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Old December 3, 2011   #46
casino
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Just found this thread, wow, enough information here to keep me busy reading all winter long. Thanks Guys and Gals
Every year I use a bag of Gypsum dust (for the sulfur and calcium) they say it does not change the PH of the soil. I dont have BER either. This year I added some Azomite in the hole where I planted my tomatos and they looked great. Its hard to describe but my plants had that snap, the plants were healthy and happy. You could walk by my community garden plot and just see how happy everything was growing. We use a lot of compost but compost and minerals, there is a difference.
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Old May 13, 2012   #47
Tracydr
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Originally Posted by Marymcp View Post
Thanks to both. I'll check around Phoenix for a suitable cement company. Driving The Old Farm truck to Payson would defeat the purpose of saving money on smaller purchases. It's a '78 Ford half-ton.
Did you ever find a supply in the Phoenix area?
I just ordered a bag of azomite online. Is there a way to add this to existing plants? How much should I use?
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Old May 13, 2012   #48
Marymcp
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Hi Tracy, I found a supplier of Azomite in Camp Verde and as it turned out someone who works there was coming down to Phx for some car race he was in at Firebird racetrack. He carried it down to me and we met in a parking lot off I-17 near my home. I gave him a nice tomato start for his trouble.

Shipping must have killed you on that deal. You could side-dress with it, maybe a TBLS or so and scratch it in around the plants.

I'm also adding it to beds that are heavy clay, somewhere I read that it's good for breaking up and adding aeration to heavy soil.

I can see a slight difference between the two raised beds. The one with Azomite added *may* be taller/bushier plants but since one bed is Black Plum and the other is San Marzano, it's not a true experiement. Black Plums may just grow bigger and bushier than SM naturally. pH pings the same in both beds, about 7.
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Old May 13, 2012   #49
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Here in Northern VA I located a hydroponic shop that had Azomite a 10 lb bag was $22 and the 44 lb bag was $42. At a farming store near Blacksburg VA a 44 lb bag was almost at cost $21 but a tank of gas was over $50 so off to the hydroponic shop I go. Since my containers have no measurable amount of trace minerals this should be helpful and will supplement the containers with kelp meal.

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Old May 14, 2012   #50
Tracydr
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Hi Tracy, I found a supplier of Azomite in Camp Verde and as it turned out someone who works there was coming down to Phx for some car race he was in at Firebird racetrack. He carried it down to me and we met in a parking lot off I-17 near my home. I gave him a nice tomato start for his trouble.

Shipping must have killed you on that deal. You could side-dress with it, maybe a TBLS or so and scratch it in around the plants.

I'm also adding it to beds that are heavy clay, somewhere I read that it's good for breaking up and adding aeration to heavy soil.

I can see a slight difference between the two raised beds. The one with Azomite added *may* be taller/bushier plants but since one bed is Black Plum and the other is San Marzano, it's not a true experiement. Black Plums may just grow bigger and bushier than SM naturally. pH pings the same in both beds, about 7.
I only got a couple of 2 pound bags and the shipping was free.
I figured I'd just give it a try to see what it was like.
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Old May 14, 2012   #51
Marymcp
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That makes perfect sense. Let us know what you think of it.
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Old May 14, 2012   #52
Tracydr
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I will. You know, with free shipping, I guess if the price is right, I could just order a bunch of bags.
Still probably isn't nearly as good of a deal as a bulk price.
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Old May 15, 2012   #53
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I by accident bought rock phosphate instead of rock dust a month
ago. Already put rock phosphate in my raised beds. I really wanted
to try the rock dust too.
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Old May 16, 2012   #54
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I am testing it now along with other stuff...see my thread here...

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=22730

So far it's working great!
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Old May 18, 2012   #55
Tracydr
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How do I add the azomite to already established plants?
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Old May 18, 2012   #56
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Tracy, I sprinkle around and scratch it in. I'm sure you know, but just in case .... water first, sprinkle, scratch, water again. No ferts on dry soil.
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