Q: My relatives in Alabama swear by something called “basic swag” for their gardens. They say it’s a nutrient that comes in powdered form and you broadcast it over your green vegetables. Can you help me find some?

A: I think they’re asking about “basic slag”, a byproduct of steel making. It’s commonly sold near Birmingham as a liming material. The product is not typically found here because it’s so heavy to ship and garden lime is so cheap. Tell them to have a soil test done (www.georgiasoiltest.com) and add lime as recommended.

Basic Slag