Written By
Alistair Olver BSc
Have you ever wondered how to use volcanic rock dust in your garden to boost plant growth and soil health?
As a gardener, I’m always on the lookout for natural and organic ways to enhance soil fertility and grow tastier fruits and vegetables. It is a remarkable soil improver, offering a simple yet effective method of adding essential trace elements. This dust contains two-thirdsof all non-synthetic minerals known to man, making it an excellent addition to your garden soil orcompost.
Whether you’re top dressing your beds, adding itto your compost bin or pile, or your wormery, volcanic rock dust can significantly increase resistance to pests and diseases and improve overall plant health.
Let’s explore how this remarkable volcanic rock can be a game-changer in your garden.
Key Takeaways:
- Rich in Essential Minerals: Volcanic rock dust, rich in trace elements and minerals, makes up two-thirds of all non-synthetic minerals known, boosting soil fertility and plant health when added to garden soil or compost.
- Versatile Application Methods: The dust can be applied through top dressing, as a compost activator, or in wormeries, suitable for various soil types and garden sizes, and requires no complex application technique.
- Enhances Soil and Plant Health: Its addition to soil or compost increases plant resistance to pests and diseases, yields tastier fruits and vegetables, and aids in faster organic material decomposition in compost.
- Combinable with Other Plant Foods: Volcanic rock dust can be mixed with other plant foods for a more balanced nutrient profile but should not be used with lime due to potential nutrient absorption issues.
- Effective Application Rates and Benefits: A small handful per square yard is sufficient for general maintenance, leading to robust plant growth, healthier plants, and improved soil quality, offering a natural and organic solution for garden enhancement.
Table Of Contents
- Key Takeaways:
- What is Volcanic Rock Dust?
- The myriad of benefits of basalt rock dust:
- Application Methods
- Top Dressing:
- Booster Dose:
- Large Area Application:
- Using Volcanic Rock Dust in Compost
- Compost Improver:
- Compost Activator and Accelerator:
- Tonic for Wormeries:
- Combining with Other Plant Foods
- General Application Rates
- A Must Have For Your Plants!
- FAQs
- Q: Is volcanic ash good for the garden?
- Q: Why add rock dust to the soil?
- Q: Is rock dust good for plants?
- Q: Is volcanic rock dust expensive?
- Q: How often do you use rock dust?
What is Volcanic Rock Dust?
What is volcanic rock dust? You might have heard of it as rock flour, rock powder, stone dust, or basalt. It’s a natural, inorganic material that comes from igneous rocks and is a sustainable waste product from Scottish quarries. This dust contains a wealth of essential trace elements and minerals, making up two-thirds of all non-synthetic minerals known to man.
Scientific research has demonstrated, that when added as a soil amendment or to compost,rock dust acts as a powerful soil improver.
The myriad of benefits of basalt rock dust:
- Improves soil fertility.
- Supplies nutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and traces of boron, sulphur, copper, iron, manganese, sodium and zinc; it does not contain nitrogen.
- Increases microbial activity.
- Boosts health and vigour of plants.
- Generates higher yields.
- Increases pests and diseases resistance.
- Produces nutrient rich, tastier fruits and vegetables.
Its application is simple and effective, regardless of thesoil type or garden size. Whenvolcanic rock dust is applied, I’ve noticed that it helps break down organic material in compost bins more quickly, reducing odours and increasing the temperature for faster decomposition.Just a light covering over the surface of the soil or asmall handful per square metre can make a noticeable difference.
Application Methods
Top Dressing:
This is my go-to method, especially for smaller areas or pots. Simply sprinkle therock dust evenly onto the soil surface. I usually use a tablespoonful per sqm2 or enough to cover the soil lightly. No need to dig in or mix, as the rain or water will wash the fine particles down into the soil. It’s ideal for all soil types and can be applied in any weather, except when the ground is frozen or in very windy conditions.
Booster Dose:
When my soil needs a nutrient boost, particularly in my vegetable garden, I opt for a booster dose. I generally apply about a small handful per square yard. This helps increase the soil’s fertility and leads to healthier, more robust plants.
Large Area Application:
For larger gardens, I use a Lime Spreader or Fertiliser Spinner, but I take care to ensure the rock dust doesn’t stick to the sides of the spinner. I’ve also found that Salt Spreaders with a Heavy Duty Agitator are quite effective. When applying the powdered volcanic rock over large areas, the key is even distribution to make sure every part of the ground receives its share of this remarkable soil improver.
Each of these methods has its own advantages, and I’ve seen significant improvements in soil health and plant growth after incorporating volcanic rock dust into my gardening routine. Whether you’re dealing with a small pot or a vast field, these methods can adapt to fit your needs, making volcanic rock dust a versatile and essential component of organic gardening.
Using Volcanic Rock Dust in Compost
Compost Improver:
Using volcanic rock dust as a compost improver is straightforward. I mix it directly into my compost bin or pile, aiming for about 2kg per 50 litres of compost. This can be easily done in a wheelbarrow or trug. Even a good handful mixed through a bucket of compost works effectively. The rock dust infuses essential trace elements into the compost, enhancing its quality and fertility.
Compost Activator and Accelerator:
As a compost activator and accelerator, volcanic rock dust is invaluable. I lightly sprinkle it over a new layer of compost, just enough to make a surface that you can easily see through. This approach speeds up the compost breakdown, reaching higher temperatures and reducing odours, creating a more efficient composting process.
Tonic for Wormeries:
In wormeries, volcanic rock dust proves to be an excellent tonic. Every month, I sprinkle a small amount and see the worms congregate and enjoy it, thereby enhancing the overall health and activity within the wormery. The increased worm activity further contributes tosoil and compost health, creating a beneficial cycle for plant growth and vigour.
Combining with Other Plant Foods
I also like to integrate some of therock dust with other plant foods like soil conditioners and animal manures which have proven to be incredibly effective. When mixing, I ensure thatit is evenly distributed throughout the compost or soil. This enhances the overall nutrient content, providing a more balanced and rich environment for plant growth.
A crucial tip I’ve learned is to avoid using volcanic rock dust simultaneously with lime. This is because they both contain calcium ions which could make other trace elements less accessible to plants; I typically wait at least two weeks between applications. This interval allows each material to work optimally without interfering with the other’s benefits. By following this practice, I’ve seen remarkable improvements in soil fertility and plant health.
General Application Rates
For general maintenance, I recommend applying about 0.5kg per square metre. This roughly translates to a small handful per square yard. It’s a straightforward method: simply sprinkle the rock dust evenly onto the soil from the edge of a spade or trowel, ensuring a light but thorough coverage. This rate is sufficient for most gardens and helps promote plant growth and vigour.
For larger areas, like fields or parks, I increase the application rate. A 10kg bag of volcanic rock dust typically covers around 20 square metres. This rate ensures that all types of soil, regardless of their pH, receive the essential trace elements and minerals needed.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively enhance soil fertility and support healthy plant development in your garden.
A Must Have For Your Plants!
As a professional horticulturist, I’ve found that volcanic rock dust is an absolute game-changer. It’s not just a soil improver; it’s a powerhouse of essential minerals and trace elements that significantly boost soil health and plant growth. Whether you’re working on a small pot, a compost bin, or a large garden, incorporating volcanic rock dust can lead to tastier fruit and vegetables, increased resistance to pests, and overall healthier plants.
I encourage you to try volcanic rock dust in your garden. Its versatility in applications, from top dressing to being a compost activator, makes it suitable for various gardening needs. The results are often visible: robust plant growth, vibrant gardens, and improved soil quality. If you are unsure, try a small area first and see the results for yourself.
FAQs
Q: Is volcanic ash good for the garden?
A: Volcanic ash can improve soil fertility due to its rich mineral content. It enhances soil health but should be used judiciously.
Q: Why add rock dust to the soil?
A: Rock dust replenishes essential minerals and improves soil fertility, leading to healthier plants and tastier fruits and vegetables.
Q: Is rock dust good for plants?
A: Rock dust boosts plant growth, increases pest resistance, and enhances overall plant health by enriching the soil with minerals.
Q: Is volcanic rock dust expensive?
A: Generally affordable, volcanic rock dust is cost-effective due to its small required amount and long-lasting benefits.
Q: How often do you use rock dust?
A: Typically applied annually for soil maintenance. In specific cases, apply to a wormery every month. Application frequency should be adjusted based on soil and plant needs.
