Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
then liberally applying the resulting compost to beds. The
composting process will kill any parasites, dilute the salinity,
and break down phytotoxins.
Making perfect soil from scratch, on a small scale, works
quite well. The Square Foot gardening method gives a
formula of 1/3 coarse vermiculite, 1/3 peat moss, and 1/3
compost by volume plus a mix of organic fertilizers to create
a “perfect soil mix.”
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My own testing on a 120-square-foot
raised bed confirms that the method works beautifully. For
small beds, the price of the components is reasonable. A
six-inch-deep 4-foot × 6-foot bed would require only four
cubic feet of each of the components. Coarse vermiculite and
peat moss currently sell for about $18 for a four-cubic-foot
bale. Assuming free compost, the cost of making perfect soil
mix comes to $1.50 per square foot of growing area. This
works quite well on a small scale, but when even 700 square
feet are put into agricultural production, the cost can become
prohibitive.
Double-digging was covered in the previous chapter, and it is
what I recommend for mini-farming. Although it is more
difficult in the beginning, it affords the best opportunity to
prepare the best possible soil for the money invested. No-dig
beds, also described in the previous chapter, are a second
option.
Water-Holding Capacity and pH
Few soils start out ideal for intensive agriculture or even any
sort of agriculture. Some are too sandy, and some are too rich
in clay. Some are too acidic, and others are too alkaline.
