Re: tiller recommendations

**N* S* <s*@earthlink.net>**

Compost was also on the list.  In no-till the roots of the cover crop  
left in the soil provide the organic material deep in the soil. It  
also depends on what your trying to grow, as well as the condition of  
the soil.  A perennial garden makes far fewer demands on soil than  
does a veg garden. The message I took away solidified my theory -  
every garden is unique, the climate, the sun, the soil as well as the  
plants.  So there are no hard and fast rules.  What works in your  
patch may not work in mine.
Nancy Szerlag
On Aug 25, 2008, at 9:22 AM, margaret lauterbach wrote:

> I've seen studies that indicate organic amendments vanish rapidly
> after being tilled in, but amendments laid atop the soil and allowed
> to be carried to the root zone by micro and macro critters, earth
> pores and gravity last considerably longer.  I'm interested in the
> Cornell report, but it certainly runs contrary to most of the
> testimony I've seen on organic gardening lists.  Was Schindelbeck
> convinced that cover cropping was the only organic material to use to
> maintain soil health? Margaret Lauterbach
>
>
> At 07:09 AM 8/25/2008, you wrote:
>> Jeff and I attended a seminar on organic vegetable gardening
>> sponsored by MSU. Bob Schindelbeck, member of the Cornell Soil Health
>> Team gave the keynote on soil health. He maintains  no till is not
>> effective unless the soil contains sufficient organic material and
>> then it requires the constant use of cover cropping to maintain the
>> right percentage. So tilling in organic material every few years is
>> not a bad idea if you don't like to looks of hairy vetch in your
>> borders.
>> Nancy Szerlag
>
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Nancy Szerlag
Columnist for Detroit News
szerlag@earthlink.net
Check blog at www.gardeneryardener.blogspot.com

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