www.sare.org publications building-soils-for-better-crops-3 a-case-study-peter-kenagy A Case Study: Peter Kenagy Albany, Oregon Peter Kenagy’s rotation provides regular windows of opportunity to grow cover crops, which he has used for twenty years to build soil and control weeds on his farm. Kenagy raises processing vegetables, small grains, cover crop seed, and native grass forbs and seeds on 320 tillable and 130 riparian acres in Oregon’s fertile Willamette […]
www.sare.org publications building-soils-for-better-crops-3 sources-4 Sources Abawi, G.S., and T.L. Widmer. 2000. Impact of soil health management practices on soilborne pathogens, nematodes and root diseases of vegetable crops. Applied Soil Ecology 15: 37–47. Allison, F.E. 1973. Soil Organic Matter and Its Role in Crop Production. Amsterdam: Elsevier Scientific Publishing. In his discussion of organic matter replenishment and green manures (pp. 450–451), Allison […]
www.sare.org publications building-soils-for-better-crops-3 cover-crop-management Cover Crop Management There are numerous management issues to consider when using cover crops. Once you decide what your major goals are for using cover crops, select one or more to try out. Consider using combinations of species. You also need to decide where cover crops best fit in your system—planted following the main crop, intercropped during part […]
www.sare.org publications building-soils-for-better-crops-3 types-of-cover-crops Types of Cover Crops Many types of plants can be used as cover crops. Legumes and grasses (including cereals) are the most extensively used, but there is increasing interest in brassicas (such as rape, mustard, and forage radish) and continued interest in others, such as buckwheat. Some of the most important cover crops are discussed below. Legumes Leguminous crops are […]
www.sare.org publications building-soils-for-better-crops-3 selection-of-cover-crops Selection of Cover Crops Before growing cover crops, you need to ask yourself some questions: What type of crop should I plant? When and how should I plant the crop? When should the crop be killed or incorporated into the soil? When you select a cover crop, you should consider the soil conditions, climate, and what you want to […]
www.sare.org publications building-soils-for-better-crops-3 benefits-of-cover-crops-2 Benefits of Cover Crops Cover crops provide multiple potential benefits to soil health and the following crops, while also helping maintain cleaner surface and groundwater (figure 10.1). They prevent erosion, improve soil physical and biological properties, supply nutrients to the following crop, suppress weeds, improve soil water availability, and break pest cycles. Some cover crops are able to […]
www.sare.org publications building-soils-for-better-crops-3 a-case-study-bob-muth A Case Study: Bob Muth Gloucester County, New Jersey Farming 118 acres in what has recently become a bedroom community of Philadelphia, Bob Muth and his wife, Leda, raise a wide range of vegetables, small fruits, flowers, and hay, which are sold to wholesalers and through a 325-member CSA (community-supported agriculture). Muth’s operation is based on his passion for soil […]
www.sare.org publications building-soils-for-better-crops-3 summary-and-sources-6 Summary and Sources Summary Improved soil organic matter management is at the heart of building better soils—creating a habitat below the ground that is suited to optimal root development and health. This means adding adequate annual quantities, tons per acre, of a variety of organic materials— crop residue, manure, composts, leaves, etc.—while not overloading the soil with nutrients […]
www.sare.org publications building-soils-for-better-crops-3 besides-organic-matter-management Besides Organic Matter Management Although enhanced soil organic matter management practices go a long way to helping all aspects of soil health, other practices are needed to maintain an enhanced physical and chemical environment. Plants thrive in a physical environment that allows roots to actively explore a large area, gets all the oxygen and water needed, and maintains a […]
www.sare.org publications building-soils-for-better-crops-3 maintaining-soil-biodiversity Maintaining Soil Biodiversity The role of diversity is critical to maintaining a well-functioning and stable agriculture. Where many different types of organisms coexist, there are fewer disease, insect, and nematode problems. There is more competition for food and a greater possibility that many types of predators will be found. This means that no single pest organism will be […]