As the weather warms up, family activities move outdoors—including those that involve our beloved four-legged pets. At the same time, popping up on grassy areas everywhere are those bright yellow signs that say “Caution! Pesticide Application. Stay Off Grass for 24 Hours.” Unfortunately, pesticides and fertilizers can be present on lawns and in parks for…
“How much should I use?” is probably the most frequently asked question that we receive from first-time users of volcanic rock dust. Naturally, most people are concerned about any potential dangers associated with overuse. We cannot speak for other brands, but we can give you some practical advice for using Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster…
We recently received this testimonial from Nick Haldeman, an organic cranberry farmer in Ilwaco, Washington who has been using our all-natural volcanic rock dust on his crops: “Ours is only the second cranberry farm in the state to transition to organic. As part of that process, I ran a small-scale study using Cascade Minerals Remineralizing…
Of all the surprising statistics in “Fed Up,” a movie that shines a harsh light on childhood obesity in the United States, one really stands out: Up to 80% of public schools have some sort of contractual arrangement with a provider of fast food, from Coke and Pepsi to McDonald’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut and…
It’s no secret: Our soils are in trouble. A group of prominent soil scientists laid out the facts in a recent paper published in Science. The article also highlights the ramifications for food production and human security. Erosion, nutrient depletion, urbanization and climate change—all contribute to the declining productivity of our earth’s soils, nearly 40%…
California’s extreme drought is making international headlines and causing worry among farmers who must adapt or be forced out of business entirely unless climate conditions improve. Unfortunately, California is not alone. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), at least 40 states expect to see some levels of freshwater shortages in the next decade. Humans…
You’ve probably seen the label “broad-spectrum” on your sunscreen. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen because it protects against UVA and UVB rays. In fact, the very definition of a broad-spectrum product is a product that is effective in a wide variety of ways. While you won’t find any broad-spectrum labels on…
As it’s already late April, we’re pretty confident that the threat of frost is over (at least it is here in Portland, Oregon). That means it’s time to turn our attention to the spring lawn. People still think of spring as the time to cover their lawn in fertilizer, but unless your lawn has suffered…
In a previous blog post, we wrote about Silicon (Si) and the role that it plays in helping plants stay healthy and boosting their natural resistance to insect pests and disease. Found naturally in volcanic basalt, Silicon is a key ingredient in Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster. Recent research also shows that Silicon is effective…
A customer in California recently wrote to tell us how applying all-natural rock dust made of volcanic basalt to his rose bushes helped keep away pesky aphids: “I’ve normally had to spray my roses for aphids at least once by this time of the year. The only thing different this year is that I used Cascade…
