Comments on: Chromatography, Soil fertility, and Biodynamic Agriculture http://sustainablesmallholding.org/chromatography-soil-fertility-biodynamic-agriculture/ Permaculture, and Sustainable practices on a Lincolnshire Smallholding Fri, 17 Oct 2014 10:35:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.0 By: SOIL!!! {& some cool resources to check out} | Art on Location: Materials Lab http://sustainablesmallholding.org/chromatography-soil-fertility-biodynamic-agriculture/#comment-22392 Wed, 09 Apr 2014 16:17:13 +0000 http://sustainablesmallholding.org/?p=4056#comment-22392 […] Chromatography – a brief introduction […]

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By: Deano Martin http://sustainablesmallholding.org/chromatography-soil-fertility-biodynamic-agriculture/#comment-21712 Sun, 03 Nov 2013 21:13:35 +0000 http://sustainablesmallholding.org/?p=4056#comment-21712 Andy
The best thing that I can suggest is to create some beds that you treat with both methods, specifically to see what works and what doesn’t. My own experience, and my own research, tells me that digging, with enough good quality compost works better than not digging. SAdly there haven’t been any really good quality trials to find out for sure, as most people start trying to prove a method, rather than to find the truth. Were I starting from scratch again, I’d divide my growing area into equal sized parts, and conduct some proper trials on methods, soil amendments, and green mnaures, to see what was the most efficient combination, all the time aware that the results may only be applicale to my specific circumstances.
Let me know how you get on.
Deano

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By: Andy http://sustainablesmallholding.org/chromatography-soil-fertility-biodynamic-agriculture/#comment-21707 Fri, 01 Nov 2013 22:23:27 +0000 http://sustainablesmallholding.org/?p=4056#comment-21707 I wrote “concluded that there was no impact” but meant to write “concluded that there was an impact”

….errr your captcha is driving me mad :)

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By: Andy http://sustainablesmallholding.org/chromatography-soil-fertility-biodynamic-agriculture/#comment-21706 Fri, 01 Nov 2013 21:55:07 +0000 http://sustainablesmallholding.org/?p=4056#comment-21706 Interesting what you say about the soil disturbance. I have read what your comment was on the no dig system, which I agree with largely, and I have been looking for evidence myself to see if roots will go through my no dig beds (most of my beds I dig). I have left some sweetcorn in them to see if the roots went down into the clay soil. I feel that I need to dig the heavy clay and improve the soil.

I’ve been going back through old early 1900 books about root systems and their experiments about soil which has been very interesting and when I’ve done that I’ll move onto learning about chromatography.

One book (around 1900 – 1950) mentioned an experiment regarding soil and mycelium upon vegetables and concluded that there was no impact, then I read your blog about inoculating with mycelium to improve soil or seeds (can’t remember) but have struggled to find the previous book.

I’m certainly interested in your thoughts about soil and digging as I’l like to get my soil as good as possible. I’ll have a look at Facebook.

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By: Deano Martin http://sustainablesmallholding.org/chromatography-soil-fertility-biodynamic-agriculture/#comment-21693 Mon, 28 Oct 2013 16:29:57 +0000 http://sustainablesmallholding.org/?p=4056#comment-21693 Hi Andy
Sorry about the delay in approving your comment, and replying. I;ve been doing more chromatography, and it’s been keeping me busy.
If you’re interested in the chromatography, and are a social media user, there is a ‘chromatography beginners’ group on facebook, and I’m posting images there. I’m waiting for one mor ebatch of images to develop before posting here. Sadly the size of the image file seems to slow down the blog, which doesn’t happen on facebook, so I have to reduce the image file size here.
The quality of image of undisturbed soil, and my garden beds is identical, which suggests that the problem with digging has more to do with the quality and quantity of compost, especially in the UK climate.
All of the best
Deano

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