Fortifying the soil

We are aware that our soil is deficient in magnesium and several other essential elements. I keep having to add Epsom salts to everything to keep it green. Andrew suggested buying a powder that is mined from the floor of the Baltic. I couldn't find that, but I did source ground basalt rock in Poland. 

Basalt is a rock that can vary slightly in its characteristics depending on its geographical origin and formation conditions. Two main basalt rocks can be distinguished: alkali basalt and tholeiitic basalt.

Alkali basalt is enriched in alkaline elements such as potassium and sodium and is often associated with volcanic eruptions in areas of the Earth’s crust with more active tectonic activity. This type of basalt volcanic stone tends to have a darker appearance and a porous structure.

Tholeiitic basalt, on the other hand, has a slightly different mineralogical composition, with a higher amount of calcium and iron. It is generally found in oceanic areas and less active tectonic plates, and can be paler in appearance than alkali basalt. This is the type of mineral dust Andrew suggested. The Alkali basalt is what I sourced, but as our land leans toward the acidic, the alkali may be beneficial. 

Basalt rock dust, an eco-friendly soil quality booster, is a natural mineral product. It contains more than forty elements, with the main ingredient, silica, making up ~ 50% of the volume. This compound increases the rigidity of stems and makes them more resistant to fungal diseases and pests. Other notable compounds are aluminium and iron oxides. It also contains valuable macro- and micronutrients: magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, manganese, titanium, phosphorus, sulphur, boron, chrome, copper, iodine, zinc, molybdenum and cobalt. In my thinking, if I supply all the elements, the vines can pick and choose what they want. 

Basalt rock dust is slightly alkaline, which increases the pH of the soil and improves its physical and chemical properties. It is completely natural and does not cause overfertilization. It does not alter the biosphere of the soil. It helps plants resist pests and pathogens. 

The best part is that we don't have to buy many boxes of minerals and apply each individually. It is a self-contained overall mineral supplement for the land. Gotta love it! I hope it works. It just makes so much sense. 

I spread an Oxy scoopful of the dust around each plant in the vineyard and polytunnel, including outside the tunnel. I also spread it around the fruit trees in the orchard and in the polytunnel and administered it to the three raised beds in the polytunnel. 

I bought two 3 kg bags and used them all up today. Let's see what happens. I may supplement with humus as well.