In case you missed my latest post about updates from the farm, you can read it here:
@bigorna1/this-morning-at-the-gym
My entry to #HiveGarden QOTW #10:
How do you manage unwanted plants in the garden?
In general, I do not see any plants as unwanted. they all serve for something, wether we are aware of it or not. what we tend to call weeds protect the soil and the life in it from direct sunlight and heat acting as a natural, native cover crop.
every tiny root system holds the soil around it and protects it from erosion by wind, strong rains etc.
many of the weeds actually fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into their root system and enhance other plants around them, while others feed the soil back once they die off and decompose as new top soil. this new organic material, in turn, helps maintain humidity and provide food for organisms living in the soil.
managing these plants is done in several ways. the scythe being the one I currently use the most. the grass is cut close to the soil and left on top to decompose back into the soil.
pruning using shears, in our climate is limited mainly to the wet season when the air is colder and more humid. as in the hot dry season, every square centimeter of shade counts and is highly appreciated. for the soil below and for the many habitants we share the farm with but mainly the birds that are nesting about this time of year.
we encourage the natural system by sticking to no-till, no-burn (I did make an exception this year and burned the olive prunings).
since we started stewarding this land I have observed amazing improvement in its fertility due to these practices.
ways we use to suppress growth is by applying thick layers of mulch, laying card board panels (used carton delivery boxes) and such similar practices.
no chemicals whatsoever are being used in or around the farm.
thank you for stopping by 🙏
wishing us all a peaceful weekend.
published at 15:15
