Farm Basics - How To Build Topsoil

[@alexgulino335]

I need to get ahold of some of that mah-ner they're talking about.

[@Dollapfin]

Well you could plant a cover crop. You should go no till or strip till. Let your cover get old it sends out the most sugars right before flowering.

[@sanjeeva311076]

try to keep a variety of different living roots of different depths in the ground and mulch lightly. Avoid tilling and compaction

[@joemc111]

In the USA all the topsoil blow away in the 1930s ,this is just my option, because we took the grass cover off the land. Without grass covering the great plains there was nothing to hold the water when it rained so it runs off in the form of FLOODS. The USA is not getting any extra rain, its just that bare ground,blacktop roads,and concrete aloud most water to run off. I think we need grass lands with cattle to poop on the land like the millions of Buffalo that used to live on the great plains. If you go into a forest and check how much topsoil is there you are going to find maybe 2 or 3 inches at the most. The grasslands have the most topsoil because of large herd animals in the world.

[@AgPhD]

Brian and Darren addressed your comments on Ag PhD Radio: soundcloud.com/agphd/08-09-18-grain-bin-preparation#t=57:14

[@Search4TruthReality]

How do I apply this on a small scale, such as for my backyard raised beds, which are 1 meter tall, as well as for in-ground seeding? For in-ground, my soil is sandy loam. It was highly compacted - nearly hard as rock - and full of weeds, which I've "harvested" by hand, roots and all. Considering the recommendations made in this video, that may have been a mistake. Although the ground was no longer hard as rock and much easier to push a shovel through, I noticed that when I started moving the dirt around, clouds of dust emerged. To remedy this, I amended with Kellogg's Organic soil (1:1) and have applied organic fertilizers; but I don't want to buy bagged soil season after season. This solution is working. All crops are healthy - no insect pests thus far. Looking forward, I'd like to reap the benefits building topsoil naturally. Currently, I'm raising corn, bush beans, pole beans, radishes, cucumbers, zucchini, squash, and potatoes. Later, I'll plant lettuces, kale, peas, etc. I'm actually considering wheat and Sudan Grass to help build the topsoil (chop and drop), which I've never tried. I have questions about chop and drop and leaving roots structures in place, as seen in this video: Will the roots create a chunky soil difficult to seed next season? What are your recommendations for building topsoil for us backyard-gardeners? What are your thoughts on using free organic compost created by a city's waste management, especially in the context of building topsoil - thoughts on planting in it? - proper use? Is the use of manure critical to building topsoil? Can topsoil be built without manure?

[@AgPhD]

Brian and Darren addressed your comments on Ag PhD Radio: soundcloud.com/agphd/07-25-22-ag-phd-field-day-preview?#t=3:18

[@LL-oc1xw]

Although I am no expert at all ... consider adding native plants to your plots. Why? Because most of them have really REALLY deep roots. To see illustrations of this, search the words: root depth native plants vs commercial - and click on the images option. It's amazing. I believe even plants like sunflowers and echinacea (purple coneflower I think) - have deep root systems. Dandelions, though dreaded, have ridiculously deep root systems. These things bring the goodness that's deep UP somewhat. They tap for water DEEP. They help the soil regenerate. And if you cut off the plant, leave those roots in the ground. The beneficial fungi that colonizes the roots will help the next crop and the new crops roots will take the easy route of sharing the paths made by the former. Although others like city waste compost, I do not. What did your neighbor put on that waste? Do they use chemicals on their property? Is there Grazon or Glyphosate in the stuff that was donated to the mix? Pass. Use your own waste from plants and plant foods from your kitchen instead. Encourage worms to come into your soil. If you turn over a shovel and see no worms, something is dreadfully missing. They want organic matter and wrung-out-sponge level moisture. Sounds like you're doing good work.

[@crabbiecakes5663]

I live in Arizona, we don't have anything called top soil.

[@AgPhD]

Brian addressed your comment on Ag PhD Radio: soundcloud.com/agphd/10-04-19-farmer-friday#t=56:54

[@Natethanastysnake666]

I do too and was thinking the same thing! Lol

[@sanjeeva311076]

swales

[@tico5126]

Yeah that manere is good for the rut system

[@svetlanikolova7673]

I left my roots of the corn in the ground and I just put hey and goat compost on top to spend the winter decaying In the ground! I guess I was in the right track! Yey

[@AgPhD]

Brian and Darren addressed your comment on Ag PhD Radio recently: soundcloud.com/agphd/03-13-19-improving-pasture-management#t=58:19.

[@Yotaciv]

My plot that grew corn fallowed by a lentil cover crop last year has more productive carrots this year then where I didn’t have a high residue crop or a cover crop.

[@plowmaster1206]

These guys always like to mention their "new ground they picked up"

[@dennisefondo272]

microbes is the only source to make a good quality top soils.thats idea is sustainable.. im dennis from philippines corn technician.,

[@dennisefondo272]

on elevated or slopping area i try to make post errigastion sprigkled. that the pipe dig inn atleast 1 1/2 to 2 feet deep.

[@NomadsLandingFarm]

Hey I really have enjoyed your youtube uploads. I was wondering how your feel about implementing compost teas?

[@sam111880]

so if you don't have topsoil can you make your own by using compost or decay fish , veg's, leaf burning ,...etc

[@yathatisgood]

Look up green manure practices. Also: Mulching with organic matter such as compost and leaf mold is a good start. Be aware that mushroom compost and shop bought manure most often than not has lime added so enquire first. Another method of growing or improving topsoil, although slower, is to plant ground cover plants. Plants add organic matter by shedding there roots. The best way to destroy soil is to leave it bare and at risk of leaching and digging it over too much also destroys organic matter content. If abiding by organic principles by not constantly applying man made chemical fertilisers. It's a good idea to not over do it on the soil mulches. Just 1-2 inches per year. Too much organic matter can overstimulate soil microbes that makes nutrients more available than needed which are also at risk of leeching in areas of high rainfall and high irrigation usage. Sorry for banging on a bit. I can't help myself!

[@alixtabrahem7543]

Thank you so much

[@freddyfreddy42]

The main picture, why does my corn never grow like this in garden?! With them green roots going into ground like that??

[@AgPhD]

Brian and Darren addressed your question on Ag PhD Radio: soundcloud.com/agphd/10-19-20-managing-calcium-and-sulfur-in-your-soils#t=51:07

[@freddyfreddy42]

Did. Not hear it..

[@robertpayne2717]

Strip tillage on the contour

[@anthonymuthoni7087]

good idea thanks