Healthy soil and sustainable growing

["John D'hondt" <dhondt@eircom.net>]

And I have seen absolute proof on my own land that there are a multitude of 
micro organisms that fix nitrogen even without the legumes. A pile of pure 
softwood shavings is thought to have a carbon/nitrogen ratio of less than 1 
in 400. I have seen that be converted in compost with C/N ratio of 1/12 in 
less than 2 months.
The first time it took longer but after a few years it went very fast. And 
sometimes fertility is defined as the speed with which organic materials are 
broken down. Train your soil to do just that.
I never saw nitrogen robbing from my soil but then I always left the mulch 
on top without digging. That way there is contact with the air and it is 
there that 8 ton of nitrogen  gass is pressing down on every single square 
meter of earth surface.
john

> Actually those green manures which are legumes fix nitrogen in the soil 
> without tillage.
>
> *********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********
>
> 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
> >
> > *********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********
> >
> > 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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