Lab Report: http://www.albertaurbangarden.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/150110_AlbertaUrbanGardenCertificateofAnalysis-RevistedReport.pdf
Today we are going to follow up on the next questions that have come out of the 2014 home garden field trials and put one of my garden claims to the test. What nutrients or elements do Rock Dust and fall leaves bring into the garden and how do they stack up against each other.
In order to do this I sent samples of rock dust and the fall leaves from trees that are common in my area into the lab for analysis. In consultation with an expert we selected a number of analysis methods to ensure we captured the most appropriate data to answer these question. Today we are going to take a look at trace elements
The core theory behind Rock Dust is that it adds trace elements to the soil. In addition to testing rock dust I thought I would also test one of my garden assumptions as promised.
One of my garden claims is that fall leaves from deciduous trees are a source of elements as well. In theory trees collect minerals from the parent minerals using their roots and deposit them in their leaves when they drop.
As such both rock dust and fall leaves both should be able to add trace elements to our gardens. This analysis allows us to compare them to see how they stack up.
I sent two of the leading brands of rock dust and an even mix of four kinds of fall leaves that are fairly common in my area, Birch, Poplar, Apple and Russian Olive.
In order to analyze the trace elemental make up Maxxam Analytics starts by dissolving the sample material in a strong acid to break it down to its elemental components and run through the analysis. This analysis gives results that represent both the available and unavailable forms of elements.
Plants need more then just the Nitrogen Phosphorus and Potassium to live. This analysis captures the essential elements, beneficial elements and most of the other elements that may not be need.
Some of my favorite childhood memories are of gardening with my parents and brothers. This channel is about low cost organic urban gardening in zone 3. I am by no means an expert gardener however I love to share my experiments and journey garden year round. Please feel free to join the conversation and if you think you might like this channel subscribe. Have a great day!
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