If you build it...

[MickThompson]

Can't help but to brag a little. I was given a few "orphan" Better Boys and went down to stick them in the ground tonight. This is what I dug up. All I've done is stop tilling and planting cover crops over the winter. It was much lighter and had a much heavier texture when I started. I don't know that you can buy it this good in a bag, but good news- you don't need to.

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[Buzzard Breath]

I've seen your posts over the past year about your no till/cover crop method. I'd like to read up a little more on this. Where can I get that info?

Btw, that soil looks awesome.

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[MickThompson]

Ray Archuleta is a soil scientist for USDA. Most of the principles I am applying are based on what he teaches. He is geared towards conventional no till ag production but the same rules apply if you are farming 1000 square feet or 1000 acres. I saw him at a workshop for work and it makes sense. He's all over YouTube.

https://youtu.be/9uMPuF5oCPA

The Rodale Institute has done a lot of work on no till organic production. Their site has more of the specifics.

http://rodaleinstitute.org/our-work/research/

If I had to boil it down to 1 principle, it's never leave the ground bare.

Growing plants feed soil biology/fertility and prevent erosion by dispersing the raindrop's energy and building soil aggregates. Feeding the biology increases infiltration and nutrient cycling. Infiltration is what drought proofs your garden. I had my best corn and beans last year in spite of the drought that dried up my creek for 2 months and I never watered once.


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[Buzzard Breath]

Thanks for the links. I'll have to check them out when things slow down a little.

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[WTM]

good soil Mick. im seeing good texture and color(crumbly), leftover rotting roots and brown carbon along with a worm or 2.