[Terrapreta] Terra preta 101

[code suidae]

On 9/20/07, Michael Bailes <michaelangelica at gmail.com> wrote:
> > My major project for this weekend is to incorporate compost into my
> > loess soil garden. I have char that I'd like to include as well. My
> > intention is to dig the soil to about 18 inches and then mix in an
> > equal quantity of compost. The plot is divided into thirds of about 20
> > square feet each. I'd like to keep one char-free as a control, and add
> > char to the others at varying rates (I'm thinking 5 and 10 t/a).
>
> It is going to work what ever you do and however you incorporate it.
>  But why not try a few different levels including just leaving some on the
> surface and report back what you observe?

I like that idea, but I don't have enough room in the current plot to
do more than about three different tests. That might be a good option
for some potted plots that I was going to do anyway.

>  18" sounds deep to me.but I guess it depends on the type of crop you are
> planting ie . whether it is deep or shallow rooted

The number is a bit arbitrary. I want to minimize the frequency at
which I have to water, so I wanted to make sure I had plenty of
water-holding capacity. 18 inches sounded reasonable.

> Do you know your crop pH tolerances/likes/dislikes?

At this point I don't know for sure what the crops will be :) Just a
variety of vegetables.

> What is your soil pH now?

Not sure, I haven't tested it because I know I'm going to have to
compost it regardless, so I figured I'd wait until after that was
done.

> What type of soil is it? Clay sand loam mixture?

Loess subsoil, mostly clay with a bit of sand. All the topsoil was
removed during construction.

> Do you intend to add any clay like material like zeolite?

Only if they are necessary and produced from local sources. Part of
the goal with this garden is to only use locally-sourced organic
products.

> Do you monitor your rainfall and water usage?

I didn't this year because I had new sod in the yard that required
frequent watering. The garden benefited from that. Next year I'll be
giving the yard much less water, so I'll have to keep a closer eye on
the garden.

Thanks!
Dave K
-- 
"Our ignorance is not so vast as our failure to use what we know." -
M. King Hubbert