NATURE’S MIRACLE: Natural Yucca Shidigera Extract and ‘Go Green’ Gardening

 With the emphasis on all – natural, organic products for gardening in our ever – increasingly ‘Go Green’ world, consumers are searching the shelves for earth friendly gardening items. There are not an abundance of them – yet. However, there are some worth considering. Those with a natural extract of Yucca shidigera (Mohave yucca) added are among those.

The Yucca shidigera plant, a member of the lily family, has grown naturally for thousands of years in the Southwestern deserts of the United States and throughout the Baja region of Mexico. Reportedly used by the pre- Columbian native cultures as well as most southwest United States native Indian tribes for many purposes including medicinal, it continues today as a multifaceted plant and is used for agricultural purposes as well as a food supplement for animals. Most all soft drink and beer manufacturers use it in their production primarily as a foaming agent. Perhaps most interesting, yucca is proving in clinical trials to have remarkable potential in the field of medicine. It is thought to be helpful in the treatment of arthritis, gout, and possibly many other ailments including cancer. Further testing and research will no doubt add to the powerful impact yucca is having on us – for the best.

It is undoubtedly another of nature’s miracles – organic, nontoxic, natural and becoming increasingly useful in today’s world especially in the agricultural arena.

One reason for the yucca plant’s successful use in agricultural applications is that it contains high concentrations of steroidal saponin which enable it to grow in harsh desert extremes. When extracted and added to organic fertilizers/soil enhancers such as our own blend of liquid worm castings (worm tea), it provides a boost to the microbial activity of the blend and assists in water absorption and retention. It has a symbiotic effect on the solution thereby increasing the positive effects on plants.

Yucca shidigera extract is a natural surfactant (wetting agent). It literally makes water ‘wetter’ thereby increasing the absorption rate of a solution containing it. (While there are man – made chemical wetting agents derived from petroleum and alcohol, they are not helpful to plants and, in fact, may damage them and the microbial activity in the soil in which they are planted.) This wetting agent factor is important to liquid blends of fertilizers made for foliar (leaf) spraying. Plants sprayed with a solution containing yucca extract absorb the solution at a much faster rate than without it

Yucca shidigera contains its own organic beneficial elements which are also taken in by the plant. Some are believed to be helpful in pest and disease control. Additionally, it is a soil enhancer useful in invigorating the beneficial microbes in the soil while contra influencing the harmful ones.

So, in today’s increasingly environment – friendly world where the average homeowner is becoming involved in ‘safer’ gardening, using natural organic products such as those with yucca extract added will only assist in reducing the use of harmful chemicals and prevent them from polluting our earth and water supply. “Go Green’ is more than a slogan – it is becoming a lifestyle; you can help!

(This is the third article in the Nature’s Miracle series by Dennis Copson. More info is available at www.naturesbigbud.com)