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There are many basalt quarries around Australia. These quarries supply both structural rock used in wall building, facades and fencing for example and “blue metal” as concrete aggregate, road base, filter beds and “back filler”.
Some of these quarries contain basalt high in paramagnetism, a strong plant growth stimulant when applied to soils as “crusher dust” (4mm minus in terms of its particle sizes).
This weak magnetic force derives from the content of magnetic iron oxide (magnetite) intrinsic to the mineral content of basalt.
Paramagnetism varies according to the mineralogy of the particular lava flow. It can be as low as 100cgs in the case of “trachybasalt”, an acidic, viscous version of basalt, to 18 000cgs in highly alkaline and fluid basalt found on the flanks of some of our old shield volcanos.
Many Australian basalts rate at around 1 200cgs. At Biodynamic Agriculture Australia (BAA) we are fortunate to have a quarry within half an hour’s cartage which has crusher dust rating at 1 000 to 1 200cgs.
How to measure this force? I bought a PCSM (Philip Callahan Soil Meter) from The Meter Man (von pein instruments) some years ago and offer a free testing service on receipt of 30g samples of crusher dust!
At BAA we stock the local product for purchase on the website and also use it (sieved) in making our Soil Activator, Manure Concentrate, Biodynamic Paste and Horn Basalt.
Keep in mind that when you incorporate high paramagnetic crusher dust into your plant pots, balcony containers, garden beds, orchards, vineyards, pastures etc, you are guaranteed the benefits of a relatively cheap, non-polluting and extremely long-lasting “fertilizer”!
According to Callahan, the larger particle sizes of crushed basalt are daily charged by solar radiation and radiate paramagnetic force into the soil, as well as inherently radiating their magnetite energy.
This growth force encourages strong growth of soil bacteria, soil fungi and plant roots.
As for the finer particles down to dust, they decompose in the soil – a slow release fertiliser – providing a continuous supply of trace minerals. Of particular value to plants are iron and magnesium compounds.
Application rates are what you can afford – no upper limit. Generally, for gardening and horticulture we recommend 200 to 500g per square metre – dug in, not just on the surface. For larger areas, 1 tonne per hectare would be a starting point.
When building “paramagnetic towers of power”, their hollow centres are usually filled with high paramagnetic crushed basalt. These towers give a dramatic boost to surrounding plant growth.
Basalt rock dust is a valuable addition to a compost heap, dusted on liberally as it is built.
To take the nitrate sting out of fresh manure, it is wise to mix crusher dust into it, up to equal proportions by weight. This helps to kick in the biology to neutralise undesirable effects on the soil foodweb and plants when applied.
Making rock dust milk and applying it to the compost heap and/or soil is a good idea. Mix 2kg crusher dust in 20litres of water, let stand for a few days stirring frequently. After decanting the milk, tip out the solids onto the compost heap or dig into a garden bed.
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