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Practicing Resurrection: Using Green Manures on a Small Semi-Urban Homestead

ATTRA

Tomatoes planted into a tilled-in rye, vetch, and red clover green manure, May 21. I usually wait two weeks from the day I turn in the green manure to the day I put in my transplants to make sure I get good decomposition and nitrogen release. I put in the tomatoes on May 21, 11 days after tilling in the green manure.

Manure 52
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Retaining Soil Moisture at Lighthouse Herb’n Farm

ATTRA

This blog is produced by the National Center for Appropriate Technology through the ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture program, under a cooperative agreement with USDA Rural Development. ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

Farming 105
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Harmful Algal Blooms in Farm Ponds: Risks to Humans, Livestock, and Pets

ATTRA

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. But blooming blue-green algae or cyanobacteria can turn toxic from June to September.

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The Season of Mud

ATTRA

Not to mention that no livestock owner wants to see their animals covered in mud and manure. Mud and manure harbor harmful bacteria and other pathogens. The challenges associated with mud on livestock farms, particularly cattle and horse farms, need to be addressed because their health affects production goals. ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

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Living Mulch Cover Cropping for Gardens and Small Farms: Managing an “organic matter” system

ATTRA

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
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All Chopped Up with Somewhere to Grow

ATTRA

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.

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A Mid-Scale Anaerobic Biodigester Creates On-Farm Renewable Energy

ATTRA

So, when I heard of the mid-scale anaerobic digester being installed at Dickenson College Organic Farm as a demonstration of how small dairy farms can utilize manure and other waste streams to produce on farm energy, I was eager for the opportunity to visit the farm and help spread the word to other farms. ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

Farming 52