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RE: The Land, The Plot, The Bed and The Plan A four part series on land development-Part 2 The Plot
@alanman
nice comment and questions ... knowledge they say is power... i wish you all the best in your planting... but wouldn't winter hinder your work?
It does slow me up a bit, but not as much as most would think.
Many crops/cover crops can be planted up until mid October in some years.
Over half the seeds I plant, I plant with the hopes/expectation that they will "die".
The roots of the plants and trees bring up nutrients that are unavailable in the shallower soils. When those plants die the detritus of the plants/trees is redeposited in the upper soil layers.
Many of the fungi and bacteria that break down the detritus tend to operate more efficiently at lower temperatures, hence accelerating the nutrient availability in the spring.
The fall/winter plant roots (after "death") aerate the soil and produce water pathways within the soil, allowing for deeper water penetration, reducing the effects of drought.
The bacteria which are decomposing the biomass of the plant produce glomulin, which acts as a biological glue, forming soil aggregates, holding them together and reducing the potential of erosion.
To sum it up, the field work is lighter in the winter months (November thru mid-February), but soil sampling, counting biologics with a microscope (fungi, bacteria, micro-arthapods, nematodes, etc), calculating production demands, fertilization/amendment desires etc. all need to get done.
Not less work, just different work.
Sorry for the long answer.
Thanks for the question!
Look at this for a bigger overview of my project:
https://steemit.com/permaculture/@torquewrench1969/the-land-the-plot-the-bed-and-the-plan-a-four-part-series-on-land-development
Great and detailed answer and I love it as knowledge is power... Keep it up dear...