The Newfarm Forums

[Harry]

Hi all
I did a bit more reading on the site last night and was quite intrigued by the article on earthworms. I am currently setting up my farming processes with an eye on no till. My short, medium, and long term goals are all to build up the humus and earthworm populations.

I have heard recommendations that insist on some type of mixing of the organic matter into the soil and others stating this is not necessary. So my question is whether earthworms are adequate for "soil circulation" and whether I can forego a preseed till. If I do need to do a preseed till, can anyone recommend a process that will not harm the earthworm populations. Thanks for any and all advice.
Harry

[Tim Fuller]

Harry, Our extension training said that compost left on top will be carried down to the root zone, just as happens in nature. I often till in partially finished compost in the fall to speed up the composting process. In my experience worms go pretty deep when the soil is dry so that might be a good time to till. Tim

[pixelphotographer]

If you have very poor soil you may want to till in organic material to get it kick started. It takes a long time to turn really poor soil into good soil and then into great soil.
if you all ready have good soil then I say don't till just layer the organic material and like the other poster stated it eventually breaks down and will get pulled down into the soil.
The worms are great at turning the soil and aerating the soil. Along with their castings they leave behind they create good bacteria that help as well.

[docgipe]

Just found the site. 70 years old going to no-till because the tiller and hoe are now the enemy. Excellent prep with endless supply of leaves to carry on some serious mulching.

I use three quarter finished compost and one quarter earthworm casts by volume to create aerobic tea on site applied every third week. My objective is to grow a world class Atlantic Giant Pumpkin. Would appreciate constructive criticism. PH is 6.8 Maintained OM is 15 -17% I use fall applied manures, minerals, humic acids followed by a winter rye cover crop. Presently half way to goal over 1500 lb pumpkin.

One concern about mulching is the possibility of a slow warm up of active soil biology in the early spring.
_________________
Early contributor Organic Gardening magazine. 50 years gardening with organic principles.