Double Digging August 7th, 2008 Email 11 users recommend Double digging is a quick fix for impenetrable soil. Janet Jemmot This subsoil is so dense that plant roots will have a tough time penetrating it. Here's a double-dug bed ready for planting. Jennifer Matlack Photo: Janet Jemmot by James KerrOctober 1998from issue #17 As every serious gardener knows, the key to a bountiful harvest is good soil. Good soil is something that is sought, rarely found, but can be made. How you deal with difficult dirt is dictated by resources. Many gardeners resort to rototilling, but most tillers don’t go deeper than 8 in., which is not enough to break up poor subsoil. Double digging allows roots to reach deeper into the earth, where better-draining subsoil makes it less likely they’ll become water-logged or oxygen-deprived. That’s the rationale for this simple technique, but simple doesn’t mean easy. You may also need a wheelbarrow for hauling organic matter to work into the bed. Technique for double digging.
Brewing Compost Tea The soil is full of microorganisms that aid plant growth and plant health—bacteria and fungi, which are decomposers, and protozoa and beneficial nematodes, which are predators. But there are bad guys, too—disease-causing bacteria and fungi, protozoa, and root-feeding nematodes. Our goal as gardeners is to enhance the beneficial microorganisms in this soil foodweb, because they help our plants. The bad bacterial decomposers and the plant-toxic products they make are enhanced by anaerobic, or reduced-oxygen, conditions. By making sure the tea and the compost itself are well oxygenated and highly aerobic, you eliminate 75 percent of the potential plant-disease-causing bacteria and plant-toxic products. Plants themselves don't use all of the energy they make through photosynthesis.
Plant Nutrients Macronutrients can be broken into two more groups: primary and secondary nutrients. The primary nutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). These major nutrients usually are lacking from the soil first because plants use large amounts for their growth and survival. The secondary nutrients are calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S). There are usually enough of these nutrients in the soil so fertilization is not always needed. Compost Fundamentals Biology & Chemistry - Acid/Alkalinity Issues Acid/Alkalinity Issues pH is the measure of the acidity or alkalinity of soil, with 7 considered “neutral” and numbers below acidic and above alkaline. Composting feedstocks have a pH, which will fluctuate during the composting process. The initial pH of garbage, yard clippings, manure, and other compostable material is likely between 5.0 and 7.0 unless it contains ash or other highly alkaline materials. If the material has begun putrefying before being received for composting, the pH will be near the lower value, since anaerobic organisms produce acids. After two to four days the pH usually begins to rise and will level off at between 8.0 and 9.0 towards the end of the process. Apparently, initial pH values of 5.0 to 6.0 do not seriously retard initial biological activity since active decomposition and high temperatures develop rapidly after material is placed in the stack.
Compost Chemistry - Cornell Composting C/N Ratio Of the many elements required for microbial decomposition, carbon and nitrogen are the most important. Carbon provides both an energy source and and the basic building block making up about 50 percent of the mass of microbial cells. Nitrogen is a crucial component of the proteins, nucleic acids, amino acids, enzymes and co-enzymes necessary for cell growth and function. To provide optimal amounts of these two crucial elements, you can use the carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio for each of your compost ingredients. The ideal C/N ratio for composting is generally considered to be around 30:1, or 30 parts carbon for each part nitrogen by weight. Typical C/N ratios for common compost materials can be looked up in published tables such as Appendix A, On-Farm Composting Handbook. * Source: Dickson, N., T. As composting proceeds, the C/N ratio gradually decreases from 30:1 to 10-15:1 for the finished product. Oxygen Another essential ingredient for successful composting is oxygen. pH
Companion Planting Chart - For Gardening Vegetables, Fruits, Herbs, Flowers Gardening Companion Planting Chart This companion planting chart is compiled from personal experience, recommendations, folklore, and science. Use it as a general guideline for planting vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers in your garden, but do your own study also! Become a better gardener by learning the many reasons for companion planting. Note: There can be variances in the performance of "good" vs. See also, instructions for growing: - Vegetables - Herbs- Fruits Gardening Tips From Our Readers: Have a gardening story to share? Note: the advice and information contained herein is based upon our experience and study.