Since Hurricane Harvey in September 2017, our soils have lost many trace minerals, and lots of people are suffering with sickly looking turf, flower beds, fruit trees and vegetable gardens. And the loss of micronutrients and minerals has worsened in the past 8-10 months, due to an over-abundance of rain.
We’ve always needed to replenish trace minerals and trace elements in soils that are constantly irrigated or over-worked. In the past, simply adding quality composts could do an admirable job of replenishment. But it can take several months for compost to break down, and even then, it wastes away over a couple of years. Just imagine the amount of trace minerals and elements that is needed in Southeast Texas after Mother Nature’s onslaught for the past 20 months.
But, all along, there has been a product that can help add minerals back to the soil almost instantaneously. And when we do that – no matter what we’re growing – root systems improve, leading to optimum growth, optimum yields and optimum quality.
The product is Azomite!It’s pronounced with a long "A" …ey-zoh-mahyt … because, technically speaking, it contains trace minerals from A to Z, and their incorporated trace elements. A-Z omite – get it?
I first learned of Azomite about seven years ago at a turfgrass research facility. I loved its potential, but it just wasn’t available in enough retail stores for me to suggest that listeners give it a try.In 2017, Azomite’s makers approached GardenLine about being an endorsed product, and showed us how many more retail locations now carried the product. Then, about a year ago, the number of locations mushroomed when they began distribution through the Houston Nitro-Phos warehouse.
Let me explain the history and makeup of the product
Azomite is a unique, yet natural product with minerals sourced from mines in central Utah. It’s used by agriculturalists (farmers and crop producers) who have been incorporating Azomite for over 70 years, mainly because it is 100% safe for the environment. Technically, it is known as highly mineralized complex silica ore (hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate or HSCAS).It was formed through deposits from an ancient volcanic eruption that filled a seabed millions of years ago.
In addition to meeting the overwhelming need to re-mineralize our soils, other benefits from Azomite’s proper and consistent use include more abundant, bigger and better-tasting fruits and vegetables per plant. And with landscapes and turfgrass, adding Azomite truly helps them meet their full potential. Trace minerals and trace elements are necessary to bring any fertility program (fertilizing schedule) to full potential, while increasing resistance to diseases.
Azomite can be broadcast alone or blended with any fertilization program you are using … mineral fertilizers, organic fertilizers or even manure-based. It can also be banded along rows or when planting in the soil.It’s even been blended in water for hydroponic uses and foliar feeding. It can also be a good carrier for Bermuda seeds and other microbial blends of bio-stimulants.
It’s odorless and will not burn any plant, even if overused. The product is certified by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI), which means “manic-organics” should absolutely love it. Other gardening experts have called Azomite a multi-vitamin for depleted soils. It’s good for any soil that needs to be remineralized - not just our pathetic clay soils.
To learn more, check out the FAQ section at www.azomite.com.
I am on the verge of adding it permanently to my own lawn fertilization schedule at least once per year. Until then, give it a try on just about anything you suspect has been depleted of minerals. You may notice a difference within three months.