PDC 921 Ruth Raubertas
Homework (Ref: Soil degradation): What can the individual land owner with degraded soil do to try to improve their soil, given little income for fencing to keep pests such as goats or rabbits out, etc.?
Soil should be tested for pH, drainage and observed as to color, texture and dispersion in water. Plans can then be made for the addition of matter to correct those specific problems if necessary (e.g. with lime, sand, organic matter, etc.). The land should be observed as to what kind of plants, animals and insects are present and what that indicates about the soil.
If erosion is a problem, plans should be made to build swales or dams to direct water to where it should go. Rock strips or logs can placed along contour lines to catch water, or depressions can be made to collect water; plants can then be grown in those spots. Eroded spots such as steep banks should be planted with fast growing cover crops, shrubs or trees to prevent further erosion and leaching of nutrients. In the case of compacted soil from animals or machinery, broadforking or use of a chisel plow can help aerate the soil so it will absorb more water and provide paths for roots, worms (who are great soil conditioners!) and nutrients to pass through. Seeds of fast-growing plants can be planted in these channels which will give them a head start in forming roots. Later on the decaying roots will provide more nutrients for the soil and paths for water and worms.
In large fields, cover crops can be planted to protect the soil from wind, sun and runoff. Green manures (leguminous plants) can be planted to add nutrients to the soil. In smaller areas such as vegetable gardens organic matter can be added such as kitchen scraps and other dead vegetation. Composting either outdoors or in an indoor worm bin can generate nutrient-dense matter to add to the soil; the carbon (dry, brown materials such as straw or newspaper) and nitrogen (green materials and manures) ratio should be approximately 30:1. Mixing and turning the pile aids in the composting process.
One should always be on the alert for materials for mulching and composting. Grass clippings (somewhat dried is best), animal bedding with manure, wood chips, spoiled hay or straw, and chopped leaves are all good sources of mulch and compost. Growing beds should be mulched in the fall, and manure can be added then as well, so that the composting process will occur before planting time the following spring.
Fast growing “pioneer” plants and trees should be installed to create some shaded areas for young seedlings and to break up the soil. Rocks and logs can also help to shade young seedlings. Young trees can be surrounded with wire cages to prevent damage from animals. Hedges can be grown instead of fences. Other animal pest deterrents are scarecrows, noisemakers, herbal or other fragrance barriers (human or pet urine, soaps, etc.). One of the best deterrents for animal pests is a dog to chase them!
Note: Some of this material was gleaned from Introduction to Permaculture by Bill Mollison.