How Soil Plus Utilizes Farm Waste to Create Kona's Best Kept Secret
Hawaii is one of the largest producers of macadamia nuts globally, with thousands of acres of orchards and a significant processing industry. The demand for macadamia nuts continues to grow, and the industry is expanding to meet the increasing demand.
Each year, Soil Plus recycles over 10,000 cubic yards of macadamia nut husks, turning mac nut farm waste in
to valuable organic matter. This organic matter is a vital component of healthy soil and provides many benefits to the soil ecosystem.
Organic matter contributes to soil structure, water-holding capacity, nutrient cycling, and supports healthy microbial communities. It also provides essential nutrients to plants, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur. These nutrients are slowly released from decomposing organic matter into plant-available forms, promoting long-term soil fertility.
Additionally, organic matter acts as a soil conditioner, improving soil structure and increasing the water-holding capacity of the soil. This helps to prevent soil erosion and improve water infiltration, which is important for healthy plant growth.
The presence of organic matter in soil also supports a diverse and healthy soil microbial community. This community plays an important role in the cycling of nutrients and breaking down harmful pollutants in the soil.
By promoting healthy soil structure, water retention, nutrient availability, and supporting beneficial microorganisms, organic matter is an essential component of soil health. It is important for farmers, gardeners, and land managers to maintain and increase soil organic matter levels to promote sustainable and productive ecosystems.
For decades, Soil Plus has pioneered Hawaii island's effort to turn macadamia nut husk (farm waste) into nutrient-rich compost. The compost made from macadamia nut husks can benefit soil health in several ways:
Nutrient addition: Macadamia nut husks are rich in potassium and other essential nutrients that can help to improve soil fertility and support plant growth.
Soil structure improvement: Compost made from macadamia nut husks can help to improve soil structure by adding organic matter and increasing the soil’s ability to hold water. This can help to prevent soil erosion and improve water infiltration, which is important for healthy plant growth.
Microbial stimulation: Composting macadamia nut husks encourages the growth of beneficial soil microbes, such as fungi and bacteria. These microbes play an important role in breaking down organic matter, cycling nutrients, and breaking down harmful pollutants in the soil.
pH stabilization: Macadamia nut husks have a slightly acidic pH, which can help to balance soil pH, promoting healthy plant growth.
Overall, adding compost made from macadamia nut husks to soil can improve soil health by adding essential nutrients, improving soil structure, stimulating beneficial microbial activity, and stabilizing soil pH.
So What is Kona's Best Kept Secret?
The answer: Organic Macadamia Nut Husk Compost!
Soil Plus is the only local soil provider on island that is capable of composting mac nut farm waste at scale while incorporating the nutrient-rich product into all of our custom soil blends. This is why you'll find that all of Hawaii Island's major resorts, such as the Four Seasons Hualalai, work directly with Soil Plus to ensure the health of their extensive landscaping projects.
When you buy compost from Soil Plus, know that you are contributing to a system that supports not only the recycling of our island's precious natural resources, but one that strengthens the health and vitality of our soil for future generations.