Data Gathering Project (Update from May 2014)

This is an update to the Data Gathering Project, see the report here: http://nagaottawa.blogspot.ca/2014/05/the-201314-data-gathering-project.html


Here's the data I gathered May 13 2014 from the fall no-plowing/plowing and the spring roto-tilling experiment:

* Two of the annual plots (A90 and A83) were left un-plowed in the fall 2013 as part of the experiment.

* These two sample plots (A90, A83) were chosen specifically as they are low-lying plots, and were under 2 inches of water in late April 2014.

On 13 May 2014, all the annual plots were roto-tilled by the city. This year it was again a wet spring. But it hadn't rained in two days, so the city decided to rototill even though our clay soil was really still too wet to rototill (i.e. you could shape a scoop of the rototilled soil into ball), under normal conditions it should crumble and remain as small particles.

Randomly-taken samples were taken from 20 rototilled plot staken, also from randomly selected areas throughout the allotment gardens, but also including plots A90, and A83). The samples were observed for: "depth of rototill," and "rototilled soil looseness."

Results:

There was NO MEASUREABLE DIFFERENCE between the plowed and unplowed plots in relation to the depth of rototill.

The plots were 5.5 to 7.0 inches depth on day of rototilling, which by two weeks later had packed down to 5.0 to 6.0 inches in depth.

There was NO MEASUREABLE DIFFERENCE between the plowed and unplowed plots in relation to the rototiled soil looseness.

Note: a few scattered plots that had a substantial amount of compost material added by the owners throughout the years, and had a better breakup of the clay (as this would be expected).

Conclusions:

This spring's data showed no discernible difference between "NO fall plow, or the usual fall plow" plots.

It was voted at the annual spring meeting, to continue to gather more data by proceeding with the second phase of the experiment, on which there will be no plowing in the autumn 2014 for the plots that are on the East side of the garden.

The additional set of results to be gathered (unplowed East side, compared to the plowed West garden), would give more data as to determine if it is necessary to plow the gardens in the fall, or just leave the gardens to rest until the Spring rototill.

Jim Koss

NAGA Gardener and Director At Large

Farmer Training Workshop: Understanding Soils - A holistic approach to soil fertility and management - 21 July 2013

Healthy soil is the foundation of agricultural production. This workshop will investigate the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of soil composition. We will look at the roles of various minerals and nutrients, soil microlife, and the interactions that make soil nutrients available to plants. A range of integrated strategies will be offered to increase soil fertility, from cover cropping, crop rotation and tillage practices, to the balanced application of soil amendments, compost and manure. ‘Don’t separate yourself from the soil!’

Workshop presenter, Norbert Weiler’s family has farmed the same land in Germany for 250 years. His Amish Mennonite background gives him a practical approach to farming, with wisdom handed down over generations. Norbert has been farming in Canada for 40 years, including livestock and plant crops. In addition to his family heritage, he continues to learn and draw on many methods including organics, biodynamics, permaculture and others, to offer a holistic understanding of working with soil in agriculture.

When: Sunday July 21, 6-9pm
Where: Just Food Farm, 2389 Pepin Court, Ottawa
Cost: $45, payable in cash at the door