Science of soil

[Compo72]

Unsure if has been mentioned on this forum

Tonight bbc4 9pm

Deep down and dirty the science of soil

Sorry if this already been mentioned elsewhere


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[Bill HH]

I have just watched this, it was informative and very interesting.

[PyreneesPlot]

Very good and it took me straight back to the soil bit of my degree - soil sampling in a wood and then tramping around Malham Cove (with hangovers).

[alldigging]

Validates my use of mulch!

The minute I saw his asparagus field I thought 'he needs to mulch that'.

[Martin H]

Enjoyed the programme. I never realised that's how earthworms operate!

Also I remember doing the school field trip to Malham Cove even though it was getting on for 50 years ago. Happy days.

[alldigging]

Darwins worm book is available free on kindle

[hellybore]

Excellent programme, I love a bit of dirt science. Some amazing photography. Makes up for that Allotment Challenge pile of poop earlier in the week!

[dim]

thats why I brew actively aerated compost teas and apply weekly ....

you feed the soil and not the plants .... amazing results

[Bill HH]

According to the program, worms are almost essential to soil health, that leads me to wonder how those of you afflicted with the Newzealand flat worm are coping with your devastated worm populations? have you noticed any great differences?

[chris]

Watched it yesterday - and for me echos why I don't put any chemicals into my allotment or garden. With it being such a fragile ecosystem - I'd rather it be teaming with life (and weeds / pests if so be it!) than mess up that balance.

Really interesting programme - I knew most of that already but the photography was great

[Two_Sheds]

The minute I saw his asparagus field I thought 'he needs to mulch that'.

I was playing TwoSheds Bingo all the way through: shouts of "mulch"; "worms"; "topsoil"; "peat"; "erosion"; "straw" ! Chris could have mentioned the "One Straw Revolution" and I'd have had a full house.

The metal spike showing the sinking Fens was unbelievable, astonishing.

The use of straw as a "miracle" mulch to stop soil erosion is nothing new to organic growers. It made me chuckle that the farmer was so surprised at such a simple, natural solution to his problem of soil erosion.

A very interesting watch, recommended to all gardeners:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...ience_of_Soil/

[Bill HH]

Yet farmers regularly used to burn off the corn stubble, which seems a bit daft to me.

Incidentaly which straw is best to use as a mulch, wheat barley or oat straw?

[bearded bloke]

Yet farmers regularly used to burn off the corn stubble

As a "Saturday boy" I was told that stubble burning would A) add carbon back into the soil in the form of ash & B) burn off any weed seeds on the ground surface.

[Bill HH]

Thought that was banned back in the '80's as a "Saturday boy" I was told that stubble burning would A) add carbon back into the soil in the form of ash & B) burn off any weed seeds on the ground surface.

Dont be confused BB..... I meant to say "Regularly used to"

I dont see how it adds carbon to the soil by burning it, the same carbon would go into the soil and be slowly released as the straw rots. In fact by burning it most of it goes up in smoke!

[alldigging]

Yet farmers regularly used to burn off the corn stubble, which seems a bit daft to me.

Incidentaly which straw is best to use as a mulch, wheat barley or oat straw?

Erm whatever you can get.

£3 a bale is what we paid last time we got some.