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As an Organic Farm, we don't make use of processed chemical fertilizer. We see soil fertilization from two perspectives - chemistry and physical properties. Processed fertilizers only attend to soil chemistry. Our strategy is to make use of renewable materials on our farm to address both facets of soil care - replenish chemicals that were removed and add Organic material that will keep the soil loose and feed the living critters in the soil. Here, I have brush chopped crop residue and made deep furrows with a plow. I'm in the process of filling the furrows with cut grass from our Mulch Fields. As you can see, a heavy application of the cut grass is being applied (I try to fill the furrows). I will then go back with a disc to mix the soil with the organic material. The field will sit in this rough mixed condition until spring. Then I will disc a couple more times before planting. |
| We also make use of pond bottoms to enrich our soil. here, our East Pond has nearly dried up in the heat of the summer. I will put a scoop bucket on the back of Miss Daisy to remove the black ooze from the bottom of the pond. This "wonderful" material is used to top dress our fields. |
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WANTEDBags of Leaves For Our ORGANIC
Farm.
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We have placed a sign near our road to invite the public to drop off bags of leaves in the fall (we don't accept grass clippings in summer because of residual chemicals). We fill the plowed furrows with leaves, then disc them in - the same as we do with our cut mulch. The chemical properties of leaves are not that good but leaves are loved by earthworms and the other soil micro-organisms. As the photo demonstrates, our program is well accepted by the public. In 2003, I estimate we were given over 3,500 bags of leaves - in 2004, that total rose to over 7,000 bags . In 2005, the leaves fell late and with high winds - we only got about 5,000 bags. |
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