Create Rich Fertility Soil
out of Poor, Pooped Out Soil

Why are most American soils so poor, when all of us would prefer rich fertility soil? Because the current accepted methods of farming and gardening use chemical fertilizers to feed the plant directly instead of feeding organic nutrients to the microbes in the soil thereby creating fertility soil rich in nutrients, and letting the plants feed on the soil.

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The chemical approach to gardening can result in numerous problems.

1. Chemical fertilizers starve beneficial microbes in the soil since they bypass feeding the soil to feed the plant directly
2. Today’s fertilizers don’t contain most of the needed trace minerals
3. Organic matter has fallen well below 2%, further starving beneficial microbes
4. Stable humus has all but vanished from soils
5. Herbicides are used to kill weeds, but also are harmful to beneficial microorganisms
6. Pesticides and insecticides are lethal to soil microorganisms
   
   

We have slowly killed our soils, resulting in soil compaction, poor water retention, poor airflow into the soil, and harmful nematodes. How can we reverse the damage and build fertility soil? By following the lead of organic growers all over the world.

1. INCREASE ORGANIC MATTER AND HUMUS

2. INOCULATE WITH BENEFICIAL MICROBES

3. BALANCE MINERALS IN THE SOIL

In this article, I will briefly discuss these 3 steps to restore poor soil to wonderful, rich fertility soil. By clicking on the links, you can go to my articles that give the specifics.

1. Increase Organic Matter and Humus

A. For New Garden Plots

Add organic matter

No Till

Once this first tilling is done and organic matter and other nutrients are incorporated in, I don't walk on this soil or till it again. I use it to make raised beds. Why don't I till the soil each year? Tilling releases carbon into the air, and frustrates efforts to build up organic matter in the soil. For no till gardening, when I am ready to put down more mulch I just add it to the top of the soil, allowing bacteria to break it down. Earth worms and water will then carry the nutrients down into the soil.

B. Existing Gardens

Using regular mulch to add organic matter

Mulching has numerous advantages. Mulch helps to reduce the amount of watering needed, provides needed organic matter, and helps to suppress weeds. Common mulch items are pine straw, wheat straw, lawn clippings, newspaper mulch, and chopped up leaves. It's easy to make my own mulch if you have the materials available. It is especially helpful to organic matter in the soil when applied in the fall.

Using wood chips to add organic matter:
This method can help produce Fertility Soil!

Wood chips made from branches 3 inches in diameter or less are called ramial chipped wood (RCW). They are low in lignans and make an ideal mulch. A covering of 4 inches of this chipped ramial wood is perfect. Unlike other mulches, RCW can help to build stable humus.

(Actually, an even faster way to build humus and organic matter in the soil is to activate the carbon sequestration switch)

A layer of wood chips serves to choke out weeds, soften the soil, help in retaining soil moisture, and as it decomposes it is a good source of nutrients. RCW can also be stacked on the ground 12” to 30” deep and turned into compost soil. Composted wood chips make an excellent organic potting soil.

If you want to apply RCW wood chips in the spring, here's how:

1. Lay down 3 layers of non-glossy newspaper to block weeds.
2. Put down a couple inches of compost. You can use your own, or purchase some mushroom compost or composted cow manure from your garden supply store.
3. Put down 4 to 6 inches of Ramial Chipped Wood. When you plant, punch a hole all the way down through the newspapers, then plant or transplant in the compost just above the hole.

Ramial Chipped Wood can also be used as a mulch in landscaping, building up the soil and providing valuable nutrients for trees, bushes, shrubs, and other plants.

Using manure to add organic matter

Aged or composted manure isn't just a great source of nutrients for your garden, but it adds valuable organic matter.

• Cow, goat and rabbit manures are the most desirable
• Second to these are bird manures and horse manure
• Undesirable manures are pig manure (because of weed seed and pathogen problems) and dog and cat poop.

Using compost to add organic matter

Compost is wonderful for your garden. It adds organic matter, is chocked full of nutrients and is a good source of beneficial bacteria. When direct seeding carrots or radishes and other plants that are planted close together, I like to lay down a bed of compost to help choke out weeds, then plant my seeds right into the compost. For a good supply of compost, I have both a compost pile and a compost bin.

Growing a cover crop

Also called “green manure”, a cover crop is another great way to add organic matter to the soil. Vetch, clovers and peas are winter cover crops which not only add organic matter, but fix nitrogen from the air into the soil. These are either tilled in at least 2 weeks before planting, or mowed and left laying on top of the ground as a mulch.

2. Inoculate with Beneficial Microbes

There is nothing more important to the gardener than the life of the soil. When properly cared for, this life (the soil food web) holds the key to having fertility soil, resulting in healthy, nutritious plants.

There are numerous ways to nurture the soil food web. One of my favorites is to first spread my organic matter, then come over the top with a mix of a gallon or two of water, 2 ounces ocean trace minerals, two ounces raw milk (unpasteurized), and two ounces unsulfured molasses.

However, an even way to establish the soil food web fast and build wonderful organic matter is to use Mycorrplus.

It will help to begin the decomposition process of the mulch, supplies a good array of microbes, and feeds the microbes at the same time. Numerous people also report that when MycorrPlus activates the fungi in the soil, their fire ant problems disappear.

Other ways to populate the soil with microbes is to use compost tea, and to inoculate with mycorrhizal fungi at planting.

3. Balance Minerals in the Soil

Although it is true that mulch applications will go a long way to balance the minerals in the soil, it is important to get a soil lab test for calcium and a few key minerals and trace minerals. Get these balanced out with each other, and watch your garden thrive!

When the pH of soil is too low or too high, it will tie up the soil. The best way to raise or lower the pH of the soil is to achieve correct levels of minerals in the Cation Exchange.

Another option to lab tests for balancing the nutrients and the pH of the soil while correcting sodium problems at the same time is Soil Balance.

Just Imagine!!!

Imagine for a minute how much fun gardening will be when your soil is rich fertility soil.

• Insect and disease problems start to disappear
• Your garden is lush and green, producing a bounty of delicious produce
• Weeding is quick and easy
• Your garden doesn't require as much watering

Quick Action Guide

1. In the fall or early winter, spread organic matter on the soil in the form of mulch, ramial chipped wood (RCW), compost or composted manure. If you use compost, you can plant a cover crop in it.
2. For every 10,000 square feet, apply an activator over your organic matter to help turn it to rich top soil. This same product can do wonders when applied to lawns and landscaping as well.
3. Do a soil test, then apply other needed nutrients, especially calcium, to balance out the nutrients in your soil.

Now, enjoy the best garden you have ever grown. Happy Gardening!

(Return from Fertility Soil to Healthy Vegetable Gardening)