Rock Powders and Humates as Soil Additives Humate is compost millions of years old, formed in swamps, deltas and streams in the western United States, in both fresh and salt water. Organic material consisting of dead plants and animals, deposited and covered with clay or sand slowly compressed in the earth to form oil, coal, and humate. As mountains lifted and exposed the areas to the air, oxidation increased, concentrating the humic acids.
Humates are the salt form of humic acids.
Humates regulate the water-holding capacity of the soil and have extremely high ion exchange capacities. They reduce soil erosion by increasing the cohesive forces of the very fine soil particles. Very low concentrations of humates have been shown to stimulate seed germination and root growth. Beneficial soil microorganisms are also stimulated. Humates can be applied to the garden or farm any time of the year and spring is excellent.