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Rock Mineral V's REAL Rock Dust

7/29/2018

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New product by RichGro............. do NOT be fooled read you labels. 
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​I was really pleased to do a group talk yesterday on one of my favourite topics, soil. In the talk I mentioned  Rock Dust and this morning the convener of the group sent me a facebook message and brought my attention to a new product on the hardware shelves by Rich Gro which they highlight the fact it contains Rock Mineral and at a cheap price. Let’s examine it.
First thing which springs out at me is that it has an N:P ratio. As I bang on about N:P ratios we all know that the nitrogen and potassium and potash they put in commercially made fertilisers, well it is after all there business and where they make there money from, is sodium based and sodium by osmosis kills you soil bacteria and fungi. If you compare the formulation of what I sell on site and is in the new product there is no comparison. They have forgotten some e.g.: no cobalt, copper, manganese, molybdenum, zinc and that is from a base listing of what should be in Rock Dust.  and what is accepted as a good ratio is not present either.  
The application rate of this cheaper rock dust far exceeds any recommendations for true rock dust. Not only on single application but repeat applications.
How it contains beneficial microbes is beyond me what you have is a rock dust, there is no mention of any organic matter in this product which is the only place you will find microbes, good, bad or indifferent. On the application they say “one adult handful is approximately 50 gms”… to the best of my knowledge it is a small handful, so why exaggerate the size. Well while a little will make things better more will make them bettera?? Or is it that the product runs out more quickly and needs replacing more quickly. Or maybe the product is not as good as it should be, but we can cover that up by making you put on more? The re-application rate to the packaging is in weeks. A good rock Dust is, initial application followed up 2 years later and then 5 years.
Good try Rich Gro but you have not fooled me and those that listen  to me. 
Here I have written more information on Rock Dusts for more information 
For those of you who are local and would like some email me and I will supply . Susan 
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Function of Soils

7/15/2018

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​Soil is amazing. It is the medium on which plant and animal life depends. It is a mixture of organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and organisms that together support life. Earth's body of soil has four important functions: it is a medium for plant growth; it is a means of water storage, supply and purification; it is a modifier of Earth's atmosphere; it is a habitat for organisms; all of which, modify the soil. It is a dynamic system, changing according to the environmental factors that act upon it, and the influence of humans.  Read More
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Manure

7/14/2018

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This is a good time of the year when it is cold to learn and be prepared for a bumper harvest come summer and autumn. So today it is all about manures. Animal manure, well composted, that is, would have to be the number one soil additive for plant health, soil health and as a mulch. But are all manures created equal? Read On 
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Perennial vegetables

7/11/2018

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Perennial Crops
Most Australian gardening and farming traditions come from Europe, where there are very few perennial crops except fruits and nuts.
Cold and temperate Eurasian agriculture cantered around livestock, annual grains and legumes, and early European settlers to Australia simply brought their seeds and their cultivation methods with them, including draft animals for ploughing up the soil every year.
Read More 
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Household Cleaning

7/9/2018

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With the children all interstate it feels like, at times, that we run a short term accommodation service and it means we do a lot of cleaning Because of our Permaculture beliefs, we want to make sure we clean in a sustainable way. and this is how we do it......... cleaning.pdf

For easy peasy ways to clean your oven I usually soak the oven racks on the bath over night in hot water, clothes washing liquid, bi-carb and vinegar. The next day they are easy peasy to wash off.
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About Us

Susan and her husband live in
​Beechworth Victoria, Australia.

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bypermaculture@gmail.com

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 It is rewarding to grow 
some of your own food
and we are happy to help!​ 


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We would love to have you visit.......... again soon!

© Susan Hutson 2020
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Permaculture
    • Ethics & Principles
    • Design >
      • Base Map
      • Zones
      • Sectors
      • Water
      • Property Plan
    • Water
    • Soil >
      • Re-Mineralisation
    • Climate
    • Food
    • Shelter
    • Energy
  • About
  • Grow It
    • Season by Season >
      • Autumn
      • Winter
      • Spring >
        • Late Spring
      • Month X Month Growing Guides
    • Vegetables
    • Seedlings >
      • How to Start Seeds
      • Success with Seedlings
    • Edible Weeds
    • Small Space Growing
    • Crop Rotation
  • Courses
  • Store