Goal
To achieve aggressive tilth development in the Rose Paddock, Gravelly Paddock, and CSA Garden with a target of 0.9 inches per year (±0.25 inches) for the paddocks and 1 inch per year for the garden. This plan incorporates tailored soil-building strategies, resource applications, and crop cycles to maximize soil fertility and structure.
Strategy
1. Rose Paddock
- Current State: Sod with invasive wild rose and limited organic matter.
- Objective: Aggressively disrupt wild rose growth while building tilth with organic matter and green manure crops.
Operations:
- Flail Mowing:
- Chop and reduce existing sod and rose stems to manageable debris.
- Shallow Plowing (4–6 inches):
- Disrupt sod and wild rose root systems without deep soil inversion.
- Raking (Basket Rake):
- Remove rose debris and root fragments to reduce regrowth risk.
- Drag Harrowing:
- Smooth and lightly compact the soil for seedbed preparation.
- Spring Planting:
- Drill crimson clover (15–20 lbs/acre) and annual ryegrass (20–25 lbs/acre) to establish a nitrogen-fixing, tilth-enhancing cover crop.
- Fall Cycle:
- Flail mow spring growth in late summer, followed by drilling winter rye (60–90 lbs/acre) as a fall cover crop.
Resource Inputs:
- Chicken compost to provide an initial nutrient boost for the spring cycle.
Outcome:
- Annual Tilth Growth: ~0.9 inches.
- Three-Year Cumulative Gain: ~2.5–2.7 inches.
2. Gravelly Paddock
- Current State: Gravelly loam with poor organic matter and limited tilth.
- Objective: Establish organic matter cycling through sheet mulch and green manure crops.
Operations:
- Sheet Mulching:
- Apply 6–8 inches of poor or damaged hay as mulch to suppress weeds and add organic matter.
- Hand Broadcasting:
- Spread crimson clover and annual ryegrass seed over the mulch layer.
- Topdressing:
- Lightly cover seeds with a thin layer of composted chicken manure to anchor them and improve germination.
- Fall Cycle:
- Incorporate residue with light harrowing in late summer, then drill winter rye as a fall cover crop.
Resource Inputs:
- Local compost, enhanced with biochar if available, for targeted problem areas.
Outcome:
- Annual Tilth Growth: ~0.9 inches.
- Three-Year Cumulative Gain: ~2.5–2.7 inches.
3. CSA Garden
- Current State: High-priority, intensively managed production area with some organic matter deficits.
- Objective: Build tilth aggressively with biochar-enhanced compost and crop rotations.
Operations:
- Compost Application:
- Apply local compost enhanced with biochar to increase nutrient retention and soil organic matter.
- Tillage:
- Shallowly incorporate compost with a garden tiller to avoid disturbing deeper soil layers.
- Crop Rotation:
- Implement a rotation of spring green manures (crimson clover + annual ryegrass) and fall cover crops (winter rye) to build tilth and fertility.
Resource Inputs:
- Additional chicken compost as needed to supplement nutrients for high-demand crops.
Outcome:
- Annual Tilth Growth: ~1 inch.
- Three-Year Cumulative Gain: ~3 inches.
Expected Outcomes
Paddock | Annual Tilth Growth | Three-Year Cumulative Gain | Key Benefits |
---|---|---|---|
Rose Paddock | ~0.9 inches | ~2.5–2.7 inches | Weed suppression, organic matter incorporation, and wild rose control. |
Gravelly Paddock | ~0.9 inches | ~2.5–2.7 inches | Increased organic matter from mulch and cycling of green manure roots. |
CSA Garden | ~1 inch | ~3 inches | Intensive compost management for high fertility and rapid soil improvement. |
Value Statement
The operations plan ensures aggressive tilth development, targeting 0.9 inches per year for the paddocks and 1 inch per year for the CSA Garden. Over three years, cumulative tilth gains are projected at ~2.5–2.7 inches for the paddocks and ~3 inches for the garden, meeting or exceeding the stated objective.
This plan optimizes labor, resources, and ecological practices to enhance soil health and productivity sustainably.