GARDEN BASICS 2019 COMPOST & SOIL HEALTH. by Mark Murphy contact: BottleHollowFarm.com

Transcription

1 GARDEN BASICS 2019 COMPOST & SOIL HEALTH by Mark Murphy contact: BottleHollowFarm.com

2 always remember that the compost pile is the foundation of a successful garden. John Seymour, the Self-sufficient Life and How to Live It

3 Top 10 ways to better soil 10. Soil Test. Note: the University of Tennessee soil test report will provide conventional, chemical fertilizer recommendations.

4 Top 10 ways to better soil 10. Soil Test. 9. Reduce or Eliminate chemical fertilizers. 8. Reduce or Eliminate chemical pesticides.

5 Top 10 ways to better soil 10. Soil Test. 9. Reduce or Eliminate chemical fertilizers. 8. Reduce or Eliminate chemical pesticides. 7. Keep Roots and Residues. Decaying plant materials feed soil organisms and help maintain good soil structure.

6 Top 10 ways to better soil 10. Soil Test. 9. Reduce or Eliminate chemical fertilizers. 8. Reduce or Eliminate chemical pesticides. 7. Keep Roots and Residues. 6. Rotate Crops. Plant Rotation in the Garden Based on Plant Families (Penn State University)

7 Top 10 ways to better soil 10. Soil Test. 9. Reduce or Eliminate chemical fertilizers. 8. Reduce or Eliminate chemical pesticides. 7. Keep Roots and Residues. 6. Rotate Crops. 5. Reduce Tillage. work the soil as little as possible and as gently as possible

8 Top 10 ways to better soil 10. Soil Test. 9. Reduce or Eliminate chemical fertilizers. 8. Reduce or Eliminate chemical pesticides. 7. Keep Roots and Residues. 6. Rotate Crops. 5. Reduce Tillage. 4. Keep it Covered. plants and mulches reduce soil erosion and contribute to soil organic matter

9 Top 10 ways to better soil 10. Soil Test. 9. Reduce or Eliminate chemical fertilizers. 8. Reduce or Eliminate chemical pesticides. 7. Keep Roots and Residues. 6. Rotate Crops. 5. Reduce Tillage. 4. Keep it Covered. 3. Don t Tread on Me. use the most lightweight equipment available even your footsteps cause soil compaction

10 Top 10 ways to better soil 10. Soil Test. 9. Reduce or Eliminate chemical fertilizers. 8. Reduce or Eliminate chemical pesticides. 7. Keep Roots and Residues. 6. Rotate Crops. 5. Reduce Tillage. 4. Keep it Covered. 3. Don t Tread on Me. 2. Don t work it Wet. working wet clay soils can cause major damage to soil structure (compaction, aggregate breakdown, etc ) Image: Kenosha News

11 Top 10 ways to better soil 10. Soil Test. 9. Reduce or Eliminate chemical fertilizers. 8. Reduce or Eliminate chemical pesticides. 7. Keep Roots and Residues. 6. Rotate Crops. 5. Reduce Tillage. 4. Keep it Covered. 3. Don t Tread on Me. 2. Don t work it Wet. Dry.

12 Top 10 ways to better soil 10. Soil Test. 9. Reduce or Eliminate chemical fertilizers. 8. Reduce or Eliminate chemical pesticides. 7. Keep Roots and Residues. 6. Rotate Crops. 5. Reduce Tillage. 4. Keep it Covered. 3. Don t Tread on Me. 2. Don t work it Wet or Dry. 1. add Organic Matter. #1

13 Organic Matter The Key to Healthy Soils Composts are excellent organic matter amendments for soils Magdoff and Van Es, Building Soils for Better Crops

14 what is Composting? Composting is the art and science of combining available organic wastes so that they decompose to form a uniform and stable finished product. Building Soils for Better Crops, Sustainable Soil Management - Fred Magdoff and Harold Van Es USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Free Download: Better-Crops-3rd-Edition

15 what is Compost? A mixture of organic residues that have been piled, watered and are partially decomposed. It is a dark, easily crumbled collection of plant and animal products with many of the characteristics of humus, the relatively stable organic component of soils. - University of Tennessee

16 Compost your way Maintenance Example Compost Ready Minimal* Medium* Active Certified Organic add any available materials to pile over extended period of time little, if any, turning or watering add any available materials to pile over time, or all at once turn or water once in a while assemble entire pile within days aim for favorable C:N ratio monitor temperature turn and/or water frequently Temperature between 131 F and 170 F for 15 days, turned a minimum of five times during the 15 day period. 1 Year + 6 months months 3-6 months * Non-managed compost piles typically decompose under a cold process, which is not considered a complete composting process.

17 Australian Brush Turkey

18 The male Brush Turkey of Australia gathers leaves, small branches, moss, and other litter and builds a mound about 3 feet high and 5 feet across. It then digs holes into the mound repeatedly and refills them; helping to fragment and mix the debris. The female lays her eggs in a hole dug into the pile, which heats up to close to 100 F around the eggs The heat of the composting process frees the birds from having to sit on the eggs to incubate them. R.S. Seymour future composter

19 Compost benefits Soil Conditioner Physical structure Tilth or crumb -or-

20 ideal Soil composition Water [25%] Air [25%] Organic Matter [1-5%] Mineral [45%] The organic portion of the soil; both living and dead organisms. The Soil Biology.

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22 ideal Soil composition Water [25%] Air [25%] Organic Matter [1-5%] Mineral [45%] 5% Organic Matter (or more)

23 NOT ideal Soil composition Water [25%] X Air [25%] X Organic Matter [1-5%] X Mineral [45%] + Low Organic Matter content.

24 Clay soil particles viewed by microscope Clays, the smallest particles making up soil, are less than 1/12,000 inch in diameter. A single teaspoon will hold more clay particles than there are people on the earth. - NRCS

25 Clay soil particles viewed by microscope Humus viewed by microscope

26 Compost is Soil Conditioner Physical structure Tilth or crumb Aeration Root Penetration Water Infiltration and Availability Reduced Compaction and Surface Crusting

27 Compost is Soil Conditioner Fertility Natural, organic complete: contains Macro, Secondary, and Micro nutrients Slow Release Improves nutrient availability

28 Per Acre, every 1% of Soil Organic Matter contains: 1,000 pounds Nitrogen (N) 100 pounds Phosphorus (P) 100 pounds Potassium (K) 100 pounds Sulphur + other essential plant nutrients 98% of soil Nitrogen is contained in the Organic Matter! only a small fraction of the total nutrient content is immediately available to plants.

29 Compost is Soil Conditioner Fertilizer Green / Sustainable discarded organic matter = Waste recycled organic matter = $$$ Value

30 Compost is Soil Conditioner Fertilizer Green / Sustainable Pest and Disease control Life supports Life Biodiversity

31 Compost is Soil Conditioner Fertilizer Green Pest & Disease control Health Benefits Exercise Nutrition healthy soil healthy plants healthy people

32 some uses for Compost ingredient for Potting Soil or Containers Mulch or side dressing for plants Soil Amendment at planting time layer or amendment for Lasagna Garden amendment to garden plot or beds to make Compost Tea broadcast on lawn for turf improvement anywhere you have Soil, or anywhere you need Soil

33 the Compost Pile Example of a traditional compost heap. - University of Tennessee

34 the Compost Pile a few questions: Is manure a requirement for making a compost pile? No. Manure is a good source of Nitrogen, which can quicken the composting process, but is not required. Why would I want to add soil to a compost pile? 1. Microbial inoculation. 2. Trap volatile nitrogen (clay soil). 3. Keep loose materials from blowing away. 4. other Should I add Lime or Wood Ash to the compost pile? Not required. Lime or Wood Ash can moderate high acidity (ph), improving decomposition. Don t add too much.

35 Compost containment Wire Wood or Pallets Block

36 Compost containment Three-Bin Composter Three-Bin Composter with Lid overall dimensions, 4 high x 3 deep x 9 wide. holds 4 cubic yards of material. Images from University of Tennessee publication PB1578

37 the Compost Pile typical working temperature degrees (F) Suggested minimum pile size for effective composting = 1 Cubic Yard.

38 hot Compost in action Ambient air temperature below 32 degrees.

39 encourage beneficial Microorganisms {Bacteria, Fungi and others} Oxygen Balanced source of Organic Materials. 3 Key Ingredients for Compost: Organics Water Oxygen Compost Aerobic (oxygen-requiring) Microorganisms. Water is life.

40 things to Compost

41 things to Compost

42 things to Compost

43 things to Compost

44 things to Compost

45 things to Compost

46 things to Compost

47 things to not Compost No Chemicals from the lawn No Omnivore or Carnivore manures No Gloss paper No Color inks No Chemicals (treated wood)

48 things to not Compost Material Diseased plants Plants with mature seeds Invasive grasses and weeds (johnsongrass, bermudagrass, nimblewill) Grease, Lard, and Fat Meat, Bones, or Fish Dairy Products Black Walnut wood or sawdust Treated wood or sawdust Manure from Carnivores or Omnivores (dog, cat, pig, etc ) Yards wastes treated with Pesticides or Herbicides Reason to Avoid Some seeds, invasive plant materials, and disease organisms may survive the composting process and pose a threat in the finished product. Slow to decay and may be odorous. Can attract animals (dogs, cats, mice and rats, skunks, etc ) juglone, toxic to some plants chemical residues may contain parasites, bacteria, or viruses harmful to humans may contain chemical residues harmful to microorganisms, plants, and humans Magazines and slick paper contains synthetic (plastic) compounds that will not decompose effectively

49 Chop, Chip, or Shred materials that are hard, dense or bulky. Increased surface area speeds decomposition. Grass clippings Sod Topsoil Leaves, Bark & Branches* Hay or Straw Livestock Manure Coffee Grounds Egg shells* Corncobs & stalks* Peanut hulls garden Plant Residues kitchen Vegetable & Fruit wastes Newspaper* Paper and Cardboard* Pine Needles Weeds Sawdust Wood Chips* Wood Ashes Image from University of Tennessee publication PB1578

50 Greens Browns

51 Balancing the ratio of Carbon-to-Nitrogen Browns Greens 30:1 ratio of Carbon-to-Nitrogen Browns Carbon-rich organic materials. C:N ratio greater than 30:1 Greens Nitrogen-rich organic materials. C:N ratio less than 30:1

52 Why is the Balance important? Browns Greens too much Carbon too much Nitrogen The Nitrogen is quickly used up, and the decay process then slows dramatically as the microorganisms die off. Microorganisms do not have enough carbon energy to use all of the available nitrogen. The volatile excess nitrogen is lost to the atmosphere, or leached by water.

53 typical Carbon:Nitrogen ratios of Greens and Browns Greens C:N Browns C:N Grass clippings Vegetable wastes Fruit wastes Egg Shells Coffee Grounds Cow Manure Horse Manure Horse Manure + Litter Poultry Manure Poultry Manure + Litter Topsoil Alfalfa Meal or Pellets Seed Meals 18:1 16:1 35:1 35:1 18:1 20:1 25:1 45:1 10:1 15:1 11:1 15:1 7:1 Leaves Paper Wood Chips Sawdust Bark Corn Stalks Pine Needles Peanut hulls Peat Moss Straw 100:1 175:1 700:1 400:1 120:1 60:1 90:1 50:1 58:1 80:1 * Approximate values shown; actual ratios may vary.

54 a Variety of Quality Ingredients = Better Compost

55 compost pile Troubleshooting problem Bad Odor possible causes too wet Anaerobic, needs aeration too many damp Nitrogen-rich organics, add more dry Browns not Decomposing too Cool Flies & general nastiness too dry material pieces too large Carbon ratio too high; more Nitrogen needed pile too small Carbon ratio too high; more Nitrogen needed failure to seal the top of the pile with soil and/or browns

56 Compost Thermometer Long-shaft Bulb Auger (and cordless drill) Pitchfork

57 Alternative Methods add Organic Matter in every way that you can!

58 Compost Tumblers Earth Machine ComposTumbler Sun-Mar CompoSpin

59 Do it Yourself Trash Can or Barrel Compost Tumblers

60 "Composting in place." Build anytime Free materials No-till zeromaintenance composting Photo: fifth season gardening

61 Sheet composting Trench composting

62 Red Wiggler worm bin extension.org

63 some Benefits: increase organic matter nutrient capture harvest material to compost feed soil organisms weed suppression nitrogen fixation beneficial insects & pollinators some Candidates: Buckwheat Cereal Rye Cowpeas Sunflower Hairy Vetch Austrian Winter Peas Crimson Clover Annual Ryegrass and more sare.org (USDA) free publication Managing Cover Crops Profitably

64 plus Sheet Mulch and Chop and Drop some Benefits: increase organic matter control erosion feed soil microorganisms and earthworms weed suppression common Materials: Grass clippings shredded Leaves Wood Chips Pine Straw Sawdust or Bark Comfrey or Cardoon

65 Grow tender (frost killed) crops late in the garden season. some Benefits: increase organic matter, including root growth control erosion and retain nutrients feed soil microorganisms and earthworms weed suppression nitrogen fixation minimize effort to prep bed for spring planting

66 Grow tender (frost killed) crops late in the garden season. some Benefits: increase organic matter, including root growth control erosion and retain nutrients feed soil microorganisms and earthworms weed suppression nitrogen fixation minimize effort to prep bed for spring planting Seed sown September 10, 2016 photo October 21, 2016 Plants observed in bed: Cowpeas, tomatoes, sunflowers, corn. Light frost October 22 & 23 Killing frost November 11

67 Grow tender (frost killed) crops late in the garden season. some Benefits: increase organic matter, including root growth control erosion and retain nutrients feed soil microorganisms and earthworms weed suppression nitrogen fixation little effort to prep bed for spring planting frost-killed cover crop left in place for winter mulch chop and drop used for sunflower and corn stalks added shredded leaves to cover any bare spots will rake bed and sow seeds or plant, no till, for spring or summer crops photo February 6, 2017

68 Compost Tumbler or Barrel compost Lasagna Garden stealth Trench Compost stealth Sheet Compost (mulch) Vermicompost Bin Cover Crops Mulch Grow Your Mulch

69 THANK YOU! LINKS Home Composting, University of Kentucky Building Soils for Better Crops, Sustainable Soil Management Plant Rotations in the Garden Based on Plant Families (Penn State) Managing Cover Crops Profitably contact: Mark Murphy BottleHollowFarm.com