Healthy soil and sustainable growing

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

Others may have more on the subject. From what I've read, minerals need to
be worked in, not left on top. I mix small amounts of organic mineral
amendments like bone meal and greensand with alfalfa meal and aged manure
on top, then soak with dilute fish and molasses and soak it down further
with water. Then I mix that with the top inches of soil when it dries
sufficiently. That's only for initial bed preparation. I just add a thinner
layer of the same in suceeding seasons without turning it under, minus more
minerals. This is just my own way, not necessarily right for everyone. It's
my understanding that the organic acids in decomposition bind with the
minerals and nitrogen and this prevents leaching so they can become
available for plant roots as needed. 

On soil pH, I hate to guess but I question adding a lot of sulfur or
anything to try to change pH quickly. However, the Rodale books say adding
organic matter or finished compost tends to buffer high or low pH so plants
grow properly. Roadside grass may take up a lot of exhaust fumes.

paul tradingpost@lobo.net


*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

On 1/9/2008 at 8:35 AM Pumpkin Lady wrote:

>Hi, I'm new.
>
>Even though I got a nice shiny new rototiller for Christmas this year, 
>I'm perfectly willing to use it for small fire breaks, ground leveling 
>and softening in areas I have to move dirt rather than my garden...BUT 
>how do you get your mineral soil amendments in the ground? Just scatter 
>them on top and leave them rather than tilling them in?
>
>I seriously need sulfur added to my garden beds. My soil pH is 
>marginally too high and my water pH is higher, so the pH in the garden 
>is only going to go up.  This is my first time working this soil, and it 
>is a former (small) pasture, even so, I am not supposed to till to 
>loosen the soil if I understand correctly? Just scatter sulfur on top 
>now and let sit there, or is it ok to work stuff in with something 
>smaller than a tiller into the first inch or two?
>
>I don't have a lot of hay or stuff. Pretty much the acreage I have is a 
>lot of weeds and some grass. I can get some mulch from the grass.  Can I 
>use mulch mowed from grass on the side of the road or is that still 
>considered a bad idea?(Was it ever a bad idea?) I had also been 
>contemplating planting some perennial alfalfa for future use, but I 
>wonder if that would be too hot for mulching with. Everyone says alfalfa 
>can burn plants, but does it if it's only on top of the soil? If I 
>shredded up newspaper to add to the grass is that a bad idea, or should 
>I stick to that for marking my permanent walkways with?
>
>I'd appreciate any input.
>
>Thanks,
>Morgan (zone 7a-b border) West Texas.
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