BASIC ORGANIC GARDENING Soil, Irrigation and Garden Management

BASIC ORGANIC GARDENING Soil, Irrigation and Garden Management

Welcome Co Sponsored By Community Garden Planters Danville, KY First Christian Church Danville, KY 2

Class Logistics Switched tonight and last week s topics Commit to start and end on time Planned break at mid point Location of restrooms Last class will have $7 fee for materials Last class held at Boyle Cooperative Extension

Website communitygardenplanters org.doodlekit.com/home Class presentation materials Learning references and resources

Facebook Community Garden Planters Your garden pictures and stories

Soil, Irrigation, Management: Objectives Determine soil needs and resources that meet or exceed organic standards Identify best organic practices to manage pests and plant diseases Define composting and identified possible compost system designs and materials Select an appropriate water management system Participate in setting up a basic irrigation line

Last Week: Follow up Any soil tests completed?

Last Week: Follow up Any design questions?

Living Soil Ideal ph: 6.2 6.5 Nutrients N Nitrogen for healthy foliage P Phosphorus for root and flower development K Potassium for overall plant health Organic preference for obtaining balanced blend of nutrients: compost

Living Soil: Nutritional Requirements N Nitrogen: Promotes healthy foliage P Phosphorus: Assists growth and development of roots and flowers K Potassium: Increases overall plant health Many other trace minerals also vitally important!! Organic gardening begins with good quality compost

Living Soil: Compost Hot Cold Vermiculture Worms Sheet Rotating Bins Underground

Living Soil: Compost continued Even balance of materials chopped into small particles 1 cubic yard minimum to hold heat Moisture Air

Living Soil: Compost continued Do not use: Diseased plant material Weed seed Cedar or black walnut Dog, cat, human or pig manure Herbicide treated materials Orange peels

Compost Raw Materials: Energy High moisture, low porosity, high nitrogen Grass clippings Fresh dairy, chicken, or rabbit manure Fruit and vegetable waste Garden trimmings Source: KY Master Gardeners Manual pg. 76

Compost Raw Materials: Bulking Agents Bulking Agents Low moisture, high porosity, low nitrogen Wood chips Sawdust Grass hay Wheat straw Corn stalks Source: KY Master Gardeners Manual pg. 76

Compost Raw Materials: Balance Balanced raw materials Low to medium moisture, medium porosity, medium nitrogen Ground up tree and shrub trimmings Horse manure and bedding Deciduous leaves Legume hay Source: KY Master Gardeners Manual pg. 76

Benefits of Green Manure Captures and recycles nutrients that would otherwise leach or run off Reduces erosion Competes with weeds Supplies nitrogen (legumes only) Easily produced on site in the home garden

Amending Your Soil Read Organic Recommendations from soil test Loosen heavy clay by working in compost and fine sand Use jump starters sparingly Blood meal Nitrogen Bone meal Phosphorus (seldom needed in KY) Greensand Potassium and other trace minerals Lime to adjust ph

Soil for Raised Beds Mix in equal parts or layer lasagna style Superb quality organic compost Sand Peat or straw Lime if peat is used Good clean topsoil if it can be found Check it out in person

Year 1: New Garden Soil: Year 1 May require tilling Add in: Compost Sand Peat Nutrients (as needed)

New Garden Soil: Subsequent Years Subsequent Years: Broadfork vs. tilling Use green manure and cover crops Work amendments into top several inches gently Only work soil when it is not too wet Keep pathways mulched Avoid compacting planting beds by using pathways

Irrigation: Improves Plant Health Consistency No splash on leaves Deep soaking promotes deep roots Loose soil/greater nutrient uptake Drought resistance Withstands wind Above ground, user friendly Can be mulched over

Irrigation: Improves Plant Health cont. Easily monitored, repaired and reconfigured Few tools needed Efficient use of gardeners time

Irrigation: System Checks Spring: Mid March Before hidden by perennial plants Before fresh mulch is spread Winter: Late October Disconnect from faucet Remove timer, batteries, pressure regulator and filter store indoors Plug beginning of system with HPLUG Loosen all joints without disconnecting entirely

Garden Diseases Disease is caused by: Insect pests Poor cultural management Extreme weather

Garden Management A few minutes a day will make a big difference!! Be patient Avoid working around plants when wet Harvest early only after dew is gone Don t work soil when too wet Be diligent Hand pick bugs or spray as needed

Garden Management Mulch prevents soil spattering onto plant Never leave soil bare Encourage proper air circulation Plant spacing Trellising Rotate crop families

Planting Tips Think successive plantings Plant small portions of a row at a time Space according to directions Seed into moist soil Cover lightly with germinating mix, sand or perlite Water gently with watering can with rose spout Keep moist until germination Once germinated, water soil only with irrigation system or other

Planting Tips continued Trellis as you plant your climbers Have protection ready, cut or built to size Row covers, shade cloth, cages

FCC Class #3 Links http://www.windcrestorganics.com/npk.html

FCC Class #3 Links http://www.organicgardening.com/learnand grow/how build compost pile

In Closing Take it one step further..