Healthy soil and sustainable growing

["TradingPostPaul" <tradingpost@riseup.net>]

(We visited Frank and Vicki Gianangelo a few years ago in far western NM.
They have permanent raised beds, ground alfalfa hay for adding organic
matter, intensive planting, and more. These are practices we've stressed
repeatedly on this list, for lower cost, less work, and more production  -
paul tradingpost@lobo.net )

GIANNANGELO FARMS SOUTHWEST
AVANT-GARDENING: CREATIVE ORGANIC GARDENING
http://www.avant-gardening.com/companion.html

BIO-INTENSIVE PLANTING

Chemical interactions also affect plants growing in close proximity, either
promoting or retarding their growth, and health, above and below ground.

A garden planted with single rows uses more soil area and resources, is
more difficult to mulch, the soil dries out faster and produces more weeds,
and becomes quickly compacted from walking and jumping between rows.

Planting crops closely together in wide rows, takes advantage of the
physical and chemical characteristics of each plant. Planting crops close
together for the highest yield of each plant will benefit each plant, if
planted in symbiotic relationship.

An intensive intercropping in 3 to 5 foot wide raised beds will provide the
most efficient use of soil area. Framing the edges with soil, brick, stone,
or wood will provide an area of containment for the soil, organic
nutrients, water, and mulch. Plant foliage can be used to provide an area
of “living shade”, promoting water, nutrient, and soil, conservation.

Since wide raised beds are never stepped on, or walked in, they are not
trampled or compacted, allowing each plant to easily spread it's roots and
grow to it's maximum potential, live and grow in a minimum of stress, and
provide the healthiest crop. Unstressed plants are more able to resist an
insect attack.

The amount of time it takes to mature a plant from seed or transplanting,
its leaf and rooting patterns, light, and nutrient requirements are major
factors when planning an intensive garden. Timing your crops to provide a
constant harvest is another important aspect. Successive planting means
that you do not plant all your seeds at the same time in one big crop. By
planting successively, two or more crops may be harvested assuring a
continuous supply throughout the entire growing season. For example, by
planting lettuce or spinach every two weeks, you can harvest it all season
with no gaps in production.

Intensive intercropping, along with companion planting, will provide the
maximum amount of food production, and will reduce your garden size, water
and nutrient requirements, and allow you to grow the healthiest plants.

Understanding the growth patterns of each plant's foliage will allow you to
plant smaller plants next to larger plants, for the benefit of both.

Plants have different sun and shade requirements, and plants that prefer
shade should be planted under those that want sun. Lettuce and spinach will
benefit if planted under the shade of a taller companion.

Plant foliage also acts like a "living mulch", cooling the soil under the
plants, as well as providing shade.

Water and nutrient needs are different for each plant, both which can be
maximized by conditioning your soil with organic matter such as composted
manures, compost, and a good layer of alfalfa mulch. Plants that require a
lot of nitrogen and sunlight need to be rotated with plants that don't.
Always follow a root crop with a leafy crop, and a heavy feeder like corn
with a legumes crop.

More at
http://www.avant-gardening.com/companion.html