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On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

For most of us we add various nutrients to our soil in late April of May in preparation for planting in either late May or early June. This will vary depending on where you live. Lately we have been experiencing heavy rainfall here in the period between our actual planting and our soil preparation which results in significant leeching of nutrients and a possible inbalance in the soil. I am wondering if any of you actually cover your soil with plastic or some other form of protection if the nutrients are in and you have not planted and heavy rains are predicted? If you are growing under cover or growing organically this would be less of a concern. Any idea how much leeching there is for organic growers?

6/1/2019 8:57:38 AM

Lebanon, Oregon

I used to cover my garden with giant tarps to prevent leaching. This was after adding new composted soil mix, mint compost, ect. You n the spring I would till then plant my garden. Well, the prevention of leaching worked. After a big late spring a summer rainfall, the plants were flooded with nitrogen. My pumpkin and tomato leaves and stems do what leaves and stems do when they have way too much N. There was a big imbalance, but this was earlier in my giant growing career when I didn't think much about what I was doing.

6/2/2019 9:10:38 PM

Grittyville, WA

Good question. Yes I have noticed a lot of leaching. The soil here does seem to return to its natural, deficient state. I havent checked this years stats, but generally 3+ ft of rain here in the winter. I have tried a tarp once. Small animals/rodents might love living under a tarp but maybe that's ok as long as cats/hawks keep them under there. I would not want to create a problem where using poison bait was the only solution.

I covered some ground that had potatoes, to keep them from freezing and to keep the heavy rain off the garden. The plastic made a safe home for voles which then destroyed most of the crop. But late in the year, I can imavine a scenario where if a garden is overgrown with weeds and no crop... voles actually love to eat thick grass, etc. and might be a helpful organic weed reducer. Giving them a home might be a good thing. As long as they know later when they are not welcome anymore???

Anyhow, attracting rodents would be my main concern with tarps. (A lesson learned.)

6/3/2019 1:51:04 AM

Grittyville, WA

My guess would be with just organics I'd lose half what I'd lose vs using just chemicals. Its probably a serious financial issue for farmers those who get hit hard by flooding, some may have to redo their fertilizing.

I would expect just 1 season/year out of chemicals and 2 years out of organics. The second year being weaker than the first, the third year being negligible. Phosphorous might be one of the exceptions.

6/3/2019 2:10:06 AM