Tim Duren of Evergreen Farms has volunteered to sterilize the CCG site. Tim sells snapdragons, sunflowers, and other small plants at the Homegrown Alabama Farmers Market held at Canterbury on Thursday afternoons.
For the past several decades, Tim has been sterilizing his soil using steam. The steam raises the temperature of the soil high enough to kill all weeds, grass seeds, diseases, and harmful bacteria or fungi that may be lurking just under the surface. Healthy soil requires the presence of certain beneficial soil organisms that are, unfortunately, also killed when the soil is sterilized. However, the steaming process can also improve the soil structure by increasing air and moisture availability.
Although the process will kill beneficial soil organisms in the CCG site, we have decided it will ultimately be a good idea. The soil in the garden site is so tightly compacted, any attempt at loosening it up and improving the aeration will be more than worth the loses. Adding compost and other organic material will eventually attract the beneficial organisms back to the garden site.
Tim will be demonstrating the process during the next Homegrown Alabama Farmers Market on May 20th. Stop by to watch and as questions.
Once the soil has been sterilized (Tim is also going to till the soil), the beds can be formed and planting can follow!
No comments:
Post a Comment