Within the medical community there is ongoing debate about the nutritional value of supplements. Many physicians believe that supplements are a waste of money for patients who exercise and eat a reasonably balanced diet. Taken improperly or used in excess, supplements can even cause potential harm. Yet even the healthiest among us face challenges that…
Category: Soil Health
This article was originally published as a guest post on Growing a Greener World. The secret to growing healthy and nutritious food begins with the soil. Naturally healthy soil contains billions of living microorganisms—from bacteria to nematodes, fungi, protozoa, arthropods and earthworms. Together, they join in a carefully choreographed “bacterial ballet” in which each organism…
While other parts of the country are still covered in snow, Oregon’s spring has kicked into overdrive. It’s not just the magnolias that are awakening, either. Birds, bees, squirrels—and eager gardeners—are all brimming with energy and activity. Fortunately, there is no shortage of work to be done in the garden. Here are five tasks that, if…
Fresh sources of silicon-based rock minerals are essential to the life and vitality of plants and key to supporting healthier soils. Unfortunately, many of the world soils have become depleted of essential minerals, including: Silicon (Si) – a key component of plant cell walls, silicon improves plant structure and increases resistance to pest and disease….
The numbers are alarming: More than one-third of kids in America are overweight or obese. Along with excess weight comes a variety of serious health issues, from type 2 diabetes to high blood pressure and high cholesterol. (All of which were once considered to be “adult only” diseases.) The good news is that kids, parents…
It hardly seems possible, but some of the roses here in Portland, Oregon (aka the City of Roses) are already starting to leaf out…and it’s only February! With spring right around the corner, the Portland Rose Society is holding free pruning events to answer questions about growing beautiful, healthy blooms and to demonstrate proper pruning…
It’s great to see how composting is trending on social media. Suddenly, compost is “cool” again. (Figuratively, that is. Learn how to turn up the heat on your compost pile by reading our previous blog post, “Bring On the Heat: Why Volcanic Basalt is a Composter’s Best Friend.”) However, no amount of organic compost will…
We take it for granted that the fresh produce we buy in the grocery store is going to be good for us—but it might surprise us to find out that it is NOT all that it is cracked up to be. (Of course, fresh produce will ALWAYS be better for our health than the processed…
As proficient as plants are, they can’t make the minerals that are essential to human health and nutrition. And while compost is pretty cool, no amount of organic matter can make up for mineral deficiencies in the soil. Minerals that are missing from the soil are minerals that are missing from the fruits and vegetables…
Why remineralize? Here are 15 good reasons to remineralize the soil: Provides micronutrients (trace elements) that are essential to plant health Is fast acting and long lasting, available to plant roots when they need them Regenerates soil while feeding beneficial soil microbes Contributes to increased growth and vigor of all plants Leads to more nutritious fruits…