It works well as a fertilizer for ornamental plants or vegetables. It is also an effective weapon in the fight against pests and dangerous plant diseases. See what basalt meal is used for and how to use it in the garden.
What is basalt flour?
Basalt flour is ground basalt rock. It is a natural product, which is why it is very popular with growers who focus on ecological solutions in their crops. What's more, it is very well absorbed by plants, and its use does not require special skills.
It perfectly absorbs water and retains moisture in the substrate. It is also a proven alternative to chemical plant protection and care products. So before you reach for stronger preparations, it is always worth trying to deal with the problem with milder methods.
It is worth noting that basalt flour is a preparation that is safe for people and the environment. It does not contain toxic compounds and does not leach from the soil, thanks to which plants can fully use the rich composition, which translates into their development.
THE PRODUCT IS AVAILABLE IN THREE VARIANTS:
traditional meal in the form of dust, sold in plastic bags
flour in the form of dust in a package similar to a salt shaker
granulated form that does not dust like the traditional version, but it will not work for spraying against pests.
Composition of basalt meal
It is a properly balanced combination of micro- and macroelements necessary for plants.
The main component of the product is silicon oxide, the percentage of which is up to 50%. The next ones are, among others, magnesium oxide, calcium oxide and potassium oxide. In addition to those mentioned in the composition of the meal, you can find a wealth of microelements, such as copper, zinc, iron and manganese.
The content of individual elements and oxides may vary depending on the specific product, so before buying, it is worth reading the information on the packaging.
Basalt meal - application
As you can see, basalt flour is a product with an excellent composition that can successfully replace popular mineral fertilizers. Not many of them can boast of such a rich composition, which is why it is an effective and relatively inexpensive alternative to other products.
Basalt flour will work mainly as a reinforcement of infertile and heavily exploited soils, so if you haven't tested it in your garden yet, it's definitely worth a try. The plants will surely thank you. But these are not all the application options, because basalt flour has at least a few of them.
Get to know the most popular of them and see how to use basalt meal in the garden.
BASALT MEAL AS FERTILIZER
The biggest advantage of this product is its versatility. Due to its rich composition, basalt flour can be used as a fertilizer for any group of plants. Suitable for ornamental species, vegetables, shrubs and fruit trees. What's more, it can be used both directly on flower beds and discounts, in polytunnels, in greenhouses and even in pot cultivation.
When using flour, there is no risk of overfertilization, and individual substances are released naturally and in accordance with the needs of plants. In addition, the product fertilizes the substrate, improves its structure, and accelerates the development of beneficial microorganisms.
The use of the preparation is limited to just sprinkling the area around the plants and gently mixing with the top layer of the earth.
There is no nitrogen in the composition of the product, therefore the meal can be used as an autumn fertilizer, whose primary task is to prepare plants for winter and increase their frost resistance.
Attention! Basalt meal has an alkaline pH, which is why it has a deacidifying effect on the soil. It is therefore recommended not to use the product to fertilize plants that prefer acidic soil, such as rhododendrons or blueberries.
But its reaction can also be a great advantage! Basalt flour is perfect for a lawn with moss. Since the most common cause of moss on the turf is too acidic substrate, the use of flour will have a deacidifying effect and will speed up the removal of the unsightly problem.
BASALT MEAL AS AN ADDITION TO ORGANIC FERTILIZERS
The compounds contained in the product enrich organic fertilizers, such as compost, manure and slurry, whose basic macroelements are nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. The combination of both fertilizers will translate into an even better effect, and this in turn - on the condition of the fed plants.
Thanks to the oxides contained in the composition, basalt flour accelerates composting, but also binds ammonia, thus reducing the odor caused by the decomposing components of organic fertilizers.
BASALT MEAL FOR FIGHTING PLANTS DISEASES AND PESTS
Dusting plants is a very effective method against dangerous pathogens and pests. What's more, it is also an ecological method, without the need to use chemical insecticides and fungicides.
The flour causes clogging of the air channels on the insects' skin, and consequently - to cut off oxygen. The method works well for combating aphids, caterpillars or the Colorado potato beetle and prevents the spread of common fungal diseases, e.g. late blight or gray mold.
Remember that dusting can also work on beneficial insects, e.g. bees, so plan activities outside the hours of their flight, i.e. in the early morning or evening.
Basalt meal also helps fight slugs. To get rid of an unwanted guest from the garden, build a barrier around the flower bed that will prevent the intruder from moving. When trying to get deeper into the garden, the meal will stick to the snail's body, which will effectively stop it from continuing its journey.
BASALT MEAL FOR FLOWERING SEEDS AND FLOWER BULBS
Instead of traditional seed dressing, the task of which is to strengthen and protect young seedlings against fungal diseases, use basalt flour.
It is enough to coat the planting material in pollen 3-4 days before sowing. And that's all. Instead of more expensive chemical methods, you can use a natural substitute.
As you can see, the possibilities of using basalt flour in the garden are really plenty, so it is worth considering its purchase.
In our Gardenowo online store, we sell high-quality basalt meal, only from proven producers. More information about the product and dosage can be found directly in the product description. Please contact us for more details.
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