North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Hélène Dessureault <interverbis@videotron.ca>]

Greetings Betsy, Nafexers and significant others...I would like to add some 
of my own comments on dolomite.

Dolomite is useful to balance the soil ph, although the transformation is 
slower than adding lime. It appears also more complex than just adding lime.
Sandy soil have a tendency to be acidic (acidity can be noticed at a glance 
by the type of native plants (weeds) growing in it and the appearance of the 
blades of grass).
We are lucky to have a dolomite quarry nearby. I ordered a truckload a few 
years ago. I add it to the garden and orchard by the paleful every Fall. 
Slowly, the vegetation has changed. There is more clover and the grass is 
thicker. My dolomite is grounded but not powdered. Sometimes, it stays 
packed in clusters and it takes many years for those clusters to break down. 
So working with dolomite is a long term affair. I have noticed that there 
seems to be a bacterial activity involved in breaking down the dolomite, 
although I cannot explain how it works exactly.
It fits very well in an organic long term cultivation plan.
This may be just speculations, but I find that our vegetables and fruits 
have become sweeter with more complex aromas over the years, and I like to 
think that dolomite is partially responsible.
It is not only a comparison with store bought products, but also a 
comparison with products from friends and neighbours (with clay soil mind 
you).
I really like using dolomite and find it to be a well worth addition.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Hilborn.E@epamail.epa.gov>
To: "North American Fruit Explorers" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Friday, October 05, 2007 11:34 AM
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Epsom salts and nitrogen


> "if the soil has sufficient magnesium already, adding more (Epsom
> Salts) won't
> do anything.  If your soil lacks sufficient magnesium, then Epsom Salts
> will
> make a difference.  Epsom Salts is a quick release form of magnesium but
>
> Dolomite is more often the recommended source of magnesium  because it
> is a
> slow release form and not as likely to be leeched away.  Sandy soils
> tend to
> need magnesium whereas calcareous tend to have a sufficient amount.
>    Soils either have magnesium or they don't whereas nitrogen is
> replenished regularly.  Nitrogen dissolved in rain is converted to a
> form of
> nitrogen that plants can use through the action of soil bacteria."
>
> Jim,
> Thanks for the explanation. I have had great success with Epsom salts on
> my gardenias, but I will try dolomite as a longer term solution.
>
> Betsy Hilborn
> 7a NC
>
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