Rethinking Weeds: Part 2, What Is That Weed Doing?
Just when we think we humans have truly screwed something up, Nature laughs and brings in something to clean up the mess. Take the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl, sunflowers were successfully used to remediate the soil by mopping up toxic levels of Cadmium and Cesium. Last time we talked about the Lanceleaf Ragweed on the ranch and how nature uses weeds to solve problems. Just like a fever is the body’s way of fighting illness, a weed is doing a job of healing the soil. So what is the Lanceleaf Ragweed doing on the ranch? What problem might it be trying to fix? Weeds fix a lot of different problems
Rethinking Weeds - What Are Your Weeds Telling You?
The last time you had a fever, did you reach for the bottle of Advil? That used to be a common practice - taking an anti-inflammatory to reduce the fever. Some medical professionals recommend new advice - "let the fever do its job.” Because the fever isn't the problem, it’s just a symptom of whatever virus is invading your body. A fever is more than a symptom - it's the cavalry riding in to fight those invaders. What happens if we disrupt that natural process with an anti-inflammatory? I like to think of weeds like a fever - they’re the first line of defense when our soil is sick. Believe it or not, weeds can heal.
Managing Non-Native Plants & Noxious Weeds
It’s funny what we appreciate. As I’m standing looking up at this gnarly tree, I see the awful thorns, the strange inedible fruit, and the grassland it’s invading. “What a horrible tree.” I pause, and laugh at the irony. I can’t think of a more hated, yet useful tree.
Monitoring - Why it Matters and How to Get Started
Ever kicked yourself for not taking those before photos? Monitoring is crucial for helping us know where we’re going and adapt our management to reach our goals.
What’s the Difference Between Compost, Tea, Extracts and Biologicals?
Compost, Vermicast, Extract, Teas, Bug-in-a-Jug, Slurries? Are you confused yet? Here we help you understand what they all mean so you can decide what’s best for you.
How Do we Improve Our Soil Microbes? Start with The Soil Habitat!
How do we get life back in our soil? We start by ensuring we have the right conditions for those microbes to thrive.
What Are Soil Microbes? Who Are They and What Do They Do?
The Final Frontier is right under your feet. In this article we’re going to explore some of the key creatures of the soil. Join us as we take a peak into the underground world to better understand how they interact in the soil ecosystem known as the Soil Food Web.