Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

market-farming - [Market-farming] O2 & root zn?

market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Market Farming

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: "van weldon" <woodduckfarm AT ev1.net>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [Market-farming] O2 & root zn?
  • Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2003 09:46:04 -0600


Re: Oxygen requirements & root zones

Given I only have a certain amount of money budgeted for dirt work, I am
considering using a trackhoe to excavate soil from my shallow ponds for
building coldframe pads vs. bringing loads of outside dirt via dump trucks.
Problem is my pond bottom soil has a heavy clay content and pH of about 4.9.
While I can adjust the pH with lime and will top dress the permanent raised
beds with perhaps 6" of mushroom compost, I am a little concerned about the
lack of aeration associated with using a heavy soil. FYI I am looking to use
this excavated soil for my raised bed foundations as well.

Rather than purchasing gravel or shredded tires etc, one potential solution
might be to lay perforated air lines beneath the permanent raised beds
within the coldframes. I have read where some greenhouse growers have
practiced this technique with a periodic, perhaps every 7 to 14 days, of air
injection via a compressor, through these lines to enhance the root zone
with a fresh supply of oxygen.

Assuming they were vented, would laying some sort of drainage tile or
similar like perforated pipe at the base of a raised bed, i.e. bed is 40"
wide, provide more than enough adequate aeration without the hassle of a
compressor? I have read where some growers use a 4" perforated pipe, stuck
into their compost pile, for aeration.

Have any of you other growers had and/or know of any experience/techniques
such as the aforementioned practices or are my concerns overstated?

Thanks in advance,

Van






Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page