Healthy soil and sustainable growing

["Tradingpost" <tradingpost@lobo.net>]

Actually those green manures which are legumes fix nitrogen in the soil 
without tillage.

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On 2/18/2011 at 10:11 AM Tradingpost wrote:

>The wood biochar is made from is organic but the burning breaks down the
>organic compounds in it including volatized gasses and leaves only
>minerals including elemental carbon. Any nitrogen from the original
>material is gone. Chemistry 101. The remaining minerals do not feed
>earthworms or microbes that feed plant growth; only organic matter can do
>that. Biology 101. And obviously anything soaked in nitrogen would be a
>good source of nitrogen. The problem with soaking charcoal in nitrogen is
>you can't. It's a gas. If you're thinking of saving the fuel from tillage,
>think of the fuel wasted in the burning. It could be used to heat a house.
>And making charcoal releases CO2 to the atmosphere. Ecology 101.
>
>You mention
>Are not normal organic practices,
>>green manures which require tillage to get the nitrogen in the soil? Is
>>that not damaging to soil structure?
>
>Organic practices do not "damage" the soil. Organic gardening can feed the
>world.
>
>paul tradingpost@lobo.net
>
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>
>On 2/18/2011 at 12:05 AM richard green wrote:
>
>>Charcoal is organic matter, which is why nature makes charcoal? Every
>>forest fire that is rained on! Is not composting accelerated
>>decomposition? We do in months what nature would take years to accomplish.
>>This includes deep mulch sheet composting. Charcoal is stable OM requiring
>>centuries to decompose, it resist compaction and provides a habitat for
>>mycorrhizal fungi. Is not every perminate raised bed at some time formed
>>by moving soil? Thus aerated? Bio-char is a one time application, or it
>>can be accomplished thru multiple applications thru sheet composting by
>>addition to your normal compost and used as a mulch, and it is a good
>>nitrogen source if soaked in nitrogen. Are not normal organic practices,
>>green manures which require tillage to get the nitrogen in the soil? Is
>>that not damaging to soil structure? I rescued another pile of leafs from
>>the side of the road destined for the local land fill today they will
>>become mulch or compost, I left the branches that could have become
>>biochar because I've not yet dug a small fire pit. I am doing my share to
>>help . I thank God for Rondale who remained open minded to new ways of
>>thinking and re-testing of old ideas and asked himself if there is a
>>better way. My intent is to test not argue. I respect and share the same
>>beliefs as many on this list. However,Thank of the savings in fuel alone
>>if OG farmers could skip the tillage of green manures?
>>
>>
>>Rick
>>
>
>
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