Olivine Rock Dust - High-Magnesium Mineral Soil Amendment

Olivine Rock Dust is a finely ground volcanic mineral that adds slow-release magnesium, iron and trace minerals to garden soil, potting mixes, compost and worm bins. It's far richer in magnesium than basalt and most other rock dusts, so a little goes a long way.

Because its minerals release gradually and don't easily wash away, olivine is a simple, natural way to correct low magnesium and keep it steady through the growing season.

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Olivine is a volcanic mineral that forms deep in the earth and reaches the surface in volcanic rock. Like basalt, it's classified as mafic, meaning it's rich in magnesium and iron. But where basalt contains only a few percent magnesium, olivine is made largely of magnesium silicate, making it one of the most concentrated natural sources of magnesium for the garden.

Magnesium sits at the center of every chlorophyll molecule, so plants need it to turn sunlight into energy. When soil runs low, older leaves often turn yellow between the veins while the veins stay green, and growth and harvests can suffer. Tomatoes, peppers, roses and container plants are especially prone to running short.

Unlike Epsom salt, which dissolves quickly and can wash away with the next heavy rain, olivine breaks down slowly in the soil, releasing magnesium, iron and trace elements gradually. Because it doesn't easily leach away, it keeps working long after it's applied.

Olivine is a targeted amendment, so use it sparingly and only where magnesium is needed. It's a great choice for building and refreshing potting mixes, amending raised beds, and adding minerals to compost. It's also the rock dust included in the Worm Factory Refill Kit, where it provides grit that helps worms break down food scraps.

Features & Benefits:

 

• Natural volcanic mineral rich in magnesium and iron
• Far more magnesium than basalt and most other rock dusts
• Slow-release minerals that don't easily leach away
• Helps correct magnesium shortages that cause yellowing between leaf veins
• Supplies trace minerals for overall plant health
• Finely ground for easy mixing into soil, potting mix and compost
• Provides grit for worms in worm bins and vermicomposters
  

Ideal For:

• Potting mixes and containers
• Raised beds
• Vegetable gardens
• Tomatoes, peppers and roses
• Compost piles
• Worm bins and vermicomposting
• Living soil systems

Use sparingly. Olivine is a concentrated source of magnesium. Apply it where a soil test or plant symptoms show magnesium is low, and skip it if your soil is already high in magnesium.