Re: tilling
Tilling: From what i understand excessive tilling will pulverize the soil.It
will break up the clods of soil that have been developed by burrowing insects
and the glueing action created by the breakdown of organic material.If you
look at a handfull of dry soil you will see that there are little"dirt bombs"
(thats what we called them as kids).These clods act as particles in the soil
and help create the larger crevasses in the soil so important for water
absorption and air penetration.(the roots need water and air,and its usually
the soil water that holds the nutrients when we use granular fertilizers.).By
breaking up these small clumps,we decrease soil air and water penetration. By
overtilling you also increase the rate of decomposition of your organic
matter....so you need to add more organics sooner.this may not be a big
problem for us,but no-till or reduced till farming is a way for the farmer
to preserve the organics longer. I'm taking a class in Soil Science at the
local AG-Tech college so I can beat out Scott Armstrong,thecurrent local
Champ (Hi Scott ).....also...its curious to note that my professor says that
you can add the leaves at anytime in any condition and not worry too much
about a nitrogen surge in the late summer when the decompose....that only
about 5 % of the nitrogen we rely on will come from these leaves...if that
much.
The 3-5 yards of manure you guys put down for each plant may be a different
story...... Just my two cents worth Beth.....glenn
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Pumpkin-growing FAQ: http://www.mallorn.com/lists/pumpkins/search.cgi
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PUMPKINS
