Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
to the previous trench. Work your way vertically through the garden until you come to the opposite
border. Then move over and start a new column of trenches next to the previous one, and so on and
so forth.
Progressing in this manner has several benefits. First, it helps you keep track of where you bur-
iedyourlast set ofscraps. Second, itstarts inoculating andbuilding thesoil inasystematic manner.
Byintroducingmicrobesandorganicmattertoanarea,youareprovidingtheconditionsforsoillife
to multiply and flourish. Worms and other soil organisms will start moving into the area to feed on
the newly introduced scraps. By slowly expanding out of that area, you are providing the soil life
with a constant food source and a favorable soil structure, allowing it to expand throughout your
garden. Combining this technique with a cover crop or adding a surface mulch such as straw are
easy ways to re-invigorate dead soils.
If you don't have an area of land that can be trenched because of your location or because your
landiscompletelyplantedout,thereisasimplesolution;youcanintroducebokashipre-compostto
the soil in pockets between existing plantings. Simply dig a twelve-inch-deep hole in between the
plants, leaving at least twelve inches between the outer edge of the hole and the nearest plants in all
directions; be cognizant of the nearby plants and their roots as you dig. Then add the pre-compost
to hole, mix it with some soil, and cover it with at least six inches of soil. Over the next few weeks,
the soil biota will feed on the newly introduced organic matter and your plants will have access to a
slow-release fertilizer and all of the benefits that go with a good soil structure.
Fig. 7.7:
Adding bokashi pre-compost in between existing plantings.
