Soils

With so much chemical use farming - we have almost forgotten - the only thing a farmer has that can make him money is the soil. All things on the farm come from the soil and it pays to take care of how you manage it or you could end up dirt poor.

Adding composts: Compost comes in many forms but the basis for compost is the microbial life which breaks down minerals and organic material and gives them back to the plants. Without microbes feeding plants, they must be "hand-fed" the nutrients they need to grow. The relationship between soil microbes and plants is symbiotic and in nature, one does not survive without the other. The microbes also attach to the plant roots and multiply to extend how the plant takes in moisture so the plant has the benefit of extended access to moisture in the soil during dry periods. These are fine, microscopic fibers the microbes build to supply its host with all the soil minerals and moisture and good health.

When chemicals are introduced in high concentrations, the delicate microbes are killed off and the plant becomes dependent on the farmer supplying what the plant needs.

When the soil is left bare over any period of time or season, this also exposes the delicate microbes un-naturally to sun, harsh winters or pounding rains. All of these exposures change the natural compostion of the soil.

Natural compost microbes are present in the stomachs of animals because they must digest what they eat so adding animal manure is one way to increase soil health.

Another form is compost tea (water soaked manure and then the water is drained off and sprayed on fields and gardens. Do not spray on leafy plants you will be eating but all the nutrients are there and none of the weed seed is. Lawns are a place that benefit from this application.

Compost can also be made from the soil itself and food scraps. Just pile food scraps, then dirt, then food scraps. Turn the pile occationally and eventually it will turn to black gold and will grow things better than the most expensive store bought potting mix.

Adding fungus to your soil - on the Mushroom Raising page is a link to show you how to add healthy fungus to your soil. Fungus are also thought to break down contaminated soils and reduce toxic wastes over time.

Vermiculture: Is growing worms or increasing your worm population. If you have hard soil - add some sand to give the worms grit to eat and start your program of adding materials for composting. Worms will do a large potion of the turning the soil under and benefit deep rooted plants.

Cover crops: can also bring nutrients from deep below the surface and feed it to the top soil. Beans, alfalfa and clover are loved by animals and fix nitrogen for grass plants to thrive on. But it is the soil microbes that convert the nitrogen over to the grasses.

Finally, add carbon materials and or charcoals if you have seriously toxic soil. They will help absorb the toxins and makke it safe for microbial, worm and cover crop health.