Quality Soil Supplements ComparisonThe Greensand vs Azomite debate has dominated many gardening boards for quite some time now as these products have their own sets of pros and cons. Given that these two soil supplements have equally powerful perks, it is inevitable that they would frequently be compared to each other. To understand the benefits of both Azomite and Greensand, we will have to delve into each soil supplement separately.

In this article, you will be reading about how each component will impact garden soil and recognize which one works best for your needs.

Comparison Table

Here is a quick overview of these two soil supplements.

Azomite Greensand
Characteristics
  • Actually rock dust and not a fertilizer
  • Humic acid catalyzes with the Azomite to release precious micronutrients in the soil
  • Usually available in micronized, field grade and granulated forms
  • Has not been shown to change the pH levels of soil
  • A type of sandstone
  • A popular source of potassium in organic gardening
  • Also functions as an effective farming fertilizer
  • Has a neutral pH level of 7
Usage
  • Usually applied as a rock dust to soils to provide essential micronutrients
  • Most often used directly as a gentle all-around fertilizer
Effectivity
  • Thought to release its micronutrients faster when used with humic acid
  • Provides a slower release of its micronutrient content
Results
  • Offers a quicker release of micronutrients, which can be readily absorbed by the plants
  • Its slower release can encourage the root systems of plants to become stronger and healthier over time

What Is The Difference Between Greensand And Azomite?

The main difference between Greensand and Azomite is that Azomite releases micronutrients faster but needs to be used with humic acid from compost, while Greensand is a general fertilizer. While Greensand and Azomite seem almost alike, there are some distinct differences between the two in terms of their usage and effectiveness. Let’s go over several factors that differentiate Greensand from Azomite.

– Usage of the Product

Azomite is usually applied as a rock dust to soils. While Azomite itself is not a fertilizer, it can easily provide essential micronutrients once it interacts with humic acid, which is the catalyst that releases all the vital micronutrients that are stored in Azomite. Compost produces humic acid and plays a pivotal part when using this product to supplement soil composition.

Greensand is most often used directly as a gentle, all-around fertilizer that can even accommodate sensitive plants. It can easily absorb water and slowly disperses its essential micronutrients and trace minerals. Greensand also acts as an effective soil amendment component, readily balancing the moisture content of both clay-rich and sand-rich soils.

– Effectivity of the Product

Azomite is thought to release its micronutrients faster as long as it is in the presence of humic acid from compost. Using this product alone will not guarantee the release of any micronutrients.

Greensand provides a slower release of its micronutrient content. The ability to absorb water and distribute micronutrients and trace minerals makes it an ideal general fertilizer. Greensand does not need any other component to trigger the release of its micronutrients. You can also check out our 46-0-0 fertilizer and 0-0-60 fertilizer guides as alternatives.

– Effects on the Plant

Azomite offers a quicker release of micronutrients that can be readily absorbed by the plants. The results can be seen faster, and some gardeners even claim that the results go as high as 200 percent.

Meanwhile, Greensand is a gentler option to provide micronutrients. Its slower release can encourage the root systems of plants to become stronger and healthier over time. While it may take more time, Greensand encourages better growth and development for plants.

Quick Overview

Azomite rock dust has always been thought to help with garden soil since the benefits of Azomite are mostly due to its chemical makeup that enhances plants. Because of this, Azomite uses in gardening have increased.

Organic Greensand is often used for multiple gardening applications, with gardeners sprinkling Greensand for lawns and other greenery. Greensand fertilizer has often been employed to boost the quality of garden soils and has enjoyed unique popularity among horticulturists for years.

What Is Azomite?

Azomite is a mineral among many that can be found and extracted from volcanic ash. Large volcanic ash deposits that are found in Central Utah are the main sources of this supplement. Rich minerals and nutrients are naturally bound to Azomite particles due to their volcanic origins.

Azomite is actually rock dust and not a fertilizer, as many people assume. It comes from ancient volcanic ashes that were deposited on sea beds around 30 million years ago. Gradually, the unique chemical collusion of the volcanic ash and seawater led to valuable nutrients being embedded.

– Azomite Contents

Azomite is a compound silica ore that is exceptionally mineralized. It has trace minerals and elements that include zinc, sulfur, sodium, silicon, potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, molybdenum, magnesium, iron, copper, cobalt, chlorine, calcium, and boron.

– Is Azomite Safe?

Yes, Azomite is considered a hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS) and is classified by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) as “Generally Recognized As Safe” (GRAS). Azomite is also certified organic for agricultural use by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI).

Azomite is also not altered chemically and has not been found to be harmful to the environment. However, it should be noted that Azomite is not intended for human consumption.

– What Type of Soil Works Best for Azomite?

Azomite works on any soil type, despite it being alkaline in nature. Azomite has not been shown to change the pH level of the soil or the water from the soil and can be mixed into the soil, preferably with compost, to activate micronutrient supplementation.

Compost releases humic acid, which catalyzes with the Azomite to release precious micronutrients. These micronutrients provide essential supplementation to plants, which have been reported to produce bigger fruits and vegetables with more bountiful harvests.

Azomite has been tested to provide better results for many fruit-bearing trees, grains, and other vital food products.

– Azomite Forms

Commercial Azomite is usually found in 3 forms: micronized, field grade and granulated. Micronized Azomite is a fine powder form and can be easily mixed into soil and compost. It can also be manually applied and spread in gardens or in agricultural areas geared for commercial production.

Field grade Azomite comes in coarse particles that are irregular in size and is easier to handle than the micronized form. Granular Azomite is formed by compressing micronized Azomite powder into a granule form with the help of soil-beneficial binders.

Azomite is different from fertilizers because it contains micronutrients, whereas most commercial fertilizers carry macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Plants require both macronutrients and micronutrients for optimal growth and development. Providing both types of nutrients will yield larger and more bountiful fruits and vegetables.

What Is Greensand?

Greensand is a type of sandstone that is blue-green in color and is mined mostly from New Jersey and Delaware, where they have rich oceanic sedimentary deposits. Its green color comes from the glauconite mineral, which is an iron potassium silicate that has very low weathering properties.

These marine sediments contain notable quantities of round green grains called glauconite. These greenish grains contain a mixture of clay minerals that contain glauconite mica and smectite.

Greensand tends to be rich in fossil minerals since it is formed in marine environments as early as those in the Cretaceous period. Greensand can be found in other locations as well, such as North Africa, Southeast Brazil, and Western Europe.

– Popular Greensand Uses

The low weathering characteristic of Greensand makes it a popular source of potassium in organic gardening, and it also functions as an effective farming fertilizer. The porous, brittle properties of this product allow water absorption and dispersion of minerals into the soil, which provides a more efficient way to irrigate and deliver nutrients.

Greensand has also been used by many gardeners to absorb excess water in clay-rich soils. Alternatively, this supplement has also been used extensively to prevent water loss in soils with large proportions of sand.

– What Type of Soil Works Best for Greensand?

Greensand can be mixed with soil intended for container gardening, as well as with outdoor garden soils. It is approved by the OMRI for organic gardening use. As long as the proper directions are observed as indicated in the package, gardeners should find it easy to apply this product to the soil.

Greensand has a neutral pH level of 7, although sometimes, the pH level can vary slightly. Abundant amounts of potassium, iron, magnesium, and silica can be found in this supplement and can greatly amend the soils into which they are added.

– Gardeners’ Secret Weapon

Greensand vs Azomite - Beneficial Soil Supplements

Greensand has long been used since the 1700s and has remained a true gardener’s secret weapon for better soil outcomes. Providing a slow and gentle release of essential micronutrients and trace minerals, Greensand also protects the root systems of plants from chemical burns.

This product can contain up to 30 trace minerals, which incrementally nourish the soil. It is safe enough to use even on the most sensitive plants, and gardeners often apply this supplement during the spring season as a gentle general fertilizer or as an effective soil amendment.

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