This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Re: soil sterilization

Linda Lorenzo wrote:

>>>>>Vivian's problem is mine too! I have a small area for my garden, so I
cannot rotate crops effectively. I tried non-chemical methods of
sterilizing the earth, but this year has been the worst ever. My
tomatoes were willted before they could come to fruition, the eggplants
are stubby and misshapen. So, whoever has an option other than letting
it lie fallow for a year under black plastic, please post it to the list
rather than private email.

Square foot gardening is a natural for anyone like me with very limited
space--it makes intensive gardening productive.  However, for the
limited space gardener who tries to maintain organic methods, this
problem of soil born pathogens is a nightmare!

Linda
in RI where it continues to rain<<<<<

I have had good success over the years in my organic garden using my "odd
number rotation system" (patent thought about.)

Functionally, it amounts to dividing ones available gardening area into
seven, or any odd number, equal area plots. The size of the size makes no
difference, Back when I had lots of room and had a LARGE row garden I had
(7) 10' X 30' rotating areas plus a large area in permanent planting (and
the obligatory self propelled Troybuilt.)

I believe that the seven year rotation plan in my alluvial river bottom
soil (VERY HEAVY WINTER RAINS-NO WINTER SUN) was responsible for the fact
that I had none of the problems associated with plant pathogens. I did not
make compost in bins because I had 8 - 11 horses  and access to grass
clippings. I relied on horse manure and sheet composted (over +/- 6-7
layers of newspaper) as a mulch applied each year starting about July, an
on-going process.

The rotation schedule was 1,3,5,7,2,4,6,1............. keeping botanical
families in a its own plot. I know that this disagrees with Mel's comments
on rotation, both logic and experience seem to bear out its validity.

I am putting in (7) 4 ft sq "modules" and (2) 56" X 168" OD raised
Asparagus beds in a 37.5' W X 65'L (gross) back yard that already has a 65'
gravel driveway, 2 large compost bins and 2 fruit trees.

I drew a "to scale" plot of the back yard and drew in the 7 beds showing
outside dimensions of the containment materials and a minimum of 3' aisles
between beds.
My compost bins and full grown fruit trees are on the prop line on one side
and the
raised beds are se back 2' from the other line, across the narrow
dimension. I found it helpful to stake out the OD of all of the plots so I
could see exactly how it all would fit, which is why I have 3' aisles
instead of 2'.

If this doesn't fit Linda's situation. I hope that someone else out there
will benefit from my experience.

Regards,
DT (aka Dore Tyler)  deetee@accessone.com

***************************************************************************
To unsubscribe, send to: listserv@umslvma.umsl.edu
the body message: unsubscribe sqft
See http://www.umsl.edu/~silvest/garden/sqft.html for archive, FAQ and more.
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index