(an experiment)
I grow roughly 1/3 acre of produce each year. We feed our family, and sell some at the farmer’s market from the produce. Production is a necessity. But, this year I cut out fertilizer. After learning how soil biology can create more and higher-efficiency fertilizer than I can safely apply, I worked up an experiment. Instead of applying N-P-K synthetic fertilizers like normal, I used three different combinations. I grow in 3-foot-wide beds with 2 feet in between.
- Section one (potato, onion, tomato) had rabbit manure applied on the ground, 3-4 inches of old moldy hay as mulch, then a cover of heavy woven weed barrier fabric rolled out on top.
- Section two (potato, onion, tomato) had manure, then weed barrier fabric.
- Section three (melon and pumpkin) has nothing more than biochar (added at 2-5 percent) and weed barrier fabric applied and planted immediately after a mixed cover crop was killed off.
- Control group (potato, onion, tomato) fertilized with only synthetics just as recommended by the ag-extension.
3’ wide*Sections one, two, and three have growing cover-crops in the pathways between 3’wide growing beds.
By a visual examination, Sections one and two are both stronger and ahead in growth compared to my control group of the same crops. By harvest weight, Early potatoes are 23 percent higher-yielding in section one and 12 percent higher-yielding in section two. Onions have visually larger bulbs in section one, and are resisting disease, namely Purple Blotch fungus better than the others. Onions in section two looks to be somewhat smaller than my control group. Pest issues seem unaffected by different growing styles.
Section three, my melons and squashes, are intriguing me the most. No manure, no fertilizer, although that section received both last year, and it is far exceeding my expectations in plant vigor, yields, and disease resistance. Normally by this time, I have more issues with fungal disease. I also had an earlier initial harvest relative to my seed-starting and transplant dates on my summer squashes. So far, the watermelons are slightly ahead of the previous two years (my only experience growing melons) in terms of vine size and vigor and I’m observing them to be visibly healthier, i.e. less disease and fungal issues.
I’d also like to note that, while early in the season, compared to the control group I have counted 31 percent more tubers on my potato plants, 28 percent more fruits on my tomato plants in section one, and 24 percent more tubers on my potato plants and 9 percent more fruits on the tomato plants in section two. My potato plants will be mature in roughly 35 days and my tomato plants have yet to begin ripening.
What has this taught me? That like the agriculture genius John Kempf constantly teaches, there are far better options than what we have been led to believe.