ATTRA

AUGUST 15, 2023

I rely on these crops, idealistically to bolster hope, and practically to provide most if not all the fertility my garden crops need to live fully and produce quality fruits. Tomatoes planted into a tilled-in rye, vetch, and red clover green manure, May 21. I put in the tomatoes on May 21, 11 days after tilling in the green manure.

Manure 52

Manure Fertilizer Crop Carryover 52

ATTRA

OCTOBER 10, 2023

Farmers all over the United States are changing the way they farm to boost soil health, use less water, and reduce fertilizer and pesticide use. Lighthouse Herb’n Farm is located at the base of Palomar Mountain in San Diego and is run by Damian Valdez and Jaime Williamson. ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

Farming 105

Farming Farming Crop Rural Development 105

ATTRA

JULY 2, 2024

Farm ponds and slow-moving creeks and streams that are enriched with fertilizer runoff and directly deposited manure are the perfect place to find cyanobacteria thriving. Do not let livestock loiter in ponds because they contaminate it with manure. Blooms are more common when there is a long dry period after a rain event.

Livestock 97

Livestock Farming Farming Cattle 97

ATTRA

DECEMBER 26, 2023

He would let the cover crop grow and overwinter and then plow down the following spring for green manure. Periodic mowing keeps it under control and adds a green manure mulch to the crops. He found that undersowing the clover was an amazing way to get the field covered by harvest. Send me a note at lee@ncat.org to share your ideas.

Crop 79

Crop Plowing Manure Farming 79

ATTRA

OCTOBER 31, 2023

Both “cut and carry” and “chop and drop” allow for nutrient cycling, especially if the goat manure can be collected and used to fertilize the trees they are eating, closing that loop. Instead of throwing garden refuse away or composting it, one could instead chop it up and drop it as mulch back into the garden. ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

Rural Development 85

Rural Development Manure Compost Pasture 85

ATTRA

JANUARY 2, 2024

By Chris Lent, NCAT Agriculture Specialist When I began to see how unique the growing conditions in my high tunnel are compared to open-field growing, I started to think differently about how to maintain soil health and manage soil fertility for high tunnel growing and season extension. These strategies start with soil testing.

Compost 52

Compost Fertilizer Crop Cash Crop 52

ATTRA

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023

I picture a pair of dung beetles rolling a ball of manure together, sharing hopes and dreams for their future offspring, or perhaps squabbling about where to bury their dung ball like Mr. and Mrs. Mallard looking for a good place to lay their eggs in the children’s classic, Make Way for Ducklings. ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

Pasture 75

Pasture Rural Development Manure Food 75