I've read several of Mittleider's books and I worked with his foundation. He was a man who spent 30 years working with underdeveloped countries where people were literally starving: Zimbabwe, Papua New Guinea and Russia. By teaching these people the basics of how to properly use fertilizer he took them out of the dark ages of malnutrition and severe poverty and helped to lift them up to becoming more productive and well fed. This is my only beef to what you espouse and your other organic gardening crusaders: fertilizer is not evil, if it weren't for fertilizer many people in this world right now would be starving or already dead. If all farmers in the US stopped using fertilizer, we would also likely be starving and there would be very little produce at grocery stores that people could afford. It's fine that you promote organic gardening to home growers, but I've tried it both ways, and I've found organic gardening to be much more difficult, time consuming and less productive then if you give your plants just the right amount of fertilizer. And if you use just the right amount of fertilizer that goes to the roots of plants it does not contaminate the ground water or kill microbes. I have lots of worms in my garden who are very happy and healthy.

John .. I was a bit surprised by this video. BUT I want to say THANK YOU! It caused me to take pause and do a whole lot more research into what plants require to thrive. It's caused me to re-think the compost only or compost & rock dust only methods of gardening. Your rant has convinced me ... to give the Mittleider Method of Gardening a try!

Rockin' that Little Debbie look.

I use Mittleider. I tried all the organic, square foot gardening methods for 20 years. The Mittleider method is much simpler, more productive, less expensive and less labor intensive. But then, that is my opinion I am sure others would disagree. But I don't have all day to work in my garden so I needed something more flexible.

John, thanks for your thoughts on the Mittleider Gardening Method. In the video you mention a number of times the 90 minerals you are putting into your fertilizers. As a chemist, I am wondering where you are getting this number. There are currently 118 elements in the known universe. Many of these are either inert or dangerous. Which 90 minerals are you referencing. Could you provide this list?

You are so patient John! Thank you for info packed vids, your patience,diplomacy and tact is inspiring many people are so impatient. Brilliant stuff!

I knew a guy that tried organic. Results were so so. Finally he had his soil tested. His soil was VERY low in sulfur. Where he had done the most compost was the worst. He capitulated and used some Ammonium Sulfate. Things grew wonderfully. IMHO opinion, do Brix testing. If you get less that 12, you are doing something wrong. If your compost, Azomite...whatever doesn't bring it up, do something else. If you can maintain a Brix of 15, you won't have a pest problem... Unlike a lot of organics.

i love your methods. i have always been an organic gardener since i was very young. my grandfather used bagged ferterlizer in all the stuff we grew. 300 acres worth. i downed his methods for gardening when i grew my first pot plant at the age of 13 using fishing scraps and egg shells mixed with water. i no longer grow pot, but i use the same methods that grew it well. i dont fish anymore but i use all the scraps from the kitchen and grass clippings from our small yard and collect from neighbours as well. my garden grows better then a friends that uses manure compost. she gets mad when her stuff isnt doing well. after all, she puts way more effort and money in her garden. but mine does better with the things that make up the nutrients that are already available in yard waste. love your work, it gives me comfort knowing that there's someone out there that does the same. oh yeah, i make my own rock dust from the rocks i dig up in my garden using a grinding mill i have built. works great for all the brownstone we have here in P.a.

I'm experimenting with both Permaculture and Mittleider. I have a couple of observations on the MGM. First, using sawdust (wood shavings would be more accurate) after a very short time I have a composting process going on perhaps promoted by the nitrogen in the fertilizer. Second, I have been using tubs to confine the MGM with holes in the bottom and I have found that worms freely migrate in and out of the tubs. I have lots of earth worm activity in the sawdust (composting mixture). Eventually, the sawdust turns to what looks like pretty decent soil. I use Azamite for my trace minerals. I'm getting pretty decent results. Separate note: I am in my third year of growing Sun Chokes (which I originally got from you in a mail bag special). The Sun Chokes are the thing I point to as my biggest success in gardening. I've literally harvested a hundred pounds or more from that original bag or a few pounds.

Hey John, first off Love the channel. You do not have to use sand and saw dust with the Mittleider system he does use soil-beds and with the grow boxes you can use a Mel's mix ,which I use. Now as far as the 16-16-16 there are ways around that, fish emulsion, bat guano etc. Also, when you get the Mittleider Gardening Course, he gives you the recipe for the weekly feed, you can make it yourself. I am in the lab now working on making the 16-16-16 organic. I am using BB too. keep you posted

I appreciate the way you went about explaining your point of view. From what I have gathered on the mittleider system, it's designed to produce food as if your life depends on it. But you don't bash it just because that's not how you garden. I personally like your gardening style, and I enjoy your videos. I like the fact that you are open minded and just want people to grow their own gardens with what works for them. Keep making the great videos and I'll keep watching. Thanks for all your advice and not being a hater.

I LOVE this video John. You rocked it. I don't even go as far as you with the rock dust mostly because I'm poor. If I had a few bucks I would add the rock dust. Its so unnecessary(not the rock dust). I rely on my garden to live and theres so many ways to get great results without buying into someones system when it is 1 unsustainable and 2 costly.I rely on earth worms and leaf mold and do everything possible to care for my worms. I drift in and out of your videos, but always come back because out of everyone making gardening videos yours are the most thoughtful, informative and fun to watch.

I have never heard of Mittleider until this video. Thank you. After studying their method, and watching the LDSPrepper's videos, I think their method is superior to yours.

You are awesome. Thanks, John, for all your videos and for sharing your thoughts with us. With you one thousand percent about what the point of all of this is! Gotta work WITH nature and RESPECT it! So many problems we find ourselves in are due to this short-term thinking instead of thinking about long-term results and costs. Thanks for telling us what you think and encouraging everyone on this journey toward sustainability without being judgmental. You rock.

John, excellent video, explaining the difference between chemical based and natural fertilizers. I have come across several of your videos on gardening, and watching this one in particular I am becoming a big fan of your gardening philosophy.

Having just heard about the Mittleider method I was wondering if it was something to get into. Glad I found this video and the in depth explanation of what it is, the pros and cons. I agree, it's not sustainable or natural and includes store bought fertilizers that I had already chosen not to use. Great video and thanks for taking the time to include so much detail.

Your method sounds like it would be great for master gardeners but not for those of us who just want to grow a simple garden. Best of wishes to you.

You say exactly what I was thinking when I heard about this method. I am learning about gardening and growing my own food so certainly can't claim to know anything but I want to be able to use what I can create naturally and the Mittleider method just doesn't sound like it's it.

Thanks John.I prefer your style of natural gardening/food production for all the reasons you have given.It's a healthy lifestyle too.

8 years after publishing video - iths is still a relevant & thoughtful analysis from a systems perspective. It sounds from the Mittlieder non-profit as though a hige value driving that system is providing low cost system for hungry people, in low resource (soil, water, money, time, experience, even supply chain), areas to be able to produce life-sustaining food. It feels like a noble aim, with a simple system, well suited to some scenarios. In their defense, 20 oz of minerals, mixed with gypsum, epsom salts & a recommended volume of an NPK product, makes 60 pounds of nutrients that feed a ton of food-producing plant life. Their example was weekly feeding of 210 tomato plants over an entire growing season. I can use Sea-90 & other things because I have access to soil-based growing mediums, compost, Sea-90 & care more about what Im growing in the soil than what grows on top. That said, I’ve been paralized at times, not growing due to lacking things that gold standard growers have or not having them to scale. Healthy soil food production isn’t cheap. If I had to feed hungry people in a situation with little margin for error - I’d probably consider Mittlieder’s method a gift from God!! That said, John’s systems approach aligns with my values & motivations for sustainable soil development & max nutritional content. I would like to trial a Mittleider bed though, to add a different skillset to my toolbox. I would use “Sustain” for the NPK (4-6-4). Sea--90 for minerals, green sand, azomite & feed weekly with natures source & worm or compost tea. Might try a wicking bed too with a good green sand wicking layer and drain pipe or milk jigs for aeration, (See aGardening With Leon KZfaq channel). Very helpful vid3o!

Came here because someone asked if I was talking about this method when I didn't know what it is. So much good info in here too. Love your videos, haven't seen this one - you have a lot of content!

This is why i love watching you channel. For the most part there is no right or wrong system. Anything is better than depending on other to grow your own food. I would love to grow like you but i have not reach that level yet. And that is ok you say because i'm trying and i am growing my own food. You always give best practices and then show the next best thing. And normally you say do thing that work best for you. :) and you don't make me feel bad for not planting organically. Now you might encourage me to become better and grow organically but you won't condemn me for not. :)

Great points, John! Thank you for sharing.

I've only ever lived in apartments with patios. Finally in a place with some land and want to start gardening, but I am very much a novice. I've only had an ivy plant for the past 6 months😅. So the Mittleider method sounds so nice for a first timer lol. But I love that I can cherry Pick what works for my climate area thank you!

I do like your tolerance of other's ideas or methods. Thank you for that. I too like many others have enjoyed the Middleiter inspired videos here on YT. As you mention there are a few great ideas that benefit any garden. Regarding the battle of organic or not, I dont know the answer. My guess is that some fertilizers are made in very simple processes, hence why they are cheap (maybe just a ground up mineral?). Others in possibly more unscrupulous ways. I do understand your suspicion ;-) What I interpreted from the video explanation was that only 13-16 elements of the Periodic Table of Elements are available or accessible to plant life. He explains it quite well however I am not sure it is right. The results seem very good. The prices of their products are not really out of line from what I have seen. Thanks again for your display of open mindedness, it was refreshing.

Thank you for presenting your views respectfully!

Young man, I appreciate your opinion. You have stressed that personal growing of your own foods is good in the method the individual chooses and your personal choices and reasons...well done. Now those that are reading this will make their own choices based on their own reasons, with your input added for reference. Well done.

Awesome video John. Thanks for spending time to make all the informative videos you make and sharing the wisdom concerning gardening that God has given you!

Very good point Dan. I was checking on prices, and just for the sodium molybdate alone, it is $30 per pound. I only need 1/4 of an ounce. So I just ordered the mix and bought the 16-16-16 and epsom salt from Wal-Mart. Total cost was about $50 for 60lbs of fertilizer, which will last me 4-6 years.

Loved this video, John. You are very wise. Thank you for all you do.

Enjoy your passion. We all understand exactly where you are coming from. Thank you very much for sharing your personal experiences in trying various methods and products. Helps us to make our own conclusions and decisions.

Thanks John for encouraging people to start with Mittleider Method to get them started gardening. I started with another method and over the decades have reached a point similar to you. You make a good point that gardening is an art that one enters and "grows as they grow." People who are offended by this video need to think about the whole video here, not argue one single point. John is open minded and trying to teach here, that gardening is something that takes decades to learn if one doesn't have the time to research it. And what he has said here is start where you can, just garden, and from that point grow to understand natures soil and how to provide the healthiest foods for you and your family. Cheers John, and to all gardeners new and old alike!

I totally agree with you John. Thank you for another informative video.

Just food for thought. I recently purchased a new home a couple years back. The Soil was completely admonished of nutrients from weeds and a very large silver maple tree that hadn't been watered in at least ten years. I've been adding compost and supplement nutrients for the last two growing seasons. I know with time this regiment will build my soil up to optimal health, but I feel that where I am and where I'll soon be may need some help. The Mittleider system may be what I need to hold me over till I reach optimal soil health. Disagree?

John, excellent points with which, as an organic gardener I agree.

You just answered the question I had about the video that brought me to your site. The little girl was demonstrating why we should buy organic by showing a regular sweet potato (poisoned by farmer or distributor so it would stay fresh longer ) that didn't produce any vines. She then bought an organic sweet potato that after about a month produced a few scrawny vines. Then she bought another organic sweet potato that sprouted within a week then went crazy producing a riot of vines and roots. Since all the sweet potatoes were sitting in water, obviously the difference was the soil they were grown in.

ive been growing for 12 years without any fertilizers or pesticides but my soil is spent from tilling .no more tilling for me and youve shown me so much about the importance of compost and mulching.i will be looking foward to much better crops due to your advice.

Thanks for replying john. My garden has really kicked it into high gear & have been eating my greens from it, for the past three weeks. My neighbor and I have also compared our greens and concluded that, what I grew using the methods described on your channel, compost, rockdust, wormcastings, compost teas definitely (Taste Better) then what he grew with the mittleider method. Also I can't deny that the mittleider method my neighbor used, produced sooner then the way I grew.

I had never heard of this method. But I understand the appeal. Thank you for your knowledgeable thoughtful response!

I use all of them- square foot gardening, which I now see is similar to Meitleider, and both are similar to French Intensive, I use manure compost, drip, soil minerals balancing, coffee grounds, egg shells, we add worms, because our native soil is sand- no worms. and any new thing that thrills me I will use.

John, One thing I saw in your explanation was about the 10 once package of Nutrients. Mittleider directs that you mix ONE 10 oz. Packet with 25 lbs. of 13, 13, 13, AND 4 Lbs. of Epsom Salts. In our 128 Sq foot raised bed, we use 4 cups of the Fertilizer Mix. IE 1/2 cup per 16 sq feet. per week. So that is Not expensive at all.

Another Great Video. Really like the fact that you specifically emphasize "This is My Opinion ONLY"! I will offer you, Free of Charge, use of my personal mission statement; "To be a friend and a mentor to all, while remaining open". 8• >

Hey John, great job being balanced. I'm half way through right now. Thanks for pointing out what are good gardening principles with Mittleider Method and where there are weaknesses. Fair job!!

I've seen many gardeners here on youtube. But, I must say that none inspire, educate, or motivate me like you do. Keep up the good work and thank you for all your videos :-)

John, I used the Mittleider Method for years. It works. I grew tomatoes commercially in greenhouse, used beneficial insects and natural insecticides but used commercial fertilizers. So I sold my tomatoes insecticide free but grown with commercial fertilizer. When Mittleider developed the system he was growing vegetables around the world in many climates in an effort to cure hunger in third world countries. The system works. As you clearly spoke there are many methods that work. The issue you and other "organic" farmers have with his method is you believe that the tomato can tell the difference between nitrogen from calcium nitrate (15-0-0) and nitrogen from manure (3-2-1). The key word here is believe. The biggest detriment to organic farming becoming more widely used today is that it has become a religion. My own research is that the plant cannot tell the difference - so both methods work equally well. I do both organic and synthetic. Both work. Case closed. Use the method that works best for you and leave the religion out of it. And if you don't think it is a religion with many organic gardeners ...wait for the close minded and condemning responses sure to follow my comments.

I am so happy you choose this to be your topic. I was wondering about this method. Thanks

Keep up the great work. I appreciate all the videos you do on your all of your channels!

Enjoyed this so much. Thank you for sharing. You are the greatest to take your time to help us understand better gardening.

Great video John .

John, Thank You!! Your Mittleider explanation was excellent!! You did not put the method down. You somewhat encouraged it for those who want to give it a try. You were very helpful in explaining that plants need more than just 16 or so nutrients. The Back to Eden Film says that their garden tested very, very high in trace nutrients. As I remember. You method has more than 90+ nutrients too, I bet. Thanks for taking your time.

This video is really underrated. You should have 100k likes on it. You're measured response to the Mittleider question and pointing out the positives was very well done.

stumbled across your channel today. Thanks for the info ...really appreciate you taking the time to explain. I'm just starting to garden and have limited time. I want to grow food and eat it. thanks again!

God Bless you! I used it last year, my nephew and did it togather. I lost terribly. It cost me a fortune each week, about $20.00 in fertilizers. He was angry at me all the time because I could not fallow instructions. I'm 67, been gardening off an on most of mt life. I had grandmothers who had gardens all their lives. One made her LIVINF

Thanks for your honesty john.

Do you think that hydroponics have a place in food production? How can I incorporate rock dust into hydroponics or smiles container gardening? Thanks mike

I also put eggshells in the vitamiser, works really well and my plants love it

Can you make us a list of some names of minerals and resources to get them?

29:00 for the fungal part you are talking about, if i use (homemade) sawdust does that count as wood chips?

Well thought out. The complexity of the biological soil web is incomprehensible. Those who think they completely understand the soil web, might be mistaken. While I think there might be a better alternative to rock dust, John is a smart,experienced gardener. I respect his ideas. Way to go,John. Great Vid. thanks.

excellent video John, excellent philosophy and inspiration for anyone out there, please keep up the good work.

Thank you for sharing. Subscribed.

Okay I have been getting a ton of questions about this in the last few weeks. John thanks for this video I will mention it on air next week and now I don't have to explain it because you did such a great job doing so.

Thanks John. Very much appreciate your work and 'play')))

Great video! I'm I Vegas too, can you tell me your rock dust source here locally? 🙏🏻 thank you

I agree with you John I'm just trying to work being able to find those trace minerals around here I've been very unsuccessful so I'll have to go online would appreciate talk of the manufacturer's that you recommend Thank you for the information that you put out there I do want my soil to be the best it can be. I appreciate all the good information that you put out there for us to consider

I could not have said this better myself. Thank you

GREAT video! High informative, as always.

My natural, nature made soil, is a testament to good soil makes for better gardens with less work. I moved onto a 2.67 acre piece of land that wasn't developed at all. After a year of permaculture observation, seeing how the land worked, I decided where my garden would go. (We have deer with limited habitat, so finding a good space that I can fence off while leaving habitat was important to us). I use Hugelkultur mounds in all my gardening, due to summer heat, plus I feel it encourages a natural system of fertility in the soil. I made my mound with my rich, black soil, full of earthworms and leaf waste, mulch...and topped it with free mulch from our city, to slow water evaporation, and the plants I put in 2 months ago are booming! I tried so hard at our last house, 6 years, to grow organically. It wasn't the organic, it was the horribly depleted soil. It was tract housing, the land had been flattened with bulldozers. The soil was somewhat alive, but so clay based and nutrient poor, it was unworkable. After 5 years, I finally setup a raised bed, and filled it with the beautiful, compost rich soil from a local natural garden center, and planted some seeds. Few months later and for 5 months after I had a wonderful, highly productive garden, the first time in my adult life! I occasionally added fish emulsion. I was really bad at this, didn't do it often. I never had to buy salad veggies during that 5 month time. This inspired me and I went full force ahead into natural, organic gardening, now permaculture. My current garden was good to go, just because our soil is so naturally and beautifully rich, never betrayed by humans. I love it and will continue to promote these methods. I'm a testament to it.

You are so awesome..I'm going to enjoy your other videos..Just found your videos...Absolutely on the same page....Great video.I love your detailed info......

do you have a link on the best way to fertilize fruit trees like peach and plum trees

I really like your good/better/best approach to encouraging everyone to garden in some capacity. When I started growing over 20 years ago I only knew to Miracle Gro everything and you get huge veggies.....Now thanks to channels like yours I wouldn't touch the stuff with a ten inch pole. Composting for the most part is free, sustainable, and is the most important part of the gardening process. Everyone who has the space and time should really try to do it. Great video John!

Hello! I know this is an older post but I have a question regarding pruning. I am not using the Mittleider method of growing. But I am fascinated by the different ways of pruning that are used in that method especially regarding cucumbers and watermelons. I haven't found other pruning methods for cantaloupe honeydew etc. I don't know whether they would be the same as for watermelon. Anyway how do you feel about pruning these plants the Mittleider way? Thank you in advance.

My family and I got an awesome composter from Costco, and it works (and looks) great!!!!

Good for you. Standing up for your view of God and nature and respecting how it was designed. I use to watch your videos now and then. Will be watching a lot more now. This video shows your thought process, your respect and your heart. God is not a dirty word it only has 3 letter. So keep getting the message out. You have won me over. And I will pay it forward

I have to be extremely frugal in college, purchasing soil is hard enough for me! Rabbits are quite helpful and I find it as a sustainable way to keep the garden going. 20 bucks for a bunny, litter train the little one, at 6 months they can eat veggies fruit and hay. Recycle read newspapers as litter bedding, toss the dry droppings into the soil.

This is the best delivery you have ever done. Thank you for speaking for us.

While I agree with a lot of what you're saying here, John, it's also worth pointing out that, in the event of an economic collapse you're also not going to be able to obtain a lot of the things you use, as well. Though, I certainly agree that enriching the soil will have benefits longer than something akin to aquaponics.

Love you John! You are the best! Thank you as always.

I'm interested in this topic, but His videos are so drawn out

Great feedback John. Valuable opinion.

Nice video, but there are some misunderstandings. Mittleider said that you COULD use sawdust, but did not recommend it as optimal, just a medium that was easy to obtain, and he did point out that it depleted nitrogen - but b/c one adds the fertilizers, he found it usable. Re: nutrients - he also states that his nutrient mix does not supply all a plant needs. The plant gets more nutrients from the native soil underneath the box as the tendrils of the roots raech down to it. Good video!

if you use moringo compost, does it have the minerals i need.

Excellent video. My plants definitely taste better when I leave off the chemicals. I weened myself off of them slowly. Each year I do less chemicals and more grass clippings/kitchen scraps. We definitely taste the difference.

Thank you for this information! I appreciate your care and concern for God's creation. As well as your thoughtfulness about the holistic view of gardening. Do you have a condensed list of the fertilizers, minerals, microbes, nematodes, etc that you buy?

Thanks for posting

I have just heard about this Mittleider system, and all the hype on youtube, and was looking for more information on it. You've kinda nailed the coffin shut on that one. I am currently growing using the Back to Eden method on 1.25 acres with great success. I've seen videos of the Mittleider method and saw plants that looked horrible (I don't know if it was the gardeners fault or what), while my plants look great and healthy, and I use composted grass, duck and chicken manure and ashes from my two wood burning stoves. It also looks kind of expensive in the long run, and seems to be a lot of work, compared to turning a compost pile every now and then. Btw, you can use duck manure straight out of the coop, without burning.

Great video!

Thank you for the reply brother I appreciate it! Nice to see helpful comments on youtube rather than hate :)

Thanks very much!! i have always thought the best way to grow food is to do it the way you suggest in talking about #4 answer. Plants' roots best get all needed nutrition for high Brix levels from Below them, in their mycelium relationship. High Brix meaning the plant parts we eat contain all the minerals, vitamins, antioxidants we need for Healing our bodies. And, our way of growing is mostly a Closed system. I do not trust open systems.

John, I love your channel, Thank you for your contribution. BTW do not let all the negative chatter bother you.

I liked your comparison. Very logical. Thanks because I had heard of the other approach and you answered all my questions. Love your methods. Keep up the good work. A fan!

we live in the Midwest I tried the mittleider method of growing sweet potatoes in saw dust and used the chemicals. I grew the potato slips they looked very good and healthy. I planted them with in the first 3 weeks the nice green plants turned yellow and did not grow. they didn't die they just didn't grow. I cut the bottom out of some coffee cans buried them and filled with compost and replanted the slips. within 1 week the plants started turning green again. I must be unable to use this method.

You took the words out of my mouth. I'm so tired of the ''thought police'' telling people what to ''say'' or ''think''.

Possibly your best video to date. Keep up the good work.

My background is in commercial farming and the chemical fertilizers produce 'rapid top-growth' which leads to disease; the salts also deplete the natural eco-system that sustains microbial life in the soil. I buy hard-to-find garden products from kelp4less because my local resources are limited and believe in building the soil. My gardening spot started to really produce good results after investing into a worm farm, castings made a huge difference in soil quality... I was not impressed with the Mittleider or the wood chip methods, growing is not that easy.

Pure logic always win. Good stuff John. Not sustainable and run off is enough reasons to not use it. I share your opinions on this.

great info John...I do not want to buy a lot of stuff to put into the soil, when I enrich my soil with compost from my property

Can you give me a list of the plant food you said I think I’m spelling wrong I find it

John you are awesome, thank you for sharing your wisdom. I enjoy all your videos

Can you tell me more about the trace minerals? What rock dust do I need?