Azomite?

Azomite is said to contain lots of trace minerals-from A to Z-hence the name. Is it something an aspiring sustainable gardener should consider using?

I have never heard of it, but I will look it up on the net.

This link might give you a lot of information. They say it is good for veggies and flowers so I don't see why you couldn't add it to your list. It depends on the quality of your soil, I would imagine, and whether you need it. I have never used it but have heard of it and considered adding it to my arsenal of natural fertilizers. My natural curiosity caused me to do some investigating and below are the results of my research:

If you go to this site: http://www.azomite.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=60&Itemid=41

they give all kinds of good info and where to get it in Washington as well as other states. I don't know if either of these places are near you. Good luck and let us know how you do with it!

One of the Dave's Garden members wrote an article on micro nutrients and mentions that he used Azomite. Here is the link to that article:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/2351/
You could always d-mail him for more info.

These are the two places Azomite.com lists as resellers in Washington:

Sound Horticulture
Alison Kutz
1050 Larrabee Ave Ste 104 #365
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 739-9095
Fax: (360) 715-9264
Website: www.soundhorticulture.com
Edited because attempts to reach the above Website didn't work. When you google Sound Horticulture you find the Website is coming soon but it seems to be a viable business!

Bee Rite Sales
20814 NE 58th St
Vancouver, WA 98682
Phone: (360) 256-8650
Cell: (503) 209-1555
Email: beerite@msn.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


This message was edited Dec 29, 2010 1:36 AM

Thanks gardadore. The importance of adding minerals has only recently become clear to me. It does seem that azomite is one good product for that.

I agree. I read most of the article from the other site where you were also discussing the topic of micronutrients. It seems that azomite might be an addition to consider along with my other supplements. I need to compare it to another great mineral product called Planters II, which I have been using for a couple of years.. You can order it from T & J Enterprises out of Spokane, WA, a company I have used to buy this product as well as their Biosol and Biovam. Here is the link to their website listing the contents of the Planters II. http://www.tandjenterprises.com/Planters_Mineral_Fertilizer.htm The owner is very passionate about his products and plants and is a font of knowledge - very enthusiastic.

The Biovam or some other similar mycorrhizal fungi product is necessary for the plant roots to take up the minerals it needs. The Biosol, which is sold as a fertilizer, works well with the Planters II. I used all three several years ago, then stopped because of the shipping expense. I realize now that they really did make a difference so have gone back to using them since I found two of them on the East Coast (Planters II from Fedco in Maine) (Biosol from a local arehouse) I have to order the Biovam from T & J unless I substitute another brand.

These are terrific products. But I always also add rock phosphate, bone meal, gypsum, and worm castings as well as the above to my Earth Boxes and Straw Bale holes when I plant in them. I think the Planters II might be a great substitute for the Azomite although I must do a more detailed comparison. The Planters II is easy to spread and is not powdery. I always sprinkle it around when I plant my veggies and flowers.

Besides the supplements I use my compost and decaying straw over the winter. Last summer I found a place to get goat manure for free. My soil is now wonderful to work in. Any additional fertilizers I use are Liquid Fish, Liquid Bonemeal, Liquid Kelp and Sulfate of Potash and Kelp from Aggrand. A friend and I shared the Preferred Customer fee so can get these liquids at a great price. I had the best summer ever last year so think things are finally getting pretty well balanced. It is a constant learning experience and I am always open to trying new combinations that have worked for others.

I have no financial or personal interest in any of the products I use (except getting healthy produce!) . They are the result of years of trying all kinds of stuff. I will stick with the above for the time being except maybe experimenting with some Azomite. Maybe others will find this helpful in improving their garden and container soils.

We are on similar paths. Reading the link to the info about minerals rounded out my sketchy knowledge. 44 pounds of Azomite for 56 dollars will serve under 500 square feet, if I understand correctly, from Worms Way. Pondering still. One year I got hundreds of pounds of granite dust from a place that makes headstones. And they are local, no postage. Got to weigh in expenses. I'll be trying to figure out how that would compare for providing minerals. That was for a different garden, by the way.