When discussing the nutrition of our food supply, we often compare the benefits of organically grown produce to that produced by large-scale agriculture, commonly found lining grocery store shelves. While opting for organic eliminates exposure to harmful pesticides and herbicides, numerous studies suggest that the nutrient content of these foods isn’t necessarily superior. However, there’s a crucial element these comparisons often overlook: the health of the soil in which these crops are cultivated. Soil health is a fundamental determinant of the nutritional quality of our food, influencing everything from the mineral content to the vitality of the plants grown. Exploring soil health not only enlightens us about the actual value of our food but also challenges us to think deeper about sustainable agricultural practices.
We all know that only healthy soil produces healthy food. All produce, fruit, nut trees, and everything that grows rely on soil health for its nutritional value.
An article in the NY Times says: “The Stanford report, an analysis of 237 studies of organic produce, meats, and dairy foods, concluded that organic foods are no more nutritious than their conventional counterparts.” Again, they show they’re only taking in part of the picture.
Those of us who grow our own vegetables and fruit know that nothing beats their taste and nutrition when they’re grown from the right seeds, in the right soil, and without any unnatural fertilizers.
The feeling of satisfaction your body has when you bite into a fresh, non-GMO tomato straight out of the garden is often what your body expects when you take a bite of one from the store.
Have you ever grabbed one from the grocery store and taken a bite out of it? What was your body’s response?
I bet your first impulse was to spit it out and reconsider if you are really hungry enough to finish it. After all, we feed our bodies food so we can thrive, right? If our food has little or no nutritional value, we only consume empty calories.
So, besides our taste buds, is there an easy, more consistent way to measure our garden’s soil health and nutrition? Yes, there is.
The Master Refractometer To Guage Soil Health
I have a friend in Virginia who raises cattle. Years ago he introduced me to an easy-to-use tool that he measures the health of the grass his herds are raised on. He raises his cattle on the principle of rotational grassing.
He calls himself a “Solar Farmer” because he doesn’t focus on growing beef, but his main focus is the quality of the grass his beef consumes.
We are what we eat. If you eat meat, it stands to reason that it is only as good as what it ate.
Beef is healthier with the right kind of grass, and the grass is healthier with the right soil. We should be focused on soil health for our own health.
How does my friend find the time to track hundreds of acres of grass? He uses a Master Refractometer.
What Is A Master Refractometer and What Does It Measure?
A Master Refractometer, made by Atago, is his tool of choice. It’s a handheld optical instrument that measures the bend or refraction of light rays as they pass through a liquid. In the case of plant studies, it is the sap they pass through.
Degrees of Brix is what he is looking for as he measures his grass from plot to plot.
Brix is the scale based on the degree to which light bends when it passes through a liquid. By measuring the health of a plant’s sap in a refractometer, you get a quick view of your soil health. And we know soil health determines the nutritional value of anything grown in it.
Generally, the higher the Brix number is the higher the levels of minerals and nutrients are in the plants. The Weston A. Price Foundation states, “Brix measures a combination of sugar, amino acids, oils, proteins, flavonoids, minerals, and other goodies.”
How To Use A Master Refractometer
The great thing about this refractometer is that it’s very easy to use. I can use it, so I know you can use it too.
- Squeeze two drops of juice from a plant leaf, fruit, or vegetable onto the refractometer’s lens.
- Point it towards a light source and look through the eyepiece.
- Read the scale to get the Brix number.
- Compare your findings to the Brix charts (a pdf download) to determine if the number indicates poor, average, or excellent quality.
- You now know if you have a nutrient-dense harvest or if you need soil testing and amendments.
To test leaves or grass, you only need two drops of liquid, which you can extract using a garlic press. You can also make a device like the one my friend made.
This bypasses expensive and time-consuming tests. It also gives you a great starting point for having nutrient-rich garden produce and fruits. Healthy soil produces healthy plants that produce foods that taste as good as they look.
Soil Health to Get High Brix
If you practice any of the things we teach about: crop rotation, mulching, companion planting, green manure, vermicompost, and composting, you will probably have a high Brix level from your leaves, fruits, or vegetables.
If you are in the process of amending your soil, you may want to do a weak acid and a microbial test. These tests will give you the recommended amendments for a quick fix.
In new garden spots, you may have to do weekly foliar feeding. After a season or two of soil amendments, the minerals and microbes will grow in the right direction. Years ago, we used Bio Wash to do this in a new garden plot, which worked excellently.
The old-timers used Gypsum as a moderately soluble source of calcium and sulfur, essential plant nutrients that will increase your Brix.
High Brix ensures your fruits and vegetables will be dense, juicy, and delicious. Low Brix produces tasteless fruits and vegetables because the soil health is deficient in the nutrients our bodies need to remain healthy and active.
Wrap UP
So, keeping an eye on soil health does make a difference, doesn’t it? It’s all about making sure we’re growing our crops in the best possible conditions, which boosts our yield and helps keep our farming practices sustainable. Healthy soil means healthier plants, which is a win-win for everyone involved.
Whether tending to a small garden or managing large fields, knowing your soil’s health can guide you in choosing the proper amendments or strategies to keep everything thriving. Remember, the soil is the backbone of our farming; nurturing it leads to better food, healthier ecosystems, and a more sustainable way of life. Let’s keep pushing for that vibrant, living soil beneath our feet!
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