Search:

@LonerMatt

Sounds like the soil where I just moved, heavy, sandy clay, wet. Getting the worms back in is key I think (mine had none when I arrived, now there's some..)... to do it quick smart dig...

A close-up pic of the soil demo :)

Over the fence-line comparison, brown vertosol (heavy self-mulching clay), 650 mm/yr

Left side: conventional, full till & fert wheat cropping ~40 yrs
Right...

Thanks for the replies guys :)

@LonerMatt - what is your situation? It does depend if you are working intensively or more extensively and what state (how degraded) the system you are working on...

Hey guys,

I've spent several years of my undergrad reading through these boards & conversing on various topics - I found it the best source of decent conversation and thought around sustainable...

Hello all,

We have a lovely soil scientist visiting from the US at the moment - Prof Pedro Sanchez, Director of the Tropical Agriculture Program of the Earth Institute, Columbia University.
...

Hello - curled leaves can also be caused by water stress (especially if pots dry out and become water repellent) as well as sometimes caused by copper and/or magnesium deficiency. Its fairly unusual...

You got me good Butchasteve! Here I was thinking I'd actually managed to get through an April Fools without getting fooled.... Fool me. H aha hahah ahh sigh... and I was trying to be soooo diplomatic...

WOW!

This conversation is still going - I seem to recall a similar thread not too long ago.... feisty then & feisty now...

Ok, before I wade in to this continued debate I must confess a foot...

Hi Sindhooram,

Hey your roof garden successes sound great! Very glad you are getting good results with your soil mix too. On the whole it sounds like you're onto a winner wit the roof garden -...

Nice one on the hessian sack & sawdust idea. Flushing after #1's gives me the irks but is considered 'not negotiable' except for the back dunny (its SUCH a waste!)

Application at 1:10 water is...

Yep that price is about right. Mind you it does work out at about $5 per measure which is fairly good value (except that its a package). I personally wouldn't do the 'complete test'... I do think...

Hi PPP,

Firstly congratulations :)

Here's a link to an Australian soil testing lab that has a pretty good reputation amongst organic growers etc. as far as I am aware...

What a shame!

Hi Sindhooram,

Hmmm… originally I thought that baking powder would do it but on closer inspection it already has an acid in it….so it will react with itself when added to water (no use to us!)....

Sorry mate, I'm thinking 'not impressed'. There is some truth in your adage, but it is not a gem and does not shed much light on working with soil. Indeed it seems to refuse several other useful...

Hi Sindooram,

Look for 'bicarb soda' which is used for cleaning etc.... here are some images of the packaging...

Hi Sindhooram,

I have a couple of ideas about what may be at the root of your troubles, but I would ask first if you could do a couple of simple at home soil tests first & report back here?
...

Hi all,

"no matter what the question about soil - the answer is organic matter"

Um, yes, and no. More organic matter (OM) is undeniably good - but there are still deficiencies that can show up...

Hi Michaelangelica,

Do you still have any of that charcoal?

Cheers
Ich

Hi Michealangelica,

Yes in terms of actually sinking C and no in terms of getting paid for it... yet.

Whilst increasing soil carbon is pretty much a no-brainer (through biochar or otherwise),...