Xtreme Gardening

[applestar]

I'm hearing good things about Azomite, but my understanding is that it is a trademark name for rock dust mined in Utah. Now for my money, Utah seems a long way to truck anything heavy, not to mention the word "mined" sticks in a sore spot.

Trace minerals, volcanic rock, aluminum silicate....

Volcanic sediment is often touted as great source of fabulousness. I think Lorax mentioned it relative to the Ecuadorian soil and I think that's part of the Japanese Akadama and some other black mud (that I can't remember the name of) mystique for Bonsai. I'm sure that is true.

For me, greensand is a more local source of trace minerals but I don't think there is anything volcanic about them and the mineral composition is marine sediments and closer to other marine sources like kelp. I'm trying to find a comparison study/chart.

[dustyrivergardens]

there is a site called remineralize.org that talks a lot about different types of rocks and there benefits from ground up river rock to glacial rock ground up to lava ground up and granite. I use granite and lava and I will probably get some river rock also..my garden seems to love it and the flavor my tomatoes have now kick butt...oh yeah I do use Azomite once in a while I just cant afford it very often when i can get a ton of lava or granite in the back of my truck for less than 20 bucks at the sand and rock pit.