Now! what about *restoring* Nutrition... in our soils :)

THANK you for another great GARDEN-resource site
Since joining yesterday, I've read a dozen++ discussions, so helpful... THANKS!
& sure, Mel's Mix is great!
but
Many people are unaware that our foods, can only be as nutritious as our soils.
And the Healthiest soils are created when Mountainous-rivers FLOOD, thereby -
all the Vital-minerals (leached-out over the years), are in the soil REstored...

So people can amend their soils, with various "organic Homemade compost" all they want, but
unless all the Vital-minerals are also present, they may get satisfaction of
the Vitamin-content, & Anti-oxidants, & the taste;yet
lack the necessary minerals for Optimal health.
As a teacher (amongst other subjects, like 'nutrition'), I wonder has this been addressed somewhere here?

more questions, for other 7B W.Washingtonians:
How well do you grow here: Honey-crisp-apples?, & Asian pears?
How well do you grow here: Apricots?
How well do you grow here: Sweet potatoes?
How well do you grow here: Yams? - and 100 other yummies
and
What contraptions have you build, for growing DEEP-rooted plants, such as -
Blueberries, Raspberries, etc.

are Avocadoes & Mangoes here totally impossible?

Again, BRAVO for the wonderfully-resourceful folks every one of you folks are
God Bless *you*!

Feed the soil, not the plant. That's the idea!
Previous thread <~~~~click

I use the following to establish vital minerals: Azomite For Plants - THE NEW GRANULAR - This naturally mined, volcanic mineral has over 66 minerals and trace elements that are important for plant nutrition and growth. It improves depleted soils. Apply with compost, humus, manures, or other fertilizers to provide additional levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Will not burn plants.

This isn't just another gardening resource site, this forum has a purpose and a mission statement that is more focused than the broad spectrum that can be gardening.

FORUM MISSION STATEMENT
The purpose of this forum is to teach, support and encourage the use of the gardening method presented by Mel Bartholomew in his book ALL NEW SQUARE FOOT GARDENING. We are mandated to maintain the integrity of the method as defined, approved, and taught by Mel himself. The Forum is monitored, maintained and managed by unpaid volunteers who donate their time and expertise to the Square Foot Gardening Foundation and all who would enjoy this gardening method.

Mel's Mix isn't just great, it is the backbone of the system the majority of us use here...I don't think any of us have any concerns that out veggies lack nutrients, as we can tell the difference in the taste as well as our body when we eat them. If the plant is getting the nutrients it needs to grow, it should have what its supposed to when we eat it.

Jennie
Forum Admin

LittleGardener wrote:...
lack the necessary minerals for Optimal health.
As a teacher (amongst other subjects, like 'nutrition'), I wonder has this been addressed somewhere here?...

Mel does address minerals and trace elements in his book. It's just another gardening factor we don't have to worry about.

camprn wrote:Feed the soil, not the plant. That's the idea!
Previous thread

If you thought, that "the 3 main elements are nitrogen, phosphorus & potassium",
for Optimally nourishing your body, you totally missed my point, sorry.

As I said: the Healthiest soils are created when Mountainous-rivers FLOOD :!:
thereby all Vital-minerals (leached-out over the years), are in soil REstored...
iow, our human body needs at least 15 minerals to function Optimally

LittleGardener wrote:

camprn wrote:Feed the soil, not the plant. That's the idea!
Previous thread

If you thought, that "the 3 main elements are nitrogen, phosphorus & potassium",
for Optimally nourishing your body, you totally missed my point, sorry.

As I said: the Healthiest soils are created when Mountainous-rivers FLOOD :!:
therebyall Vital-minerals (leached-out over the years), are in soilREstored...
iow, our human body needs at least 15 minerals to function Optimally

LOL, Thanks for posting. I didn't think it was just about NPK, but I don't have mountainous river floods through my garden, so I use homemade compost, SFG method, science and years of gardening experience to grow healthy food.

Would someone please pass me a smoke and a glass of wine. Cheers!

I really do think it is about using the best compost in the garden that you can get. All the left over remnants of my food prep goes into the compost pile, local manure, garden litter. It is, for me, about feeding the mix to get the best vegetables that I can, and the cycle begins anew.

AprilakaCCIL wrote:I use the following to establish vital minerals: Azomite For Plants - THE NEW GRANULAR -
This naturally mined, volcanic mineral has over 66 minerals and trace elements that are important for plant nutrition and growth. It improves depleted soils. Apply with compost, humus, manures, or other fertilizers to provide additional levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Will not burn plants.

Thank you for making me aware of this, from Amazon.com:
AZOMITE is a naturally mined volcanic mineral product steamed
into a granular form for easy application and is proven to increase
yield, quality and overall plant growth.
Contains all 19 beneficial elements essential to healthy plant growth
(see page 29 for element descriptions).
Proven to avoid and/or reverse the effects of blight in trees and
vines.
Stimulates the growth of healthy plants without the use of other
chemical agents that cause significant pollution.
Odorless, won't restrict aeration or water penetration.
Since plants and animals need similar minerals and trace elements,
AZOMITE has been approved for use in livestock production. 6 pound box"

Again, thank you!

I did a soil test after making my mel's mix...The University Ga was impressed with my test results.
**The test was from one of my beds w/o the added minerals.

Mel gave us all a guideline to follow, which is very sufficient to help establish a healthy growing environment for our plants. Of course everyone is entitle to add minerals ( optional) to their mix...But it's not needed, as the mix is a healthy medium alone.

Where's my smoke and glass of wine? Hello? Hello?

boffer wrote:Are you selling something?
Or just another row gardener with blinders on?

Were you addressing me, per chance? - No, I am not selling anything here.
and
in my humble opinion, we each have things we can yet learn, True? -
meaning to say, that in MANY-areas i have 'blinders', so I can learn more...
This appears to be also true for Everyone I have met.

LittleGardener wrote:

boffer wrote:Are you selling something?
Or just another row gardener with blinders on?

in my humble opinion, we each have things we can yet learn, True? -
.

Agreed

LittleGardener wrote:

AprilakaCCIL wrote:I use the following to establish vital minerals: Azomite For Plants - THE NEW GRANULAR -
This naturally mined, volcanic mineral has over 66 minerals and trace elements that are important for plant nutrition and growth. It improves depleted soils. Apply with compost, humus, manures, or other fertilizers to provide additional levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Will not burn plants.

Thank you for making me aware of this, from Amazon.com:
AZOMITE is a naturally mined volcanic mineral product steamed
into a granular form for easy application and is proven to increase
yield, quality and overall plant growth.
Contains all 19 beneficial elements essential to healthy plant growth
(see page 29 for element descriptions).
Proven to avoid and/or reverse the effects of blight in trees and
vines.
Stimulates the growth of healthy plants without the use of other
chemical agents that cause significant pollution.
Odorless, won't restrict aeration or water penetration.
Since plants and animals need similar minerals and trace elements,
AZOMITE has been approved for use in livestock production. 6 pound box"

Again, thank you!

Your Welcome.

AprilakaCCIL wrote:
I did a soil test after making my mel's mix...
The University Ga was impressed with my test results.
**The test was from one of my beds w/o the added minerals.

Mel gave us all a guideline to follow, which is very sufficient
to help establish a healthy growing environment for our plants.
Of course everyone is entitle to add minerals (optional) to their mix...But
it's not needed, as the mix is a healthy medium alone.

Hi April (is this your Name )
Thanks also for this added info. -

The info I have, researchers discovered that for the past 100 years, the soils - (around the world, but particularly in the USA) have become alarmingly depleted!!
of Vital Minerals, while at the same time, people suffer from an Alarming increase!! in all sorts of Chronic-diseases, & sicknesses. - Obviously,
that is worrisome, & harmful.
Anyway,
I merely asked the question, IF you had a Discussion about REversing this trend.
That is all.
~
Would someone please address some of my other questions, please

Sadly, most of my questions got glossed over.

LittleGardener,

All I can say is...I believe in the vital minerals and will be using them in my beds.

AprilakaCCIL wrote:LittleGardener,

All I can say is...I believe in the vital minerals and will be using them in my beds.

Hi there,
THANK you for being Kind
and
not jumping all over me. - I meant not harm, I merely asked questions.
I guess it is good to learn, right up front, what one can Not ask; & what one can.

LittleGardener wrote:Sadly, most of my questions got glossed over. -
Would someone please care to speak to
what else I asked:
"more questions, for other 7B W.Washingtonians:
How well do you grow here: Honey-crisp-apples?, & Asian pears?
How well do you grow here: Apricots?
How well do you grow here: Sweet potatoes?
Howwell do you grow here: Yams? - and 100 other yummies
and
What contraptions have you build, for
growing DEEP-rooted plants, such as Blueberries, Raspberries, etc.

are Avocadoes & Mangoes here totally impossible?

Again, BRAVO for the wonderfully-resourceful folks every one of you folks are
God Bless *you*! "

I would suggest that the best resource to go to for answers to these questions is the

Washington Cooperative Extension Service. <~~~click

LittleGardener wrote:

AprilakaCCIL wrote:LittleGardener,

All I can say is...I believe in the vital minerals and will be using them in my beds.

Hi there,
THANK you for being Kind
and
not jumping all over me. - I meant not harm, I merely asked questions.
I guess it is good to learn, right up front, what one can Not ask; & what one can.

I believe it was the Soapbox stomping about Optimal Nutrition that raised hackles, not your questions. We like questions and really, don't be afraid to ask questions.

LittleGardener wrote:

The info I have, researchers discovered that for the past 100 years, the soils - (around the world, but particularly in the USA) have become alarmingly depleted!!
of Vital Minerals....
~

How handy then that we are not using soil, but a mix of peat, vermiculite and compost.

And as for the questions:
more questions, for other 7B W.Washingtonians:
How well do you grow here: Honey-crisp-apples?, & Asian pears?
How well do you grow here: Apricots?
How well do you grow here: Sweet potatoes?
How well do you grow here: Yams? - and 100 other yummies
and
What contraptions have you build, for growing DEEP-rooted plants, such as -
Blueberries, Raspberries, etc.

are Avocadoes & Mangoes here totally impossible?

Missed them in the shuffle. Perhaps people have answers but might I suggest reposting just those questions on the PNW forum? You might reach more people who have these specific answers.

Added: Ooops - did not see camprn's link - also a good source

Chopper wrote:

LittleGardener wrote:

The info I have, researchers discovered that for the past 100 years, the soils - (around the world, but particularly in the USA) have become alarmingly depleted!!
of Vital Minerals....
~

How handy then that we are not using soil, but a mix of peat, vermiculite and compost.

+1 You betcha!

Hi there,
Yes, I already thought of asking in the PNW-section.
Since I'm new, to this site, I thought I would include them here.
I apologize if that was wrong.

LittleGardener wrote:Hi there,
Yes, I already thought of asking in the PNW-section.
Since I'm new, to this site, I thought I would include them here.
I apologize if that was wrong.

It's not wrong, no worries, as you said, we all learn.