by Toni Farmer 

For generations, gardeners and farmers have faced similar challenges: too much rain or not enough, depleted soils, pest pressure and furry predators that are happy to mow down rows of carefully planted seedlings. But the advent of climate change has altered the algorithm for anyone trying to grow food these days. Not enough rain has become significant drought conditions in many areas and paradoxically, intense rain (cloud bursts) has led to flooding which results in erosion of brittle, yet precious topsoil. Pest pressure is increasing drastically because our winters aren’t getting cold enough to kill insect eggs and larvae. Animals experiencing lack of food due to loss of habitat are seeking nutrients in gardens and farmland. The bottom line is we can’t continue to farm as we always have and expect success under these new circumstances. 

For organic gardeners that have mostly eschewed products and rely on compost and homemade remedies, it is becoming increasingly clear we need new strategies and must investigate new products to help us combat new challenges. Enter the category of biostimulants and soil amendments. A biostimulant is not a fertilizer, but rather enhances the impact of fertilizers and allows plants to uptake water and nutrients more efficiently. Derived from organic material, often in the form of fulvic or humic acid, biostimulants are safe and organic for humans and animals. Research suggests biostimulants can not only aid in strong plant growth, but can help plant’s fight abiotic stressors like intense heat, pest pressure or lack of water. Biostimulants also activate the soil’s biology by stimulating and supporting the trillions of microorganisms that we now know are essential to soil health (similar to prebiotics and probiotics for your gut). 

Biostimulants have been around for a long time, but capturing and marketing them to farmers and the general public is new. Many brands have popped up on the market in recent years and now they all face the common challenge of educating the public as to what they are and what they do. As gardening has taken off in recent years due to global food supply chain issues, people that were content to rely on the supermarket for fresh produce are looking for a little backup plan. Millions of new gardeners jumped into backyard vegetable gardening and were immediately stumped by insect damage and heat-related wilting that stymied production. Biostimulants are one of the few new categories of products that can address these issues for experienced and newbie gardeners alike. 

Toni Farmer, MES, is a professional gardener and a professor of agriculture at Rowan University, at its Glassboro, New Jersey campus, teaching courses on food security. 

Recommended by Toni Farmer, MES, Nature’s Wonder Plant & Turf Booster https://www.ptbooster.com.