What are you guys planting to raise Organic matter?
That there I think is the reason for the chronic misunderstanding of the process. The pursuit should have never been about "raising" organic matter. It should have always been about how to "stop destroying" your organic matter.I like a lot of the plants that mennoniteman posted. In my opinion organic mater is more in the process than what you grow. If you grow good roots and don't disc in the thatch it will build up om.
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He may just have cleared woodland.That there I think is the reason for the chronic misunderstanding of the process. The pursuit should have never been about "raising" organic matter. It should have always been about how to "stop destroying" your organic matter.
Woods soils generally have a rich layer of OM and nutrients, but the layer is usually acidic and often only a few inches thick with subsoil underneath, some of it getting mixed into the topsoil during the land clearing process which almost always makes a poor start for growing ag crops. Newly cleared land should be seeded quickly after clearing, then have patience for several years as the soil conditions to growing vegetables instead of trees.My answer might have been a little too short tempered. But in reality any plant growing and decomposing is doing some work for the OM. Granted some will mine nutrients such as tubored deep roots of brassica or even most so called weeds while others, such as clovers are adding nutrients such as N to the soil. Even the deep woods soil may have excellent OM if managed properly. Mine certainly do despite less than ideal soils compared to the midwest.
Do a soil test and make sure you request OM and CEC readings and you will have a better grasp as to what it anything is needed.
Keep in mind, that it is not only the plant that is working but also the micro and macro organisms that should be present in good soils that really are the work horses. That is why soil disruptions can reverse OM cultures.
And I am very serious, even tho they can become a monoculture, grasses, and the dreaded fescue are great soil builders. Good luck.
Most food plot crops want to put their roots down deeper than that, by discing deeper you may get taller crops because of getting nutrients down where the roots want to get there water in dry seasons. But in sandy soil too much tillage works against you. So, as little tillage as possible and deeper when you do it would be my five cents. Try mixing in a species that can withstand heavy grazing pressure better would be another thought that comes to mind. What r u planting now?I guess this is a loaded question, but if you only disc a few inches deep, say 2"/3", wouldn't that keep your OM right at the top of the ground ? I have a 3/4 acre plot that's fairly sandy, has lots of pressure, and although deer are in it each and every time I hunt it, the crop never gets very tall. PH is right, fertilizer according to soil tests, my process is the same as all my other plots, and I never disc it over 4" deep. It might be just the browsing pressure, 6 or 8 deer can eat lots of groceries in a small plot when they stay in it but I can't make it bigger because it's not mine. I guess I should put an exclusion cage in it. DUH !
Most food plot crops want to put their roots down deeper than that, by discing deeper you may get taller crops because of getting nutrients down where the roots want to get there water in dry seasons. But in sandy soil too much tillage works against you. So, as little tillage as possible and deeper when you do it would be my five cents. Try mixing in a species that can withstand heavy grazing pressure better would be another thought that comes to mind. What r u planting now?
To add to Mennonitemans comments ..... if you have 20 minutes
I guess this is a loaded question, but if you only disc a few inches deep, say 2"/3", wouldn't that keep your OM right at the top of the ground ? I have a 3/4 acre plot that's fairly sandy, has lots of pressure, and although deer are in it each and every time I hunt it, the crop never gets very tall. PH is right, fertilizer according to soil tests, my process is the same as all my other plots, and I never disc it over 4" deep. It might be just the browsing pressure, 6 or 8 deer can eat lots of groceries in a small plot when they stay in it but I can't make it bigger because it's not mine. I guess I should put an exclusion cage in it. DUH !