volcanic power
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WE CA N EACH do our part to replenish the soil on our little plot
do our part to replenish the soil on our little plot of earth , and reap the benefits of delicious food and good health in the process .”
BENEFITS OF BA SA LT
Two of the most prevalent minerals found in basalt are silicon and iron . Both are extremely valuable to plants and our bodies . Studies have found that basalt is highly effective in treating iron chlorosis in plants . Iron is essential for many of a plant ’ s vital functions , including metabolism , development , nitrogen fixing , and chlorophyll production . Iron chlorosis will show up as yellowing leaves with green veins . Just as iron affects chlorophyll , a plant ’ s blood , it also plays an essential role in our blood . Our bodies use iron to transport oxygen from our lungs to our tissues via our blood . Without enough iron , we can become anemic and fatigued . Silicon is the second most abundant element in the earth ’ s crust . For this reason , healthy soil rich in organic matter probably won ’ t need silicon supplementation . However , now that our soils have been depleted , there are many benefits to adding it back in . Silicon is the building block for a plant ’ s strong , flexible cell walls . This allows plants to stand up to stressors like drought and extreme temperature change much more easily because the cell walls are able to expand and contract . The stronger , larger stems also allow plants to take up more water and nutrients , and give plants the strength to carry larger fruits . The tougher cell walls also make plants less desirable to munching insects looking for a snack . Insects don ’ t like tough plant fibres just like we don ’ t enjoy a tough steak . Silicon has also been shown to ward off fungal infections such as powdery mildew , rust , and pythium . It even builds up in areas of infection on plant tissue to protect the plant from further disease . Silicon levels can truly make or break your plant ’ s health . Silicon plays a similar role in the human body . It is important for healthy and flexible bones , joints , collagen , skin , and nails . It increases the benefits of vitamin D , calcium , and glucosamine . It is vital that the food we eat has enough silicon to pass onto us if we want to feel and look our best .
HOW TO USE BA SA LT IN YOUR GAR DEN
To access the hundreds of minerals present in basalt , you ’ ll need to make sure you have plenty of microbial life in your soil . The beneficial microbes will extract the minerals from the basalt and feed them to your plants in a form they can use . One of the best ways to accomplish this is to always pair basalt with compost . You can mix basalt directly into your compost pile before you add it to your garden . For better results , add basalt to your compost when you start your pile and add it every so often to make sure there are plenty of minerals available to your plants when you finally add it to your garden . If you don ’ t like to disturb your soil , you can add a layer of basalt to your garden and then cover it with a layer of compost . Compost tea is another effective way to increase microbial life in your soil , and pairs well with basalt . When choosing your powder , make sure it has the texture of flour . The smaller particle size allows it to break down for your plants faster . A good rule of thumb is to use 4.5-6.8 kilograms of basalt for every 9.3 square metres . This application will last three to four years . You don ’ t need to add basalt to your garden more often than this .
Although modern agricultural practices have depleted our soil , there is still time to repair the damage . Amending our soil with basalt is a great place to start . We can each do our part to replenish the soil on our little plot of earth , and reap the benefits of delicious food and good health in the process . The healthier the soil is , the better our food tastes , and the healthier we are .
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