The Coeur d'Alene Coop

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The Coeur d'Alene Coop

1 day ago

The Coeur d'Alene Coop
I am a strong advocate for NOT tilling the garden. Why would you want to destroy all those good and necessary microbes and worms? While it may seem like you are fluffing the soil, you are in fact, eliminating the necessary air and water pockets and further compacting the soil. If you don't think these are reason enough, rototilling brings MILLIONS of dormant weed seeds to the surface -- and who needs that??SOIL AS HABITAT — RETIRE YOUR ROTOTILLERHumans have been plowing and tilling the soil long before recorded history. Convincing farmers and gardeners to ditch the plow and retire the rototiller is not easy. It now appears, however, that science is telling us to do just that. Most years in mid-January I attend a two-day agricultural workshop sponsored by WSU or another regional university. Because of COVID, this year I opted for virtual training from the Soil Science of America. I usually come away from these intensive sessions like a junior high kid returning from church camp — wanting to share all the things I learned. These conferences are beginning to sound repetitive, however, and that’s a good thing. As science advances it has become clear that soil health largely depends upon providing enough carbon for the trillions of microorganisms that do the heavy lifting in providing an environment that can sustain the soil’s ability to grow healthy plant material. And that means we need to change our ways of doing things:• Most importantly ditch the rototiller. It destroys soil structure which affects the soil’s ability to provide sufficient pore space for the exchange of gases, increases the chance of erosion, and accelerates the rate of decomposition of organic matter. All of these issues deplete a soil’s ability to sustain a healthy population of microorganisms.• Rotate crops in your vegetable garden and try to plant legumes in each area every three years for added soil nitrogen. This will also attract nitrogen-fixing bacteria now appears, however, that science is telling us to do just that. s the rate of decomposition of organic matter. All of these issues deplete a soil’s ability to sustain a healthy population of microorganisms.• Provide plenty of organic matter by raising cover crops, mulching (ideally with homemade compost), and by not removing last season’s roots if possible. Obviously, keeping last season’s roots is not always practical but don’t be afraid to “drill” your new seeds into plant debris left in the soil. Adding this organic matter provides food for the microorganisms.• Avoid compaction of any kind especially when the soil is wet.• Do not over-fertilize. Healthy soils need few nutrient inputs beyond the organic matter provided as a result of cover crops, mulching, and keeping roots. Mineral fertilizers provide no food for microorganisms and excess applications can become toxic to many species.MBS ... See MoreSee Less

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