After a number of year’s farmers, commercial growers and soil scientists are now finally starting to understand the real benefit of improving the biology and microorganism content in the soil, rather than just continually applying the same fertilisers year after year.
So how can you do this in your home garden? Well there is a way to get your plants rocking along…. so Colin takes a look at ‘Amanda’s Garden’ in Southern River to find out how.
Well you may have heard of rock dust and rock minerals but what are they and what do they actually do? Rock dust is usually left over granite crusher dust, which has little mineral value. This is often used as a base for paving or artificial turf.
Rock minerals are rock elements mined from volcanic base and sedimentary rock and contain trace elements and minerals vital for plant health including Boron, Manganese, Copper, Zinc, Cobalt and Molybdenum. These natural rock minerals are sustainably sourced from volcanic bedrock deep beneath the surface in Queensland that has been covered by layers of soil and decaying organic matter.
These rock minerals are then impregnated with beneficial microbes and additional Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium and formed into ‘prills’ or granulated pellets to make them easy to handle and use in the garden.
When applied to the soil these microbes will become activated when they become wet. So water them in after application to allow them to work quickly within the soil to capture nutrients and make any existing ones more available to the roots of the plant. This will encourage a stronger and healthier root system to make the plants more resistant to pests and diseases. Plus it will also improve the overall soil structure, fertility and health as the plant roots, humus and microbes interact in the soil.
The Rock Minerals are easy to apply, just sprinkle between two and three handfuls per square metre around the base or drip line of your garden plants then gently mix it into the soil. Richgro Rock Mineral Fertiliser and Soil Improver is a natural slow release formulation that provides all the essential elements to produce tougher plants with robust green healthy foliage, abundant flowers and tastier fruit for up to three-months.
Always water them in thoroughly. When the microbes come into contact with moisture the microbes start searching for nutrients and minerals in the soil. The bacteria then slowly digest these nutrients so that they become available to feed your plants. These rock minerals have been used extensively for over twenty years in gardens, broad-acre farming, the turf industry and Amenity horticulture such as Parks and Gardens with outstanding results.
Richgro Rock Minerals can be applied to all the plants in your garden including flowers, fruit, vegies and herbs. Plus, it can be safely used on native plants too.
Remember to get your soil and plants rocking along above and below the soil apply a couple of handfuls of Richgro Rock Minerals per square metre every three months.
Richgro Rock Mineral Fertiliser and Soil Improver is available exclusively at Bunnings hardware stores and if you want find out more go to richgro.com.au
