How much Basalt do I Add to Soil?

Basalt Rock Dust is a soil amendment created from pulverized volcanic rocks. In various parts of the world, you can find igneous rock that goes into making basalt. Basalt is a fantastic alternative for remineralizing flowerbeds and gardens because it breaks down quickly in soil.

How much basalt do I add to soil? You ask. 

For every 100 square feet, 10 lbs of basalt would be enough. Farmers prefer the use of basalt soil due to its excellent natural fertility. Basalt soil is good for your soil as it re-mineralizes the soil, thereby boosting your crop yields. 

I have taken the time to do extensive research about basalt to help you know how much is enough and the results you are to expect from your plants. 

Keep reading. 

How much Basalt do I Add to Soil?

Add approximately 10 lbs. of basalt per 100 square feet of soil. For potted plants, use 14 to 12 cups of soil per gallon. Use a single to three cups of fertilizer per tree or shrub. Water it after spreading basalt around the tree’s base.

Also, per 100 square feet of lawn, apply 3 to 5 pounds of basalt. In no-till cannabis plants, 1/4 to 3/4 cup per 15 gallons of soil is used after each cycle.

If you have a lot of trees and shrubs, you might need more basalt in your soil. While applying liquid fertilizer to the branches is not necessary, sprinkling a little bit of shredded basalt around each base is one step toward growing the tree correctly.

Plants will be healthier, and your field will be stronger if you use basalt rock dust to replenish your soil’s lost nutrients. When balancing your soil nutrients, the micro-nutrients are just as crucial as the macro-nutrients. The smallest but most minor needed to develop healthy plants are just as critical as the rest of the essential nutrients required to produce healthy plants while balancing your soil.

Directions for Use

• Broadcast and incorporate up to 3 kg per 10 m2 in gardens and landscapes (6 lbs per 100 ft2). Use no more than 12 kilograms (24 pounds) per 10 m2 (100 ft2) each year.
• If you are transplanting or pre-mixing soil for potted plants or planter boxes, you’ll need 15 ml per 4 L (one tablespoon per gallon). Add to the ground or growing medium and blend in well.
• It is recommended to top-dress the soil with 15 ml for every 4 L (1 tbsp per gallon). Once a month, do a light digging into the soil’s surface.
• Store away from direct sunlight in a cool, dry place. Frost and other climate extremes should be protected. Seal the container while not in use.

What does Basalt do to Soil?

Helps the Soil Store CO2

Four times, soil carbon dioxide (CO2) storage could be increased by adding basalt rock dust to farmers’ fields.

According to the findings published in Global Change Biology, adding dust to the grain crop sorghum enhances yields by as much as 20%. At least four times as much CO2 was absorbed by basalt-treated soils over five years as in untreated soils, indicating that the technology could be used to alleviate the global warming catastrophe.

It is estimated that farmland and grassland soils may store up to 8.6 gigatons of CO2 each year, roughly 1.5 times the yearly emissions of the United States. Farmers also benefit from simplifying their operations and reducing the physical components of farming.

Basalt Enhance Plant Growth

Your plants need at least six minerals for excellent growth. Basalt has these minerals plus modest levels of contaminants. These minerals enhance crop growth but also help to reduce soil erosion.

For soils at risk of losing nutrients due to surface runoff, adding basalt dust will make the depleted nutrients attractive for nutritionally hungry plant roots for grounds risk of losing nutrients. 

Plus, this treatment prevents soil erosion by holding the dust in place and helping maintain moisture.

Basalt Dust Improves Soil Fertility  (PPT)

Soil diseases such as certain types of leafworms are more likely to attack crops treated with basalt powder. Adding this mineral boosts greater productivity for many crops like wheat, corn, and other field crops. It is also essential because it helps maintain healthy soil, which allows for the decomposition of dead leaves and other biomass in a way that does not contribute to pollution. 

Basalt Helps Mitigate Soil Acidification

The manufacture of agricultural lime, which accounts for 2% of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, is used to cure soil acidity. 

Basalt also neutralizes soil acidity by adding a mix of lime, phosphate, and other elements. Also, you can combine basalt with soft rock phosphate to absorb excess CO2.

Minimize Deficiencies

Basalt can fix the most common problems: soil deficiencies, a category based on the variety of minerals or trace elements required for optimal plant growth.

Additions to soils with low levels of magnesia might correct abiotic factors that cause plant deficiency and disease in many regions where this could be greater than 30%.

Furthermore, adding up to 8kg of basalt per acre may be necessary for some soils (2-10 tons), with increasing levels of sodium carbonate, to stop soil acidity.

Improved Root Systems

Basalt appears to have benefits to plant root systems. It is a reliable way of reducing soil acidity and re-establishing nutrient deficiency by incorporating trace elements such as magnesium into the mineral structure required to move through the plants effectively.

And, the carbon in basalt is good at metabolizing atmospheric compounds. Without such care, the compounds might pass directly through plants. Thankfully, the roots quickly take these compounds.

Is Basalt a Fertilizer?

Yes. Basalt mined from geothermal resources is a fertilizer. Silicon in the clay coatings on the surface of basalt blocks provides acid-loving plants with slow-release nutrients. It stimulates plant growth by converting CO2 into benign carbonic gases.

Plus, basalt is a good source of calcium, aluminum, magnesium, manganese, cobalt, silicon, zinc, boron, and iron. In nature, basalt acts as food for underground plants, as a matrix in which roots flourish and provide water to the maturing plant.

Farmers also use Basalt Rock to strengthen land and contribute to soil fertility. This is mainly for crops that depend on essential nutrients. Plants like wheat, sugar cane, and broccoli are susceptible to heavy metals such as mercury which remain in the soil.

Is Basalt Same as Azomite?

Azomite also helps to enrich soils, producing calcium and magnesium by precipitation from mineralizing water. Nearly 60% of albedo-rich Azomites are used for agriculture to improve soil structure and nutrient deli and to increase crop yields. They gradually provide essential nutrients (especially phosphorous) in soluble form rather than in an accumulated form that can suppress plant life or adversely affect humans.

The mineral composition of both Azomite and basalt differ. Azomite is processed from iron-rich rocks and does not contain as much magnesium and sodium. Also, Azomite contains significant amounts of barium, zinc, strontium, titanium dioxide (also found in limestone), calcium phosphates, aluminum phosphate, and carbon compounds such as organic. These form clay minerals similar to mafic magmatic rock types that enclose the source mineral deposits.

Basalt has a higher percentage of silica and a constant supply of calcium and magnesium. Farmers often use basalt as a soil conditioner or termite control.

FAQs

Is Basalt Good for Plants?

Basalt is a good soil conditioner for plants. It is ideal as an added ingredient in topsoils, potting mix, and hydroponics growing mediums. 

The roots of plants absorb and discharge minerals in basalt over some time. This improves food crops and fruit trees, and vegetables harvested.

What are the SIX Types of Rock Dust?

Basalt, Azomite, gypsum, salts, granite, and glacial rock are the SIX types of rock dust. These rock dust also contain minerals. You can also use it as soil conditioners, aid in water retention, and improve crops.

What are Some of the Scenarios where I should Use Rock dust?

• When you have mineral deficient soil
• In the heavily tilled areas
• When trying to improve compacted clay soil
• When you want to develop compost-lite loam soil
• In the backyard, vineyards absorb the crystalline deposits throughout time and scuff off the calcium and magnesium.

Bottom Line

You do not need to reapply until the next planting season. But use a suitable dose. Because of its delayed release, basalt produces consistent heat throughout time.

Spread a thin layer over your planting beds whenever you want a mineral boost in the midseason. But, don’t add too much. Follow the given instructions. Otherwise, you will not see an exponential growth burst. 

It is good to save any additional products for the future. You may need it when cultivating the soil or preparing your pots and containers for planting. It is no longer a question of “How much basalt do I add to soil?” The question is, “Have you added Basalt to your soil yet?”