All three were formed many hundreds of millions of years ago before the time of the dinosaurs - hence the name fossil fuels.
The age they were formed is called the Carboniferous Period.
It was part of the Paleozoic Era. "Carboniferous" gets its name from carbon, the basic element in coal and other fossil fuels.
The Carboniferous Period occurred from about 360 to 286 million years ago. At the time, the land was covered with swamps filled with huge trees, ferns and other large leafy plants.
The main deposits of fossil fuels are from the Carboniferous Period. As the trees and plants died, they sank to the bottom of the swamps..
They formed layers of a spongy material call peat.
Over many hundreds of years, the peat was covered by sand and clay and other minerals, which turned into a type of rock called sedimentary.
More and more rock piled on top of more rock, and it weighed more and more.
It began to press down on the peat. The peat was squeezed and squeezed until the water came out of it and it eventually, over millions of years, it turned into coal, oil or petroleum, and natural gas.” (Extracted from Internet)

One can liken this then to fossilized compost, very rich in minerals and organic acids. In more recent times scientists have learnt to extract Humate and Fulvic acid from peat and coal especially the low grade or poor coal.
Preparations on these two organic substances are becoming big business overseas for agriculture and horticulture use. The reasons been simple, these solutions have so many uses and benefits to soil, plants and the food chain that its like magic.

In the USA gardeners buy a litre of Humate and Fulvic acid for their gardens for $15 to $25 (US) dependant on quality type. There are also Preparations (to be taken) used for health benefits in humans.

In New Zealand there are a few companies (Agricultural and Turf) that import Preparations of Humate and Fulvic acid for farming, horticulture and turf.
Recently I had a contact from one of my garden readers in New Plymouth to say that he had a company that was producing Humate and Fulvic acid from NZ low grade coal.
He also told me that they had sent samples to a world leading scientist in America (who is right into research on Humate and Fulvic acid) and it was reported back that the Humate and Fulvic acid from NZ fossilized coal was comparable to the better known formulations in the world.

It appears that there are various grades of Humate and Fulvic acid extracts and some are not so good in their actions.
How does this relate to you and your garden? As mentioned before, there are many applications that Humate and Fulvic acid can be used for, some of the most interesting include; Unlocking chemicals in the soil. If you have been using fertilisers in your garden for sometime, you will have a lot of fertiliser locked up in the soil.

Plants cant use this and all that happens is the chemicals slowly leach away causing pollution to under ground water.
Drench the soil with Humate and Fulvic acid and these come available to plants.
You could have a lot of dollars locked up in your gardens and lawns.
It will also clean up many undesirable chemicals in soil and in one trial contaminated land was transformed into certifiable organic in 12 months.
Some Councils are trialling Humate and Fulvic acid to clean up contaminated sites in their areas.
Humate and Fulvic acid is a growth booster for plants, it makes for much bigger root systems, stronger and healthier plants.
It is been used with balanced NPK fertilisers to create world record vegetables in America such as 26.7 kg Celery and a 14 kg cauliflower to mention two of many.
If you are into growing record breaking vegetables for shows this could be for you.
More benefits include;

Helps to release locked up fertilisers from past applications especially phosphates.

Helps increase availability of chemical fertilisers and organic foods for plants.

Helps reduce many common plant disease problems.

Cleans up many toxic compounds, chemicals and oil spills in soil.

Helps to establish plants in areas where they cant or struggle to establish.

Stimulates growth of soil micro organisms.

Increases root respiration and formation.

Increases availability of micro nutrients.

Increases permeability of plant membranes, which enhances nutrient uptake.

Increases vitamin content of plants.

Improves seed germination.

Accelerates root development.

Stimulates plant enzymes.

Contains a number of trace elements such as Si, Mg, S, Mn and more.

Increases photosynthesis.

Contains silica which strengthens cell walls, helps block disease and regulates cell temperature which increases drought and frost tolerance.

Increase pH buffering properties of soil.

Retains and releases water soluble fertilisers for plants when needed.

Increases soil aeration.

Improves soil structure.

Makes soil more friable.

Has a capacity to detoxify chemical residues and heavy metals.

A powerful, natural chelating agent.

Improves taste and shelf-life.

Fulvic acid can promote prolonged production, as it tends to delay the aging process.

Fulvic acid increases the metabolism of proteins.

Humate and Fulvic acid is available in many garden centres under the name of Magic Botanic Liquid (MBL) in one litre and 500 ml bottles. Used at the rates of 1:50 as a soil drench as required and 1:100 as a foliar spray once or twice a month.
A must for roses, tomatoes and all vegetable and fruit crops.
Green keepers are using it for better turf so onto the lawn for better healthier lawns.
Whether you use chemical fertilisers or organic preparations MBL will give you better results and you need to use far less chemical fertilisers and so saving you money.
Put it in your weed killers for better results. Can be mixed as a foliage spray with most garden sprays to advantage.
The commercial trade name is Liquid Good.
I believe this is one of the greatest gardening products since we invented the spade.
Available by mail order these pages Mail Order

To order phone 0800 466464
You can reach me by e-mail at: wallyjr@manawatu.gen.nz