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  • From: "Pam Twin Oaks" <pam AT twinoaks.org>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [Market-farming] Excess phosphorus
  • Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:03:11 -0400

Has anyone successfully reduced phosphorus levels in their soils,
while staying organic and without reducing crop production (much)?
Until a few years ago, we had P levels of 200-220 ppm. In 2005 we had
350-550ppm. In 2006 levels were down a bit, but I also switched labs.
In 2007 we had 250-300ppm, with 440in the intensive raised beds. i
know the theory is to stop adding compost or manure, and increase the
fertility by using leguminous cover crops (thus adding fertility
without more P, until more P gets used up). But in practice how can I
do this without drastically reducing the productivity of the land? Our
crops look great. Well, of course, not everything is perfect, we do
have weeds, but overall, we get lots of food. Some people say, if the
crops seem fine and the pH is good, if you're farming organically
don't worry, the plants will sort themselves out. Do others think this
is true??

Pam, Twin Oaks Community, Louisa, central Virginia, zone 7.




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