What contains potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and iron and contributes to the growth of stronger and healthier plants and increased yields? The answer is volcanic basalt. The proof is in the brix. Brix levels are often used to describe the nutrient density of fruits or vegetables as a measure of their sugar levels. In actuality,…
The holiday festivities are over and the winter solstice has passed. This can only mean one thing: It’s time to start planning for the spring garden! What are your resolutions for the year ahead? Maybe you’ve decided to do more composting. Perhaps you’ve resolved to try planting new and different varieties of fruits and vegetables. It…
An indoor herb garden is a breath of fresh air and a much-needed ray of sunshine during this otherwise cold and dark time of the year. Plus, who doesn’t love fresh herbs as part of a festive holiday meal? Roasted squash with rosemary and sage. Potato latkes with fresh basil and chives. Herb-encrusted roast beef….
Lavender is as beautiful as it is hardy. Although often associated with English gardens, lavender is native to the Mediterranean where it grows in dry, sunny and rocky conditions. Fortunately, lavender can adapt to a variety of different growing conditions. For example, lavender thrives here in the Pacific Northwest where the weather is mild yet…
If you’re tempted to stay inside this month, just think how good you feel after a spending a few hours in the cool, crisp fresh air of fall. Inspired? Good! Because there is still plenty of work to do in the garden to get planting beds ready for the spring. Now is a good time…
Bonsai are natural tree forms in miniature. As an art form, bonsai has been practiced for hundreds of years in China and Japan and there are bonsai enthusiasts all over the world. Unlike trees planted in the ground, bonsai cannot extend their roots in search of essential minerals and nutrients. Instead, they get their nutritional…
Soil pH is a hot topic among gardeners and one worth taking a look at. People talk about how ‘acidic’ or how ‘alkanine’ their soil is but they don’t always consider other factors that are essential to proper soil management. Let’s start with a basic pH primer. Like the temperature of the human body, pH…
After spending spring and summer tending to the soil, you may be tempted to take a break while you wait for Jack Frost to bring your vegetable garden to its inevitable end. Yet a thorough fall cleanup and basic soil preparation now will ensure a healthy, vibrant garden in the spring. Agronomist Richard Affeldt of…
Harvest season is a great time to appreciate the fruits of your labor and to take time to reflect on the growing season. Pumpkins aren’t just a fun part of the fall garden—they are also very visible reminders of the importance of mineral-rich soil in producing large, beautifully colored and nutrient-dense fruits. (Yes, pumpkins are…
Mark Brause is the owner of Brause Family Farm, a small-scale organic CSA program in Astoria, Oregon. Always looking for ways to maximize yield using all-natural techniques, Mark knows that one of the best ways to do this is to make sure that the soil is rich in trace minerals. This year, Mark used Cascade…
