Vegetable Test Plots Established to Compare Different 'Rock Dusts' at UNCE Orchard

Test plots were under construction in April, 2014, to compare the production of vegetables using soil additives Azomite, Kelzyme and Zeolite. Some have termed these rock dust.

Azomite is a mineral soil additive mined in central Utah and being promoted for improving vegetable production as well as other uses Wikipedia on Azomite.

Adding compost to the demonstration plots and forming the beds

Kelzyme, according to their website (Kelzyme website) is a "100% organic fosslized sea kelp" with similar attributes to Azomite.

Zeolites (Wikipedia on Zeolite) are a wide range of minerals. The one being tested is a Clinoptilolite zeolite mined near Death Valley. Clinoptilolite has some unique properties and has a long history in water purification, livestock supplements and horticulture and many other uses.

Planting beds being prepared for vegetable trials using Azomite, Kelzyme and Zeolite as soil additives.

The demonstration trials were amended with compost and a starter fertilizer as we would with any vegetable plot and the soil additives were soil incorporated as well as incorporated in the planting hole at the time of transplanting. Rates are determined by the manufacturers recommendations on the label. In the case of zeolite it is added at rates similar to the other two products since a label is not available.

Vegetables being used in the demonstration are tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, basil and other common vegetables planted as transplants or seed. Plots will be irrigated with drip using Netafim with 1gph emitters at 12 inch spacings. Shade will be removed by pruning the palm trees or treatments will avoid shady areas.