In agriculture, chitosan is used primarily to activate plant defenses and to stimulate growth, not to fertilize. When applied to plants or soil, it triggers natural immune responses, stimulating the production of defense enzymes, phytoalexins, and other protective compounds. This can increase resistance to fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases. Because it works by signaling and strengthening plant physiology rather than killing pathogens directly, chitosan fits well within re

POTASSIUM DEFICIENCY occurs when soil is lacking potassium. Even when sufficient potassium is present, if the soil contains high levels of lime and magnesium, the plant still suffers from potassium deficiency because these elements suppress potassium absorption. Potassium deficiency can also easily occur in sandy soil, which has less humus, because potassium is readily leached from sandy soil, as with nitrogen.   Using a soil foundation with Indigenous Micro-Organisms (IMO)

1. Water-Soluble Calcium Phosphate (WCaP) is leached from the bones of vertebrate animals. It is an essential substance for plant growth and is widely distributed in the soil. Calcium Phosphate is insoluble in water but soluble in acids. This property is used in Natural Farming to make a product that is bioavailable to plants. 2. Provides two essential elements: Calcium (Ca) → strengthens cell walls, root tips, and reduces physiological disorders. Phosphorus (P) → vital for e

1. Contributes to better utilization of carbohydrates and protein. It is the major component in forming cell membranes and enables smooth cell division. Calcium is essential for maintaining cell wall strength, regulating membrane function, and facilitating signaling.  2. Functions to remove harmful substances in body tissue by binding with organic acids. 3. Prevents crops from overgrowing. 4. Makes fruits firm and prolongs the storage period. 5. Promotes absorption of phospho

In the practice of Korean Natural Farming (KNF), Seawater is used for a Full Spectrum Mineral approach. It ensures that all minerals are available in the food-growing system. In addition, we use a set of Targeted Minerals, which are added to formulas that follow the Nutritive Cycle to direct growth or to address specific mineral deficiencies. These Targeted Minerals are the focus of this article.

How are minerals used in KNF if soil amendments are not a regular part of crop establishment and management? In a word, the answer is Seawater. This is not the only source of mineral elements in KNF, but it is the most important. There was a pasture in Hawaii that was doing poorly, with a lot of weeds, but very little edible grass and forage. A livestock expert and KNF practitioner had the rancher apply seawater to the pasture. Nothing else was done, but everything changed. G

Observing the Vital Forces is the foundation of Natural Farming Management, guiding when and how we act, rather than forcing outcomes. By attuning ourselves to sunlight and heat, moisture and water, air and wind, we can respond to Nature’s cues instead of relying on artificial inputs. In KNF, we attune ourselves to these elemental rhythms instead of relying on fixed schedules or synthetic inputs. Sunlight changes with the seasons and the time of day. Moisture varies with humi

Korean Natural Farming (KNF) is a systems technology to grow food in ways that mimic Nature. In this series for beginners, we have already looked at Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ), and we learned about the Nutritive Cycle and how to use FPJs to follow the patterns of the life cycle of plants. Now we deepen our understanding of the system by creating a basic formula to apply at each different stage of growth. We are developing a system. In order to mimic Nature, we always want to

Korean Natural Farming (KNF) is a systems technology. We learned what Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ) is, then we learned about the Nutritive Cycle and how to use FPJs to follow the patterns of the life cycle of plants. Before we look at making formulas, let’s look closer at making the FPJs. e give plants what we want them to do. Therefore, we collect the plant material that is doing the function we want to apply. With vegetative leaf growth, we use fast-growing leaf tips. For de

Biochemical Signaling Technology (BST) follows the Nutritive Cycle using Fermented Plant Juices (FPJ) as an active ingredient in formulas designed for each phase. Specific FPJs are made to signal plants to develop growth in the specific phase of growth because of the hormones, enzymes, and cofactors found in each specific FPJ. SEEDLING The seedling still has the seed leaf (cotyledon) and needs to utilize that embryonic nutrition to trigger the genetics that will grow a health

IMO, Indigenous Micro-Organisms, is the foundational technology of Korean Natural Farming. It is the application of high concentrations of soil biology taken from healthy, local soil. It is installed as a complete ecosystem. MO is efficient because: 1. Soil biology is installed in high concentrations. 2. The soil ecology is installed as a complete, intact ecosystem. 3. A single application can be enough. It allows plants to live in their Natural State and acquire their own nu

This is something you can grow. It takes two to three years to get the roots, so the sooner you start them, the better. There are several sp

It’s spring in the northern hemisphere. It’s the perfect time to start growing Mugwort, the best plant for making Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ

Besides leaving one-third airspace so that the culture can breathe properly within the collection box, airflow into and out of the box is al

The first step to doing the Groundwork for Korean Natural Farming is understanding exactly what it is, and why it is important. Plants in th

You’ve decided you want to try KNF, Korean Natural Farming. You probably feel confused and overwhelmed. I get it. I am here to simplify and

Plants can be programmed to be stronger, more resilient no matter what weather and climatic challenges they face, and more resistant to pest

there are simple steps to take which greatly improve a plant's ability to be healthy, resilient against all weather conditions,pests, and di

cotyledons act as the egg yolks of the seeds, which plants use for nutrients and energy until they can develop their first true leaves and p

The basis of agriculture is to create an environment in which plants can absorb as much nutrients as they need at the proper time. Fertilizi