Understanding Brix in Agriculture

Understanding Brix in Agriculture

The Role of Brix in Agriculture

In one sentence: High Brix levels improve flavor, nutrition, and shelf life, while also offering potential pest management benefits. Today, growers, gardeners, and agronomists use Brix as a simple, powerful window into plant health.

Brix measures the soluble solids in plant sap. While it primarily reflects sugars, it also includes vitamins, minerals, amino acids, proteins, and phytonutrients. Because sugars are the most abundant, Brix is often interpreted as a sugar reading — but it’s really much more than that.

High-Brix Crops:

• Taste better: Richer sweetness and flavor complexity, from tomatoes with depth, to melons with perfume, to peaches with unforgettable character.
  
  

• Provide more nutrition: Higher levels of antioxidants, flavonoids, and polyphenols that support human health.
  
  

• Store longer: They dehydrate rather than rot, improving shelf life and reducing waste.
  
  

• Show natural resilience: Many insects lose interest once plants reach higher Brix, making them less vulnerable under pressure.
  
  

With a simple hand-held refractometer (about $20), even home gardeners can measure Brix in seconds to gauge fruit and vegetable quality.

Brix and Plant Health

In regenerative agriculture, Brix has become a trusted diagnostic tool. Field managers and researchers consistently see strong links between sap Brix, nutrient balance in the soil, and crop resilience.

Insect Group

Brix Tolerance (Lose Interest Above)

Aphids & Scales

~6–8 Brix

Sucking Insects

~7–9 Brix

Chewing Insects

~9–11 Brix

Grasshoppers & Similar

~10–12 Brix

Above 12 Brix, plants often grow with minimal insect pressure. While not foolproof—caterpillars and a few other pests may still feed—Brix provides an early warning system for plant stress and crop vulnerability.

A Farmer’s Testimony: Calcium and Brix

From years of sap analysis, one trend is clear: calcium availability directly influences Brix. When calcium is lacking, Brix stays low no matter how balanced the soil test looks. Foliar sprays of bioavailable calcium often raise Brix within hours, while skipping applications leads to rapid declines.

Calcium strengthens cell walls, supports nutrient flow, and balances other minerals. Without it, plants cannot maintain high Brix.

Limits to High Brix: Weather and Sunlight

Even with excellent soil fertility and nutrient programs, sunlight is the ultimate driver of photosynthesis. Extended cloudy or wet weather makes it harder for plants to build sugars. Farmers should focus on what they can control—soil, nutrients, and timing—while recognizing that natural conditions still set boundaries.

Soil Microbiology and Plant Resilience

Healthy soils, rich in bacteria and fungi, are vital for maintaining higher Brix. Soil organisms unlock minerals, making calcium, phosphorus, and micronutrients more available to plants. By fostering living soils—through compost, cover crops, worm castings, and mycorrhizal fungi—farmers can consistently push crops toward higher Brix and better overall performance.

How to Increase Brix

If you want sweeter, more nutritious, and more resilient crops, focus on:

• Sunlight – Prioritize light exposure for photosynthesis.
  
  

• Soil Microbiology – Build living soils with organic matter and biological inoculants.
  
  

• Calcium Balance – Keep calcium available but balanced with magnesium.
  
  

• Phosphates – Essential for sugar transport and photosynthesis.
  
  

• Support Nutrients – Iron, humic/fulvic acids, amino acids, and kelp extracts all contribute to higher Brix.
  
  

• Avoid Excess Nitrates – Too much nitrogen burns carbohydrates and lowers Brix.
  
  

• Foliar Sprays – Well-timed applications of calcium, boron, phosphates, and trace elements can boost Brix quickly.
  
  

Practical Tips for Measuring Brix

• Test consistently at the same time of day (morning readings are often more stable).
  
  

• Be mindful of weather and shading, which affect results.
  
  

• Refractometers are calibrated to 68°F; use correction charts when needed.
  
  

• Track trends over time to measure progress.
  
  

Final Thoughts

Brix testing isn’t a silver bullet, but it is one of the most practical and low-cost tools for gauging plant health and crop quality. It reflects the combined effects of sugars, nutrients, soil biology, and sunlight.

As soil scientist Dr. William Albrecht said:

“Insects and disease are the symptoms of a failing crop, not the cause of it.”

By focusing on practices that raise Brix, farmers can grow crops that:

• Deliver superior flavor
  
  

• Offer greater nutrition
  
  

• Store longer
  
  

• Withstand stress more effectively
  
  

👉 Takeaway: Grow for high Brix. Measure it, manage it, and let better flavor, nutrition, and resilience be the proof.

📌 Adapted from the work of Chad Westport, Dr. Thomas Dykstra, and field experience with sap analysis.

Squeeze Citrus Article

Tucked into the sandy soils of South Georgia, where the heat kisses the citrus leaves and the seasons push the limits of cultivation, lies a citrus farm unlike any other. Known affectionately as Squeeze Citrus, this regenerative operation embodies a bold vision: food as medicine, flavor as revelation, and soil as sacred.

In a recent visit with the farmer behind the orchard, I unearthed not only citrus trees teeming with life but also an entire philosophy rooted in healing—of people, land, and the broader food system. This grower’s innovative approach challenges the orthodoxy of modern organic farming and offers a blueprint for others hoping to break free from input-heavy, extractive models of industrial farming. Here are the key insights from the grove.

The Core Philosophy: Food That Heals

“Raising food that can heal,” the farmer repeats like a mantra, not just to guests but to the soil, the trees, and the young hands helping prune branches or prep foliar mixes. This isn’t health food in the modern retail sense—it’s a radical return to nutrient-dense, flavor-rich fruit designed to nourish deeply.

The target? 8x the nutritional density of conventional citrus. That’s not marketing fluff. It’s a scientifically supported metric supported by analysis at a USDA Certified Lab comparing Squeeze Citrus with conventional citrus from nearby groves. Along the way, the orchard has unlocked “new flavor compounds you didn’t realize existed”—a serendipitous result of nutrient synergy that surprises even seasoned tasters. “Marvelous taste” is not the goal, but it’s a powerful side effect.

Building a Regenerative System: Soil First, Always

This farmer’s secret is no secret: start with the soil.

“Everything we do begins with the biology beneath our boots,” he says, gesturing to a row of trees alive with pollinators, earthworms, and shimmering ground cover.

The tools of the trade are familiar to regenerative practitioners—but the way they're integrated shows the depth of experience:

• Inoculants: High-powered microbial innoculates  kickstart biological activity and suppress disease.
  
  

• Cover Crops: From nitrogen-fixing legumes to flowering species attracting beneficials, every cover crop is chosen with intention.
  
  

• No-Tillage: Zero disturbance ensures soil structure, mycorrhizal webs, and carbon stores continually build.
  
  

• Education Through Immersion: Take time to visit other farmers at their operations. The world now shares its information on Podcasts and Youtube.

Looking Ahead: Citrus at the Wood’s Edge?

For growers in transitional or mixed operations, the farm offers a compelling idea: edge planting of citrus using resilient rootstocks like Flying Dragon, paired with hardy Satsuma varieties sourced from Georgia Grown Citrus or Madison Grove Citrus.

The idea is to build microclimates, increase diversity, protect from the cold and turn underused edges into productive zones—blurring the line between agroforestry and orchard.

Conclusion: A Taste of the Future

Squeeze Citrus is more than a farm—it’s a philosophy in practice. It challenges the assumptions of organic certification, champions a systems-first approach, and invites all of us to rethink what food can be.

For farmers seeking a path that heals the land and feeds the soul, this regenerative citrus operation is a living, fruiting example. The trees speak for themselves. So does the flavor.

And if you’re lucky enough to taste it, you won’t forget it. Find him atwww.squeezecitrus.com.

Building Profitable and Healthy Forage Systems

At the September Carroll County Young Farmers Meeting, guest speaker Terry Chandler challenged farmers to rethink traditional grazing systems and consider how management decisions can directly impact both profitability and long-term soil health. His insights shed light on practical strategies for building stronger, more resilient forage systems that can carry livestock operations forward for years to come.

Spring vs. Fall Calving

One of the key takeaways was the financial difference between spring and fall calving. Chandler emphasized that calving in sync with your forage availability can return as much as $500 more per head compared to calving during a time of the year that requires more supplemental feeding. The economics are clear: aligning calving with natural forage growth patterns reduces input costs and maximizes the value of available forage.

Stocking Rates and Forage Utilization

Chandler recommended increasing stocking rates by potentially adding 300–400 pound calves in the spring to take advantage of abundant forage growth. This approach ensures that excess forage is utilized efficiently while improving overall animal performance.

Rethinking Fertilizer and Lime

Many producers assume commercial fertilizer and lime are necessary expenses. Chandler challenged this mindset, noting that fertilizer and lime are often not needed if rotational grazing is practiced correctly. Healthy grazing systems recycle nutrients through manure and urine distribution, reducing dependency on costly inputs.

The Power of Organic Matter

Soil tests now show organic matter levels of 5–10 percent in well-managed pastures. This is no small achievement. Chandler reminded farmers that a 1% increase in organic matter releases roughly 20 pounds of additional nitrogen per acre, providing free fertility straight from the soil.  It also has the storage capacity of (the equivalent of ) 1" of water per percent of organic matter.  Improving soil biology through management practices is a long-term investment that pays big dividends.

Garlic Growing Essentials: Lessons from Lynnae Boudreau of Sigma Farm By Ryan Ayers

Garlic Growing Essentials: Lessons from Lynnae Boudreau of Sigma Farm
By Ryan Ayers

The Carroll County Young Farmers gathered Tuesday evening, October 7, at the Carroll County Agricultural Center to hear from Lynnae Boudreau of Sigma Farm, who shared her passion and practical wisdom for growing one of agriculture’s most flavorful crops — garlic. Her presentation, Garlic Growing Essentials, offered a deep dive into the art and science behind cultivating healthy, profitable garlic in Georgia’s climate.

The Long Game of Garlic

“Garlic takes months to grow,” Lynnae began, “and that’s a challenge when you’re trying to fit other vegetables into your rotation.” But patience pays off. Garlic thrives when given time to root through the winter and size up in the spring. While it faces little deer, pest, or disease pressure, success begins with smart rotation and attention to sulfur — both in the soil and as a preventative dusting against fungal issues.

Sulfur, she explained, slightly acidifies the soil and strengthens root development. “The roots develop well in winter,” she said, “but the sizing up happens in spring.”

Choosing Varieties

Lynnae grows both hardneck and softneck garlic, each with its strengths. She recommends hardneck varieties for flavor and quality, though softnecks tend to produce more cloves. Hardnecks also send up scapes — flowering stalks that should be clipped to direct energy back into the bulb. “Clip the scapes,” she encouraged. “They’re delicious.”

For southern growers, Creole varieties are a smart choice, as they prefer warmer weather. Lynnae grows around ten varieties at once, ensuring that if one struggles, others will thrive. Her favorites include Basque, Blossom, Madrid, Spanish Roja, and Sicilian Silver.

Soil, Paper, and Patience

More than once, Lynnae emphasized that her true focus isn’t just on garlic — it’s on soil health. “As a farmer, I grow good soil,” she said. Her no-till system fosters healthy soil communities and prevents erosion. Her method is simple: mow, fertilize, then cover with weed paper.

“I get great paper from Weed Guard Plus,” she shared. “It stays on the surface, and I use cattle panels to hold it down.” Four rolls cost her $232, with another $234 in shipping — a total of $466 spread over three years. “I don’t have to weed in the summer,” she said with a grin. “That makes me happy.”

Planting and Fertilizing

Each clove — which Lynnae reminded everyone is technically a modified leaf — is planted about two inches deep and six inches apart. She plants five rows per four-foot strip of weed paper, using cattle panels as a spacing guide.

Larger farms may use mechanical planters, but Lynnae keeps things hands-on. “I use a stick with a nail and a maul,” she explained. “It works just fine.”

Her fertilizer of choice is either 10-10-10 rainbow mix with micronutrients or chicken manure and lime. In the spring, she uses a fish emulsion foliar spray to feed the plants. The goal? Heads about two and a half inches across — firm, flavorful, and well-wrapped.

Harvest and Curing

When there are four to six green leaves remaining, Lynnae knows it’s harvest time. “Don’t pull your garlic,” she warned. “Shovel and then pull.” Once harvested, she gently rubs the bulbs clean but never washes them. Instead, she hangs them in the barn to cure for about three weeks.

For seed garlic, she looks for bulbs with at least four intact paper layers. “Seed garlic is expensive — $25 to $30 per pound,” she noted. “That’s why I keep my own seed each year.” She keeps records on each variety — how many she plants, how many she needs, and how they perform.

Her go-to source for seed stock has been Filaree Garlic Farm, whose owner also wrote Growing Great Garlic, a book Lynnae calls her “garlic bible.”

Selling the Harvest

Lynnae markets about 2,500 heads of garlic per year, with large heads selling individually for $1 each and braids of ten smaller heads selling for $8. Presentation matters, she said — she always cleans the roots and leaves before selling.

She cures her garlic in the barn, then stores it in baskets in an arid, shaded place. “Heads with complete papers have a better shot at lasting longer,” she added.

More Than Just Garlic

Lynnae also shared some fascinating facts:

• Garlic’s aroma doesn’t appear until it’s cut or bruised.

• Elephant garlic is actually a leek — milder in flavor and sometimes forming single “rounds” instead of multi-clove heads.

• Garlic can serve as a natural parasite prevention for livestock.

And behind all her practical know-how, there’s philosophy too. Her farm, Sigma Farm, takes its name from the Greek letter meaning summation. “We are the sum of all good things in that system,” she explained. “I created something that is good for them.”

Final Thoughts

Lynnae’s closing message was clear: garlic growing is about balance — between patience and timing, soil and plant, effort and reward. With careful management, even small-scale farmers can produce marketable, profitable garlic while improving their soil for future crops.

For anyone considering garlic as part of their crop rotation, her advice was simple and hopeful: start small, take notes, and grow good soil.