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Montoursville, PA

The USDA experiments have shown that in some areas earthworms convert 700 pounds of soil per acre, per day, into earthworm castings. These castings are generally mixed with the upper few inches of the native soil causing a build-up of top soil.

Chemical analysis of parent soil without microorganisms and earthworms, and of the same soil after it is worked by earthworms and microorganisms showed the following increases:
Nitrate...................500%
Available Phosphorus......700%
Exchangeable Potassium...1200%
Exchangeable Calcium......150%
Organic Carbon............200%
Available Magnesium.......200%

In basic soil building we either build or destroy our microorganisms. All synthetic fertilizers, insecticides and fungicides destroy microorganisms....the very critters we need to build the soil...the very critters we need to maintain healthy patch and consequently strong healthy plants.

3/15/2007 12:24:41 PM

maine USA

Pretty amazing Doc. I will definitely be doing things much differently this year, thanks KathyT

3/15/2007 3:20:26 PM

new middletown ohio

doc whats your e-mail? the one I have Won't work. steve

3/15/2007 10:17:30 PM

Montoursville, PA

dolldoc4@comcast.net for docgipe. New puter and new ISP.

3/18/2007 9:35:41 AM

Montoursville, PA

One thing I think I know is that depending on where you start soil building practices you may have to back out of present practices while building or attempt at soil building. It all depends on how much biology you have left in your native soil. Given time and effort the soil will correct itself. We can only help by reducing our nuking practices and increasing our organnic principles. Think of it this way. If you ever had an inclosed dog yard a certain post or posts will be nuked by to much dog pee. However when the post locations are changed the yellowed spots become super grass growing spots about two years later and remain that way for several years. That one spot was over nitrated and compressed to hard trampled soil. In time with or without our help it will correct itself and the nuked grass will cover the spot with vigor. We could help that spot by mulching or digging out the spot placing it into our compost piles. Then fill the spot with new good soil. (changing to new soil from that we have not managed properly) :))

3/18/2007 9:47:25 AM