Here’s the Dirt on Our Dirt
When our initial soil test revealed that our plot was free of contaminants and heavy metals but depleted of micronutrients and organic matter, we committed ourselves to nourishing our soil by adopting completely organic and sustainable soil management practices. Not only do we avoid using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, but we also steer clear of commercially manufactured organic soil amendments in favor of more sustainable solutions. These practices include incorporating school-generated compost, aged leaf mold and nitrogen-rich coffee chaff from a local coffee roaster into our plant beds. We also annually plant a variety of nitrogen-fixing cover crops and use a four-year crop rotation model to maintain optimal soil health.
When our initial soil test revealed that our plot was free of contaminants and heavy metals but depleted of micronutrients and organic matter, we committed ourselves to nourishing our soil by adopting completely organic and sustainable soil management practices. Not only do we avoid using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, but we also steer clear of commercially manufactured organic soil amendments in favor of more sustainable solutions. These practices include incorporating school-generated compost, aged leaf mold and nitrogen-rich coffee chaff from a local coffee roaster into our plant beds. We also annually plant a variety of nitrogen-fixing cover crops and use a four-year crop rotation model to maintain optimal soil health.