THE GOOD soil
A HEALTHY GARDEN BEGINS AT GROUND ZERO
Regenerative gardens are gaining in popularity which, put simply, means restoring organic matter to create healthier soil and therefore healthier plants.
Niva and Yotam Kay, who live on the Coromandel Peninsula, have released a book, The Abundant Garden, which has simple strategies and techniques to help keep plants and soil healthy.
Here they share their top 10 steps for a regenerative garden.
1 Taking care of the soil. The most important thing when thinking about regenerative gardening is understanding that healthy plants grow in healthy soil. A key for a thriving and productive garden is shifting the focus to what’s happening under the surface.
2 Forking, not digging. There are distinct layers within the topsoil, which are much better left intact. Preparing gardens by digging mixes up these layers and causes a big disturbance to all those creatures living in the soil. Forking is just as effective as digging at aerating and loosening the soil, but without damaging the soil’s structure.
3 Organic matter matters. Soil has a significant potential to store atmospheric carbon. While no-dig gardening and no-till farming can contribute to combating climate change, carbon in the soil is hugely beneficial in many ways. High levels of organic matter help sustain and diversify
the soil’s living community, and increase the soil’s water holding capacity.
4 Just add compost. Yes! Compost is one of the best ways to add organic matter to your soil. If the compost is organic, fully cured and made in aerobic conditions, it can only do your soil good. Like most good things, it is best applied in small amounts, say 0.5 to 2cm application, two to three times a season. Be careful as not all compost is created equal and non-organic composts can have herbicide residues which will be detrimental to plant growth.
5 Happy soil life equals happy plants. In an organic system, the soil’s microorganisms are the main players that feed plants, which they do by converting nutrients to a form plants can absorb. As plants photosynthesise, they release as much as 40 per cent of the sugars they make directly into the soil. They do this in the form of root exudates, and plants can actually target the specific microorganisms that help them get the nutrients they need most! Plants and bacteria will take care of each other, so keep your garden growing.
6 Stay organic. Chemical fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides and fungicides don’t belong in our food. When chemical inputs are introduced, they hurt the soil’s microbial community, which in turn has a reduced ability to create relationships with our plants and feed them. Adding only natural organic soil amendments in small amounts, combined with minimal soil disturbance and adding organic matter, is key to creating optimal soil conditions for plant growth. It is not truly regenerative if it is not organic.
7 Focus on growing healthy plants. Healthy plants are always more productive, more pest and disease-resistant, and produce higher-quality crops. Learn what your plants like as different plants like different conditions and cultivation methods. The better you can accommodate a plant’s needs and preferences, the healthier it will be. Pay attention to things like plant location, seasonality, appropriate propagation and handling techniques, watering, spacing, and harvest plants in a way that contributes to their health.
8 Diversify. Diversity is resilience. Besides growing a variety of vegetables, consider adding flowers, herbs and perennials to your vegetable garden to create a more complex ecosystem in your backyard. Establishing a healthy ecosystem helps keep pollinators happy with a year-round selection of blooms and provides a safe home for small predators that will help with pest control.
9 Mulch. When the ground is covered or protected, it creates a more stable environment for soil microorganisms. Using organic mulches such as woodchips, organic/spray-free straw or leaf mould can not only protect your soil but enrich it at the same time.
10 A living mulch. Grow plants in close spacing so that they provide a complete cover over the soil in three to six weeks and act as a “living mulch”. When we grow a slow crop, we will often interplant it with a quick-growing crop to help keep the soil covered and get the most yield of the bed.