Hi Dr Elaine,
With my constant trips back and forth to the field I sometimes
miss some of the messages.
Sorry about that.
Giant Vegetables are a combination of several things including good
soil structure, good humus content and good fertility.
My soils do have good structure. I took care of that long time ago
starting with balancing the nutrients with Dr Albrecht´s approach.
I am able to increase soil CEC year after year by increasing soil
humus content. That by itself means increasing water retention in
the soil, less temperature changes, more microbial life with more
nutrient retention and recicling.
Compost and Compost Tea are two accelerators of this soil transformation
from a generally degraded condition to a more fertile condition.
We also have good rainfall during say 6 to 8 months in the year.
Again, sory for missing the discussion.
Jose
OK, a couple other factors now show up.
Both John and Scott have very friable soil - that is, soil with
excellent tilth. What does that mean? When you put your hand into
their soil, your hand easily pushes through the soil. No compaction.
Jose - what about you? Did I miss your response someplace along the
line?
Both John and Scott are in climates with good rainfall. I think Jose
is too.
Anyone in arid climates growing giant size vegies?
Water from the sky helps, but Scott has been in a drought for something
like three years, I think. So, overhead watering seems to replace
rainfall.
Jeff described big vegies in an office building (very few places other
than true deserts more arid, unless the building is humidified?), so
that seems to support the idea that watering can replace rainfall.
Or is humidity important? Hum, think that one through.
If those of you with poor soil structure improved the soil by adding the
fungi, bacteria, protozoa and nematodes needed to get good structure,
could you grow larger, or even giant, vegetables?
Poor structure in your soil, no big vegies?
Who is up for some experimentation? Do a SARE grant! Aussies, get
some gov't money to do this. NZ's - do you have a funding agency that
would give money to do this? Check the SFI website for the "testing
protocol" so you can design a good experiment, or Kirk can help you with
the experimental design.
Elaine Ingham
President, Soil Foodweb Inc.
www.soilfoodweb.com
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Received on Fri Nov 29 2002 - 20:59:18 EST