Soil Management and Composting

You will balance carbon and nitrogen inputs to manage a tidy, productive compost pile that breaks down kitchen and garden trimmings cleanly. You will generate sweet-smelling, nutrient-dense humus for your beds within a single growing season.

You will read soil test parameters including pH, cation exchange capacity, and primary macronutrients without confusion. You will apply only the specific organic amendments your plot requires, avoiding harmful fertilizer excesses.

You will incorporate autumn and spring cover crops to protect bare raised bed soil from erosion, compaction, and nutrient leaching. You will utilize green manures to fix atmospheric nitrogen and enrich bed tilth naturally.