An Overview of Soil Remineralization for Growers

Soil can naturally be depleted of minerals over time. Most often, this is due to erosion of topsoil, but it can also be caused by leaching and growing monocultures. Topsoil is the most nutrient rich layer of soil, as it contains the most organic matter. When topsoil is lost, valuable plant nutrients and minerals are lost as well. Leaching is when excessive watering or rainfall leads to nutrients being flushed deep into the soil past the plants' root zone; and growing monocultures causes the overextraction of specific nutrients in the soil. Not only can depletion of minerals in the soil cause problems with plant growth, but it can also cause crops to be less nutrient dense and flavorful.

This is why remineralization is an important part of organic growing! Whether you are trying to remedy yellowing in your flower beds, or trying to get the most delicious vegetables, remineralizing your soil could be the key!

So then, what does soil remineralization involve? This is the process of adding silicate rock powders to your soil. This mimics the natural process of deposition. Deposition is like the opposite of erosion; it's the settling of minerals at a new site by a natural source. Some of the most fertile soils in the world are products of deposition. The riverbanks of the Nile River are considered some of the most arable soils due to mineral deposition from annual flooding of the Nile. Similarly, Sand from the Sahara Desert is deposited in the Amazon after being blown across the Atlantic, delivering vial minerals to the tropical rainforest. Certain glaciers also deposit minerals as they move!

A few products are typically used to remineralize soils. These products include rock dusts, sea minerals, and trace mineral powders. A popular pick is Azomite. This is a rock dust from a volcanic site in Utah that contains up to 70 different minerals. Though each product has slightly different benefits, any remineralizing product can be used to boost the mineral content in your garden. At DFW Organic Growing, we carry Azomite, Calphos, Agsil, and Sea Kelp (we've got your back Fort Worth growers)!

However, these products are not in bioavailable forms for your plants. This is where soil microbes come in! Nutrient cycling soil microbes help to break down these mineral-rich soil additives, allowing your plants to take up those trace minerals they need. Adding compost or organic matter can help microbial populations thrive, allowing mineralizing products to become bioavailable to plants.

Because soil gets naturally depleted over time, it can be beneficial to add remineralizing products. Overall, remineralization mimics the natural process of deposition, and it can result in your plants growing bigger and stronger (and tastier) than before!

Written by Kaitlyn Watt