Once we get that far then active > organic matter and microbial activity can do a lot to retrieve the > situation, the soil critters have a huge capacity to buffer pH, sequester > (tie up) nutrients that are in oversupply, and to release those that are > lacking. This takes time and my opinion is that in an intensive growing > situation - vegetables - fruit trees - cut flowers - any high return crop - > the money spent on lime, rock phosphate, rock dust, trace elements should be > quickly recovered in increased production and higher quality. > Once a soil is up and running we can use energetics to sustain it but its > too much to expect of Biodynamics, Radionics, Homeopathics, or any other > subtle energy system - if we think that these methods can bring back sick > soils without some physical application of whats lacking. My opinion anyway! > Cheers > Lloyd Charles
Dear list I heartily agree with what Lloyd has said . If your soil nutrient levels are out of kilter for one reason or another it is very hard to get BD, organics to work properly. It has taken me 5 years of research and much help from this list to work out why BD has not worked properly on my property in the last 10 years. The reason being is that my Base Saturation levels are way out of kilter caused by past management practices. Very high phosphate and magnesium levels and low potash .Thanks to Phil Wheelers book Non Toxic Farming I now have the information to change this . It has meant using softer fertilisers like Sulphate of Potash and Sulphate of Ammonia and Calcium Sulphate[ gypsum] in small quantities and the use of lime to get the right BS levels along with all the BD preps BC and potencies Sulphate of Potash and Sulphate of Ammonia and Calcium Sulphate to speed the process up. To each 50 m2 raised bed 3 m3 of sand sawdust and compost has been applied to help dilute the surplus nutrients and to bring organic matter in assist microbial activity. With the use of a brix ,pH,and a conductivity meter,observation and monitoring of crop production levels I am now seeing a steady improvement in crop health. A Foliar feeding programme is also part of this scenario it is the quickest way to correct any deficiencies during the season . For further research read Non_Toxic Farming Handbook by Philip Wheeler and Ronald Ward. Science in Agriculture by Arden Anderson Farming in the 21st Century by Dan Skow Source of books Acres USA web site http://www.acresusa.com This is what I have done with help from this list Thanks Cheers Tony Robinson
