Our world is just too small to be messing with random additions of chemicals and in his book, the intelligent gardener, Steve Solomon spells it out for you. But if you prefer to keep it really really safe, simply make the conditions right for microbes and they will make the conditions right for plants. It is a simple and satisfactory solution.
But back to Biochar. Apparently if made and used properly it is a more or less a permanent solution to soil drainage problems, soil fertility, soil chemical problems and almost anything that ails you.
Maybe you grow seven hundred pound pumpkins? Or maybe you are the gardener reported on by the BBC this week who raised a record breaking 50 pound cabbage in England. So my question is this: why bother? I want to grow mineralized,organic, pest-free food. But does it really need to be giant?
I line up the tools and take them apart to clean them. Yes- you can also sharpen the blades leaving them on the handle and if you have a cheaper pair they might not come apart. But I don’t believe in half measures. I loosen the main bolt on my 35-year-old Swiss Felco’s. Into soapy water they go.
Calgary Gardener Jack Wootliff asked me earlier this summer how to get rid of his red aphids. I suggested he just spray them with water. He did that and he also sprayed them with soap and water. Well something was paying attention and this week he sent me this updated photo. He still has aphids, but he has added to his diner
It has never been important to me to measure my success in the garden. I’m not a farmer so I don’t make money based on pounds of peas grown. If I run out of something I can always buy it at the Farmer’s market or local store. But new gardeners want to know specifics. They want to know how much they can grow in a pot on their patio or in a straw-bale garden on their boulevard.
