Potassium (K) – Supplying the spark plug to your soil!

Soil: Light sandy soils contain very little clay, which is the storage medium for potassium. In these soils potassium is easily leached so it is a good idea to spoon feed (little amounts applied often). Heavier soils have much better potassium storage, but they will still need recharging from time to time. Liquid correctives are very effective when potassium needs recharging.

Plants: Potassium acts like a sparkplug which triggers over 50 enzymes within the plant. There is a higher requirement for potassium during the filling of fruit and seed. A liquid corrective can be an invaluable input. Potassium also helps to build disease resistance, strengthens cells, buffers temperature extremes and regulates the opening and closing of stomata (also stomata; plural stomata,  is a pore, found in the leaf and stem epidermis that is used for gas exchange).

Plant Deficiency:  This is the most mobile of all minerals so deficiency symptoms will appear first on the older leaves. This potassium shortage in lower leaves can trigger disease in many crops. The brown spots that appear on the lower leaves of tomato plants are a symptom of potassium deficiency. Potassium deficient leaves often have scorched edges. Fruit and see will be small and often shrivelled and the fruit will lack flavour. 

People: Potassium is an important electrolyte that plays a critical role in muscles, heart, kidney and nerve function. The ratio between sodium and potassium in the diet has an impact upon kidney health and associated issues with high blood pressure. Those suffering hypertension should increase their potassium input while reducing sodium intake. Potatoes, bananas, avocados and apricots are rich in potassium.

Link: Backyard Blooms

Minerals and Micro-organisms

Minerals and micro-organisms are the basis of soil health, plant health and human health. Minerals and micro-organisms are the very essence of satisfying, problem-free productivity in the home garden.

Soil and plant health is not just about throwing nitrogen or phosphorous about the garden to fee our plants. It is more about balancing minerals. Good humus, healthy soil, is far more than applying lawn clipping compost to regenerate your microbe workforce. An imbalance of minerals and micro-organisms will result in poor production and unhealthy plants susceptible to pests and diseases.

Mineral imbalance is usually linked to calcium  and trace element deficiency, or to an excess of phosphorous and potassium, often due to over application of chook manure fertilisers. 

We use the Life-Force system from Nutri-Tech Solutions which contains cutting edge components that have previously only be available to large scale agriculture.

The Life-Force system was essentially developed for even the most inexperienced gardener.In my early days of gardening I was continually frustrated and disappointed by the sight of straggly substandard plants, that too often succumbed to pests and disease.  Many times I gave up as it was too hard, and a waste of my time ans effort. Now that I use Nutri-Tech products I harvest nutrient dense, medicinal foods for our family. We have a chemical free, organic garden and superb food that tastes delicious.

The home garden can be our own private wellness tool. The five step, Life-Force system has given me sensational results and the tastiest vegetables we have eaten in years.