Rock Dust?

[rawstrength]

Does anyone here have any experience adding rock dust to their soil to improve yields? I've heard that it is a good organic gardening technique.
What did you use?
How much did you use?
What results?

[Revvell]

I haven't yet. Just have mulch. I heard limestone (I think it is) instead of vermiculite to make potting soil. Not tried that yet either.

Just got 3 large bags of mulch today. Worm composter and backyard composter yesterday.

Plants in a few days.

[rawstrength]

Revvell - I wish you all the best with your plantings! The growing season is winding down here in Massachusetts. I am picking the last of my butternut squashes. I also am still getting a few zuchinis and tomatoes. Next week I'm going to pull up all the plants, till in some compost (and maybe some rock dust) and plant cover crops. I will have a few beds for growing lettuce under a cold frame.
I located a quarry near me that has schist dust available. From what I've learned in my geology class, schist has a lot of valueable minerals such as potassium, magnesium and silicon. I was originally hoping that I could get some basalt dust, but that might be out of the question.
If I do get the rock dust, whether it be limestone, basalt or schist, I'll let you know how it goes!

[Revvell]

Please do! We just transplanted all our cacti and succulents. Still pulling spines out of my hands and arms from the one. :rolleyes:

The nursery was closed today so didn't get any new plants. The biggest issue we have here in winter is wind. It gets pretty ferocious and I'll be concerned our plants will be damaged. The Santa Ana winds are HOT and can drain and kill plants in a few hours.

BUT, ours will be fairly protected so, hoping they'll survive.

We're just starting the composting so, should have some good stuff by spring. I'll let you know what we get from the nursery for our "winter" crop.

[SharonC]

I have used Lava sand, Texas greensand, Expanded shale, Zeolite, and Soft rock phosphate. Started using them when I prepared my first garden 10 years ago, so do not have anything to compare to - no experience without them. You can find out more about them as well as others in the links below...

Natural Organic Products A - D
http://www.dirtdoctor.com/view_question.php?id=759

Natural Organic Products E - R
http://www.dirtdoctor.com/view_question.php?id=797

Natural Organic Products S - Z
http://www.dirtdoctor.com/view_question.php?id=796

Expanded Shale
http://www.dirtdoctor.com/view_question.php?id=1171

It is just starting to cool down a little here in North Texas - time for cool season veggies. Kale loves our winters!