Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster is derived from finely milled volcanic basalt and nothing more. With no synthetic chemicals or man-made additives, our rock dust is approved for use in organic production. Yet we’ve noticed puzzled expressions when people see silicon dioxide (SiO2) listed as an ingredient. “Hey, isn’t this supposed to be an all-natural…
As the byproduct of violent volcanic activity, basalt is not an amendment that people associate with dependable crop production. Yet adding basalt to soil and potting mixes is a natural coming-together of geology and biology. It’s Mother Earths own form of soil remineralization. Results include stronger root systems, healthier plants and increased yields. Here’s what…
For years, gardeners “in the know” have been amending their garden soil and potting soil with coconut coir. Coconut coir, or coir, is a natural fiber that is found between a coconut’s hard internal shell and its outer coat. Commercial coconut harvesters remove the long coir fibers for use in products like doormats, brushes and…
Spring is the ideal time to remineralize the soil with all-natural rock dust, before these fast-growing beauties really take off. If it helps, think of roses as teenagers. With the proper nutrition and in the right conditions, they will blossom right in front of your eyes! It is not enough to rely on commercial rose…
Chemically synthesized fertilizers are designed to feed plants fast. They cover the necessary macronutrient requirements and contribute to rapid leaf growth (if not proper root growth). In that sense, they do their job very well. But there are a multitude of secondary nutrients, micronutrients and trace elements that aren’t available in most commercial fertilizers and…
Gardeners often ask us if there’s any danger associated with using too much of our Cascade Minerals soil builder product, made entirely of mineral-rich volcanic basalt. There are two concepts to keep in mind in regard to this question. The first is solubility. The other is porosity, or structure. Solubility Finely milled volcanic basalt like that in…
Think your soil sleeps in winter? Think again! It may be hard to believe that millions of living and breathing microorganisms are under the ice and snow. Bacteria, fungi, algae, nematodes, anthropods—you can’t see them with the naked eye, but they all contribute to the health of the soil. Winter doesn’t slow them down. In…
Happy Chinese New Year! 2014 is the Year of the Horse, which Chinese astrology says will bring good fortune and be filled with lively energy. We predict a bountiful growing season thanks to the organic soil-boosting benefits of volcanic basalt. Read on. Lan Su Chinese Garden Here in Portland, Oregon, a good way to get…
Reliable plant growth and healthy yields depend on a balanced combination of nutrients, some of which are made available to plants quickly—and others that are made available over time. That’s what makes volcanic basalt an ideal addition to indoor potting mixes. The slow-release benefits of crushed volcanic basalt make it an effective way to minimize…
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,…
