[Terrapreta] Forestland management

[bakaryjatta]

To Greg and April" <gregandapril at earthlink.net,

You are describing conditions shared with multitudes in the world. It is
laudable that you make an effort regardless of the limitations. Depending on
climatic conditions, it may be possible to grow more mulch by chosing the
right plant species. In the beginning I went and collected as much organic
material as I could from outside my property to start the process. Having
access to more land now I still have to pursue the same method. After some
time the land itself can produce increased biomass for the purpose.

I would like to suggest you continue to make steps regardless of all the
considerations, especially the one of economics. Many people deciding on the
right action will accomplish more than the ones who will not act because it
'does not pay' or 'the task is too big' or whatever other excuse. One is
responsible for one's own action, can only show or advise others.

One walks before one runs and one learns as one moves on. We are privileged
to have access to other people's experiences and thanks to that can move
ahead much faster.

Bless you,

Bakary Jatta,

at the edge of the approaching Sahara.





> Message: 3
> Date: Sat, 19 Apr 2008 23:09:26 -0600
> From: "Greg and April" <gregandapril at earthlink.net>
> Subject:
> To: "Sean K. Barry" <sean.barry at juno.com>, "Terra Preta"
> <terrapreta at bioenergylists.org>
> Message-ID: <013c01c8a2a4$b5846c70$6401a8c0 at GREG>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> I'm currently facing having to buy land, in what was ancient seabed that
> is now uplifted, and as such, the soil ( if there is any at all ), is thin
> sandy stuff with little organic matter and nutrients.    I was here for 3
> years before I saw my first worm, that's how dry and organic poor the soil
> is.
>
> Most of the water shows up for about 3-4 weeks in the mid summer monsoons
> ( if you can call them that ) - even then it's usually less than 20 inches
> for the year, so I have to take a number of moisture saving steps, until I
> can build up a thick enough natural mulch.
>
> If you know what western short grass prairie is ( in some cases little
> more than some hard pack sand ) that's exactly what I'm facing, trying to
> make it more useful than just grazing a few cows on.
>
> While I doubt that I would be able to change it all.    Changing strips of
> it, even small areas at a time, I figure that I can eventually change
> enough to take care of my family - I'm not asking any more than that -
> trying to will be asking for trouble.
>
> I see char as an important part of the plan, in order to hold nutrients,
> rather then have them wash away in the sandy ground during a storm that
> dumps 3 inches of rain in 40 mins or less.
>
> I have seen what I can do in my backyard with bunch of rabbits and the
> ashes from the fireplace ( including the char ) in a 4x8 garden and the
> backyard in general.
>
>
> Now that you know what I'm facing, do you see why I believe that char will
> be an important part of the plan, now that I have learned about it?
>
> As for where I'm going to get the char, I'm going to have to make every lb
> of it - but I will not be able to do that until I have the land - as to
> where I'm going to get the wood, to start off with - let's just say that
> at this time, I have identified a seasonal source - free for the hauling.
>
>
> Greg H.
>
>  ----- Original Message ----- 
>  From: Sean K. Barry
>  To: Terra Preta ; Greg and April
>  Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2008 21:08
>  Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] Forestland management
>