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.

In this short video, Rich explains that one to two cups of all-natural Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster per gallon of potting mix helps grow better tomatoes, i.e., tomato plants that flower earlier. The result is a higher yield of tomatoes that have better color and are more nutritious:

Rich also explains the unique benefits of volcanic basalt which helps improve soil structure and plant health and which Cascade Minerals gets from its own dedicated source in Central Oregon:

To watch these and other short videos, please visit the Cascade Minerals YouTube Channel.

The post Cascade Minerals Helps Grow Better Tomatoes and More Beautiful Blooms appeared first on Cascade Minerals.

Healthy soil…

• Looks, smells, and feels alive
• Is soft, moist, and crumbly
• Is darker in color
• Is easy to dig into
• Has a sweet and earthy aroma
• Is home to worms and other organisms that squirm, creep, hop, or crawl

Source:  “Dig a Little, Learn a Lot” – USDA/NRCS, September 2012

If your soil needs a boost, start with one of the all-natural soil amendments recommended by Metro natural gardening expert Carl Grimm in this segment from KATU-TV’s AM Northwest. His tips include everything from compost to eggshells, alfalfa meal, mycorrhizal fungi and trace minerals like those found in Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster.

The post Give Your Garden a Healthy Boost With All-Natural Soil Amendments appeared first on Cascade Minerals.