime
- 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Cumin (optional)
After dicing and chopping, combine all the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Season to taste. If the chili make the pico too hot, add more tomatoes. Wear gloves when preparing chili peppers and don’t touch your eyes. Set aside for one hour in order to for the flavors to blend together. Enjoy!
Grilled Beef & Vegetable Shish Kabobs
Sometimes it’s easy to get in a barbecuing rut when the solution is right in front of you! If you are vegetable gardener, grab your favorite veggies from your garden, skewer them up, and grill.
Ingredients:
1 cup boiled red new potatoes, quartered
1 cup red, yellow, or green bell pepper chunks
1 cup red onion chunks
1 cup white button mushrooms
1 cup zucchini or yellow squash chunks
1 cup cherry tomatoes
3 cups sirloin chunks
Garlic & Herb Marinade
1/2 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons agave syrup
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano leaves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Whisk all of the marinade ingredients together and refrigerate in a covered container or use right away. Before grilling, toss the vegetables in the marinade, and allow them to stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Skewer the vegetables and beef chunks, and grill them for 4-5 minutes on each side.