permaculture

[venaurafarm <venaurafarm@bellsouth.net>]

On 1/3/2013 2:42 PM, paul wheaton wrote:
> This podcast is officially Helen Atthowe and I reviewing the DVD
> "Hands on Agronomy" - which is reported to be a four year soil science
> degree in 80 minutes.  But I think Helen and I do a good job of
> getting 90% of the way there in 77 minutes.
>
> We talk about NPK, the Albrecht Method, pH, calcium and a list of soil
> nutrients.  We discuss different ways of describing soil and the
> difference between soil and dirt.  We talk about soil biology.
>
> Quick summary:  the DVD is excellent.
>
> http://www.permies.com/t/19840
>
> I think this is one of my all time best podcasts.  I hope that you all
> will share this far and wide.

That should be interesting. Soil life and soil quality is a special 
interest of mine. I will listen to all 77 minutes and post feedback 
here. There are some very interesting schools of thought about soil
quality as applies to (Natural) gardeners, farmers and permaculturists.

Issues and discplines:

Albrecht
Mehlich
soil testing
plant tissue testing
soil minerals
soil mineral balancing
natural soil amendments
composting
microbial teas

organic matter, compost, humus, soil microbes and their role in plant 
nutrient availability

I think that heavy duty emphasis on soil quality should be at the core 
of any and all permaculture design. I hope we can engage in ongoing 
in-depth discussion of soil in this forum as we also pursue local, small 
scale state-of-the-art renewable energy options (fuel cell, solar 
collectors, steam turbines, batteries, wood fired burners, etc.).

LL