Rock Dust

[Weed]

I seem to remember reading an article (in KG)a year or so ago about a couple who used crushed volcanic minerals on their garden with outstanding results.

I was reminded of this whilst talking to a lady today who has been using Rock Dust (as she called it)for several years and says she also has superb results.

I just have to give it a go this Autumn.

Has anyone else tried applying it and if so has it worked for you?

[oldherbaceous]

Weed my dear fellow, it is something i have heard of many times, but i have yet to try it.

Maybe you could report back to us on your findings after you have trailed it.

[Weed]

Thanks for your response OH...

I gathered from the 'silence' that probably not many folk have tried this method yet. I hope to be meeting up with the lady who I was speaking to yesterday again tomorrow and I will get more information then.

She certainly was extremely positive about it...Its perhaps a bit early but I am already getting excited about the prospects for next year

[Primrose]

I'm really ignorant. I've never heard of this stuff.
Where do you buy it? Is it marketed and sold in plastic bags in garden centres, etc?
Having been growing vegetables in the same patch and borders for about 30 years, I can't help feeling that despite manuring, etc, some essential minerals must have been permanently depleted from the soil over the year and not replenished. Somebody on here recently was reflecting about their soil seeming "old and lifeless" and I too have one particular border which seems to be suffering from this complaint. I wonder if this stuff could be one of the answers. I suspect that few of us bother with detailed soil analyses, which possibly would be the only way of checking whether it would benefit from this treatment.

[alan refail]

Read about it HERE

[PLUMPUDDING]

I was going to try it last year, but was put off by the price - seems a lot for a bag of ground up granite- probably mainly transport costs.

I'm still interested though and will try some if I can find a local supplier. The idea of re-mineralising your soil seems sensible. When you've been gardening on the same plot for years some minerals and nutrients must get depleted, and in some areas certain minerals will be absent anyway.

[Parsons Jack]

Some more info here
http://www.organicgarden.org.uk/reminer ... _trial.htm

[Parsons Jack]

And lots more here from the Seercentre site, including stockists.
http://www.seercentre.org.uk/index.htm

[Weed]

Garden Organics do have it in stock at £8.60 per 20 kilo bag

My lady informs me that coverage at maximum application is 5 kilos per 4 square metres...each application will last five years
She tells me that the most minerals contained in the usual products are five or six whilst the Rock Dust contains around twenty minerals

I picked a bag up today (told you I was excited)ready for applying a little later

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Weed, hope you have the sackbarrow at the ready to move your veg about.

[Weed]

I have ordered a large new one in anticipation OH

I am about to commence reading a book entitled "We want some real food" by Graham Harvey which allegedly (as I haven't read it yet) gives an insight into mineral deficiency in soil, how it can affect us and more importantly how we can address it.

I did come across something similar a few years ago where Colloidal minerals that are designed to be ingested were involved; they apparently help with many of our potential ailments which can directly be attributed to a mineral deficiency.

I shall be measuring out sections of my plot this weekend ready for some comparative trials next year….can’t wait

[Parsons Jack]

It can be ordered online HERE for £11.75 plus £1.50 postage within the UK. I've just ordered a 20kg bag, so I'm expecting bumper crops next year

[Primrose]

Thanks for that helpful link PJ. Ever since reading about this I have been eyeing up several possible patches of "tiredd soil" in my garden, which is grown pretty intensively. When I get back from holiday I'll order some nd give it a try.
I'm wondering whether to do a trial on certain areas only and see whether it produces any favourable results,(and risk lower yield from the untreated areas) or just go for broke and sprinkle it anyway.

Is there any advice anywhere on the best time to apply it? Are winter rains likely to leach some of the benefit away and would it be best to apply in Spring?

[Parsons Jack]

Hi Primrose,

I've just copied this from the SEER website FAQ's

"How can I use SEER Rockdust in my organic garden?

Applied directly to weed-free, bare soil to a depth of approximately 2mm, SEER Rockdust will increase and improve plant growth. Lightly fork into surface.
There may be a delay before you observe differences. SEER Rockdust relies on soil micro-organisms to break down particles and make them available for plant uptake. Apply in Autumn and, depending on your level of soil organisms, you may see results the following year. Fertility will continue to improve over the next 3-4 years. In some cases, you may not need to re-apply for 10 years.
Sowing a green manure when you first apply SEER Rockdust appears to "kick-start" the process, promoting soil organisms and increasing the rate at which rock dusts are broken down. Suitable green manures include agricultural lupins, field beans, tares, annual rye grasses and mustard (but use the latter in a rotation with other brassicas if growing vegetables as it is susceptible to club root)
SEER Rockdust may be combined with compost or leaf mould from the compost heap to create a new growing medium which can be applied to the garden and is suitable for raised beds and container planting. As all home-produced compost will vary, experiment with quantities to gain best results.
Prepare home-made remineralised potting composts using SEER Rockdust and leaf mould or worm compost, and use for growing on plants and rooted cuttings, transplanting house plants or for making grow bags.
When added to materials for composting, the Scottish Agricultural College found that SEER Rockdust speeded up the rate of decomposition and maturing of compost, leading to a better product. Try it as a compost activator.
SEER Rockdust applied to lawns brings out the richness of the grass and will enhance appearance without increasing the rate of growth.
Of course, if you have more SEER Rockdust than you need, it makes a first class surface for paths as well!"

Hope this helps.

[Primrose]

Interest post. Thanks. Looks like this treatment is likely to be more effective over the longer term, so not one to try if you're not planning to move house, give up your allotment, etc. so that somebody else reaps the benefit.
I'll wait until my veggie patch and borders are mostly cleared and then apply, as well as adding to my patio containers, which have a little top compost removed and replaced every year to try and maintain their fertility.
I wonder whether it's more effective on some soil types than others. Here we have a very light stoney soil which dries out quickly and needs lots of humus to retain moisture and nutrients. I imagine that clay soil might benefit from it for longer periods, but guess the proof of the pudding will be in the eating.