Home - Grow Abundant Gardens

We Help Garden-Farmers Grow Healthy, Nutrient-Dense Food

Soil Mineral Balancing
Amendment Recommendations
Soil and Water Testing
For Organic Farmers and Gardeners

Soil Mineral Balancing
Amendment Recommendations
Soil and Water Testing
For Organic Farmers and Gardeners

What We Do

Since 2012 we have helped thousands of people from all over the world understand their soil tests and remineralize their soil.
OrganiCalc, our DIY web app, turns a Logan Labs soil test into practical amendment recommendations.
All of our amendment recommendations are certified organic.
Remineralization helps organic growers grow nutritious plants that are healthy for the body and the soil.
We offer soil, saturated paste, and water testing through Logan Labs, along with custom analysis and interpretation.
This website is full of practical information to help you to grow better plants.

Soil mineral balance is not everything you need to grow great crops, but having balanced minerals can make everything else easier.

What Our Customers Are Saying

Easily the best value business expense I have yearly. Such a big asset!

Rust Mountain Farm

Each year that you have provided guidance, the garden has improved significantly. I am especially grateful for your work, as I have been gardening since I was 12 years old and now I am 74. You had strongly recommended analysis of my irrigation water. You then advised that I should not use that water on seedlings. So, I installed a catchment system and the seedlings have responded remarkably well to rainwater. Also noteworthy is that the number of earthworms in the garden has increased dramatically. Thank you Erica, Alice and Abundant Gardens. And last, but certainly not least, our produce is the best tasting ever!

Charles Zalmanek

We have been using the Organicalc for the last two years, (this will be the third) and have noticed quite a difference in plant health and yield. Better last year than the year before, too! We have been using our garden for 25 years or so now, and noticed that before we started with the amendments, the fertility was decreasing rapidly in the last few years. So I appreciate so much this tool which seems to be reversing our soil health.

Diane

Northern California

I think the raised beds are doing so much better than I have ever done before. Your suggestions are wonderful. Fantastic.

Glenn

Grass Valley, California

The adjustments I did last year following your recommendations made a huge difference on the quality of the crops.

Isabelle M.

The vegetables were excellent this year. My customers all loved them declaring that they taste better and last longer than anything that they have had so I credit the strategies learned through your website and the Intelligent Gardener.

Chris Charbonneau

Highland Ranch, Colorado

The first time I got a recipe for amending the soil in my new raised garden bed, I followed the recipe and sprinkled it over the soil in the box. Then my husband used lumber scraps and built a second box. I didn't bother amending it. I bought vegetables in the little 4-paks that year but had too much to fit in the one amended box. I decided to put a couple of each kind in the amended box and then, without even thinking that I was setting up a perfect control group, put the extra plants in the unamended box. The difference between the plants in the amended box was astounding! They were very tall and deep green and the vegetables produced there had much more taste. The photo is one leaf from a zucchini in the amended box in comparison to the zucchini plant in the unamended box. The other photo is the amended bed. Everyone who experienced my garden that summer is amending their soil!

Nancy

East Jordan, Michigan

I’ve had a volunteer, Eric who has been actively using his brixmeter on various fruits and veggies around the county. He’s experimenting with conventional, vs. pesticide-free, vs. organic veggies. I’m happy to report that our squash scored a very high 14 out of 15 and our carrots also the highest of all those he tested. Much of it is due to the soil analysis which Erica conducted and the follow-up of supplements/nutrients we applied to the field and other areas.

Ruth Madocks

Branch Mill Organic Farm, Arroyo Grande, California

My goal is to improve health through fertile soils, not to get bogged down in doing garden soils. I want a revolution NOW! Your site is a means to getting fertile soils.

Jim Karnofski

Ilwaco, Washington

I love the calculator and the personal touch you put on the report. Thanks for this service, it is invaluable to me, absolutely!

Dave Nunley

Alaska

Erica and Alice, You helped me back in December (2013). I had applied Solomon’s COF earlier in 2013 then followed your recommendations and applied your suggested amendments during the winter. My garden, in past years, has been plagued by pests most notably stink and harlequin bugs with some squash bugs and cabbage loopers thrown in for good measure. This year, so far, I have spectacular lettuce and spinach (the best I have ever grown, by far) and brassicas that don’t seem to be getting much attention from the cabbage moths. I have only seen one harlequin bug so far. The real test for me will be to see how my tomatoes do against the stink bugs and their onslaught that usually begins in July. I bought a refractometer to check brix. My results have been not as high as I hoped (lettuce-4, spinach-5, kale-9) but I don’t have any previous data to which to compare these values. I haven’t had a chance to try foliar feeding and am not sure if I will do it anytime soon. I would rather depend on my soil. I will most definitely be testing my soil again this winter and enlisting your assistance again.

Vicky

Virginia

This is the first year that I’ve used OrganiCalc to plan the fertilizers that I apply to my garden. I had always considered my vegetables to be pretty good, and I often received a lot of compliments from other people. But – holy smokes – my first crops in my re-mineralized beds are strikingly different than I’m used to. These are Red Russian and Toscana kales. Gorgeous blue-green coloring, and the leaves feel about twice as thick as normal. They are incredibly crisp and succulent! I’ve never grown or bought kale that looks or feels like this, and I’ve gardened for decades. And, despite the fact this it is now late spring with temps up near 80 F, I’m not finding any bitterness in the kale – whether steamed with other veggies, or blended raw in a green smoothie. So far, no cabbage worms or cutworms either – my major pests for this crop. Of course, that may change as the weather continues to warm up. We’ll see. I’m really looking forward to seeing how my other crops do this year! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and experience with re-mineralization.

Debra

Virginia

So far so good with the garden! Some feedback. I really like how easy it is to use. I had already bought my amendments for the year so I had to convert some of the recommendations. I will be testing again in the fall and am looking forward to seeing the results. I really appreciate all the work that you have done. This is a great tool and I am recommending it to many of my friends. This makes the process of remineralizing so much simpler and easier. Keep up the good work and many thanks.

Dan

www.BroadforkFarm.net

Broadfork Farm, Virginia

Hi Erica – I don’t know that my feedback will be very useful yet, as I’ve only used Organicalc for the first time this year. However, I will say that the broccoli, peas, and fava beans I planted in the 100 s.f. plot I used Organicalc for are doing amazing! They’re super green, showing absolutely no signs of disease so far, and are growing really fast! We’ll see how it goes as the season continues but atm I’m very impressed and satisfied!

Mike

Ohio

We had an excellent garden last year and this year is off to a good start. I appreciate the work that you do and am constantly publicizing it to our Grange Gardener’s Network on Lummi Island.

Randy

Lummi Island, Washington

I’ve had a great experience with the calculator, both for creating my own soil blends and for helping a handful of friends. I’ve been able to improve results drastically in my home garden, which may have been a bit out of whack for a few reasons – including sourcing bad ‘raised bed soil mix’. I’ve really enjoyed watching your site evolve – it is looking fantastic. http://jennygrows.com

Jenny

Vermont

So many Quadra (and Cortes) Islanders have much more productive gardens thanks to Organicalc and your hard work. Now some of us are getting into remineralizing our orchards, and the results have been spectacular so far. We’ve very, very thankful to you! The Grow Abundant OrganiCalc worksheet is both powerful and easy to use, and the results I’ve had using it on my farm have been nothing short of spectacular. Erica has opened up the world science-based remineralization to everyday gardeners and farmers, and has allowed us to take control of the health of our soils.

Ryan Nassichuk

Quadra Island, British Columbia

I’ve posted to this group in the past to mention how remarkable my garden is this year, after reading ‘The Intelligent Gardener,’ getting a soil analysis, and remineralizing as called for (I mineralized two years ago). The flavor of the food is noticeably better, insect damage is pretty much non existent, and everything I’m growing this year is doing very well. The exception being some tomato plants that are just starting to get blight, but it has been a very wet and cold growing season in upstate NY, USA. Soil remineralization truly is the “missing link” in the quest to successfully grow wholesome food in a home garden. Thank you, Steve and Erica!

Herrick Kimball

http://whizbanggardening.blogspot.com/

Upstate New York

I am a soil scientist (for 34 years). However, my specialty is field mapping of soils, not soil fertility. I have been very pleased with your on-line calculation program. It makes everything so quick and easy.

Cynthia Rabinowitz

Connecticut

We had our best garden ever last year and found that the quality of the vegetables was much improved. It is the first year we have re-mineralized the soil and it seems to have made the difference. Next spring we will take fresh soil samples and add what is required. I encouraged, helped and analyzed soil for several of my neighbours and they are pleased with the results. Generally, your book and efforts have been very supportive and have expanded our knowledge of growing healthy gardens.

Paul Puddy

Quadra Island, British Columbia

I am teaching a soils class tomorrow and will again be showing the class your OrganiCalc website. I really enjoy it and have had great results in my own gardens. Thanks again.

Don Marshall, Certified Professional Horticulturalist

ISA Certified Environmental Horticulture Instructor, Lake Washington Institute of Technology, Kirkland WA

Just wanted to tell you the results of my ‘new improved’ veg garden after your advice…EUREKA! In 30 odd years of gardening I have never experienced healthier veges. Not a bug or disease anywhere, my tomato crop (6 strains) is still going strong. Thank you. This was also done with minimal composting.

Jonathan Mills

Tasmania

You have been generous with your time and knowledge, thanks again for your input. I really appreciate the work you do. It has greatly improved my farm!

Your site and calculator and recommendations are brilliant – You guys have made my garden and the food it produces into an amazing experience. A M A Z I N G. The produce tastes like it used to when I was a kid….I just thought my taste buds were wearing down, age, etc. But it turns out, with testing and your amendment recommendations, it is all back in place! What a gift. I continue to try to read and learn more along the way, but if I can’t get to it, the garden still produces copiously thanks to you two – and Mr Soloman – Thank you so very much.

Connie Granberg

Washington

Thanks, Erica. Great service! We make a blend of soil and compost that we’ve amped up with your recommendations and it’s working really well for our customers here in New Hampshire.

Mike Lombard

New Hampshire

Thanks Erica. This is either the third or fourth year of using organicalc on this particular spot. I have been very pleased with the results. I had a great garden this year with a super harvest and used no supplemental fertilizers on the bulk of it other than the initial recommendation. I do give my competition giant veggies supplemental feeds, but that’s a whole different playing field. I grew seven “giant” cabbages this year and entered the largest in our Alaska State Fair. Five of the seven went more than 50 pounds. I credit most of the success to Organicalc and having a balanced soil to begin the gardening season with. Thanks for providing such a valuable service.

Walter Chastain

Alaska

I’m hopeful that as time goes by, and people see the results, that more of our local Tarahumara (Copper Canyon, Mexico) farmers will begin soil testing. Last year I used the Organicalc recommendations, to plan my fertilizer application and got the best corn harvest anyone remembers off of one of my fields. The yield was 2,200 Kg/Ha and in years past with the former owner it had been less than 300 kg/ha using the same open pollinated local seed. The locals are having trouble believing that it was the fertilizer and seed spacing that made the change. I planted an 18,000 plants/acre population and the norm here is about 25,000 – 30,000 plants/acre. My job here is to attack the problem of chronic malnutrition. After nearly 11 years of observation and relationship with the local farmers I think the best way to attack this is to help them grow a sufficient number of calories and do all that I can to make their harvest as nutrient dense as possible…

Andrew Bornman

Copper Canyon, Mexico

I’m quite thrilled with our soil results this year – it was in pretty abysmal shape 2 years ago, but we have worked hard with remineralization to get it to where it is. We’ve brought our pH up from 5.5 to the current 6.2. I think our biggest change was calcium – we had a huge deficit the first year and now it seems to be pretty balanced. We can tell a huge difference in how well it has loosened up our clay. We are mineral converts for sure!

Heidi Nawrocki

Lumberport, West Virginia

We just moved to a new farm with a large garden that hadn’t been used in years. We did a soil test, entered the data into your program, made up the mixture and planted. We got results like we’ve never, ever had before. Tomatoes, artichokes, peppers, onions, squash and 2 crops of carrots! The garden here is only a kilometer from the old garden we’d been using for 23 years (which I only added compost, greensand and rock phosphate cause that’s all I knew) so the soil should be quite close in make up. Pretty sure the soil test and amendment mixture worked like magic. Thanks…

Kenny Foot

Nelson, British Columbia

I am always bragging about “the Intelligent Gardner” and how following your recommendations have transformed my produce into incredibly nutrient dense food! People rave about our greens and claim to have never eaten such great, tasty and long lasting greens!!! I am bragging, but I give you guys so much of the credit!!!

Nadine Pasay

Winlaw, British Columbia

I had a sick child at the time and found the root cause was vitamin/mineral deficiencies so the most effective and affordable way to correct this was to grow our own food since store-bought organic is still not mineralized to a persons need… Stumbled onto your book Intelligent Gardener in 2013 and have used and loved the results ever since. I have a passion to help people grow their own mineralized nutrient dense food unto healing their bodies and minds. I own and operate a small 20 share 1/2 acre CSA and an herbal consulting business. I am indebted to you and Steve for the knowledge, wisdom and passion you pour into growing. It has forever changed my life, my family’s life and hopefully everyone we meet. Thank you!!!

Teresa Sparks

Foundations Farm, Beulah, Michigan

Our gardens are growing really well since we started using your OrganiCalc method. I couldn’t be happier. I’m also spreading the word about this to our farmers market customers and community garden volunteers.

Jeff Scrimsher

PJ Farm

Saucier, Mississippi

The right minerals can make all the difference

I was mineralizing a row of broccoli and ran out before the end of the row. The one on the right missed getting boron, gypsum and feather meal.

The Intelligent Gardener: Growing Nutrient Dense Food

By Steve Solomon, with Erica Reinheimer

Our approach to soil re-mineralization is based on the principles outlined in the book Erica contributed to, The Intelligent Gardener. In the years since the book was published, we have continued to refine our approach. OrganiCalc, our online soil analysis webapp, contains all the latest updates.

Vegetables, fruits and grains are a major source of vital nutrients, but centuries of intensive agriculture have depleted our soils to historic lows. As a result, the broccoli you consume today may have less than half the vitamins and minerals that the equivalent serving would have contained a hundred years ago. The Intelligent Gardener demystifies the process of re-mineralising the soil.

Deano Martin, Permaculture Magazine

What We Don't Do

We don’t sell amendments. We’re not in it to add anything you don’t need to your soil.
We don’t think perfect mineral balance is all your soil needs. Great soil has excellent soil biology, which depends so much on appropriate moisture, organic matter, soil structure, etc. In some ways the mineral balance is the easy part.
We don’t think soil biology is enough in all situations. So many of us are growing on marginal land which can be completely lacking one or more elements essential for plant growth. Why not get a soil test and find out what’s missing?
We don’t stop learning. There is so much to know about how to grow well. We love sharing what we know with all of you.

Our Vision

We all come from here, this planet, this spirit. Our bodies, our bones, our living biome, arose from this beautiful Earth, passed down through all of our ancestors. The awesome mystery of our being arose out of our sacred Mother. Just as we sometimes forget we are sacred beings, we sometimes forget we came from and will return to the Earth.

Our vision is for all of us to remember where we came from.

— to have reverence for our food

— to have reverence for the land

— to have reverence for each other

We can begin by cultivating real health in our soil, in our food and in ourselves.

Soil health -> plant health -> human health