The post It Boosts Biological Activity, But Is Volcanic Basalt a Paramagnetic Rock? appeared first on Cascade Minerals.
]]>Not all rock dust is alike, however. Created through the cooling and solidification of dense viscous lava, volcanic basalt is an igneous rock that underlies much of the Earth’s oceans. Some regions of the world are blessed with surface extrusions of basalt, including Central Oregon with its Miocene Era Columbia River flood basalt that is one of the most iron dense basalt flows in the world, and the only one of its kind in North America.
Compared to volcanic rocks which are high in quartz, basalt weathers relatively quickly which means that it begins to release nutrients to plants as soon as the roots make contact. Additional nutrients become available with ongoing decomposition, thereby resulting in a steady flow of nutrients over time.
The benefits of volcanic basalt, when used as a soil amendment, are numerous. Research dating back to the early 1930s and supported by modern data shows that it can help with the improvement of soil’s physical properties to the enhancement of silicon nutrition (which in turn helps boost plants’ resistance to pests and disease).
Yes, but…Is volcanic basalt a paramagnetic rock?
Paramagnetic Rock
Mention “volcanic basalt” and you may get a question about its paramagnetic properties. The basic scientific definition of paramagnetism, from Wikipedia, is:
“Paramagnetism is a form of magnetism whereby certain materials are attracted by an externally applied magnetic field, and form internal, induced magnetic fields in the direction of the applied magnetic field.”
As relates to soil health, the concept of paramagnetism as developed by Dr. Philip S. Callahan says that healthy plant growth depends on soils being paramagnetic, i.e., containing a low-energy force that occurs naturally in volcanic soils but is often stripped away by modern farming practices.
Callahan’s research led him to conclude that the healthiest agricultural soils are highly paramagnetic and energetically aligned with the earth, facilitating the flow of electromagnetic forces from the atmosphere to organic plant materials. In soils where this paramagnetic force has been eroded away, adding a paramagnetic rock like basalt can reestablish the balance necessary for healthy plant growth.
Whether you agree with Callahan’s conclusions or not, basalt’s benefits as a soil amendment stand alone and are well documented. It’s why more and more organic and sustainable growers, as well as backyard gardeners, are using crushed volcanic basalt to improve water retention in the soil, increase biological activity, improve nutrient utilization in plants, and increase resistance to pests and environmental stresses.
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Cascade Minerals believes that healthy soil equals healthy plants, happy people and a healing planet. Made of all-natural volcanic basalt from Central Oregon, our all-natural Remineralizing Soil Booster returns essential minerals to the soil for more vigorous plants that produce more nutritious food. Our product is OMRI Listed for organic production and is safe to use around pets and children when applied as directed.
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]]>The post Sunset Valley Organics Makes Cascade Minerals Part of Its Healthy Soils Program appeared first on Cascade Minerals.
]]>Today, Sunset Valley Organics produces great tasting, nutrient dense organic berries that require minimal processing because they are grown in healthy soil that is teeming with beneficial microbes.
Bob has been using Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster for the past two years as part of a holistic, organic soil management plan. He has seen good growth and healthy plants with fewer insects and disease. Bob says that many people come to him asking for the “secret” but acknowledges that there is no magic solution. Rather, good soil is part of a balanced system which includes carbon, rock minerals and microbes.
According to Bob, “Growers need to understand that our soils have been depleted of carbon, minerals and microbes. We need to replace what we take out, and rock minerals are especially important because minerals are food for the microbes. Our plan is to continue using Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster as part of our healthy soils program.”
Unlike many other berry growers, Sunset Valley Organics’ blueberry crops haven’t been affected by the dreaded spotted wing drosophila (SWD). Bob has never had to spray against the insect and attributes this to healthy plants with Brix levels of 12 and better.
“When you have healthy plants with high Brix levels, insects won’t bother you,” says Bob. “Brix levels are directly related to the health of the plants and soil. The higher the brix the better tasting and more nutrient dense the berry. It’s all about getting your soils together.”
More Resources:
About Sunset Valley Organics: http://www.sunsetvalleyorganics.com/About-Us.html
About Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil booster: http://www.cascademineralsnw.com/
Boost Brix Levels with All-Natural Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster: http://bit.ly/1M0VTvK
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]]>The post Rock Dust as Part of an Organic Weed Control Plan appeared first on Cascade Minerals.
]]>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:
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.
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.
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]]>The post Get Growing: Healthy Garden Strategies that Minimize Pests and Maximize Yields appeared first on Cascade Minerals.
]]>Plant in raised beds
In a raised bed, you don’t have to worry about walking paths. With more room to garden, you can plant more vegetables closer together—and closely planted vegetables don’t leave as much room for weeds to take hold. By design, raised beds are more efficient and can reduce the need for fertilizer, water and pesticides (because even “natural” pesticides can cause harm).
Use native plants
By choosing plants that are adapted to your specific growing conditions, you’ll spend a lot less time trying to solve problems related to water, climate and pests. If you must have a particular plant, ask your local nursery if there is a disease-resistant variety.
Build healthy soil
As described in this blog post, healthy soil looks, smells and feels alive. Soft and crumbly, healthy soil is dark in color and has a sweet earthy aroma. Healthy soil is also soil that is rich in essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus and potassium, plus trace elements and micronutrients. Unfortunately, these minerals and elements can become depleted, sometimes after a single growing season. Rock dust is an easy, practical and inexpensive way to add back the essential minerals and nutrients that plants need to flourish.
(Note: Look for an all-natural product like Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster which is listed by the Organic Materials Review Instituted (OMRI) for use in organic production. Remineralizing Soil Booster is easy to apply, non-toxic and safe to use around children and pets when used as directed.)
Switch things up
A healthy garden is also a diverse one. Incorporating a variety of plants helps create an entire ecosystem in which beneficial insects eat harmful pests. For vegetable crops, rotate planting locations from year to year to help prevent diseases from building up in the soil.
Want more tips? Read our article, “Rock Dust, Crop Rotation and More: All-Natural Ways to Repel Garden Pests.”
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]]>The post Rock Dust: The Most Important Soil Amendment No One Ever Talks About appeared first on Cascade Minerals.
]]>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 has a specific role to play, from the recycling of nutrients to the decomposition of organic materials.
Yet organic matter is only part of the story.
While compost is a key component of healthy soil structure, no amount of organic matter can make up for mineral deficiencies. Missing minerals are just that—missing. The end result is poor and infertile soil.
Moreover, minerals that are missing from the soil are minerals that are missing from the fruits and vegetables that it produces.
It’s why the kale that you buy in the grocery store may have a very different mineral profile from what nutritionists recommend as part of a healthy diet.
As consumers, we might feel a little “ripped off” for being sold inferior produce. But the ramifications are much larger—and they have implications for the future health of our planet. Things will only get worse if we continue using commercial farming techniques that strip essential minerals from our soils without putting them back.
Rock Minerals—The Building Blocks of Healthy Soil
One of the keys to restoring the health of our soils is through the process of remineralization. As proficient as plants are, they can’t make the minerals that are essential to human health and nutrition. We also can’t rely on Mother Nature’s old “standbys,” i.e., volcanoes, glaciers and floods, to do the work for us.
The modern day solution is to add mineral fragments back to the soil with rock dust.
Also known as rock minerals, rock flour, rock powder, stone dust, soil remineralizer and mineral fines, rock dust is finely crushed rock containing micronutrients and trace elements that are important to the life cycle of plants and which enhance the ability of beneficial microbes to flourish.
Simply stated, rock minerals are the building blocks of healthy soil.
Results include improved plant structure, increased resistance to pests and disease, and more intense flavor profiles for fruits and vegetables.
Although some retailers classify rock dust as a fertilizer, it does not have the necessary amounts of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus (N-P-K) to qualify as such. Instead, rock dust contains minerals like calcium and trace elements like iron and manganese which are difficult to replace once they’ve been depleted from the soil as a result of natural weathering and/or over-farming.
Is all Rock Dust Alike?
A rock is a rock—right? Not quite. Igneous rocks like basalt and granite have the highest mineral content, with basalt providing a greater balance of nutrients for optimal plant health and vitality.
Created through the cooling and solidification of magma and lava, basalt is the rock material that makes up most of the soils around the world. It continues to deliver a steady flow of nutrients over time, even as it decomposes. Basalt’s slow-release benefits make it an effective way to minimize deficiencies, particularly with fast-growing crops that experience periods of rapid nutrient uptake.
A Stone-Age Science
The benefits of adding fresh sources of rock minerals to the soil are not new. Some of the richest, most fertile soil on the planet is found near active volcanoes, which explains why people throughout civilization have been willing to settle near volcanoes despite the potential dangers.
In the 1930s, researchers in Europe used finely ground rock dust to treat and improve the productivity of degraded forest lands. One of the most comprehensive studies of the benefits of rock dust came from D. Hotman de Villiers who conducted a series of long-term field trials on highly degraded soil that led to increased sugarcane yields on the island of Mauritius.
Today, scientists across the globe continue to validate the benefits of rock dust. Brazil has made soil remineralization part of its agricultural policy—a major step forward in generating global awareness and interest in the importance of rock minerals and how they help grow healthier, stronger plants with higher yields and higher levels of nutrients.
Biology & Geology: A Marvelous Interaction
Healthy soil is derived from a marvelously complex interaction between soil biology and geology.
As decomposing rock material reacts with soil microorganisms and plant material, the rock material releases elements like calcium, magnesium and iron. Remineralization with rock dust is a low-cost, high-impact way to aid in the regeneration of soil by closely mimicking natural geological and biological interactions. The result is optimal and sustainable plant growth that leads to healthier people and a healthier planet.
Expect to hear much more about soil remineralization in the year ahead since the United Nations has declared 2015 The International Year of the Soils.
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]]>Sure, bread gets a lot of bad press these days (too many carbohydrates! too much sugar!) … but there is a world of difference between the processed and packaged stuff that you buy in the supermarket and a loaf of bread made with whole grains and shaped by hand.
Well-made bread doesn’t just taste different, it looks different, too. In fact, it looks a lot like healthy soil as chef Dan Barber observes in his best-selling book The Third Plate: Field Notes on the Future of Food.
“Healthy soil is like the inside of a well-made loaf of bread…moist, textured and filled with irregular bubbles. Unhealthy soil is like cake mix—dry and packed down, with no spaces for air to circulate or organisms to maneuver.”
Irregular pockets of air are what give artisanal bread its yummy, airy chewiness. In healthy soil, these pockets of air give beneficial microorganisms the room they need to move around. Unhealthy soil, on the other hand, is lifeless. Compact and dry, it is a hostile growing environment that limits microbes’ ability to flourish.
The Role of Rock Dust
Naturally healthy soil contains billions of living microorganisms—from bacteria to nematodes, fungi, protozoa, anthropods and earthworms. Each organism has a specific role to play, from the recycling of nutrients to the decomposition of organic materials and improvement of soil structure.
These beneficial microbes depend on rock minerals in the soil to live and to multiply. Unfortunately, most of the world’s soils are woefully deficient in essential minerals thanks to over farming and other modern agricultural practices. No amount of organic matter will make up for deficiencies in rock minerals, either. The ultimate result is poor and infertile soil.
Adding fresh sources of rock minerals to the soil enhances the ability of microbes to flourish. It provides micro nutrients and trace elements that are important to the life cycle of plants and mimics the earth’s own natural way of restoring soil health.
The Superior Benefits of Basalt
Crushed volcanic basalt in particular is a superior source of essential plant nutrients, including calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn). The silicon that is derived from basalt helps improve plant structure and stress tolerance, and additional benefits include increased growth and vitality, more colorful plants, more nutritious crops, and vigorous and stronger plants.
So go ahead, enjoy the chilly days of winter with some comforting soup and loaves of delicious, nutritious bread. At the same time, make a mental note to stock up on rock dust. It’s the “missing ingredient” to healthy soil.
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]]>The post Boost Brix Levels With All-Natural Volcanic Basalt appeared first on Cascade Minerals.
]]>Brix Levels and Soil Health
Not surprisingly, plants grown in remineralized soil have greater brix levels than plants grown in soil that is mineral deficient. The slow-release benefits of crushed volcanic basalt in particular make it effective in minimizing deficiencies, especially with fast-growing crop plants that experience periods of rapid nutrient uptake.
Unlike other types of soil amendments, volcanic basalt is rich in potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and iron —all of which help increase root growth and boost yields. Volcanic basalt also contains soluble silicon which contributes to the strength of cell walls and makes crops more resistant to pests and disease.
Research dating back to the 1930s shows that volcanic basalt promotes general plant health in a wide variety of crops and conditions, including those in indoor growing situations where mineral deficiency can be an issue.
Brix Measurement Tools
To the naked eye, early nutrient deficiencies in crops are often invisible. Taking regular brix measurements is one way to detect problems while there is still time to make necessary adjustments.
Measuring brix levels is relatively easy to do with a refractometer, an inexpensive yet highly effective piece of equipment that works like a prism to measure sugar content in liquid. Simply squeeze a few drops of sap from a leaf sample onto a glass slide to determine the percentage of sugars and other dissolved solids.
Digital refractometers are also available at most hydroponic stores. While they generally cost more, they also deliver more accurate results.
The Proof is in the Brix
What about the produce in supermarkets that looks good but doesn’t taste very good? Low brix levels are likely. The easiest way to get great-tasting, healthy and nutrient-dense food is to grow it yourself, in soil that has been remineralized with volcanic basalt.
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Cascade Minerals’ mission is to help people eat more nutritious food that they grow themselves. Our all-natural Remineralizing Soil Booster is made from massive basalt stones from Central Oregon’s legendary 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.
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]]>The post Improve the Structure of the Soil Using Volcanic Rock Dust and Leaf Mold 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.
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]]>The post How Volcanic Rock Dust Contributes to the “Bacterial Ballet” Behind Healthy, Living Soil appeared first on Cascade Minerals.
]]>What’s the difference?
Dirt is dead. Soil is living.
Ask any organic farmer the secret to growing healthy, nutritious food and they’ll tell you: Everything starts with the soil.
Naturally healthy soil contains billions of living microorganisms—from bacteria to nematodes, fungi, protozoa, anthropods and earthworms. Together, they join in a carefully choreographed “bacterial ballet” in which each organism has a specific role to play, from the recycling of nutrients to the decomposition of organic materials and improvement of soil structure.
These beneficial microbes depend on the mineral fraction of the soil to live and to raise their families. While it is natural to assume that minerals are available in a limitless supply—they are not. Missing minerals are just that…missing. No amount of organic matter will make up for mineral deficiencies which, ultimately, lead to poor and infertile soil.
Adding fresh sources of minerals to the soil enhances the ability of microbes to flourish and is the best way to restore the health of the soil naturally. Crushed volcanic basalt in particular is a superior source of essential plant nutrients, including calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn). In addition, the silicon that is derived from basalt helps improve plant structure and stress tolerance.
You don’t have to be an organic farmer to appreciate the benefits of volcanic rock dust. Backyard gardeners and indoor growers rely on it to boost the yields of their crops and improve the health of their soil (indoors and out).
Bottom line, crushed volcanic basalt supports and increases microbial activity and provides micronutrients and trace elements that are important to the life cycle of plants. Moreover, rock dust made of volcanic basalt has proven benefits that date back to the 1930s, including increased growth and vitality, more colorful plants, more nutritious crops, and vigorous and stronger plants.
Think of it this way: By adding volcanic rock dust to your soil, you are setting the stage for a magnificent microbial ballet with long-lasting benefits for the planet!
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]]>The post Favorite Fall Crops and What They Need to Thrive (Hint: Rock Minerals are Key) 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:
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