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Jun 23, 2010 • 12 min read
A major mineral is missing in many soils and most soil tests do not even monitor its presence. This mineral can increase stress resistance, boost photosynthesis and chlorophyll content, improve drought resistance, salt tolerance and soil fertility and prevent lodging. It can also reduce insect pressure, frost damage and destructive disease while lowering irrigation rates, neutralising heavy metal toxicity and countering the negative effects of excess sodium. If I were to tell you that this same missing mineral can increase root growth, boost yield and enhance crop quality, you could well ask, “how could we have overlooked something so important?” and you would be correct. It has been a serious oversight. The mineral in question is silicon, and science is rapidly revealing the scope and scale of our silicon neglect.
Silicon is not classed as an essential nutrient, but, in response to a wealth of new findings highlighting the importance of this nutrient, that status may soon change. Silicon is the second most abundant mineral on the planet. It is everywhere. Clays are alumina silicates and sand is largely silicon, so how could there be a shortage of silicon? The answer lies in the form of silicon that enters the plant. Plants uptake silicon as silicic acid and this is what is missing in the soil. Something we have done in conventional agriculture appears to have compromised the conversion of insoluble silicon into the plant available form. It may reflect a mineral imbalance, or we may have knocked out some of the soil microbe species that solubilise this mineral. It is not yet understood what drove the widespread deficiency, but we do know that a healthy, disease suppressive soil should contain 100 ppm of monosilicic acid (as measured in a soil analysis) and very few soils come anywhere near that mark!
Little was known about the multiple roles of silicon until recently. It was known to be present in every soil, but it was only when it became less plant available that it was realised that there may be a link between this loss and a host of growing problems. During the last decade, silicon seems to have become “flavour of the month” in the soil science community. Researchers have delved more deeply and hundreds of papers have been presented at the International Silicon Conferences in Brazil and South Africa. This neglected mineral is now emerging as a key player in proactive pest and disease management and the production of nutrient dense food. If you are not yet aware of the silicon story then this article should serve to fill some gaps.
The cell wall in plants is a substantial barrier that must be breached to gain access to the goodies within. A fungal pathogen must drill through this wall with its hyphae to be able to tap into the nutritious cell centre. Once this goal is achieved, the pest has the food source that sponsors its spread, and a disease is born. There is an obvious opportunity here to stop the pathogen in its tracks. What happens if we strengthen that cell wall so that the hyphae buckle? It’s simple – the disease cannot gain a foothold and will not spread. Similarly, why would a leaf eating insect choose to wear out his eating gear on silicon-strengthened rock cakes when it can go elsewhere for sponge?
Many published papers have now confirmed the exciting potential for increased disease and insect resistance through good silicon nutrition. In one paper presented at the South African conference, soluble silicon used as a soil drench had the equivalent inhibitory effect as phosphorus acid in the management of Phytopthora in avocados. However, the silicon-treated plants had much more vigorous roots and canopies. In another case, silicon was shown to offer effective management of dreaded black sigatoka in bananas. Other papers reported efficacy against brown rust in sugar cane, powdery mildew in cucurbits, Fusarium wilt in potatoes and leaf blast in rice.
Interestingly, the plant understands the protective potential of silicon, even if we don’t. When a disease begins, the plant directs all available silicon to the attack site to strengthen the surrounding cells and stop or slow the spread of the pathogen. There is a problem here, however, because silicon is immobile once incorporated into the cell wall. It must be in constant supply so that the plant can utilise it at these times. Most soils contain less than half of the soluble silicon required, so there can be significant benefits in foliar spraying silicon at the first sign of a disease. This can stop the spread of the disease and many growers are successfully using this strategy.
Photosynthesis is the most important process on the planet. The green plant is the only source of food and the management of chlorophyll, the green pigment where all the action happens, is the chief role of the farmer. Silicon is a gold sponsor of the sugar factories within the plant, as it supports this process in several ways. The leaf is essentially a solar panel, the underside of which also serves to capture the CO2 gas as it rises from the roots and soil life. The better that panel is presented, the more efficient it will prove in capturing sunlight, water and CO2 (the three components of photosynthesis). Silicon strengthens the stem and holds that panel in perfect position. The plant is less likely to droop in warm conditions and more likely to maximise photosynthesis.
Minerals are the major players in the photosynthesis equation. Blotches, stripes and pale colours, from shortages of minerals, represent the mismanagement of chlorophyll. Sometimes it’s not just the lack of these nutrients but their delivery into the crop that is the issue. Silicon can have a big impact upon mineral uptake. Phloem and xylem are the pathways that govern mineral absorption and the translocation of minerals within the plant. These nutrient highways are built from silicon and their performance will suffer in its absence.
Calcium is an example of a poorly translocated mineral that will be utilised more efficiently when the nutrient highways are broad and true. Boron is a calcium synergist, which can improve the performance of calcium, but it has recently been recognized that boron also boosts silicon uptake. Boron solubilises insoluble silicon and it is a good idea to combine boron, calcium and silicon in your program to maximise the synergistic potential of the trio. One popular strategy involves the application of boron to the soil in late winter to trigger the release of silicon. The soluble silicon will be used to build the super highways that will improve the sluggish uptake of calcium (needed for cell division during the spring flush).
There are two types of stress that affect production negatively. Abiotic stress involves the negative impact of environmental factors upon living organisms and biotic stress is about pest pressure. Abiotic stress is the single most harmful factor impacting crop growth and productivity on the planet and it can only have more impact as global warming progresses. However, biotic stress is not far behind.
Every year since we began "the chemical experiment" in agriculture, there has been an increase in the total amount of chemicals applied on a global scale and every year there has also been a marked increase in pest pressure. The current path is not sustainable; in fact it is not working!
There is an obvious relationship between abiotic stress and biotic stress in that environmental factors will increase pest pressure. We are seeing this in all of the countries in which we work. Even in the local ginger industry, right on our doorstep, growers are experiencing Pythium pressure unlike anything they have previously experienced. This destructive fungus has found a new niche in the wettest growing season ever. This does not represent a deficiency of fungicides, but rather highlights the desperate need for a more holistic approach that will offer a greater level of inherent protection during times of stress.
Silicon can reduce the impact of both abiotic and biotic stressors and it represents an essential component of a program designed to create a disease-suppressive soil and stress-resistant plants. The stronger the cell wall, the more stress-resistant the plant, whether that stress is from pathogens or non-living factors.
Part of the climate change forecast is an increase in extreme weather events. Wind can be particularly destructive in that it can promote lodging, which can render the crop unharvestible. At the most recent silicon conference, Iranian researcher, A. Fallah, presented a paper reporting a reduction of silicon within the plant associated with high nitrogen usage. It is already understood that overapplication of nitrogen has a nutrient diluting effect and that the mineral most affected is potassium. Now we understand that mismanagement of nitrogen can also impact silicon nutrition and the associated protective effect of this mineral. In this instance, weaker stem strength and increased susceptibility to lodging were noted in the rice crop studied. Fallah reported much stronger stems and resistance to lodging in silicon treated crops.
One of the stressors that is becoming more of an issue in many soils is the oversupply of heavy metals, salts and some trace minerals. In all cases, silicon has been shown to mitigate the stress. Copper (Cu) can build up in the soil due to the overuse of fungicides. We have found humates a valuable tool to neutralise the negatives associated with this excess. Silica has been effective in mitigating the effect of a variety of heavy metals but recent US research suggests that silicon may be a viable management tool in high copper soils. J. Li, J. Frankz and S. Leisner working in flower crops in Ohio, found that silicon could very effectively mitigate Cu toxicity stress and the improvement was measured on multiple levels.
Swedish researchers working in cadmium contaminated soils found that the higher the silicon level in the plant, the lower the cadmium level. In fact, there was 60% less cadmium in the silica treated food grains.
In some exciting Russian research involving wheat, silica was shown to alleviate salt stress quite dramatically. Wheat is notoriously sensitive to high salinity and the salt created a major decrease in photosynthesis. The addition of silicon to the soil resulted in increases in photosynthesis ranging from 158% to 520% depending upon the salt concentration in the soil. This is one of several studies highlighting the silicon link to salt management. We always recommend the inclusion of small amounts of humic acid and potassium silicate with every irrigation, to manage saline irrigation water.
A South Australian study reported reduced drought stress and an associated reduction in pest pressure following silicon treatment. This study found that applied silicon mitigated the increased insect pressure that was a direct effect of high levels of nitrogen. Not only does high N shut down silica uptake but applied silica can also compensate for this nitrogen mismanagement.
Cold stress can even be addressed with silicon. South African scientists working with bananas have shown that silicon protected the plants from cold damage and that an associated increase in vigour decreased the banana’s susceptibility to Fusarium wilt.
This enhanced protection from disease has been well researched. A recent Japanese study entitled “Silicon in the Control of Diseases in Rice, Sorghum and Soybean”, found reductions in brown spot pressure that varied between 35% and 75% in rice studies. They found significant reductions in anthracnose in silicon-treated sorghum and the results were quite dramatic when foliar applying potassium silicate to manage soybean rust. They concluded their paper with the following words; “The results of these studies underscore the importance of Si to increase plant resistance to foliar disease”.
This increase in disease resistance was originally thought to be related to the “barrier effect” linked to increased cell strength, but it is now understood to be also related to increased plant immunity.
One of the most dynamic research streams in agricultural science relates to the investigation of plant immunity and the triggers that activates the plant to fight its own battles. It is now understood that the plant has an immune system, which can be both monitored and magnified. Salicylic acid, for example, the biochemical upon which aspirin is based, activates the plant’s immune system. Aloe vera is the richest natural source of this compound and many of our growers benefit from the inclusion of this plant extract in their programs.
Recently, silicon has been found to trigger the production of a suite of compounds that fuel immunity. This mineral is now seen as an integral tool in proactive pest management as it offers both protective cell strength while also fuelling a robust defense system.
Phenolic compounds are one of the biochemicals that are part of this defense system and these compounds are now recognised as key players in the protection of avocado trees from Phytopthora cinnamoni. T.F Bekker, et al, from the University of Pretoria, conducted research which demonstrated that soil applications of potassium silicate to soils affected by this disease increased the total phenolic content of the avocado root tissue.
It is interesting to note that this silicon-based immune response is most pronounced when there is existing disease pressure. It is almost like the plant calls in the heavy artillery when the going gets tough! A Canadian paper presented at the South African conference involved the study of 30,000 genes. The researchers reported that unstressed plants appeared to be minimally affected by silicon feeding with the associated up regulating of only two genes. (Note: upregulation is the process by which a cell increases the quantity of a cellular component such as RNA or protein in response to an external variable.) However, in stressed plants (affected by powdery mildew) there was an upregulation of a number of genes. A Spanish paper also covered the Powdery Mildew control potential of silicon and they found that the inclusion of amino acids with the silicon fertiliser enhanced the response.
Russian researchers have hypothesised that the plant immune system requires mobile silica compounds and if there is luxury levels of silica available to the plant there will be additional synthesis of stress protection molecules. A co-operative research effort between American and Japanese scientists showed that silica related resistance involves multiple pathways and that silica amendment clearly alters plant defense signaling, increasing the plant’s disease resistance.
Not only does silicon offer increased pest and stress resistance. It can also provide a major fertilising response and substantial yield increases. In a paper by J. Bernal, involving research with rice and sugarcane in Columbia, just 100 – 200 kg of magnesium silicate per hectare achieved yield increases of 14.63% in sugarcane and the increases in rice ranged from 21% to 33% (depending upon the application rate). Iranian research with rice mirrored the South American findings, but in this case, the yield increase was 22% after applications of 500 kg of silicon. Rice and sugarcane have been most researched, as they are recognised silicon accumulators. In fact, rice has the highest levels of silicon of any crop. However, we have found that most crops respond to silica and research is now quantifying our in field experience. Brazilian researchers trialed six different application rates of potassium silicate on potatoes and found that the1% rate was most effective. In fact, 6 litres of potassium silicate in 600 litres of water, sprayed each week during the crop cycle, produced an impressive yield increase of 22.4%.
Australian, M. Lynch, a champion of silica fertilisers for over a decade, presented a paper at the SA conference where he suggests that silica fertilisers have consistently outperformed high analysis fertilisers in cereal production. This has included increased protein levels, increased yields, decreased screenings and increased grains/heads. He contends that silica fertilised grapes have superior skin quality, higher brix values, uniform bunch size and a virtual absence of fungal diseases.
At NTS, we have often found unexpected benefits when including silicon in programs. An avocado grower from North Queensland found that he no longer lost up to 15% of his crop to wind abrasion. The increased skin strength created fruit that did not mark when the fruit rubbed against the branches in windy conditions. Golf courses often report that the greens are wearing better following applications of liquid, micronised diatomaceous earth (a rich silicon source).
If plants respond so favourably to silicon, what about humans? One could assume that if most plants are silica deficient then most people would also suffer from a shortage of this mineral. The Japanese Government has certainly recognised this problem and have strongly encouraged the use of soluble silica on rice crops.
H. M. Laane from the Netherlands presented a research summary of human health research into silicon. The human body contains 7 grams of silicon, which is more than all the other trace minerals put together. High levels of this mineral are deposited in bones, nails, tendons and the walls of the aorta and substantial amounts are found in the kidneys, liver and lungs. Silica intereacts with several minerals but important research has highlighted the use of silicon as a means of inhibiting aluminium toxicity. Aluminium has been strongly implicated in the plague of Alzheimers disease which now sees 1 in 4 Westerners over 65 succumb to this disease.
Silicon is also a calcium synergist and should be included in all good calcium supplements. Laane concluded that dietary levels in Western diets are too low and there is a coincidence with increased skin, hair and nail problems, osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease. There are also obvious benefits in silicon-strengthened arteries.
Silica fertilisers are available in liquid and solid form and the liquids offer the most rapid response. Silicon is found in good levels in rock mineral fertilisers and in rock phosphate and guano products. However, this is not the plant available form of the mineral and, depending on the particle size, it may take many years for the mineral to become available. This is not the case if the fertiliser is a calcium silicate or magnesium silicate but you need to ask about the solubility of any silica fertiliser you may be considering. This is also not the case if these materials are micronised.
Diatomaceous earth in the amorphous form is a very rich source of insoluble silica. The material is basically the exoskeletons of tiny prehistoric creatures called diatoms. These remains contain up to 85% silica dioxide and the silica shell is sharp and jagged under a microscope, almost like a broken razor blade. Diatomaceous earth has been used as a natural insecticide for decades, as the jagged, little razor blades can cut up the offending insect’s exoskeleton causing the creature to dehydrate and die. This material is also used internally as a natural means to control intestinal parasites. The rich silica lode from diatomaceous earth can be made plant-available by micronising the material right down to a tiny particle size of 5 microns. It can then be held in a liquid suspension and applied via boom spray or fertigation. As little as 5 litres of liquid micronised diatomaceous earth per hectare, applied through fertigation on a regular basis, can lift leaf levels of silica into the luxury zone, with all of the associated benefits.
Potassium silicate is a good soluble form of silica, but it is not compatible with many other fertilisers and must often be applied as a standalone. One way out of this limitation is to use a pre-formulated potassium silicate-based fertiliser which includes other synergists.
Proactivity is the essence of the biological approach. If you understand how plants protect themselves, then you provide the necessary components to maximise that process and minimise the need for chemical intervention. In this context, silicon is an essential pre-requisite for proactive pest and stress management and should be an integral part of every good nutrition program.
Each Original Tier holds 1 cubic foot of potting mix (about 8 gallons). Each Leaf Tier holds 0.8 cubic feet of potting mix (about 6 gallons).
We stand behind our products with a warranty that ensures our planters won’t crack or fade for at least 5 years. If you encounter any issues, simply send a photo of the damaged pieces to support@greenstalkgarden.com and we will happily replace the affected piece(s) at no cost to you
Yes! We have been issued both a design and utility patent. There's nothing else like GreenStalk Vertical Planters on the market.
Our planters can be used indoors. We recommend adding grow lights based on your growing environment. Adding a GreenStalk Mover or Ultimate Spinner would be a necessity for ensuring water doesn't drain out onto the floor. Please note that water cannot be held for an extended amount of time in either GreenStalk Base and should be drained into another container.
A wide variety of vegetables, strawberries, flowers, and herbs grow well in the GreenStalk Vertical Planter. We recommend growing larger plants in the GreenStalk Original and smaller plants in the GreenStalk Leaf. For a complete list, please click here.
Download our Plant Planner Template here.
Worm composting bins should never be dry and should never have standing water in them. Ideally, the worm bedding should be at about 80% moisture. The bedding should definitely feel moist but when you squeeze it, no water should drip out. Also, when you squeeze it you should not hear crackling of dry paper or dry leaves. When your worm bin bedding is at the correct moisture level, it should remind you of laundry right when you take it from the washing machine. The clothes are thoroughly saturated with water but not dripping at all.
Almost any carbon source can be used as worm bin bedding, but some worm bedding material works better than others. Remember, your worm composting bin bedding material needs to be at about 80% moisture level.
All worms breathe through their skin. A worm’s skin must be moist to be able to breathe. If a worm’s skin dries out, it will die.
They can tolerate a fairly wide range of temperatures. Worms are most efficient (eating, pooping, making babies) at temperatures that we humans prefer, roughly 60 to 80 degrees F.
Sure, a worm composting bin can be kept outside. Just be sure to have a plan for controlling temperature so your worms don’t freeze or overheat. Worms like the same temperatures as we do. They are happiest between 60 and 80 degrees F, If it gets too cold or too hot your worms will die.
In your worm bin, you may find, rolly pollys (sow bugs), ants, centipedes, millipedes, earwigs, pot worms (very small white worms), slugs, and more. These other bugs won’t hurt your worms and are usually a sign of a healthy worm bin. If your outdoor worm bin is not maintained properly, it can attract pests that you don’t want like ants and flies. Correcting the maintenance issue and/or moving the worm bin inside usually corrects the issue.
We recommend starting a home worm bin with 1 pound of composting worms. The worms will multiply (remember one of their 3 jobs is to make babies). So, the amount of worms you start with really depends on how productive you want your homemade worm bin to be right away and how much you are willing to spend.
Most of worm bins are ‘flow through’ worm bins where the worms are fed on top and the castings (worm poop) are harvested from the bottom. We use light and window screen to separate worms from the compost. Worms naturally move away from light, so spread your worm compost in a thin layer on a window screen placed on top of your open worm bin and shine a bright light on your worms. They will move away from the light, down through the screen, and back into your bin.
It will take around 2-3 months before you are able to harvest vermicompost for the first time. After that, you will be able to harvest a small amount every month or so depending on the size of your worm compost bin and your worm herd. Want vermicompost faster? Start with more composting worms!
Worms are voracious eaters. Depending on the conditions in the worm bin, they can eat between 1/4 and 1/2 of their weight everyday. So, if you have one pound of worms (roughly 1000 worms), you can expect them to eat 1/4 lb. to 1/2 pound each day under ideal conditions.
It takes a baby worm only 9 weeks to reach maturity and start reproducing. Worms reproduce by creating small tan colored cocoons. Each cocoon holds 2 or 3 tiny baby worms. So, given ideal conditions, enough food, and enough space in the worm bin, you can expect your worm herd to double every 3 or 4 months.
The reproductive act begins with two mature worms giving each other a hug. They line up their clitellum and then hold on to each other's bodies with tiny hairs called setae. During this hug, the worms swap reproductive seminal fluids. Next, the worms secrete mucus rings around both their bodies. The visual effect is that it makes the worms look like they are tied up with very fine fishing string. These mucus rings are the beginnings of the shell of the worm cocoon.
When the worms begin to separate, the mucus rings slide off each worm, collecting fertilized reproductive seminal fluids as the rings move along the worms' bodies. When the mucus rings get to the end of the worms, the ends of the mucus rings seal themselves, creating the cocoon that contains all the necessary reproductive material. The cocoon then separates from the worms to develop.
A single worm can not reproduce by itself. Even though worms have male and female reproductive organs, they need another partner in order to reproduce.
Worms are hermaphrodites, which means all worms have both male and female reproductive organs.
Composting worms do not have teeth. Worms cannot take a bite out of food, they need to wait until the food begins to rot or breakdown so that it is soft and wet enough for them to suck off with their very small mouths. Instead of chewing their food with teeth, they grind their food in very small gizzards.
Studies have shown that composting worms can live 4 to 10 years when kept in a worm bin or laboratory. Out in nature, worms typically live only 1 or 2 years because of predators, temperature changes, and other potential dangers.
Aloe vera contains over 75 beneficial compounds including amino acids, antioxidants, complex carbohydrates, calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamins A, C, E, B-vitamins, and more. When blended into a homemade fertilizer, your plants receive a gentle but potent boost of nutrition. Aloe vera fertilizer can encourage seed germination and rapid root development, improved cell strength, and contribute to overall superior plant health, growth, and vigor. In fact, aloe is so great at promoting growth that it’s commonly used as a natural rooting hormone, used to help plant cuttings establish new roots.
Instructions
Mix roughly 1/8 – 1/2 teaspoon of Aloe Vera powder per gallon of water.
Mix 1-4 tablespoons of Aloe Vera powder per 50 gallons of water.
Apply to the top and bottom of your leaves and/or soil drench. Can be used in combination with other teas.
Notice: Aloe Vera Powder may need to sit in water for 10 Minutes to properly dissolve and activate the properties to maximum benefit.
Aloe vera also contains enzymes and plant hormones that help to reduce transplant shock, and boost the plant’s resilience to drought, stress, and disease. The high levels of acemannan and saponin found in aloe vera both provide antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. This helps to protect plants from pathogens including harmful microbes, fungus, yeast, mold, or blight.
The high levels of salicylic acid naturally found in aloe vera plays a big role in its healing powers. You’ve probably heard of salicylic acid before; it’s commonly found in skincare products to fight blemishes. In a similar manner, salicylic acid enhances the plant’s version of an immune system (known as the systemic immune response or SAR) that will help them fend off disease.
Worm castings are the direct waste from the worms, while the vermicast we sell is a large bulk mixture of these worm castings and peat bedding.
Mushroom compost can help amend garden soil, but should be used with caution. Mushroom compost is rich in soluble salts and other nutrients and can kill germinating seeds and harm salt-sensitive plants including rhododendrons and azaleas. Mushroom compost can supply nutrients and increase the water-holding capacity of the soil but can be too much of a good thing for seeds, seedlings and young plants.
Salicylic acid has the ability to bind conjugate with some amino acids such as proline and arginine, which increase the plant’s effectiveness in resisting environmental stresses and at the same time maintain systemic acquired resistance (SAR). The most important effects of salicylic acid are to stimulate the production of antioxidants.
Salicylic acid increases the plant’s response to tolerance and resistance to various diseases affecting plants as it is found that increasing its internal concentration activates the protective role of pathogenic pathogens. The SA also has many important physiological roles, such as stimulating the flowering, ion absorption, nutrient transfer, increasing the representation of CO2 gas, controlling the movement of stomata, photo materials, gas exchange, and protein synthesis.
Salicylic acid is one of the plant hormones produced by the plant naturally, as it is mainly manufactured within the plant cytoplasmic cells. Salicylic acid plays an important role in the growth and development of the plant for major physiological roles such as increasing the plant’s response to stress conditions by increasing the resistance of the plant to System Acquired Resistance (SAR) by stimulating or changing the internal paper dissection endogenous signaling to withstand a large number of stresses. Salicylic acid acts as a stimulant or transmitter of the cell to withstand environmental stress conditions such as dryness, coldness, heat, stress of heavy elements.
Take soil samples. You will need ½ to 1 pint of soil per sample. Now, don’t take one sample from one spot in your garden and send it in. Rather, take multiple samples over the area go get a representative sample of the entire area.
Send the sample to a trusted and established laboratory for their recommendations. There are always forms to be filled in, so contact the lab of your choice first to get the proper forms.
Fill in the forms very specifically, indicating what crops you intend to grow, any known problems from previous years, any concerns that you have.
When the report comes back, it maybe difficult for you to read and interpret, so never hesitate to re-contact the lab with your questions. They will be glad to help.
Apply exactly what is recommended. You should do it as early in the spring as possible because the added nutrients will not be readily available to the plants until they undergo certain chemical reactions in the soil.
1. Top dress plants with 1/8 - 1/4 Cup per plant.
2. Build your soil using this milled meal at 1/2 - 1 Cup Per Cubic Foot.
3. Bubble a tea for 4 hours in water then use immediately using 1/8th cup per gallon water.
When used in your garden malted barley Grain functions as a source of growth hormone catalysts, providing enzymes and plant hormone producing microbes to feed the soil and supercharge your garden.
Malted barley is made when raw barley is naturally processed (malted) using only water, heat and time. Because the raw barley is minimally processed, it is considered “natural”. There are three steps of the malting process:
1) Steeping— Raw barley is alternately submerged and drained for 40-48 hours in steep tanks until a moisture level of 40% or greater is achieved. This activates the embryo to initiate enzyme development and growth of the rootlets. This is the beginning of germination.
2) Germination— Steeped grain is then moved to a germination compartment where germination continues for four to seven days at controlled temperature, humidity and oxygen levels. During germination the barley is modified. Modification refers to the breakdown of complex proteins and carbohydrates which opens up the starch reserves. Enzymes in germinating barley include high levels of alpha amylase, and lower levels of beta amylase and proteases.
3) Drying (kilning)—Drying on a kiln or roaster halts germination. Gentle kiln drying preserves enzymes and develops malty flavors. Higher temperature drying in a kiln and/or roaster results in more unique flavor development and decreases or completely denatures enzymes.
Vegetable Gardens & Flower Beds: For optimum results follow these guidelines:
Use between 5-50 lbs./ 100 sq. ft. in tillage, 5-25 lbs./ 100 sq. ft. top dressing. Fortifying compost use 20-25 lbs./ cu. yd. of biomass raw material. For potting mixes use up to 5% by volume.
Trees & Shrubs: For mature bushes and trees use about 5 lbs. per year around each bush, more for mature trees.
Not quite, igneous rocks like basalt and granite have the highest mineral content, with basalt providing a greater balance of nutrients for optimal plant health and vitality. Created through the cooling and solidification of magma and lava, basalt is the rock material that makes up most of the soils around the world. It continues to deliver a steady flow of nutrients over time, even as it decomposes. Basalt’s slow-release benefits make it an effective way to minimize deficiencies, particularly with fast-growing crops that experience periods of rapid nutrient uptake and fruit trees.
Overall improvement in plant vigor should follow the assimilation of minerals in the rock dust. Annual soil testing should show improvements in both available nutrients and overall nutrient density in soils. Brix refractometer readings should improve, indicating higher sugar and mineral content in plant sap. Higher sugar and mineral content will improve disease and insect resistance as well as drought and frost resistance.
Remineralizing soils is the first step to remineralizing living things, whether they be microflora in soils, animals or human beings. Soil remineralization is a method of encouraging a natural, resilient and self regulating growing environment that promotes long term sustainable fertility. Remineralization is a foundational practice to help grow nutrient dense food using the broad elemental spectrum that rock dusts contains. Naturally distributing dozens of macro and micro nutrients delivered in mineral form, the use of basalt helps build soil biology and regulate the uptake of essential nutrients in plants.
Basalt is an example of a type of geologic material that naturally contains rich sediments that can be suitable sources for rock dust remineralization. Geologic materials have a long history as sources of fertilizer for growing crops. The best rock dusts provide a diversity of nutritive materials derived from natural minerals, freshly crushed and blended, in a gradation of fine particle sizes distributed widely in a growing media.
Alfalfa meal will breakdown in garden soil more rapidly than pellets or cubes. However, it is very light and dusty. The dust is non-toxic but any dusty material can create respiratory problems if inhaled. Use a mask to cover your nose and mouth when you apply meal, even on a calm day. Stay upwind of prevailing breezes and broadcast it as low as possible to the soil. Alfalfa may also be used effectively in teas.
Alfalfa meal provides a nice balance of the major nutrients, namely nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, but also magnesium and sulfur. This balance makes it one of the safest fertilizers to use. Alfalfa is often synonymous with the growth hormone triacontanol. Triacontanol is considered the most powerful plant growth promoter, and alfalfa contains copious amounts.
Along with nutrients and plant growth hormones, alfalfa naturally contains high concentrations of vitamins A, B and E, as well as riboflavin, biotin, folic acid and 16 amino acids. As a soil amendment, alfalfa meal works with and improves the balance of sugars, starches and proteins in soil, improving nutrient transfer and energizing the activity of beneficial soil bacteria. This not only improves growing conditions but leads to more flavorful and aromatic crops.
Alfalfa meal serves as an all-natural fertilizer that quickly and effectively replenishes worn-out soil. This enhances the growing potential of depleted soil, especially soil that has been used for long-term seasonal growing. Like many components of Living Soils, alfalfa meal offers distinct benefits depending upon where and how it is used.
Alfalfa, especially used as a tea will result in superior plant growth and greater bloom production. Plants that are fed alfalfa tea often have a greatly expanded root system over untreated specimens. They may break dormancy earlier and may have a noticeable increase in the thickness and number of leaves.
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a perennial herbaceous legume that grows to about 3-feet in height. It has blue-violet flowers that bloom from July to September. There are species found in the wild all over central Asia and into Siberia. As with other legumes, alfalfa has the ability to ‘fix’ nitrogen in the soil. Because it is known to improve soil structure (tilth) and control weeds in subsequent crops, alfalfa is an integral component of many crop rotation plans.
1 cup ≈ 5 oz.
Vegetable Gardens & Flower Beds: To prepare new gardens, apply 5 lbs. per 100 square feet and thoroughly mix into the top 3″ of soil. For new transplants, add 1-2 tbsp. per hole, mix into soil and water in well. To feed established plants, side dress 2-4 oz., depending on plant size and desired growth rate, once each month during the growing season.
Row Crops/Acreage: Apply 500-1,000 lbs. per acre depending on specific crop needs or required pounds of actual nutrients per acre.
Containers: For new plantings, add 1-2 tbsp. per gallon of soil and mix thoroughly OR add 5 lbs. per cubic yard. For established plants, lightly mix 1-2 tbsp. per gallon into the soil surface once each month during the growing season.
Trees & Shrubs: Spread 1-2 lbs. per 1″ of trunk diameter around the base outwards to the drip line, mix into soil surface and water in well. For new trees, prepare transplant hole and mix 1-2 cups with the back fill soil. Use amended soil to fill in around the new tree and water in well.
Mix crab meal with your potting mixes or in your garden soil prior to planting. Adding crab meal to existing soil increases nutrient uptake and root development, increased resistance to stress and maximum crop yield across various growing locations and soil types.
Crustacean meal is an excellent source of slow-release calcium, nitrogen, and other essentials minerals especially when applied to beds several weeks before planting. Scientifically proven to stimulate the soil microbiome, particularly microbes associated with the biological control of plant pathogens and parasitic nematodes, crustacean meal improves soil health for greater root and plant vitality.
Crab meal is the crushed shells of crab, shrimp and lobster. Crab meal is a natural source of many of the major nutrients that fertilizers depend on for proper growth. It includes an unusually high concentration of nitrogen, phosphorous, and magnesium. Going a step beyond the norm for most synthetic soil amendments, it also includes lots of calcium.
1 cup ≈ 4 oz.
Vegetable Gardens & Flower Beds: To prepare new gardens, apply 2.5-5 lbs. per 100 square feet and thoroughly mix into the top 3" of soil. For new transplants, add 1-2 tablespoons per hole, mix into soil and water in well. For established plants, side dress ½ - 1 cup, depending on size of plant, once each month during the growing season.
Containers: For new plantings, add ⅛ - ¼ cup per gallon of soil and mix thoroughly OR add 5-10 lbs. per cubic yard. For established plants, lightly mix 2-4 tablespoons per gallon into the soil surface once each month during the growing season.
Trees& Shrubs: Spread 1-2 lbs. per 1" of trunk diameter around the base outwards to the drip line, mix into soil surface and water in well. For new trees, prepare transplant hole and mix 1-2 cups with the back fill soil. Use amended soil to fill in around new tree and water in well.
Liquid Preparations: Add 2-4 tbsp. per gallon of water and let steep up to 48 hours agitating periodically. Apply the solution directly to the soil around plants or filter and apply as a foliar spray. Be sure to use all the solution once it is prepared.
Ideal for garden soils and potting mixes, organic karanja meal is what remains after the seed kernels have been processed for oil. Rich in minerals and organic nitrogen(4.5%), it is an effective plant based “green manure” or fertilizer. Its also has effective in reducing pests and diseases.
Karanja trees are a useful agricultural crop similar to neem trees. The Karanja tree is a leguminous tree that produces beans high in protein and vegetable oil. Through mechanical extraction, they cold press the oil, leaving a rich karanja meal fertilizer. They have been used as a natural way to improve soil for hundreds of years.
1 cup ≈ 4 oz.
Vegetable Gardens & Flower Beds: To prepare new gardens, apply 1-2 lbs. per 100 square feet and thoroughly mix into the top 3" of soil. For new transplants, add 1-2 tsp per hole, mix into soil and water in well. To feed established plants, side dress 1-2 tsp per plant once each month during the growing season.
Containers: For new plantings, add 1-2 tbsp. per gallon of soil and mix thoroughly OR add 2.5 lbs. per cubic yard. For established plants, lightly mix 1-2 tsp per gallon into the soil surface once each month during the growing season.
Trees: Use 1 lb. per 1 inch of trunk diameter.
Kelp is used in solutions for germinating seeds, root dip for cuttings, potting soil mixes, when planting new trees and in various teas through out the growing season.
Although kelp is most commonly associated with potassium, it contains more than 70 other trace minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and plant hormones.
Because kelp comes from the sea – a natural mineral soup of common and rare nutrients – it is one of the only soil additives that includes mannitol. Mannitol is a natural sugar that helps break down micronutrients so plant cells can process and use them more easily. This same sugar is a food source for soil bacteria and fungi helping them proliferate and aid in nutrient cycling.
Benefits for Indoor Plants
Benefits for Outdoor Gardens
North Atlantic Sea Kelp (Ascophyllum nodosum) is gathered from the North Atlantic Ocean near Nova Scotia, Canada. Dried kelp has long been popular for crops that demand high levels of potassium to flourish. Kelp meal is nothing more than kelp that has been chopped into small flakes.
Neem protects from the multitude of pests with a multitude of natural ingredients. Compounds belonging to a general class of natural products called "triterpenes"; more specifically, "limonoids." So far, at least nine neem limonoids have demonstrated an ability to block insect growth, affecting a range of species that includes some of the most deadly pests of agriculture and human health. New limonoids are still being discovered in neem, but Azadirachtin, Salannin, Meliantriol and Nimbin are the best known and, for now at least, seem to be the most significant.
In many ways, neem meal is an almost perfect form of fertilizer. They have high enough levels of NPK nutrients to make them a huge help in organic gardens. Also, they contain enough azadirachtin to keep soil pests away. When used with other fertilizers, neem meal can enhance their efficiency and slowly release their own nutrients. This means that your plants benefit from constant access to the nutrients and experience little risk of getting burned by too much nitrogen exposure. Studies show that garden yields can be 15-25% higher when neem meal is used.
Neem is ideal for potting mixes and garden soils, neem meal (Azadirachta indica) is OMRI Listed for use in organic production. Neem meal what remains after the seeds have been processed for oil. A slow-release nitrogen source (5%), it can be used to build good soil structure and grow stronger, more resilient plants.
Neem trees have long been celebrated as a natural soil enhancer and is planted throughout southeast Asia and tropical regions around the world. Much of the neem tree, from the leaves to the bark and seeds, can be used as both an organic fertilizer and pesticide to increase gardening yields. Neem meal is what's leftover after they crush the seeds to get neem oil.
How to find soil volume for square or rectangular beds
For an existing 4' x 4' bed approximately 30 lb. bag, for a 4' x 8' bed approximately two 30 lb. bags, gently work into the top 4 or 5 inches of soil careful not to disturb roots.
Eisenia fetida, (Also known as the red worm, red wiggler, manure worm, tiger worm, brandling worm) is the most common variety sold and used for home vermicomposting. These are a species of earthworm adapted to decaying organic material, they thrive in rotting vegetation, compost, and manure. Red wigglers are reddish-brown in color, have small rings around their body and have a yellowish tail.
Eisenia hortensis (“European Nightcrawler”) variety can be used for worm composting as well, but due to its larger size it is often raised for use as a bait (or feeder) worm. The European nightcrawler is a medium-small earthworm averaging about 1.5 g when fully grown. Generally blueish, pink-grey in color with a banded or striped appearance, the tips of their tails are often cream or pale yellow. The species is usually found in deep woodland litter and garden soils that are rich in organic matter in European countries. E. hortensis is sold primarily as a baitworm, but its popularity as a composting worm is increasing.
Perionyx excavatus is a commercially produced earthworm. Popular names for this species include, blues or Indian blues. This species is marketed for its ability to create fine worm castings quickly. It has recently become more popular in America for composting purposes. This species belongs to the genus Perionyx and may have its origins in the Himalayan mountains. This species is suited for vermicomposting in tropical and subtropical regions.
AgSil 16H is a soluble form of potassium silicate providing the plant a 100% available source of silicon and potassium that are essential for optimum plant growth and health. Potassium Silicate strengthens the plant’s internal processes and external defenses. AgSil applied in the soil or foliar aids the plant during periods of drought, extreme temperatures, cold, frost, heat stress, salinity, mineral toxicity and other abiotic stresses. AgSil 16H activates the plants immune system helping it to resist against foliar and soil diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, nematodes, viruses and other biotic stresses.
Use 1.5g (Just under 1/2 teaspoon) per gallon of water for foliar spray or soil drench.
How to use this powder dry with your neem oil: Mix 1.5 grams (just under 1/2 teaspoon) Agsil 16H with 1/2 oz. pure neem oil to emulsify the oil. Then mix this emulsified oil with one gallon final volume spray solution. Spray every other week covering all plant surfaces (top and bottom of leaves) until it runs off.
If you don't have a scale: Use 3 Tablespoons of Agsil16H for every 8 ounces water.
You can use any basic potting mix when mixing the ingredients of the living soil kit together. We provide a Rain Science grow bag because of it's ease of use and aeration. Be aware that your soil may dry out faster and you might wish to adjust your watering schedule or growing medium depending on the moisture requirements of specific plants.
Yes, Rain Science Grow bags can be reused over again. You can wash them with dish soap and warm water. If you need to sterilize your bags they can be soaked in a solution of H2o2 and water. They are also washing machine safe, so feel free to throw them in with the laundry.
Air pruning is a natural process that happens as plant roots come in contact with fresh air near the walls of the growbag, the root tip stops growing, essentially pruning itself, this causes the rest of the root to branch off with many tiny feeder roots, instead of a few circling roots. These new roots will continue to colonize bag, allowing the plant to maximize uptake of both water and nutrients.
Yes, Rain Science Grow bags meet the requirements of the CA Department of Public Health “Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions. We leach nothing to the soil and exchange nothing with the environment. If the rest of your grow is organic you can feel confident using Rain Science.
Rain Science grow bags aerate your root zone unlike plastic containers. Root aeration stops root circling, by air pruning, your helping your plant build a stronger root structure. Better roots means higher resistance to pests and disease, and a faster growing healthier plant. Old school plant pots also hold a lot of heat, which can lead to a whole new set of problems. Rain Science bags actually dissipate heat keeping your roots at an optimal temperature.
When your roots grow, they will quickly reach the container walls. With old school plastic containers, these roots immediately start circling and continue to circle. If you look at the root structure from a plant in a plastic pot you find a few large roots growing in circles with very little side branching, the roots will soon bind upon themselves, restricting nutrient uptake and eventually lead to root bound plants and death.
The problem with fabric grow pots are mold build up and root rot from the fabric staying wet. Mold, mildew and algae can rob your plants of valuable nutrients and oxygen. The wet material does not allow air to pass very freely. Their special mesh allows for better drainage than traditional grow bags. Rain Science grow bags provide more stable root zone temperatures, greatly improving drainage through the entire growbag and adding extra oxygen to the soil because of improved air flow through the fabric. This air flow facilitates a process called air root pruning, where the plant creates a bunch of tiny feeder roots which are better at absorbing nutrients, this in turn leads to increased plant growth.
PreBiotech is a preferred food source for beneficial microbes on plant surfaces including those associated with plant growth promotion and biological suppression of plant disease. A unique blend of crustacean shell that has been micronized to allow for a rapid reaction time with microbes, PreBiotech creates new application opportunities for crops including vegetables, fruit trees, ornamentals, row crops and hemp.
Yes, we offer shipping for those who need it. Simply fill out the order form and specify that you would like it shipped and we will determine the cost and contact you with a total price for your order. If everything looks good, we will take your payment and ship it directly to your door!
We take Cash, Check, Credit Cards, and Cashapp. After filling out an order form, we will contact you to determine your preferred payment method. If we are delivering product to you, we will take your payment upon delivery. Definitely feel free to contact us if you have any questions; you can use the chat on our website or fill out our contact form.
Integrated pest management(IPM) is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests or their damage through a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties.
The Clackamas Coot Mix
Here is the recipe for my personal potting soil mix and this will make 1 cubic foot (which is just a little over 7 gallons).
"This mix is perfect for starting seeds or for planting seedlings or transplants that you buy at shows." - Clackamas Coot
Depending on what the earthworm is fed will determine the quality of the castings. For example, if worms are fed only one ingredient, say lettuce, they can only process the nutrients and minerals that are found in lettuce. This is as opposed to worms that are fed a complete, well-balanced diet.
Bottom line: what goes in, is what comes out.
Compost worms spend the majority of their lives above the soil in organic matter that falls on top of the soil. This leaves them very vulnerable to weather and predators. This means you'll have to meet certain environmental conditions for these worms to survive.
To use worm castings as a soil amendment, blend the castings with potting soil. Typically, castings make up 20-25% of the total soil volume for container plants. You can also add it to garden soil when planting annuals, perennials, vegetables, trees, and shrubs. Use it as a fertilizer by lightly topdressing houseplants or spreading ½ inch around the base of flowers and vegetables. Avoid letting the worm castings come into direct contact with stems or trunks.
Except for water and sunlight, nothing could be more natural for your garden than worm castings. Worm castings provides many beneficial microorganisms and nutrients to the soil, including beneficial bacteria, fungi, and protozoa as well as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
Composting with worms (also called vermicomposting) is usually done with 3 types of worms; Eisenia fetida (red wiggler), Eisenia hortensis (European nightcrawler), Perionyx excavatus (blues). Their specialized digestive systems convert food waste and other organic materials to a nutrient-rich compost called vermicast or worm castings. Worms thrive in an aerobic (with air) environments. They are able to process large amounts of food waste and rapidly reproduce in a confined space.
We sell 2 of the composting worms together, E. hortensis and Perionyx excavatus as they are able to occupy the same worm bed. In fact, they can make almost ideal companions since the former tends to live very close to the surface while the latter tends to prefer the increased moisture levels in the lower regions. This combination produces worm castings year round in our Florida climate.
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