Good Fruit Grower

March 15

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44 MARCH 15, 2015 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com GOOD TO KNOW 360.333.4044 Casey Schoenberger Mount Vernon, WA Dramm Corporation Manitowoc, WI • U.S.A. www.FishFertilizer.com Extremely high levels of available Calcium & Phosphorus Natural Fish Fertilizers for Organic & Sustainable Crop Production BERRIES VINEYARDS ORCHARDS This hilled-up soil in the tree-row contains little organic matter, so is easily eroded by water. Nutrients and water are lost to the trees. Understanding SOIL ORGANIC matter A lthough organic matter is important in soil, orchardists usually don't think much about it. They are too busy managing their crops and trees, controlling pests and diseases, irrigating, managing labor, and doing other essential things. Plus, many orchardists think that supplying organic matter to soil is too costly. Organic matter makes up only a small part of a soil (at best 5 percent), yet the organic matter packs a mighty punch in the orchard. When the orchardist builds up organic matter in soil, he or she contributes more in the longterm to healthy soil and trees than does any other resource—far greater than the 2 to 5 percent organic matter suggests. Here, we show why organic matter is important, what it is, where it comes from, and how the orchardist can build it up in soil. Why is organic matter important? Organic matter in soil affects the growth and produc- tion of fruit trees chemically, biologically, and physically in the following ways: —Directly and indirectly provides nutrients to the trees and cover crops —Provides nutrients and energy for the many organisms (microorganisms and animals) in soil —Helps to buffer soil against big swings in pH when chemicals are added to soil —Improves structure and resilience of soil, and so affects the supply of water and air to roots and microorganisms —Organic residues act as slow-release fertilizers. The nutrients attached to the humus are not easily leached Don't overlook the soil if you want your orchard to thrive. A research report by Judith Tisdall and Bas van den Ende

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