The importance of trace minerals

As homesteaders, gardeners, and small scale farmers growing food for our health and wellfare we need to be mindful of the health of the plants we grow and the health of the soil we grow them in.

With that in mind, consider that accepted farming practices of today and the recent past. Chemical fertilizers add only potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus, which makes the plants look good, but the fruits and vegetables are nutritionally deficient. Other methods need to be considered if we want a sustainable and healthy food supply.

Here are a few links to websites that should help everyone, or at least let everyone know what to look for and steps that can be taken.

http://www.godswaynutrition.com/products/traceminerals.html

http://www.stretcher.com/stories/01/010625m.cfm

http://www.vigortone.com/tech_library/nutrition_data/importance_of_trace_minerals.htm

http://www.ecoevaluator.com/lifestyle/gardening/depleated-soils.html

Please read through the above links, and consider getting indepth soil tests performed and correcting any deficiencies in your soil.

Very informative links. I knew there was a reason we didn't cut down any of our trees. We also rotate our crops to help prevent soil depletion.

I see so many local farmers cutting down every tree that borders or divides every field. Each field may increase in area by 1/4 acre or so but is left unprotected from winds, and erosion. The nutrients that leaves return to the soil would just be a bonus for keeping the trees.

as fall approaches it seems this would be a good time to re-visit some of these old threads