Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Kolesar

(31,182 posts)
8. Remineralization for yield and better nutrition
Fri Aug 30, 2013, 07:26 AM
Aug 2013

From my favorite gardening author, Steve Solomon and Erica Reinheimer theintelligentgardener

He explains what cation exchange capacity is and how to use the CEC in your soil to attach and make available the cationic nutrients: phosphorous, calcium, boron, copper, potassium, etc.

The ingredients are the "rock dusts" in vogue with organic farmers and specific ingredients like borax, for boron. Yes, I put a few cups of "20 Mule Team Borax" into our planting beds.

Nitrogen is anionic, the opposite of cationic, it is a different fertilization based on soil microbes and the fertilizer is seed meals, manure, or some other ingredients. Manure is hard to quantify, so seed meals are best.

It all starts with a soil test. Use a good lab. Here are the worksheets:

http://soilanalyst.org/soil-analysis-steve-solomons-worksheets-from-the-intelligent-gardener-growing-nutrient-dense-food/

I used this for the first time this year with disease problems and scant bug problems.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

In a word- ColumbusLib Aug 2013 #1
hugelkulture mopinko Aug 2013 #2
I have to agree with ColumbusLib....compost. Curmudgeoness Aug 2013 #3
Food scraps go in the worm bin XemaSab Aug 2013 #4
How big is your garden? alfie Aug 2013 #5
20x40 XemaSab Aug 2013 #7
Greensand... malokvale77 Aug 2013 #6
Remineralization for yield and better nutrition Kolesar Aug 2013 #8
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Gardening»I need a plan for buildin...»Reply #8