To Tony, Gil, Steve D., Frank, Lloyd & Allan (from past posts) and others,
Thank you for all your help with conceptualizing for our road IPM project. I'm going to call Brad, the Weed Supervisor, today and have a talk about this year's work. The help you have given me is invaluable. I have gathered all the posts on my word processor and will print them out to have them together. Best, Merla Rambler Flowers LTD wrote: > > Tony - > > > > Nice integration of BD preps with a mulching technique > > to achieve vegetation control, worm action, soil biology.... > > and a clean bed to transplant into..... also getting the > > muck and magic benefits of the BD preps.... all at the > > same time. > > > > Steve Diver > > Thanks Steve the worm activity is amazing. > I have been thinking of developing this further as i have a particularly > dirty block that i want to plant into in about 18 months. > After a soil test I am going to sheet compost with grasses, sawdust, lime , > animal manure , Steve Storchs sequential spray programme using Glens > Potentised preps and what ever organic fertilisers i need to balance the > soil according to Albrecht and Reams ie 60-70% Calcium, 12%Magesium 3-5% > Potash, 1-2% sodium aiming to achieve a CEC level of 25% and a pH of > between 6-7, and then cover with weed mat until worms have done their > magic.I will follow with a quick green crop and repeat as above missing out > the soil test this will take 12 months to next autumn. Before it becomes > too wet final raised beds will be set up . Aftera further check of nutrient > levels, the beds will be mulched with compost and covered with weed mat, > every 6-8 weeks weed mat will be removed for 10 days to encourage weed seed > germination weed mat is then replaced until spring planting > I will also be monitering brix pH and erg levels and making any > adjustments as i see fit. > The aim is have well balanced soil that is pest, disease and weed free for a > crop of gentians that will be planted for 5-6 years. > Thanks Steve for your inspirational reply it triggered off the above idea > siutable for intensive cropping . The area covered will be 50 by 7 metres > and will be planted with 2000 plants. I will also do a similar area next > door with out the weed mat to compare results .
