What it is
Loess is uncontaminated mineral clay — silica soil or the fine mud of anthills — full of trace elements and even growth factors science hasn't fully defined. Natural Farming floats off only the finest particles to make a smooth powder carrying loess's quiet natural healing power.
On the Nutritive Cycle: Loess is a soil / all-round input. It isn't tied to one growth stage — it supplies background trace minerals and protects seedlings and leaves against disease.
When to use it
- Seedling treatment — mix 20–30 g of loess powder in 1 L of water to guard against diseases such as canker.
- Leaf-fungus treatment — spray the same liquid on vegetable plant leaves.
Materials
- Loess (silica soil or anthill mud) — 2–3 kg
- Water — 20 L
- Two containers
How to make it
- Stir into water. Put 2–3 kg of loess into 20 L of water and stir well. Thick particles and stones sink; fine particles float.
- Collect the floaters. Skim the floating fine particles into a separate container.
- Let it settle. Over time the fine particles precipitate to the bottom.
- Drain the surface water. Once precipitation is complete, pour off the clear water into another container.
- Dry in shade. Dry the precipitated loess in a cool, shaded place — if dried in sunlight it won't disperse properly in water later.
Signs it worked / troubleshooting
- ✅ Good: a smooth, fine powder that disperses evenly when stirred into water.
- ⚠️ Powder clumps and won't mix = it was dried in the sun → redry future batches in shade.
- 🚫 Gritty or full of stones = coarse particles carried over → refloat and skim only the fine layer.
How to store
Keep the dry powder in a sealed container in a cool, shaded place until you mix it for use.