Raybo, That is the same stuff I tried to grow in and make the 511 mix with last year. When I bought the stuff I asked for the oldest bags they had. Plus I let it age for another month or two. I think that this stuff has too much 'sap wood' in it if you will to be effective as a main ingredient in the 511. I called Earth Gro a few days ago and they couldn't tell me exactly what was in the Earth Grow bark fines stuff. However I'm pretty excited about some stuff that I found at Summer Winds thats called bark mulch made by Redi Grow who is out of Sacra-tomato. They were able to confirm when I talked to them a few days ago that it is 100% fir bark which is as good as pine bark. The only set back about this product is that it is 1/4"+ in size. I opened a couple bags yesterday and it seems to be very close to the size of the stuff from Earth Gro. Anyway I'm gonna give a few bags of this stuff a go in some pots and go from there. Wish me luck! Damon

A supplement is not the same, necessarily as an amendment. I wouldn't mix any fresh raw wood product with the soil, but if it's spread on the surface like a mulch I think it will be fine. I believe pine fines are aged before being used in a potting mix. Mixed in the soil I would think any fresh bark would suck out the N. for a period of time- I also believe that blueberries don't care where the organic matter in the soil comes from as long as you manage the pH. You can't assume that what is needed to create potting soil will carry into what is needed in a general soil mix, where the soil itself dominates and you don't have the drainage confinement of a pot. Anytime you mix materials with a high carbon to nitrogen ratio to the soil where the carbon is easily available you will likely have difficulty keeping enough N in the soil for you plants. . Here is a link that might be useful: C-N ratios of various raw materials.

esox07: Just went on the computer and read your posting. I hope that you found what you need. Please let us know if this bark product can be used to make the quick-draining, gritty-planting medium....the '"bark-fines" part. I guess the price is not that high considering the Repti-Bark is $20.00 a bag... and you can always use the leftovers in the future if you make too much potting mix. Just a bit more information....There's a product called: "Micro Bark" made by GreenAll but it's mainly found only on the West-Coast, and a few other states. This might help others who live in these locations. No distributors/retailers in NYC area! Why???? Who knows? Bruce,...Good luck with the peppers. I hope I helped you and others. In addition: Some posters on this thread chose to misquote and misrepresent some of the information which I posted ... especially about the subject regarding the gritty-mix, potting mediums. The purpose of these forums is to openly exchange opinions, information, and ideas... and to do so without invective, and snide recommendations, if you happen to disagree with that posted information.

I have a question. Mulch for what: landscaping, garden, flower beds? Pine won't last long in full sun as it will break down as well as blow away, but can easily last a dozen years if somewhat protected. Dust and sand are only going to get harsher as we dry out more in the immediate future. Crushed rock is good for ten to twenty years before it starts looking shabby, and then landscapers can come in and power sift it. Rake it lightly with a fan rake every month or two and it stays presentable. Scorpions don't do mulch; either kind. Roaches can't handle rock heat. I've never seen a centipede in landscaped areas.