Theresa Lam

NOFA-NJ

Ecology—the relationship of

organisms to one another and their

physical surroundings.

Regenerative Gardening

Soil Food Web

Companion planting

Garden design

Help plants maximize photosynthesis

and tend the soil biology.

Minimize plowing or tilling and

digging

Grow a diverse number of crops

Don’t leave soil bare for extended

periods

Don’t use pesticides or synthetic

fertilizer.

“Using soil

biology we

can mitigate

climate

extremes in 5

years”

http://www.nofamass.org/sites/default/fil

es/2015_White_Paper_web.pdf

• Keep soil covered to reduces carbon

loss, best with living plants

• Plant roots support formation of humus

• Conservation tilling

• No artificial fertilizers/ slow acting

organic nutrients are best

• Feed the soil

The upper mineral & organic

matter in the upper layer of the

earth’s crust. • Weathered Rock: Sand, silt, clay 45%

• Organic matter 5%

• Air & Water = 50%

http://articles.extension.org/pages/54401/basic-soil-components

Healthy Soils

• help control pests & disease in plants

• Is a base for symbiotic associations

between plant roots and organisms

• Recycle plant nutrients

• Improve soil structure through

formation of humus

http://www.soilandhealth.org/01aglibrary/010116balfourspeech.html

Very long carbon molecules with a large surface area. The surface area carries charges which attract & hold minerals.

Minerals + organic matter + humus + water + air = soil

Teaming With Microbes

https://vimeo.com/122856716

Soil is made of minerals, organic matter,

organisms • Sand, Silt, Clay, Rock, Pebbles, Stone contains all

the nutrients that plants need.

• Organisms in the soil food web unlock the

nutrients & make them available to the plant,

every second, every day.

https://mosesorganic.org/soils-natural-process/

http://www.soilfoodweb.com/

“Pests, diseases and lack of

fertility don’t exist anymore if

you get the biology correct in

your soil.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXBIxFAxtlQ&list=PLCeA6DzL9P4tXigiuZPLd89Qj71pj0a0F

Microorganisms contribute 600 lbs/acre of fertilizer when

they die. are part of the digestive process of soil “What a marvelously integrated system

God through Nature has wrought in this subterranean world of microscopic, specky beings.”

http://soilandhealth.org/files/BMaDhLKrJT/010133rodale.pdf

Soil Food Web

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/soils/health/biology/?cid=nrcs142p2_053868

These interactions occur in the

Rhizosphere (gut of the plant)

Biological interactions are sensitive to • Soil compaction

• Tillage

• Fungicides, Herbicides, Pesticides, Fertilizers

http://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/the-rhizosphere-roots-soil-

and-67500617

http://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/the-rhizosphere-roots-soil-and-67500617

Plants secrete sugars &

proteins that attract beneficial

bacteria & fungi.

Bacteria & fungi are eaten by

nematodes & protozoa

Their wastes increase the

organic matter of the soil.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/12/15/brunetti-biological-farming.aspx

Protozoa are good nutrient recyclers

Can eat 10,000 bacteria/day

Soak fresh grass clippings alfalfa, hay or

straw in dechlorinated water 3-4 days

Bubble air through the liquid

Pour on top of mulch

http://cfb.unh.edu/phycokey/Choices/Amoebae_Flagellates_Ciliates/Ciliates/PARAMECIUM/Paramecium_Image_page.html

Mycorrhiza are symbiotic

associations between a fungus and

plant.

http://mycorrhizas.info/

Fungi cover the roots of trees like gloves,

extending the root system

Symbiotic relationship • The plant secretes carbohydrate exudates which

supports the fungi

• The fungi break down and supply water and

nutrients esp. Phosphorus

• If P is too high, mycorrhizae do not develop

http://planetearth.nerc.ac.uk/news/story.aspx?id=470&cookieConsent=A

http://blog.humboldtseeds.net/en/cover-cropping/

Fix nitrogen Peas, clovers, alfalfa,

vetches, and fava beans can all make significant contributions of nitrate nitrogen.

Manufacture from 80 to 200 pounds of nitrates per acre

“Green manure”

http://www.soilandhealth.org/03sov/0302hsted/030202/03020209.html

• Rhizobia can manufacture from 80 to 200 lbs

nitrates/acre.

• Peas, clovers, alfalfa, vetches, and fava beans can

all make significant contributions of nitrate

nitrogen.

• “Green manuring legumes”--till into soil

• Summer crops of cowpeas and snap beans, tend

to be net consumers of nitrates, not makers of

more nitrates than they can use—Tuck them in or

add to compost.

http://www.soilandhealth.org/03sov/0302hsted/030202/03020209.html

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/soils/health/biology/?ci

d=nrcs142p2_053868

Collohmannia sp.

More than two thousand years ago Arisotle

said…

“Earthworms are the

intestines of the earth”

http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/this-time-lapse-video-of-worms-making-compost-is-

awesome?cid=soc_Rodale%27s+Organic+Life+-

+RodalesOrganicLife_FBPAGE_Rodale%27s+Organic+Life__

nitrogen by 5X times

soluble calcium by 2X

available magnesium by 2½X

phosphorus by 7X

potassium 11X

Also make trace minerals available

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/composting/earthworm-soil-fertility

• Darwin:

calculated that worms deposit 10

tons/acre of castings each year.

• Sir Albert Howard:

calculated 25 tons/acre

http://soilanalyst.org/humus-and-worm-castings/

Earthworm castings at Rutgers Gardens VSA Garden

Composting is a managed biological

process that converts organic material

into a fine particle humus.

Microorganisms decompose organic

material.

Oxygen must be present and heat is

generated as the organic material

decomposes.

The C:N (carbon:nitrogen) balance 30:1

Tree leaves: 40:1, grass clippings = 20:1

The C:N (carbon:nitrogen) balance 30:1

Tree leaves: 40:1, grass clippings: 20:1

4x4 feet

Break up material into small parts

Freestanding or in a bin

Layer materials add water you build

Lime

Water and keep moist

Turn pile regularly

•Build compost heap add materials

as they are available

•Wait 4 days – no turning, then turn

every 2nd day for 14 days

•Highest temperature: 120 degrees

•Does not kill weed seeds or

pathogens

•Beneficial fungi may persist

Kills weed seeds & pathogens

Compost temperature is maintained between

130--150 degrees Celsius

Turn compost as temperature decreases

Cure for 2 weeks

Ready in 4-8 weeks

Lay on top of garden soil

http://deepgreenpermaculture.com/diy-instructions/hot-compost-composting-in-18-days/

Play an important role in degrading complex organics such as cellulose, lignin, chitin, and proteins.

Work during the curing phase of composting

http://www.the-compost-gardener.com/actinomycetes.html

Vermicomposting

Hügelkultur (raised garden beds or

mounds)

Black soldier fly larvae composting

Compost tea

http://bionutrient.org/audio/2013_soil_nutrition_conference/2-Crop-HEALTH-Transitions-John-Kempf.pdf

• Soil test 2-3 yrs

• Build organic matter

Cover crops

Green manures & living mulches

Compost

• Crop rotations

• Conservation tillage

• Mulching

http://rci.rutgers.edu/~soilslab/FertProducts/

pH—Limestone, Sulfur

Macronutrients

• Aged cow or horse manure

(herbicide-free)

• Bloodmeal, Rock phosphate,

Greensand, Magnesium, gypsum

Micronutrients:

• Boron, zinc, copper, cobalt, boron,

molybdenum

• Add organic matter

Compost, Green manures, living

mulches & cover crops.

Till gently in spring or during

growing season. Wait 3 weeks.

Living Mulches http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trifolium_repens

Territorial Seed http://www.territorialseed.com/product/15484/spring_growing_guides

Source: Urban Farmer http://www.ufseeds.com/Cover-Crop-Growing-Info.html

After adding a layer of compost to the soil

add

Green mulches--clover

Salt hay

Chopped leaves

Grass clippings

Wood chips in walkways

Interplantings, deep roots & shallow roots

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10206388709310225&set=pb.1642781598.-2207520000.1455464453.&type=3&theater

Potatoes—vetch

Sweet corn—soybean

Cabbage—sweet clover

Peas—follow by mix of clovers

Beans—winter vetch

Root crops—dwarf white clover

Squash—sweet clover between rows

Beets, carrots other roots—follow sweet

clover

The New Organic Grower --Elliot Coleman p. 78-79

• Cover crops

Oats

Wheat

Buckwheat

Rye

Legumes—clover, vetch, field peas, alfalfa

Tillage radish

Cover crops with vegetables.

Cucurbits with oats or wheat

Mammoth Red clover on sides

of hills

Corn or rice underplanted

with white clover.

Resource: Masanobu Fukuoka

“One Straw Revolution”

Attract beneficial insects:

fennel, butterfly weed, calendula,

cosmos, buckwheat, sunflowers.

Alternate with plants in rows, plant in

perimeter of garden.

Studies: Mexican tarragon and carrots

http://www.timberpress.com/books/teaming_microbes/lowenfels/9781604691139

Barbara Berst Adams

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqRLVUtAAV8 AllisonLHJack