Carbon in the Diet-Do we really need fulvic acids, activated charcoal, or C60?

Image of wood burning down to charcoal is used to illustrate elemental Carbon

Carbon in the diet is a rare subject.  I am including it here, because in episode 13, I had a lot to say about carbon as plant food. In that episode, I emphasized the importance of carbon in plant nutrition.  I said carbon was essential for plant growth because carbon makes up 45-50% of a … Read more

The Neglected Plant Nutrient

This image of a conifer seedling challenges the viewer to consider which plant nutrient is most neglected.

The neglected plant nutrient, carbon, is arguably the most important plant nutrient because, out of seventeen recognized plant nutrients, carbon makes up the largest portion of the plant’s dry weight.  Is it realistic to expect all this carbon to come from atmospheric CO2?  Are you including  carbon with your N, P, and K? [divider] LINKS … Read more

Biostimulants Boost Plant Growth in Brackish Water

Brackish Water is Toxic To Crop Plants About 97% of the fresh water on the earth is considered too brackish (too salty) for most agricultural use.  Desalination, or purification, is of course possible.  Mechanical desalination processes are widely known. But making desalination cost effective and environmentally friendly can be challenging. The National Acadamies tell us … Read more

When do you Need a Biostimulant?

Compost is an example of a soil amendment that supports biological production

Healthy Soils Require Amendments It is unrealistic to believe you can keep farming or gardening, and keep taking nutrients out of the soil without putting something back now and then. In the late 20th century, this was done with chemical fertilizers.  No doubt, chemical fertilizers are still used today.  When properly applied,  qualified experts will … Read more

Easy Container Gardens for Growing Food or Testing Innovations

Today’s informed consumers are growing food at home to ensure that what they are consuming is both free of pesticides and rich in nutrients. These growers are quick to learn there are a lot of confusing so-called best practices for gardening, pest management, and soil amendments. No doubt, some of this confusion centers around over-anxious … Read more

From International Business to Local Regenerative Farming

Health Concerns Led International Businessman Glen Schultz to Abandon Fortune 500 Sales and Start a Farm As Glen Schultz researched the cause of his son’s ailments, he became concerned about the way milk and other foods were being produced.  At first, he shopped from natural grocery stores.  But that wasn’t enough.  The more deeply he … Read more