The Dragonfly means hope, change and love
Four Steps in Regenerative Agriculture
Creating and Maintaning Biologically Diverse Soil
What follows are specific methods for creating a healthy soil for crops and soil biology. Most soils will benefit greatly from the soil enhancement and amendments described here. One exception is desert soil (sand, and/or clay) which can comprise almost 100% of the growth medium in varying proportion’s. In this case, a substantial quantity of organic matter is necessary to jump start the soil regeneration process in the form of cover crops and other amendments discussed below.
No-till
What are some benefits from using no-till
No-till systems are known to provide many benefits to soils that can enhance production of crops. Many of the improvements to soils that result from no-till include increases in soil aggregation, water-holding capacity, nutrient cycling, and biological activity and are related to increases in soil organic matter. No-till is known to increase soil organic matter because of the absence of destructive tillage, the minimization of soil erosion losses, and the return of crop residue to the soil. Organic matter levels in no-till systems can be further improved with the use of cover crops, perennial crops, and the use of organic amendments.
The soil food web is the community of organisms living all or part of their lives in the soil.
Step 1
Sample Soil for Chemical & Physical Analysis
Determining the physical characteristics of soil is simple and can provide useful information such as optimizing the selection of crops and plants that will thrive here. For example, carrots grow best in a Sandy Loam.
To do this test, take soil from a number of places in your garden and mix the samples together in a bucket. Scoop up a cup of your soil and follow these steps:
- Let the soil dry out on a flat surface until it becomes crumbly.
- Remove any roots, stones, or debris and crush it into a powder with a mortar.
- Place a 5 inch-thick layer in the bottom of a quart-sized clear glass jar.
- Fill the jar two-thirds full with water and add a pinch of salt (or 1 teaspoon of liquid dish detergent) to help the soil particles separate. Shake vigorously.
- Let the solution settle into different layers.
The sand will settle quickly (within a few minutes) to form the bottom layer. A few hours later, the silt will settle. You should be able to see a visual difference between the large sand particles and the smaller silt particles. The clay may take days to settle out. - Measure the total amount of soil, and then measure each layer.
To determine the percentage of each soil type, you need to do a little math. If, for example, the total amount of soil is 1 inch deep and you had a 1/2-inch-thick layer of sand, your soil is 50 percent sand. If the next layer (silt) is 1/4 inch deep, you have 25 percent silt. The remaining 25 percent, then, is clay. Reading from the diagram this soil is classified as a Sandy Clay Loam.
Determining the Chemistry of soil is also simple and can provide useful information such as optimizing the selection of crops and plants that will thrive in addition to alerting to mineral deficiencies that can affect the health and pest resistance of the plants, not to mention the nutritional value of the crop.
To have the soil Chemistry analyzed, take 1 cup of the sample from step #2 above and place in a clean plastic bag (baggie).
Send the sample to : Logan Labs
The website details pricing & shipping instructions.
After the analysis is received, about 1 week, send to: Michael Astera
http://soilminerals.com/soiltestservices.htm
Michael will advise on any minerals that are deficient and necessary quantities to add for your size plot.
Alternatively, you can purchase his book to understand the soil amendment process and calculate the correct additions on your own.
To purchase minerals:
https://www.greenwaybiotech.com/
Soil Texture. The particles that make up soil sand, silt, and clay.
Step 2
Preparing the Soil
An initial Tilling is necessary for soil that has never been used for crops or compacted soil. A Roto Tiller for small plots or a walk behind tractor with Rotary Plow for large plots is required to loosen soil to an 8" to 12" depth.
Quality tillers for small plots and large:
https://bcsamerica.com/products/tractors
For a season long nitrogen supply for the planted crops, add 40 Lbs. of western forge alfalfa pellets per 500 ft.²
Spread amendments determined from Step 1 above and alfalfa pellets evenly across the previously tilled ground and blend into the top 3” with tiller.
Water copiously and leave undisturbed for ~3 weeks allowing minerals and bacteria to reach equilibrium.
Frequent watering may be necessary. Soil should not be allowed to dry out.
NOTE: If original plot of land was grass or weeds, covering with a black silage tarp for the 3 weeks to prevent weed and grass seeds from germinating may be necessary.
The Rotary Plow engages the ground up to 12'' deep, and can be regulated by a depth wheel
Step 3
Planting Cover Crops
Diversity continues by seeding the newly conditioned soil with a variety of plant life.
Cover Crops have many benefits for new and continuously used soil. Legumes will dig deep into the soil substrate and mine for deeply buried minerals, add to soil carbon and provide Nitrogen for subsequent crops. Grasses will provide organic matter and supply the biology with food in addition to "tilling" the soil with their roots. And finally, the Brassicas will aid in soil pest control with alellopathic biochemicals.
Recommended cover Crop mixture:
Warm season soil builder . . . .
https://www.greencoverseed.com/product/warm-season-soil-builder-mix/
Cool season soil builder . . . .
https://www.greencoverseed.com/product/cool-season-soil-builder/
Spread the mix evenly over the plot and rake lightly into soil to cover seeds. Seeds should be adequately shielded from the Sun and protected from birds.
Keep plot well watered during germination and during growth stages.
A diversity of Cover Crops!
Step 4
Chop and Drop Cover Crops
Once Cover Crops have reached the flowering stage, they should be chopped into a fine mulch and shallow tilled into the top 1"-2" of soil. The soil biology will decompose the organic crop residual and make the carbon/nutrients available for the next planting.
To chop & drop a small plot, a weed wacker will chop followed by a mulching lawn mower and finally a Roto Tiller set for surface tilling.
For larger plots, a walking behind tractor with a Power Harrow or Flail mower attachment can be used to chop and mulch followed by a Precision Depth Roller or Rear-Tine Tiller to blend the mulch into the soil.
Water copiously and leave undisturbed for 3 weeks allowing organics to decompose.
Frequent watering may be necessary. Soil should not be allowed to dry out.
It is important NOT to allow the Cover Crops to go beyond the flowering stage and into the seed stage to prevent a Cover Crop weed problem.
Planting Crops
You're Ready to Grow Nutritious Food
At this point the "Crop" and method (seed or Transplants) you choose is ready for planting. Following the procedure outlined above should provide a Bio-diverse and healthy soil for your crop.
Reliable sources for seeds and supplies:
https://www.trueleafmarket.com
For large plots, a mechanical seeder can save time and your back:
https://mechanicaltransplanter.com/pages/jp-series-seeders
Following is a list of flowers that will attract pollinators and insect pest predators:
- Chrysanthemums
- Marigolds
- Calendula
- Geraniums
- Nasturtium
- Chamomile
- Sweet Alyssum
- Daisy
Insect Pests
Insect Pests are a problem everywhere and will eat crops if not controlled.
To maintain a safe organically grown crop the following insect controls can be used and are economical and very effective for a broad range of pests. They are USDA approved for organic production, non-toxic to mammals and do not contribute to environmental damage:
- Neem oil extract
https://www.arbico-organics.com/category/azadirachtin-insecticides
- Chrysanthemum extract (pyrethrum)
https://www.arbico-organics.com/product/pyganic-gardening-home-use-pyrethrins/pyrethrin-insecticide
Level 1: Complete Photosynthesis - The volume of photosynthesis increases anywhere from 150-600% and the carbohydrate profile changes to be composed of a high proportion of complex carbohydrates with low levels of non-reducing sugars in the plant sap.
Plants develop resistance to soil-borne fungal pathogens such as Verticillium, Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, Pythium, Phytophthora, and others.
Plants require adequate levels of magnesium, iron, manganese, nitrogen, and phosphorus* to reach this stage of heath *Phosphorus is not directly involved in photosynthesis but is needed for photosynthate metabolism with the increased sugar production.
Level 2: Complete Protein Synthesis - The plant begins converting all of the soluble nitrogen compounds to amino acids and complete proteins so that 100% of all the nitrogen in the plant is converted to a complete protein in every 24-hour photo cycle. The result is there are no nitrates and no ammonium remaining in plant sap in every 24-hour photo period.
Plants become resistant to insects with simple digestive systems, especially larval and sucking insects such as tomato horn worms, cabbage loopers, corn borers, corn ear-worms, aphids, leafhoppers, white flies, and thrips.
Plants require adequate levels of magnesium, sulfur, molybdenum, and boron* to reach this stage of health. *Boron is not directly involved in protein synthesis but contributes additional pest resistance.
Level 3: Increased Lipid Synthesis - Plants begin absorbing the majority of their nutrition in the form of microbial metabolites which are extremely energy efficient, and they begin storing surplus energy in the form of lipids.
Plants develop increased resistance to all of the airborne fungal and bacterial pathogens such as downy mildew, powdery mildew, late blight, fire blight, rust, bacterial speck, and bacterial spot which land on the leaf surface and release pectolytic enzymes, because the waxes and oils on the leaf surface serve as a shield to prevent the enzymes from working.
Plants require a very aggressive plant microbiome in the rhizosphere to begin absorbing the majority of their nutrition in the form of microbial metabolites to reach this stage of health.
Level 4: Increased Plant Secondary Metabolite Synthesis - The plant’s immune pathways are triggered by microbes in the plant’s microbiome, both in the rhizosphere and the phyllosphere or by other immune triggers resulting in increased concentrations of immune compounds and plant secondary metabolites.
Plants develop increased resistance to the entire beetle family including Japanese beetles, corn rootworm beetles, squash bugs, Colorado potato beetles, cucumber beetles, and marmorated stink bugs, nematodes such as root rot nematodes, and viruses.
Plants require the correct microbes in the plant microbiome to trigger the immune response to reach this stage of health.
Two 14' x 50 ' Caterpillar Tunnels Installed
Following are Advancing Eco Agriculture recommended Macro, Micro & Biological formulations for remediating the soil Throughout the growing season:
Bi-Weekly - Macro & Micro Nutrients
- forage foliar blend
- Spectrum
see AEA’s webpage for purchase an application information.
After Harvest
After harvesting the crops, the remaining crop residue should be chopped into a fine mulch and shallow tilled into the top 1"-2" of soil as described for the Cover Crops above. Again, the soil biology will decompose the organic crop residual and make the carbon/nutrients available for the next planting.
As before, to chop & drop a small plot, a weed wacker will chop followed by a mulching lawn mower and finally a Roto Tiller set for surface tilling. For larger plots, a walking behind tractor with a Power Harrow or Flail mower attachment can be used to chop and mulch followed by a Precision Depth Roller or Rear-Tine Tiller to blend the mulch into the soil.
At this point a second crop can be planted.
At season end, return to step 3 above and allow cover crop to protect and nourish soil until next season.
Prior to the new season, a soil sample should be taken for analysis to verify adequate minerals and organic matter for the new crop as detailed in Step 1.
Final Thoughts - (Some Pictures Contain Links)
Ruminant Digestion
Ruminant Digestion
Ruminant Digestion
Allowing organic material from crop & cover crop residues to be mulched and shallow tilled into the soil, mimics the ruminant digestion and relieves the burden of continuously adding compost or animal manure to the soil.
Cover Crop Mix
Ruminant Digestion
Ruminant Digestion
Cover Crop Mix Calculator example
Credits and Acknowlegments:
How to read a soil test, balance 11 important minerals, and grow the healthiest possible food for people and animals. The secrets of soil mineral balance that create ideal soil, plant, and animal health. The amazing results that can be achieved by balancing the major cation minerals Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium and Sodium in the soil according to the teachings of Dr William Albrecht and Dr Carey Reams have changed the world of agriculture. This knowledge has taken the focus away from merely trying to achieve high volume yields to achieving the highest yields of the highest quality and nutritional value, while building optimal health in the soil, the crops, and the people and animals that rely on them for food.
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture, a plant nutrition and biostimulants consulting company. A top expert in the field of biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who are growing that supply. John is the host of the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, where he interviews top scientists and growers about the science and principles of implementing regenerative agriculture on a large scale. Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition - a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology. He has a unique ability to simplify and clearly explain very complex concepts in the areas of soil and plant health. He skillfully discusses the larger social and environmental impacts of food, agriculture, and ecology. John’s mission is to provide support to the world’s farmers and globally impact our food supply. Advancing Eco Agriculture ©2020