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livingontheland - Re: [Livingontheland] power tools & bought inputs/ Wheat is the new oil

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Subject: Healthy soil and sustainable growing

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  • From: Harvey Ussery <huboxwood@earthlink.net>
  • To: livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Livingontheland] power tools & bought inputs/ Wheat is the new oil
  • Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2006 15:23:09 +0000

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.
And all the compost and mulch are coming from
this property, no bought inputs.

Paul, is that a half acre that you can set aside permanently as "fertility patch"? If so, have you considered growing comfrey to feed your vegetable beds? Comfrey can be tremendously productive, high in nitrogen and minerals. Don't know how it would do in New Mex, but I'm planting it in every unused corner and along many edges, in the orchard, etc.--extremely useful plant. (Have also established smaller fertility patches of stinging nettle.)

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

Well, dang, boy--I was 62 two weeks ago! Another greenhorn rank beginner at the Great Adventure--how 'bout that?!

Good luck with the new place. Taking a year out just to build up the soil is probably frustrating but will surely pay off.

~Harvey

--
Harvey in northern Va
www.themodernhomestead.us




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