Applying Crushed Volcanic Basalt to your soil

There is no wrong way to apply crushed basalt, but the time and intensity of results will depend on your application approach. Fertile Earth Minerals Crushed Volanic Basalt is a natural, untreated rock product and requires the natural microbiological, physical and chemical weathering and digestion processes to make the minerals bioavailable to the plants.

Compost
Adding this product to composting operations benefits the composting process itself and increases earthworm, nematode and microbial populations which pre-digest the minerals into a bioavailable form that is then ready for uptake by plants when the finished compost is applied. This approach is especially recommended for use on heavily depleted soils as these can lack the crucial biological life needed for the break down process. Mineralising your compost will remineralise your soil.

Straight to soil
A straight to the soil approach is also very effective and application at the end of harvest season is ideal as this allows for mineral breakdown before next planting season, however the product can be applied at any time as the varied particle size allows for slow release over a long term. It does not need to be dug in although lightly turning the soil after or upon application to a depth of 5-10 cm may be beneficial, especially in dry weather. Cold or wet weather actually provides quicker disbursement of micro-particles and a quicker breakdown of the larger bits of basalt. This natural process is good for the soil, micro-organisms in the soil, the plants you want to improve. Fertile Earth Minerals Crushed Volcanic Basalt can also be applied around the base of established plants as a long term mineral source.

Pastures and Rotation
Fertile Earth Minerals Crushed Volcanic Basalt can be added during the reseeding process within a stock rotation regime. Moving animals from one pasture to another provides the opportunity for seeding, re-application of basalt and regrowth of grass.

Container planting
For plant pots and other containers we highly recommend using compost pre-made using Fertile Earth Minerals Crushed Volcanic Basalt, however if this is not available a reasonable amount mixed in to your potting mix or even an application around an established plant as a slow release feed will be beneficial and highly appreciated by your plants, although this may not address any immediate problems or needs that your plants may have.

Techniques
In open ground and where re-seeding occurs – in meadow, pasture or in field crops of grain, rapeseed, etc. – the application of Fertile Earth Minerals Crushed Volcanic Basalt can be done with a spreader, preferably before seeding begins. Thereafter allowing the ground to stand for a time exposed to the elements allows the rain to carry the smallest particles of basalt deeper into the soil for immediate access by micro-organisms. The larger particles remain on the surface for more gradual breakdown. This provides sustained remineralisation of your soil. Whether applied with a spreader, by the barrowful or by hand, densely re-mineralising the soil benefits you, your animals, crops, the soil and the micro-organisms that are vital for sustaining all of the above. The more depleted or exposed the soil, the more urgent the need to re-mineralise.

Safety
Although the product is not toxic the super fine particle size of the basalt if worked vigorously, especially in dry conditions, will form dust clouds that can be inhaled if a proper respirator face mask is not worn. Inhaling any rock dust is harmful to your lungs! A proper respirator face mask should be worn at all times during application. We also advise the use of safety glasses to prevent eye irritation or damage and a spraying type watering during application to reduce dust cloud formation.

Application rate
Application rates are the same for cropland and pasture:

1kg per sq metre per year = 4 tonnes per acre per year

Although the above is our recommended average rate, think of it as food. Any amount of food is appreciated but you want enough to grow strong. Or you might have some already, but it would help to have a little more. At the same time, crushed volcanic basalt is a granular, slow release product that adds to the soil structure itself as opposed to liquid plant foods that “wash through” the soil offering plants a more immediately available nutrition but requiring a much more regular application and having minimal (in some cases negative) benefits to soil structure. Fertile Earth Minerals Crushed Volcanic Basalt can be applied in larger quantities reducing the frequency of application and delivery costs e.g. 5kg per sq metre per 5 years = 20 tonnes per acre per 5 years

For your guidance on purchasing quantities – A one tonne dumpy sack is good for a quarter acre vegetable patch. Full scale growing may benefit from a larger delivery.

Storage
Our product should be stored under tarp or under cover within buildings, to prevent leaching of nutrients. There is no toxicity whatsoever associated with this product.