Soil Health for Urban Growers

The importance of soil for growing plants, including the diverse components that support life in the soil.

Highlighting how soil stores, supplies, and purifies water, emphasizing the crucial role of healthy soil in water management.

Viewing soil as a dynamic, living, and finite non-renewable resource, considering regional factors and the impact on soil health and food production.

Exploring the five basic land and soil management principles outlined by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to protect soil health.

Detailing the concept of soil armor and the importance of reducing soil disturbance to enhance soil health, with practical tips for minimizing soil disturbance.

Explaining the benefits of growing a variety of plants to suppress diseases, pests, and improve soil health, emphasizing the advantages of monoculture farming.

Discussing the role of animals in weed management, composting animal excrement, and enhancing soil health through livestock integration.

Introducing the 6C practices for soil health maintenance, including crop and animal diversity, continuous living plants, and strategies to enhance soil structure and fertility.

Exploring the challenges of soil compaction, methods to mitigate it, and the impact of tillage on soil health, emphasizing the balance between tillage practices.

Highlighting the benefits of using cover crops to enhance soil quality, manage rainfall capacity, and reduce the negative effects of tillage through residue cover.

Emphasizing the importance of plant and crop diversity for improving soil stability, resilience against biotic stressors, and enhancing ecosystem services provided by different plant species.

Explaining the contributions of legumes, warm-season grasses, and cool-season grasses to soil health, including their effects on nitrogen fixation, erosion control, and soil structure.

Discussing the advantages of crop diversity, livestock integration, and the use of compost and organic amendments to improve soil fertility and nutrient availability.

Detailing the benefits and considerations of using compost and organic amendments to enhance soil microbial activity, nutrient availability, and overall soil health.