The situation has become so dire that in March 2015 Oregon State University (OSU) hosted a “Slug Summit” in the state’s capital to try to figure out what to do. Unfortunately, the “Slug Summit” didn’t reveal any concrete answers. Growers and researchers still don’t know exactly why the slippery mollusks are becoming harder to control. One theory is that sustainable, no-till and reduced tillage farming practices, while good for the earth, leave more vegetation for slugs to find shelter.

Whatever the reasons, the bottom line is that slugs are costing farmers some very big bucks. According to some estimates, grass seed growers alone lose about $15 million per year to slug damage. One study showed that soon after grass seed farmers adopted no-till practices in the early 2000s, there were nearly 30 times as many slugs in no-till ryegrass fields than in conventionally tilled fields.

(Sources: “Slugs Are Destroying the Businesses of Oregon’s Sustainable Farmers” by Leah Sottile takes a close look at the problem and how some growers are trying to cope. More information on slugs and slug management is available via OSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences website.)

An Integrated Approach to Slug Management

You would be hard pressed to find a grower in the Willamette Valley who doesn’t support greener farming practices—in theory. Still, despite the proven benefits of no-till farming (e.g., healthier soil with more beneficial microbes), many are hesitant to give up plowing the soil because they fear being invaded by slugs.

So what can a sustainable farmer do? There doesn’t appear to a single best answer—what works for one grower doesn’t necessarily work for another. That’s why OSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences is seeking an increase in funding from the state legislature to hire extension agents to study and control slugs.

In the meantime, farmers are finding innovative ways to deal with slugs and integrating management practices to minimize the financial damage to their crops. Some of the variety of tools for managing slugs are chemical baits like Sluggo and Deadline, natural enemies like ground beetles and birds, and barriers like copper foil and abrasives like ashes and rock dust. According to the University of California’s Integrated Pest Management Program, “barriers of dry ashes or other abrasives heaped in a band 1 inch high and 3 inches wide around the garden also can be effective.” (Source: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7427.html).

Some farmers are using all-natural Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster as part of an integrated approach to land management. The variable grit size of our volcanic rock dust acts as a physical barrier that slugs are loathe to cross. At the same time, essential rock minerals are released back to the soil which further enhances microbial activity. So far, the results have been positive and we look forward to participating in more research because we believe that all-natural volcanic rock dust can be part of an effective, integrative and non-chemical approach to managing these pests and preventing further damage to Oregon’s precious crops.

The post How Sustainable Farmers are Using All-Natural Rock Dust for Slug Management appeared first on Cascade Minerals.

The Master Gardeners began with plants propagated in the correctional facility’s greenhouse in mid-March. The test had a total of nine individual plants which were divided into three groups:

Group 1: Three plants were placed as starts into non-improved potting soil in a four-inch planter.

Group 2: Three plants were placed from starts into sifted soil that was improved with the commonly known commercial product, Miracle-Gro^TM.

Group 3: The last three plants were placed from starts into sifted soil mixed with all-natural Cascade Remineralizing Soil Booster (as well as Miracle-Gro^TM).

The plants were watered regularly and received daily and weekly monitoring for common bug infestations. Each plant, as it grew, was trimmed according to the desired shape of the growing plant. The trimming of these plants consisted of the removal of unwanted leafing, seedpods, and damage from natural events such as insects and temporary indoor/outdoor shock. After 6 weeks, the plants were transplanted by hand into larger, one gallon sized pots.

The results, as observed by the Master Gardener participants and as evidenced by the accompanying photograph, were as follows:

Group 1: Plants grew at a normal rate yet did not get as full as the plants in the other two groups.

Group 2: The plants that were given the commercial additive (i.e., Miracle-Gro^TM) showed to have a fuller appearance than those grown with no additives at all (although the margin of additional height gained was relatively small). The color of the plants in this group was more vibrant than those in the first group, i.e., those in simple potting soil.

Group 3: The plants in this group were substantially fuller and had additional overall height. They also showed brighter, more vibrant coloring. Participants in the Master Gardener Program attribute this to the “natural minerals and elements found in the organic soil booster provided by Cascade Minerals.”

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Central Oregon Basalt Products mills massive stones from Central Oregon’s legendary Cascade Mountains to produce the highest quality volcanic basalt powder available. Because Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster is not a fertilizer and contains no synthetic chemicals or man-made additives, it is safe to use around your plants, children and pets when used as directed.

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The word “grit” can also mean small, loose particles of stone or sand. When it comes to rock dust, sometimes also called rock flour, there is more to grit size than meets the eye. In fact, it can be difficult to identify different grit sizes with just the naked eye. That’s where a sieve analysis comes in handy.

Independent sieve analyses show that Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster, made entirely of all-natural volcanic basalt, contains multiple grit sizes. This distinguishes it from competing products which are made almost entirely of small particles, or “floury fines.” Unlike other rock dust products, Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster contains a balanced blend of floury fines and coarse grit. The smaller particles release essential minerals immediately, while the larger pieces erode more slowly thereby releasing more minerals over time.

Importantly, the range of particle sizes in Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster also helps improve handling and application.  When loaded into a hopper, our product doesn’t bridge or ‘rathole,’ both of which can be costly flow problems.

To measure grit size, rock dust is passed through a series of mesh screens that measure the percent of material that is allowed to pass through. As evident in the following analysis, Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster has things well covered:

• 28% is made up of particles of grit size #16 – as these pieces break down into smaller sizes they aerate the soil and continue to release essential minerals to the soil over time (typically over a period of one to two years).
• 45% is between grit size #20 and grit size #50 – these particles are about the size of sand and are especially effective at treating weathered clay soils and breaking up super-fine silt. They erode slowly, on a timescale of about 6 months to a year.
• 11% is smaller than grit size #50 but larger than grit size #200 – these particles are smaller than sand but larger than clay. With a slow release timescale of 2-6 months, they help improve the texture of weathered and tired soils.
• The remaining 16% passes through #150 and #200 mesh screens and can be considered super-fine. They dissolve readily in water and are taken up by the plants within the first few days and weeks of application, i.e., they are considered “instant release.”

Many of the rock-based mineral amendments on nursery shelves today can be considered part of the “instant release” category, i.e., they are made almost entirely of super-fine powders that have the consistency of flour. The downside is that this type of “rock flour” can turn to clay very quickly.  Moreover, there is an upper limit on how much super-fine powder can be added to the soil without choking plants. This is why many competing products recommend low rates of application several times a year.

In comparison, Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster contains larger grit sizes that take advantage of nature’s own slow methods of releasing rock minerals to the soil. A single application can last a year or more, resulting in less work and a greater return on investment. Importantly, unlike small particles that are only visible on a microscope, the larger rock materials in Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Booster provide shelter for nematodes, earthworms and other biological critters that are essential to soil health and productivity.

The post To Improve Your Soil, Use a Rock Dust With Variable Grit Size appeared first on Cascade Minerals.

We cannot speak for other brands, but we can give you some practical advice for using Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster which is made entirely of volcanic basalt rock. Containing absolutely no synthetic materials, it is listed for use in organic production by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI).

There are two other things to keep in mind regarding the question of “How much?” The first is solubility. The other is porosity, or structure.

First, volcanic basalt is relatively low in solubility. The same cannot be said of man-made fertilizers which are highly soluble. It is this highly soluble nature of synthetic fertilizers that makes them such a liability if they are over-applied or misapplied. Excessive nutrient levels or poorly timed applications can result in injury to plants, contamination of the environment, and/or loss on investment.

Because volcanic basalt is so much lower in solubility—and because of its natural balance of nutrients—the risks of injuring plants or the environment are non-existent in comparison.

The second is porosity, or structure. Plant roots need to be able to breathe and drink while obtaining the nutrients needed for growth. The porosity and structure of a rooting media determines root productivity. For example, if you took a bag of ground basalt and just added seeds and water the outcome would be disappointing because the roots wouldn’t have enough air to breathe.

The same effect is likely to happen if you cover your plants with 1-2 inches of rock dust with little or no incorporation into the surrounding soil. The volcanic material would likely suffocate the roots and soil. (Farmers that experience deposits of volcanic ash have to incorporate the ash into their existing soil because the ash itself lacks the structure for roots to thrive.  The deeper the ash deposit, the deeper a farmer must plow to achieve the right mix.)

In short, when applied as directed and incorporated into the soil, there should be little to no fear about over-applying Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster. On the other hand, more is not necessarily better. Once a sufficient dose of volcanic rock dust has been applied to produce a beneficial plant response, adding more minerals is not likely to increase the magnitude of the response during the growing season.

Here is a video in which agronomist Rich Affeldt talks about the versatility of Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster and addresses common questions about application rates and how much product to apply to gardens, lawns and containers to ensure healthy and vigorous plant growth.

The post Volcanic Rock Dust: How Much Should I Use in my Garden? appeared first on Cascade Minerals.

However, no amount of organic compost will replace minerals that have gone missing from the soil—whether it’s through overuse, misuse, or simple weathering (heavy rains can cause minerals to leach from the soil very quickly). What’s the big deal? As minerals become depleted, plants can’t get the necessary nutrients to maintain optimal growth and maximum potential.

The way to get your soil back in balance is to remineralize it with rock dust. One of the best sources is volcanic basalt, a well-rounded rock that makes essential micronutrients and trace elements readily available to both plants and soil microbes.

In greenhouse testing, tomatoes grown with volcanic basalt showed increased brix levels and a 52% increase in yield over tomatoes that were grown in soil without. There were also notable increases in iron and calcium, as noted in the chart below. (Note: Soil was amended with Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster which contains only 100% natural, finely milled volcanic basalt from Central Oregon and which is OMRI listed for use in organic production.)

So where does basalt come from and why does it work? Basalt forms when lava is expelled through a fissure in the Earth’s surface.  It consists of three key silica-based minerals (plagioclase feldspar, pyroxene and olivine) which are sources of calcium, magnesium, iron and other elements that are plant micronutrients. When it is finely milled and applied to the soil, basalt mimics the earth’s own slow process of restoring the minerals that plants need to flourish.

Learn more about volcanic basalt by reading more of our blog.

The post Rock Minerals Boost Brix Levels and Increase Tomato Yields by 52% appeared first on Cascade Minerals.

In a more urban setting, the Lan Su Chinese Garden in downtown Portland is among the state’s most beautiful gardens (and is often considered the most authentic Chinese garden outside of China). Here you will see many species of flowers and plants, including beautifully formed bonsai in shallow pots.

So what do massive boulders of volcanic basalt have to do with delicately shaped bonsai plants?

Unlike trees with roots in the ground, bonsai depend on a relatively small amount of potting soil from which to draw essential minerals and nutrients. Factor in a frequent watering schedule, and the soil in a bonsai pot can quickly become depleted.

That’s where volcanic basalt comes in. Rich in calcium, iron and magnesium, basalt breaks down readily in soil and is available to plant roots when they need it. Adding finely ground basalt powder to bonsai is like giving them a long lasting source of natural minerals, which in turn improves their root systems and benefits their overall health and beauty.

Growing and shaping a bonsai takes dedication and patience. In many cultures, it is considered to be one of the highest forms of art and bonsai are babied into maturity (some bonsai can live for hundreds of years!). For good reason, bonsai experts avoid harsh chemicals and synthetics and rely instead on all-natural products including volcanic rock dust made of basalt.

This is what one bonsai grower experienced using our all-natural Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster:

“The leaves on my six-year-old upright Cotoneaster bonsai tree looked so unhealthy that I thought it was dying. My guess was that the tree was lacking important trace elements in its largely inorganic soil. I thought volcanic rock dust might provide the valuable nutrients it needed so I scratched Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster into the surface around the tree. It perked up very quickly and soon it actually flowered – something that had not happened in years. Today, the tree is healthy and gets many compliments.”

Ready to give bonsai a try? Don’t forget the basalt!

The post Use Rock Dust Made of Basalt to Boost the Beauty of Bonsai appeared first on Cascade Minerals.

Still, hydroponic systems remain a mystery to many people. If anything, they think of plants that are grown with their roots suspended in water, without any growing medium at all. Yet this is just one technique among several, and you’ll find that hydroponic growers and indoor gardening enthusiasts are happy to explain the pros and cons of using different growing mediums—from coconut fiber to perlite, vermiculite and more.

So where does rock dust come in to play? Whereas ‘traditional’ growers are increasingly aware of the regenerative benefits of adding rock dust to their soils, indoor gardeners may wonder how to incorporate the product into their soilless systems.

In hydroponic systems, incorporating rock material can take on various forms and utilize different textures or particle sizes. Volcanic basalt, in particular, is well-suited to the needs of most indoor growers. For example, coarse basalt particles with fine particles removed can be used as a rooting media. Medium and fine basalt particles can be added to existing rooting media or to compost tea.  Very fine basalt particles that partially suspend in water can be added to hydroponic solutions where roots can latch onto particles. Be sure to exercise caution for pumps and other equipment with this last approach.

Volcanic basalt produces relatively little ambient dust and is easy to add to most indoor growing mixes. Moreover, a little goes a long way. A small quantity of high-quality volcanic basalt is all it takes to provide hydroponic crops with the essential minerals they need to stay strong, healthy and resistant to disease.

Savvy growers know that reliable plant growth and optimum yield depend on a balanced combination of nutrients, some of which are made available to plants quickly—and others that are made available over time. The slow-release benefits of crushed volcanic basalt make it an effective way to minimize deficiencies, particularly with fast-growing crop plants that experience periods of rapid nutrient uptake.

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For best hydroponic results, look for products like Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster that are listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for use in organic production.

The post Incorporating Volcanic Rock Dust Into Hydroponic Systems appeared first on Cascade Minerals.

We know that composting is a smart thing to do. So is choosing organic produce over conventionally grown food to feed ourselves and our families.

But the reality is that it’s not always possible for everyone to buy organic all the time. For some people, it’s not just a matter of availability but also a matter of cost.

So the question is, “Is it O.K. to add non-organic fruits and vegetables to the compost pile?” True, not all non-organic produce is treated with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, but a lot of it is—and the scraps that get added to the compost pile almost inevitably contain traces of chemical residue.

Thus, it would make sense to assume that the resulting compost would also contain traces of chemical residue that then gets reapplied to the soil during planting time. This is the question that Jane Lear tackles in a recent column titled “Jane Says: Don’t Worry About Pesticide Residues in Compost.” (You can find the article here.)

The author’s take-away is that the overall benefits of composting greatly outweigh any traces of residue that might still remain in compost (and any time spent worrying about whether to compost something or not). That’s because the microbial action that generates a compost pile’s heat will break down most common pesticides and herbicides. Moreover, research indicates that compost can help clean up nasty contaminants (like VOCs) that may already be lurking in the soil.

These are all compelling reasons to continue composting—and to add volcanic basalt to your compost pile. That’s because the addition of nutrient-rich volcanic rock dust increases the microbial activity of your compost pile.  By adding a high quality volcanic rock dust like Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster to your compost pile, you are adding another source of nutrition for hungry microbes. More microbial activity means more heat. More heat means more thorough composting.

(Note: Application is simple. Just add a thin layer of rock dust to your compost pile, alternating between layers of carbon-rich materials (“browns”) and nitrogen-rich materials (“greens”). Turn and water as needed to help the compost break down more quickly.)

That said, we believe in exercising sensible “composting caution.”  There are some materials that don’t break down during the composting process, or transform physical properties altogether. For example, the article mentions the chemical clopyralid. Used in several lawn and turf products, it becomes more concentrated during the composting process and grass clipping that have been treated with this product should not be added to the compost pile.

As for the occasional non-organic apple or conventionally grown carrot? Go ahead and compost them! Your wallet and your soil will thank you.

The post Bring on the Heat: Why Volcanic Basalt is a Composter’s Best Friend appeared first on Cascade Minerals.

The first thing to understand is that most of the plants that we consider houseplants come from tropical climates. But our homes, with their low light and lack of humidity, are like deserts in comparison. With just a bit of effort, however, we can grow strong and healthy houseplants that brighten up indoor spaces and provide a variety of positive health benefits—everything from purifying the air to improving our moods.

Soil

Most houseplants do well when grown in a loose and lightweight soil mix. The key is to provide plants with a growing medium that allows air to circulate and retains water. For best results, use a 50/50 mix of potting soil and compost that has been amended with an all-natural volcanic rock dust like Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster. A high-quality, all-natural volcanic rock dust provides plants with the essential trace minerals they need to stay strong, healthy and resistant to disease.

(Note: For surface applications, use 1 tsp of Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster per every inch of pot diameter then light stir into the top of the soil and water thoroughly.)

Water

Overwatering is the most common reason that houseplants die. Soil that is wet and doesn’t drain properly will begin to smell and lead to root rot. This is another reason to use a lightweight soil mix that is able to retain water while allowing for good drainage.

A good rule of thumb is to water until water drains from the bottom of the pot, then wait a few days to allow the plant to dry out slightly. Test the soil by pressing a finger down about an inch—if it’s damp, it doesn’t need watering yet.

Temperature & Light

Different plants have different needs (read the plant tags for details), but most plants need a daily dose of light and dark to grow properly. Houseplants that become “leggy” are searching for more light and may need supplemental light from indoor grow lights. On the flip side, plants whose leaves appear burnt or crisped may be receiving too much light.

Houseplants also tend to enjoy cooler temperatures at night (around 55° to 65° F). If you maintain a constant temperature of 72° F, you may notice that some flowering plants are unable to set new flowers.

Humidity

By releasing as much as 97% of the water that they take in, houseplants help increase indoor air humidity. This in turn helps minimize respiratory issues and decreases symptoms related to dry skin, colds and sore throats.

Still, in most modern homes, the air is dry with very low levels of humidity. With their naturally higher levels of moisture, bathrooms and kitchens can be good places for houseplants. Spraying a plant’s leaves with water also helps increase humidity—and lets foliage breathe by removing accumulated dust and dirt. You might also consider using a humidifier to combat dry air and to create a climate that benefits both plants and people.

Known as nature’s stress relievers, houseplants can lower blood pressure, boost optimism and contribute to an overall feeling of well-being. Plants can also remove up to 87% of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – things like formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene which are found in everyday items like furniture, paint, inks and plastic bags.

All they need from us in return is a little TLC!

The post Grow Healthy Houseplants Year-Round with Mineral-Rich Rock Dust appeared first on Cascade Minerals.

The good news is that there are all-natural alternatives to rock salt and harsh chemicals, which can stain and corrode sidewalks and driveways—not to mention kill surrounding plants, cause long-lasting damage to soil, and endanger people and pets.

For people who need superior traction and who care about protecting the planet, Cascade Minerals has a new traction product made of the same all-natural volcanic basalt found in our Remineralizing Soil Booster. A slight difference is that the volcanic basalt, which still comes from the mountains of Central Oregon, is ground in such a way to provide excellent traction for cars, trucks and pedestrians.

How It Works

Unlike other products, Cascade Minerals’ new traction product doesn’t dissolve. It will turn ice and snow black, causing the ice and snow to melt during the day and leaving behind a layer of finely ground volcanic rock to provide traction.

By its very nature as ground volcanic rock, our new traction product digs into ice and snow and provides “instant grip” which makes it essential for carrying in a car or truck for winter emergencies.

The best news of all? Cascade Minerals’ new traction product actually delivers nutrition in the form of essential minerals and trace elements to the soil and the surrounding plants, working the same magic as our organic Remineralizing Soil Booster (which is OMRI Listed for organic production). And with no synthetic or man-made materials, all of our products are safe to use around kids, pets and other wildlife.

Our product is so safe and effective, that iconic Timberline Lodge has ordered it for the winter (see accompanying photo).

The Benefits

Cascade Minerals’ all-natural traction product:

• Provides better and longer-lasting traction than sand and most chemicals
• Helps prevent damage to sidewalks, streets and property
• Delivers essential nutrients to surrounding soil and plants
• Contains no chemicals or man-made additives
• Is safe to use around children and pets when used as directed
• Goes a long way for relatively little cost

So there’s more ice and snow on the way? We say, “Bring it on!”

The post All-Natural Volcanic Basalt is a Safe Alternative to Rock Salt and Chemical Ice Melters appeared first on Cascade Minerals.