The Depot Farm

  With a large area cultivated and planted every year, producing enough compost in a pile is impossible. We use mulch to conserve water and control weeds wherever possible. By adding leaves, grass clippings, and plant debris throughout the year (spread over the existing mulch layer), we have a continuous supply of compost on the fields for the worms and bacteria to happily digest and add enrichment to the soil. Manure and wood chips don't go on until the growing season is over to allow it to break down over the winter months. Cover crops of oats, field peas and buckwheat are added to the "mulch" as crops are harvested and the area rested. These all die with the frost and are left in place to breakdown on their own. In spring, we till or plow what we have to for the seed beds, or simply place transplants directed into the soil by pulling the mulch back a little. No Tilling necessary! The ground is loose and friable without any cultivation.

  This method has been used in both bed plantings, row planting and large areas of open plantings. Insect pests haven't been a problem overwintering in the mulch. Working at adding these components throughout the year makes the task a little less daunting than trying to do it all at once. This also frees up more time to dedicate to planting and other chores. The real payoff comes when you harvest a great crop! Without good soil structure and fertility, all your hard work ends up with poor yields or worse: no yield. Feed the soil and the soil will feed you.