One might argue that aggressive tactics are the only way to deal with these sneaky invaders. Yet in the words of the Dalai Lama, “In the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher.”

So what can weeds teach us, and how can we use that against them? The key is to find—and exploit—their weaknesses.

Exploiting Weeds’ Weaknesses

First, we know that weeds are opportunists. If there’s any empty space, they’ll find it—especially if the soil has been turned over, thereby exposing pesky weed seeds to sun and water.  No-till gardening helps. Raised beds are practical, too. By planting vegetables closer together, we grow a green canopy that deprives weeds of sun and gives them less room to take over. Raised beds also reduce the need for fertilizer, water and pesticides (even ‘organic’ pesticides can be damaging).

Second, many weeds have strong root systems. Try yanking on a dandelion. Chances are, it’ll sprout right up again thanks to a deep taproot. Dandelions are not alone, either. Many perennial weeds have deep or widespread roots with super-human strength.

Unfortunately, weeds can’t be eradicated entirely. Not even the most toxic commercial brew can do the job—so why even go there? The key is to make sure that the plants we want, i.e., the desirables, are vital, healthy, and strong. A natural way to grow strong plants is to remineralize the soil with rock dust. Rock dust mimics the Earth’s own process for creating healthy soil, and volcanic basalt in particular releases the micronutrients and trace elements that are important to the life cycle of plant, including phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron. In addition, the naturally occurring silicon in volcanic basalt helps plants develop bigger and stronger root systems.

Rock dust helps shift the competitive balance: The denser and stronger a plants’ roots, the less room there is for enemy weeds.

Other Benefits of Remineralizing with Rock Dust

As part of an integrated plan for managing weeds, rock dust also helps achieve the following:

• Improved soil structure
• Increased moisture retention
• Greater nutrient availability
• Increased microbial activity

When choosing a rock dust, look for a product like Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster that has the “OMRI Listed” symbol on the label. This indicates that the Organic Materials Review Institute has approved its use in organic production and that you can use it to help control weeds without endangering your family, your pets, or wildlife.

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Known as “Nature’s Original Recipe,” Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster is manufactured from volcanic basalt found in Central Oregon’s legendary Cascade Mountains. Massive stones are milled to produce a finely ground soil booster that releases naturally occurring minerals and trace elements to help your plants flourish.

The post Rock Dust as Part of an Organic Weed Control Plan 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.

And so you furiously dig out your tools and start cleaning up and cutting back. You pull up weeds, remove dead foliage, and cut plants down to the ground.

(Hopefully, you also lay down a layer of remineralizing rock dust to replace essential minerals and trace elements—like magnesium, calcium, silicon and iron—that have been depleted during the past growing season.)

Your November garden is now stripped bare of any dry or dead vegetation. All is well and good, right?

Human nature seems to want to rid itself of anything that isn’t fresh and alive. But “dead vegetation” is anything but dead. Sticks, leaves, wildflowers and weeds—all provide essential habitat for a variety of wildlife throughout the winter.

For example, seed heads attract a variety of birds that either harvest them straight from the withered plant or forage for them on the ground beneath. Empty seed pods are also good receptacles for holding rainwater, thus keeping birds and other wildlife hydrated throughout the winter.

Did you know that birds are more likely to succumb to dehydration than from lack of food in the winter? Consider keeping a bird bath full of water in your garden. To keep it from freezing, purchase an inexpensive heater.

By leaving patches of decomposing vegetation in your yard, you also provide shelter from the elements to birds and other small animals like field mice, reptiles, raccoons and squirrels. And, if you have a dead tree that doesn’t pose a danger, then by all means—leave it standing! Snags play an important role for larger animals such as owls, hawks and other birds of prey.

Go a step further by creating your own wildlife shelters throughout your yard. Simply stack branches and brush in a criss-cross pattern starting wide at the base and narrowing at the top. Finish by adding a few evergreens to create a protective “roof” from the snow and ice.

Wildlife shelters can be large or small, depending on the types of animals that you would like to attract. What they won’t be, however, is tidy and manicured. But what’s a little mess in exchange for giving back to nature?

We think there is a lot of beauty in that!

The post In the November Garden, a Little Bit of a Mess is a Good Thing appeared first on Cascade Minerals.

Eggshells are great containers because they are full of calcium, a key nutrient for growing seedlings. Plus, you can plant the eggshells right into the garden once the soil warms up. Oh, and they cost just pennies per piece at the supermarket (unless you have chickens…in which case you have an endless supply!).

Citrus peels also make for clever indoor pots for growing seeds indoors. They are pretty to look at and they smell nice, too. (Just remember to poke a hole in the bottom to allow water to drain.)

Starting seeds indoors is especially satisfying when you have an itch to get outside and play in the dirt—yet find yourself hampered by cold, wet and rainy winter weather. Start planning now for February and March and by the time it is summer you’ll be harvesting the bounty of all bounties!

The good news is that you don’t need expensive equipment to get seeds off to a good start. Whether you are using eggshells, citrus peels or plain old plastic trays, start by reading your seed packets first. Then, follow these simple tips for starting seeds indoors:

1. Find your sunniest location, typically a window facing south or west. Even in the darkest days of winter, young plants need sun—about 12 to 14 hours per day. In all likelihood, you’ll need an indoor grow lamp or an inexpensive fluorescent light to provide supplemental artificial light. Hang lights about 5 inches above plants so that they don’t become weak by having to struggle to get enough light. (As the seedlings grow, adjust the lamps upwards.)
2. Keep seedlings warm by maintaining temperatures between 65°F and 72°F. If you have seedlings by a window, be aware of how much sunlight is coming through. Even in the winter, glass can intensify the sun’s rays and burn tender leaves.
3. Avoid using garden soil to start your seedlings. Instead, use an organic soil mix that is rich in essential minerals and trace elements. While seedlings grow more slowly indoors than outdoors, they grow rapidly nonetheless. A steady supply of nutrients, like those supplied by all-natural Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster, helps ensure more vigorous plant growth resulting in better-tasting and more nutritious herbs.
4. Made of 100% natural volcanic basalt, Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster also helps improve water retention in potting soil mixes. It is very important to avoid overwatering indoor seed starts. Keep them moist, not wet. If plants seem to be suffering, they are probably getting too much water. Water them less often with water that is at room temperature (not ice cold from the tap).
5. Once seedlings begin to sprout and grow to about one inch tall, thin them out to one plant per cell.  That’s because overcrowding leads to weakened plants with thin stems and leaves. (Don’t pull seedlings out of the soil; instead, cut them down to the soil line.)
6. Before planting them directly into the garden, “harden off” the transplants by placing them on a patio or in a protected outdoor area for a few hours a day about 1-2 weeks before the last frost. This gives young plants a chance to acclimate to the outdoors and protects them from shock.

Voila! You now have healthy, vibrant seedlings that are ready to plant in the garden.

The post Give Indoor Seed Starts a Boost With Basalt appeared first on Cascade Minerals.

As tempting as it is to stay inside (and drink mugs of hot tea all day long!), there is still plenty of work to be done in the yard and garden. A thorough fall cleanup, along with basic soil preparation, will help ensure a vibrant and healthy garden in the spring.

Start by cutting back and cleaning up dead foliage and removing weeds and other debris where insects and diseases might try to overwinter. After removing spent annuals from your vegetable and flower beds, apply an all-natural rock dust by lightly raking it into any exposed areas of soil (follow the product directions for suggested application rates).

The fall, especially, is an excellent time to apply volcanic rock dust as it replaces minerals and trace elements that have been depleted during the busy growing season and which are essential to plant and human health. Look for an all-natural product that is made of ground volcanic basalt which is a superior source of silicon-based minerals and nutrients. Silicon improves plant structure and stress tolerance and helps grow plants that are stronger, healthier and more productive.

As for the leaves swirling through the air and landing on your lawn, don’t just cart them to the curb. Put them to work! You have to rake them anyway, so why not rake them into a corner of your yard where they can slowly decompose? The finished product is called leaf mold and it is an excellent soil builder that also helps support beneficial microbes in the soil.

To speed things along, you can shred the leaves into smaller pieces with a lawn mower and place them into a container, or cage, made of wooden stakes and chicken wire. If the leaves are dry, make sure that you moisten them thoroughly. You should also turn the pile occasionally to facilitate the decomposition process. What you’ll eventually get is moisture-retaining mulch that will protect your plants from next summer’s withering heat.

Still have more leaves to get rid of? If you are planning to put out mulch to protect perennials from the winter frost, wait until daytime temperatures drop below 50 degrees. By mulching too early in the season, you block the heat that is necessary for root development (the roots of most plants keep growing until soil temperatures dip below 45 degrees).

The good news is that the time and energy that you put into the soil this fall will pay big dividends next year, in the form of healthier plants that require less work.

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Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster is an all-natural soil amendment made from massive basalt stones from Central Oregon’s Cascade Mountains. Rocks are crushed to produce a finely milled, 100% natural product that is approved for organic production and releases the essential minerals and trace elements that plants and humans need to flourish. More at www.cascademineralsnw.com.

The post Improve the Structure of the Soil Using Volcanic Rock Dust and Leaf Mold appeared first on Cascade Minerals.

In many parts of the country, cooler temperatures bring out the best in a variety of crops, including: chard, kale, cabbage, beets, turnips, carrots, collard greens and Brussel sprouts. All are at their sweetest when grown during this time of the year.

The key to success is proper planning and soil management. Volcanic basalt rock, finely milled, is especially effective when applied to hardworking garden soil that may be suffering the effects of nutrient depletion. Naturally fast acting and long lasting, it mimics the slow process of the earth’s own method for producing healthy soil by releasing essential silica-based minerals and trace elements.

Some of the essential minerals and nutrients in volcanic rock dust that contribute to healthy plant growth include:

• Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg) – they regulate soil cation exchange capacity, which determines the availability of many other nutrients in the soil.

• Iron (Fe) – acts as a catalyst to chlorophyll formation. Many synthetic iron fertilizers are ineffective because the iron converts rapidly to unavailable forms. All-natural volcanic rock dust, like that in Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster, steadily supplies iron to plants as they need it.

• Magnesium (Mg) – is the central atom in chlorophyll. Magnesium deficiencies frequently occur and are easily corrected with an application of all-natural rock dust.

• Silicon (Si) – improves plant structure and stress tolerance.

As organic gardeners will attest, rock dust helps improve the sweetness, flavor and nutrition of the food that you grow—at any time of the year. There’s no such thing as “too late” in the season to add rock dust to your soil. In fact, applying rock dust in the fall and winter helps ensure that rain and snow distributes nutrients deep into the soil where they will be readily available to soil microbes and plants in preparation for spring growth.

Here are a few other cool weather planting tips:

• If you are transplanting (versus growing plants from seed), expose plants to direct sunlight for a few hours every day for approximately one week before planting in the ground.
• When planting from seeds, it’s especially important to keep garden beds moist. Don’t assume that fall air moisture is enough to give germinating seeds the water they need.
• Harvest fall and winter crops frequently to stimulate new growth and extend the season.
• Protect plants from hard freezes. Common techniques include using layers of mulch, tarps, row covers and/or cold frames.
• Last but not least, if you choose not to plant a fall garden—at least consider planting cover crops. They’ll protect empty beds from erosion while infusing the soil with much-needed nutrients. In the spring, simply dig them back into the soil in preparation for a whole new season of abundance!

The post Favorite Fall Crops and What They Need to Thrive (Hint: Rock Minerals are Key) appeared first on Cascade Minerals.

Mid-autumn is an ideal time to transplant perennials and shrubs, at least here in the Pacific Northwest where relatively mild and rainy conditions help ensure that plants have plenty of time to adjust to their new surroundings and develop strong and vigorous roots before the spring growing season.

At the same time, just a bit of soil reconditioning will give new transplants the nutrients they need for healthy growth. All-natural rock dust, like the volcanic basalt in Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster, is especially effective at supporting and contributing to healthier soils by acting as a naturally balanced source of calcium, magnesium and iron.

Rock dust made of volcanic basalt also contains silicon, which improves plant structure and boosts stress tolerance—something that is especially important for minimizing ‘transplant shock.’

Listen as Cascade Minerals’ agronomist Rich Affeldt discusses the benefits of remineralization during transplanting:

Here are a few additional transplanting tips:

When planting a tree or shrub in a new location, dig a hole that is at least two feet wider than the size of the root system or root ball. Roughen the sides of the hole, and mix about one cup of Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster into the planting hole.

Set trees and shrubs in planting holes so that root collars are at ground level or slightly higher. Plants and shrubs are often planted too deeply.

Add organic matter—like compost, peat moss or sawdust—to the planting hole to increase the soil’s ability to hold moisture around the roots.

After filling the hole, rake or lightly till a handful of Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster into the surrounding soil and water thoroughly. Naturally fast acting and long lasting, the all-natural volcanic basalt helps ensure that newly transplanted plants have the nutrients they need to not only survive the winter, but also thrive in the spring.

The post Autumn Transplanting? Use Remineralizing Rock Dust to Help Plants Adjust to New Surroundings appeared first on Cascade Minerals.

Fall is also a good time to sow cover crops. Planted in empty vegetable beds, cover crops help retain nutrients and protect the soil from erosion caused by inclement weather. Cover crops also help keep cool-weather weeds from germinating and can protect against certain pests and diseases.

Cover crops are so beneficial to the soil that some people call it “green manure!”

If you’re thinking about planting cover crops, here are a few suggestions:

1. When planting cover crops, allow at least four weeks before the first anticipated frost so that plants have a chance to become established. Also, protect seeds from hungry birds and squirrels by gently raking them into the soil.

2. Generally speaking, cover crops are low maintenance. Still, they need to be watered during extremely dry weather. They should also be mowed regularly to keep from becoming unmanageable.

3. Dig cover crops back into the soil in the spring. The best time for doing so is when they are flowering, i.e., before they begin to set seed. This provides the soil with valuable organic material beneficial to vegetables and flowers.

So what cover crop is best for you? Consider the needs of your soil as well as the best timing for your geographic region (our suggestions are based on weather in the Pacific Northwest):

Crimson clover – Clover helps build rich soil by fixing nitrogen deficiencies; crimson clover is particularly attractive to beneficial insects (and is nice to look at, too!). Best planted September through October.

Mustard – Many mustard cover crops help suppress diseases and weeds. Mustard crops need 5-6 weeks to establish themselves for best results. They are sensitive to cold temperatures and “winterkill,” i.e., die of exposure, at about 25 F.

Winter peas – As the name suggests, winter peas are quite hardy (they are also known as “field peas”). Like crimson clover, they help fix nitrogen deficiencies. Best planted .eptember through October.

Fava beans – Fava beans help improve soil texture by supporting microbial life. As an added bonus, they’re edible, too (that is, if you like fava beans). Fava beans should be planted in the ground by mid- to late October.

Visit your local extension or knowledgeable nursery for more suggestions on the best cover crops for your area. Come spring, you’ll be glad you went through the effort and your soil will, too.

The post Reinvigorate the Soil by Planting a Cover Crop This Fall. There’s Still Time! appeared first on Cascade Minerals.

In fact, early fall is the best time of the year to put new plants into the ground. In most parts of the country, the soil remains relatively warm throughout September and early October. This gives new plants a chance to establish strong roots before the arrival of cold winter temperatures. (Roots continue to grow in cold soil, albeit at a much slower pace.)

Early fall is also a good time to cut back and clean up. Recommended tasks include removing dead foliage from perennials and pulling up weeds and any other debris where insects and diseases might try to spend the winter.

Importantly, some basic soil preparation now will help ensure a healthy, vibrant garden in the spring. By adding organic amendments—like compost, manure and leaves—to the soil before the first frost, you help ensure that they break down before the spring.

Fall is also the best time to remineralize the soil. Crushed volcanic basalt, also known as rock dust, replaces minerals and trace elements (like magnesium, calcium, silicon and iron) that have been depleted. Applied in the fall, rock dust mixes with winter rain and snow to make micronutrients and trace elements available to soil microbes and plants.

You’ll also want to add a fresh layer of mulch over planting beds to help shelter roots. Mulch also helps protect evergreen foliage from soil borne diseases that can splash back during rainy weather. (Note: In colder climates, add mulch after the ground freezes. This will help prevent frost damage, discourage pests and help regulate soil temperatures during the winter while protecting roots.

Sounds like a lot of work? If you consider fall as a beginning rather than an end, then you won’t mind investing some time in tasks that help improve the long-term health and structure of your soil!

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Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster is made from massive basalt stones from Central Oregon’s Cascade Mountains. Rocks are crushed to produce a finely ground, 100% natural product that is approved for organic production and releases the essential minerals and trace elements that plants and humans need to flourish. Find out more at www.cascademineralsnw.com.

The post Early Fall is the Best Time to Refresh Your Garden and Remineralize the Soil appeared first on Cascade Minerals.