Healthy soil and sustainable growing

["Phil Bunch" <pbunch@cox.net>]

Thread was: RE:Cover crops benefit everyones soil

 

Zack:

 

Toward the beginning of next year I’m going to be living at about 2400 meters in the Colombian Andes. I’m interested your observations on low temperature gardening as our temperature range is between about 21-22C (low 70’s F) daytime and 10C (about 50 F) nighttime year around. Decomposition is noticeably slower than I am accustomed to. The rainfall averages around 2200 mm (about 87 inches). It’s mostly a potato climate but people do grow field corn to a limited extent.

 

Are you using green manure crops? If so which ones work well for you? I’ve been thinking about trying fava beans or some other cool season legumes. A lot of the soil on our parcel is in poor condition and we will need to improve it.

 

I like the idea of using polyethylene to warm up compost systems. Last year we built a three bin composting works but did not have time to get it started before we left. I hope the woman who takes care of the place has been using it. It’s really designed to provide enough to get a garden well on its way. Your comment on nutrient leaching has me thinking about building a roof over it. Perhaps turning it into a mini-greenhouse would be the trick. I guess it would require good ventilation to provide enough oxygen.

 

We need bigger solutions for the rest of the place.

 

Adelante…

Phil

 

-----Original Message-----
From: livingontheland-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:livingontheland-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Zachary Domikez
Sent: Saturday, October 06, 2007 10:45 AM
To: livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Re: [Livingontheland] Cover crops benefit everyones soil

 

Dieter and Aliza are in hot dry climates, which is the

opposite of the south of Chile.  Here, if you leave

the organic matter, the cool night temperatures,

always below 10C, or 50F, will reduce microbial

action, aka- decomposition.  That, and the regular

showers washing away the same microbes, leaves the

leaves, and the forests and fields here reflect that

lack of action.

 

There is very little topsoil production!  A bit more

warmth, less rain, and soil could develop.  Stuff just

sits there, year after year. . . . .

 

I compost in cubic meter (cubic yard) bins made out of

covered disposable polyethylene sleeves, to increase

the heat and reduce the washing action of the rain.

 

Also, lasagne layering has worked well for raised

beds.

 

Regards,

Zack

 

  ----- Original Message -----

  Didnt they talk about tilling the green manure crop

in?  I thought it was better to cut it and let it lay

on top instead of stirring up that  precious 6" on

top.  And of course doing it before it reseeds:o) 

 

Aliza

  ----- Original Message -----

  From: Dieter Brand

  Sent: Friday, October 05, 2007 11:13 AM

 

  The way I understand it is that cover crops are the

precondition for no-till  farming.

Dieter Brand

  Portugal

 

 

      

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