Healthy soil and sustainable growing

["Art Corbit" <art_c@cox.net>]

Morning Paul,

I see your point and agree. I am in between places where I can do much of
anything and as soon as possible I will be starting over also. However I
have lived this way and know what it takes to get it done. I wouldn't trade
my younger years with anyone. I learned a lot that didn't seem important
then but it sure does now.

My biggest problem is I am 67 years old and in real bad health. I have a
serious calcium problem and for years all my joints have been slowly
freezing up. My spine is completely fused and I am all bent over and have to
go on a cane. I have no choice but employ the use of some tools. I am simply
not able to do a lot of the things most people can do.

Even the building of raised beds is a major task for me any more so if I set
out to raise most of my food I would have no choice but use a small tractor
and use the open field method. Having to use one hand on my cane makes it
really hard for me to do anything that requires both hands at the same time.
I must pull a two wheeled cart with one hand rather than pushing a wheel
barrow.

I would love nothing better than to be able to do most things with my bare
hands but that just isn't possible any more. I take my hat off to you though
for your attitude and being to put your best foot forward and trying.


----- Original Message -----
From: "TradingPostPaul" <tradingpost@riseup.net>
To: <livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2006 10:49 PM
Subject: [Livingontheland] power tools & bought inputs/ Wheat is the new oil


>
> My situation is I'm having to start from scratch this year, having
> relocated recently. Not even planting this year, just building soil and
> beds. After this, no-till. And all the compost and mulch are coming from
> this property, no bought inputs.  I'm 62 and if I can do it, not being an
> expert or as widely experienced as some on this list, then almost anybody
> can.
>
>
> paul tradingpost@lobo.net
>
> Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes.
> --Henry David Thoreau
> *********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********
>
> On 7/29/2006 at 9:39 PM TradingPostPaul wrote:
>
> >As it is I'm working without any powered machinery. The day will come
when
> >we need to do without, and plenty of people now need to grow who can't
> >afford a thousand dollars here and a thousand dollars there.  We have a
> >tremendous advatage with the knowledge from so many sources, so we should
> >be able to do much better than our forebears, shouldn't we? Shouldn't we
> be
> >able to feed ourselves on an acre or less, without power tools?
> >
> >paul tradingpost@lobo.net
> >
> >Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes.
> >--Henry David Thoreau
> >*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********
> >
> >On 7/29/2006 at 2:47 PM Art Corbit wrote:
> >
> >>Hi Paul,
> >>
> >>A good riding lawn mower with a grass catcher on it and a large compost
> >>pile
> >>are worth their weight in gold. It is really good for the raised bed
> >>gardens.
> >>
> >>
> >>----- Original Message -----
> >>From: "TradingPostPaul" <tradingpost@riseup.net>
> >>To: <livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org>
> >>Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2006 2:29 PM
> >>Subject: Re: [Livingontheland] Wheat is the new oil
> >>
> >>
> >>>
> >>> Think that needs to be stressed. You can't make two and two equal
five.
> >>> Returning all available organic waste to the soil was the prime
> >directive
> >>> Sir Albert laid out back in the '40s. It was his demonstrations and
> >>> lectures that prompted J.I. Rodale to start pushing organic growing.
> >>>
> >>> We were scouting around the other day looking for sources of soil
> >>> amendments when it dawned on me (or was it the sunrise), we have half
> an
> >>> acre of green weeds growing on our new place. If I cut all that and
> >>compost
> >>> it before it goes to seed, we'll have more than enough to loosen the
> >clay
> >>> and cover the beds. Also found plenty of native clump grass to dig up
> >and
> >>> add to growing beds. Unless I heard wrong, that's a lot of root mass,
> >>green
> >>> growth on top, and mycorrhizae-formed humus underneath. It's virgin
> >soil,
> >>> grows a lot of rabbit brush and when monsoon comes, a lot of native
> >>grass.
> >>> I figure the trick is to avoid working it anymore after placing it in
> >the
> >>> beds, so as to keep it from the air as much as possible. Starting
> over's
> >>no
> >>> picnic, but the best possible growing soil is the only way I know to
> the
> >>> best production - and the only way to make it worth doing at all.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> paul tradingpost@lobo.net
> >>>
>
>
>
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