How to Harvest Silts for Your Soil

This episode of "The Poor Proles Almanac" focuses on the abiotic aspects of Korean Natural Farming (KNF), a holistic approach to agriculture that emphasizes soil health and ecological balance. Hosts Andy and Elliott, continuing their exploration of regenerative farming techniques, guide listeners through the principles and practices of KNF, specifically those relating to the utilization of non-living materials to enhance soil fertility.

The Foundations of KNF: A Focus on Soil Biology

The episode begins by establishing the fundamental principle of KNF: the importance of soil biology in nutrient cycling and plant health. The hosts explain that while minerals are essential for plant growth, they often exist in the soil in forms that are inaccessible to plants. The role of soil microbes, including bacteria, fungi, and nematodes, is to break down these complex minerals into simpler, plant-available forms. KNF seeks to accelerate this natural process, increasing the availability of nutrients and promoting a thriving soil ecosystem.

Accelerating Mineralization: The Role of Abiotic Inputs

The episode then moves on to discuss the use of various non-living materials, or abiotic inputs, to enhance soil mineralization. These materials, often byproducts of other processes or readily available natural resources, provide a source of essential nutrients that can be readily broken down by soil microbes. The hosts emphasize the importance of understanding the specific mineral needs of the soil and matching them with appropriate abiotic inputs.

Making Minerals Bioavailable: KNF Techniques

The hosts provide detailed explanations of several KNF techniques for creating water-soluble minerals, including:

• Water-Soluble Calcium (WSCA): Created by grilling and crushing eggshells, then steeping them in vinegar. This process breaks down the calcium carbonate in the shells, making the calcium readily available to plants. The hosts highlight that a small amount of WSCA can be diluted and used as a foliar spray or soil drench over a large area.
• Water-Soluble Calcium Phosphate: Made from animal bones using the same process as WSCA. This provides a source of both calcium and phosphorus, essential nutrients for plant growth and development. The hosts acknowledge that while this technique is commonly used in KNF, there is limited scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness.
• Water-Soluble Potassium: Extracted from thick, green plant stalks, such as tobacco, sunflower, or cannabis. The stalks are broken into small pieces and soaked in water for a week, releasing potassium into the solution. This solution is then diluted and applied to plants. The hosts emphasize the importance of potassium in regulating plant processes, such as water movement, nutrient transport, and enzyme activation.

Beyond the Basics: Other Abiotic Inputs

The episode explores other abiotic inputs used in KNF, including:

• Rock Dust: The hosts explain that rock dust can provide a wide range of trace minerals that are often lacking in depleted soils. They recommend using a local geological survey map to identify suitable rock types and suggest sourcing rock dust from nearby quarries, which often have excess material available for free. They emphasize that rock dust mineralization is a slow process, similar to the application of lime, and requires patience to see results.
• Silts: The hosts discuss the ancient practice of using silts, rich in nitrogen and beneficial bacteria, as a soil amendment. They caution about over-harvesting silts from sensitive ecosystems and recommend soil testing to ensure the absence of heavy metals.
• Clays: The hosts explain that adding clay to sandy soils can improve their water and nutrient retention capacity. They introduce the concept of cation exchange capacity (CEC), which measures the soil's ability to hold positively charged ions (cations) essential for plant nutrition. They explain that clay particles and organic matter have negatively charged sites that attract and hold these cations, preventing them from leaching out of the soil.
• Seawater: The hosts highlight the potential of diluted seawater as a source of trace minerals. They recommend a 50:1 dilution ratio and suggest applying it to soil, pastures, or even directly to plants. They mention that additional details on using seawater will be available on their YouTube channel.
• Sea Salt: The hosts recommend harvesting sea salt for its rich mineral content, contrasting it with mined salt, which may lack certain micronutrients.
• Seaweed and Fish Byproducts: The hosts briefly mention the use of seaweed and fish byproducts, such as fish amino acids, as valuable sources of nutrients. They promise to cover these in more detail in future episodes and on their YouTube channel.

Fish Amino Acid (FAA): A Nitrogen-Rich Fertilizer

The episode provides a detailed explanation of creating Fish Amino Acid (FAA) using fish byproducts and brown sugar. This process, involving fermentation over several months, breaks down the fish protein, yielding a liquid rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients. The hosts compare the nitrogen content of FAA to that of mulberry leaves, both being high-protein sources that release nitrogen upon decomposition.

Looking Ahead: Biotic Inputs and Further Exploration

The episode concludes by setting the stage for the next episode, which will focus on the biotic aspects of KNF, including the use of indigenous microorganisms (IMOs) and fermented plant extracts. The hosts acknowledge the complexity of these topics and the abundance of acronyms in KNF literature, promising to provide clear explanations and guidance for listeners. They emphasize that while KNF techniques may seem unusual, they offer a valuable approach to restoring soil health and creating more sustainable and productive agricultural systems.

For sources, transcripts, and to read more about this subject, visit: www.agroecologies.org

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