Topic: Rock dust grows extra-big vegetables

[Svea]

Rock dust grows extra-big vegetables (and might save us from global warming)

For years scientists have been warning of an apocalyptic future facing the world. With the prospect of an earth made infertile from over-production and mass reliance on chemicals, coupled with an atmosphere polluted by greenhouse gases there seems little to celebrate. But belief is growing that an answer to some of the earth's problems are not only at hand, but under our feet.

Specialists have just met in Perth to discuss the secrets of rock dust, a quarrying by-product that is at the heart of government-sponsored scientific trials and which, it is claimed, could revitalise barren soil and reverse climate change.

The recognition of the healing powers of rock dust comes after a 20-year campaign by two former schoolteachers, Cameron and Moira Thomson. They have been battling to prove that rock dust can replace the minerals that have been lost to the earth over the past 10,000 years and, as a result, rejuvenate the land and halt climate change.

full article here courtesy of The Independent

[georgiesgirl]

Hi Svea.
This has been discussed before on A4.
In Scotland we have a B.B.C gardening programme called the Beechgrove Garden.In the last series they visited the site of the people mentioned above in the article.
If you need more info you could try the Beechgrove site.
Anne

[Svea]

thanks anne

i only posted it here because it was one of the leading articles in the independent and thought it might be interest  :)

[gavin]

Hi there - the guy who wrote the article in the Kitchen Garden mag also keeps this page http://www.organicgarden.org.uk/remineralisation/index.htm.

H..l - my kids think I'm crazy looking for stables, but dusty quarries?  That'll test my credibility just a little bit further :)

All best - Gavin

[Svea]

thanks, gavin.
that site led me to remineralize.org which lists suppliers of rock dust throughout the world :)

[Sarah-b]

So Svea - are you going to get some rock dust then?

sb

[Svea]

good question.
will look into prices.

i noticed on gavin's website that he might be considering too - are you, gavin? :)

[gavin]

Might well do  ;)

All best - Gavin

[Rose.mary]

Gavin
J.Walker & Sons Ltd.,Unit 11, Crackinedge Lane, Dewbury, WF13 1QD Tel.01924 457811 8am-1pm. They sell Rock Dust in 25kg bags. Min order 3 bags. 3-5 bags £11.99, 6 or more bags £10.99. Price includes delivery and VAT.
Hope it helps. But to my understanding it is good on moorland as it raises ph,but I don't know if it will improve heavy (clay) soil.
If anybody knows I would be interested.
I don't even know how much you would have to put on your plot to improve it.
Rosemary

[gavin]

Ooops - consider it, yes. 

The idea makes sense on an impoverished soil to my undecuated ear - I could see trying remineralisation on the dead sterile concrete they call fields around here.  But on most allotment or garden soils?  I'll keep my eyes and ears open :)

All best - Gavin

[georgiesgirl]

Hi All.
Do try the website www.seercentre.org.uk
List of rock dust suppliers,and they will be reporting back on the recent conference in Perth.
Anne

[supernan]

As I have a new site I enquired to have some delivered, the cost of delivery killed this option for me. But the firm I contacted were very helpful and are looking to get local distributors up and selling so the more of you that ask for this new product the quicker we can all get our hands or spades on some. Happy digging.

[tim]

I hadn't seen that before - Redclanger will be vindicated?