Comments on: The tools & techniques of a farm. Part 1: Introduction http://drmazesfarm.com/farmerroger/2010/03/11/tools-techniques-farm-introduction/ There's lots going on down on Dr. Maze's Farm Wed, 05 Jan 2011 20:52:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: FarmerRoger http://drmazesfarm.com/farmerroger/2010/03/11/tools-techniques-farm-introduction/comment-page-1/#comment-10 FarmerRoger Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:26:26 +0000 http://drmazesfarm.com/farmerroger/?p=474#comment-10 With some experience with your own soil, you can judge how much water is in the soil. Our soil has a fair amount of clay, and if we work the soil when it is too wet we will end up with hard clumps when it dries. Also the soil will be compacted by our tractors. Further work will be more difficult and the plants will not do as well unless the soil is opened back up again. This is a common mistake I see with both farmers and gardeners in our area. Sometimes you have to sit on your hands and wait a few more days until conditions are better, in order to save yourself a lot of trouble later on. People with a lot of experience with different soils can also judge the balance of clay and sand in the soil. Since the soil type on my farm is fairly uniform, I look more for the amount of humus, or organic matter that I have been able to build in the soil. I'm always happy to find a worm or two. With some experience with your own soil, you can judge how much water is in the soil. Our soil has a fair amount of clay, and if we work the soil when it is too wet we will end up with hard clumps when it dries. Also the soil will be compacted by our tractors. Further work will be more difficult and the plants will not do as well unless the soil is opened back up again. This is a common mistake I see with both farmers and gardeners in our area. Sometimes you have to sit on your hands and wait a few more days until conditions are better, in order to save yourself a lot of trouble later on.

People with a lot of experience with different soils can also judge the balance of clay and sand in the soil. Since the soil type on my farm is fairly uniform, I look more for the amount of humus, or organic matter that I have been able to build in the soil.

I’m always happy to find a worm or two.

]]> By: Tammy Baumgartner http://drmazesfarm.com/farmerroger/2010/03/11/tools-techniques-farm-introduction/comment-page-1/#comment-9 Tammy Baumgartner Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:33:07 +0000 http://drmazesfarm.com/farmerroger/?p=474#comment-9 How much information can you, as a long time farmer gather when you squeeze the soil? Water content, how much the soil is holding onto the water because of certain deficiencies or over abundance of particular elements, etc? I'd like to hear more.... And, i am looking forward to your next blogs about micro climate manipulation and efficient use of time and resource. thanks How much information can you, as a long time farmer gather when you squeeze the soil?
Water content, how much the soil is holding onto the water because of certain deficiencies or over abundance of particular elements, etc?
I’d like to hear more….
And, i am looking forward to your next blogs about micro climate manipulation and efficient use of time and resource. thanks

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