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RES: [compost_tea] On the trail of big vegies



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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