The Living Soil Handbook

Synopsis

Principles and farm-tested practices for no-till market gardening--for healthier, more productive soil!

From the host of the popular The No-Till Market Garden Podcast-heard around the world with nearly one million downloads!

Discovering how to meet the soil's needs is the key task for every market gardener. In this comprehensive guide, Farmer Jesse Frost shares all he has learned through experience and experimentation with no-till practices on his home farm in Kentucky and from interviews and visits with highly successful market gardeners in his role as host of The No-Till Market Garden Podcast. 

The Living Soil Handbook is centered around the three basic principles of no-till market gardening:

• Disturb the soil as little as possible
• Keep it covered as much as possible
• Keep it planted as much as possible.

Farmer Jesse then guides readers in applying those principles to their own garden environment, with their own materials, to meet their own goals.

Beginning with an exploration of the importance of photosynthesis to living soil, Jesse provides in-depth information on:

• Turning over beds
• Using compost and mulch
• Path management
• Incorporating biology, maintaining fertility
• Cover cropping
• Diversifying plantings through intercropping
• Production methods for seven major crops

Throughout, the book emphasizes practical information on all the best tools and practices for growers who want to build their livelihood around maximizing the health of their soil.

Farmer Jesse reminds growers that "as possible" is the mantra for protecting the living soil: disturb the soil as little as you possibly can in your context. He does not believe that growers should anguish over what does and does not qualify as "no-till." If you are using a tool to promote soil life and biology, that's the goal. Jesse's goal with The Living Soil Handbook is to provide a comprehensive set of options, materials, and field-tested practices to inspire growers to design a soil-nurturing no-till system in their unique garden or farm ecosystem.

"[A] practical, informative debut. . . .Gardeners interested in sustainable agriculture will find this a great place to start."-Publishers Weekly

"Frost offers a comprehensive, science-based, sympathetic, wholly practical guide to soil building, that most critical factor in vegetable gardening for market growers and home gardeners alike. A gift to any vegetable plot that will keep on giving."-Booklist (starred review)

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Summary

Chapter 1: Soil as a Living Ecosystem

* Summary:
* Soil is a complex and dynamic ecosystem inhabited by a vast array of microorganisms, plants, and animals.
* These organisms interact with each other and the soil's physical and chemical properties to create a thriving living system.
* The health and fertility of the soil depend on the balance and diversity of its biological components.
* Example:
* A healthy garden soil teeming with earthworms, microbial life, and beneficial fungi, which facilitate nutrient cycling and plant growth.

Chapter 2: The Physical Properties of Soil

* Summary:
* Soil's physical properties, such as texture, structure, and porosity, influence water retention, aeration, and nutrient availability.
* Ideal soil for plant growth has a good balance of sand, silt, and clay to ensure proper drainage and aeration.
* Soil structure, which refers to the arrangement of soil particles, creates pores that allow water and air to move freely.
* Example:
* Loamy soil, with an even mix of sand, silt, and clay, exhibits excellent drainage and water-holding capacity.

Chapter 3: The Chemical Properties of Soil

* Summary:
* Soil's chemical properties, including pH, nutrient content, and organic matter, determine its ability to support plant life.
* Soil pH affects nutrient availability and microbial activity, with most plants thriving in slightly acidic to neutral soils.
* Organic matter, which comprises decaying plant and animal residues, provides essential nutrients and improves soil fertility.
* Example:
* A soil with a pH of 6.5, ample organic matter content, and sufficient levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium supports vigorous plant growth.

Chapter 4: Soil Biology

* Summary:
* Soil is home to a vast and diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, algae, and protozoa.
* These organisms play crucial roles in nutrient cycling, decomposition, disease suppression, and plant health.
* Microbial activity is influenced by soil moisture, temperature, pH, and organic matter availability.
* Example:
* Mycorrhizal fungi, which establish symbiotic relationships with plant roots, enhance nutrient uptake and improve plant growth.

Chapter 5: Soil Management for Sustainable Gardening

* Summary:
* Sustainable soil management practices aim to maintain and improve soil health while ensuring long-term productivity.
* Practices include:
* Composting and adding organic matter
* Using cover crops to protect and enrich the soil
* Minimizing soil disturbance and erosion
* Practicing crop rotation to enhance soil biodiversity
* Example:
* A gardener mulches with a mixture of leaves, compost, and grass clippings to add organic matter, improve soil structure, and suppress weeds.