Soil - the foundation bed of our food. It enables growth of crops, food for our meat, and is crucial for our water supply. Is it any mystery that soil must be carefully managed? Let’s explore a variety of organic practices that can promote healthy soil.
Organic Matter incorporated into the soil encourages the ground to yield more crops, and hold more air and water. Nutrients are released, erosion is reduced, carbon remains in the soil, and hardy microorganisms contribute to enrich the soil. Organic matter can consist of compost, mulches, limiting tillage, and planting cover crops.
Managing the microorganisms in your soil is essential for healthy soil. Microorganisms work to ensure the soil is well nourished, disease is reduced, and water is balanced.
Keeping nitrogen in the soil is boosted by organic practices. When nitrogen remains in the soil naturally, you eliminate the need for additives. Farmers are finding that less nitrogen is lost during no-till or strip-till farming methods compared to conventional tilling.
Promoting Good Fungi is extremely beneficial to healthy soil. Fungi are responsible for helping plants’ roots reach down into the soil for nutrients and water. They are especially beneficial in dry climates and locations where the soil is salty. Planting cover crops during the winter can help promote native fungi and help reduce the disturbance of the soil when paired with conservation tillage methods.
No-Till and Strip-Till methods are also practices that promote improved soil health. Studies show that land where conventional farming took place had significantly lower rates of biological activity in the soil. No Till and Strip Till methods encouraged more biological activity as well as an abundance of good fungi.
Planting vetch (or legumes) as a cover crop increases nitrogen levels in the soil which also leads to greater crop yield. Cover crops in general reduce soil erosion, provide nutrients in the soil, and enable a healthy amount of earthworm activity.
Fertilizer, Pesticide and Herbicide alternatives which include stimuli-responsive combinations allow you to abandon the use of these harmful substances. Many farmers are opting for natural alternatives to reduce harm to the soil, the crops, and to the environment.
Health Tests sometimes called Haney Tests provide 20 years of experience in soil fertility and research. Available to farmers, it calculates the health of your soil and offers suggestions for improving your soil’s health.
Organic practices are gaining momentum among farmers who want to enrich the life of their soil. At Richland Micro Drainage, we can provide further suggestions, answer questions, and offer irrigation services that promote maximum crop yield, provide adequate moisture and eliminate runoff. Give us a call today to see how we can help improve the life of your soil.