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No-Till Intensive Vegetable Culture

Pesticide-Free Methods for Restoring Soil and Growing Nutrient-Rich, High-Yielding Crops

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

From a veteran organic grower: a unique agricultural methodology that delivers higher yields, higher quality, and higher profitability—absolutely free of herbicides or pesticides

No-till farming has rapidly grown in popularity among vegetable growers due to its high-quality, high-yield, high-profit results. Renowned organic grower Bryan O'Hara perfected the technique during the multi-year transition of his Connecticut vegetable farm to a no-till system. His vibrantly healthy, resilient plants are testaments to the value of allowing the inherent biological functions in soil to do their work.

In No-Till Intensive Vegetable Culture, O'Hara describes the methods he has developed, which are completely free of herbicides or other pesticides and require only a few acres of land and minimal capital investment. He asserts that this flexible, ecological methodology is as important for soil fertility as it is for his economic success. This comprehensive manual delves into all facets of a dynamic, holistic growing system, including:

  • No-till bed preparation techniques
  • Seeding and transplanting methods
  • Irrigation
  • Use of fertilizers (including foliar feeds)
  • Composting (preparation and application)
  • Culture of indigenous microorganisms to support soil biology
  • Pest and disease management
  • Year-round growing
  • Harvest and storage techniques
  • O'Hara also explores the spiritual dimension of managing a farm ecosystem: observing the natural balance between plants, soil, air, water, and sunlight and the ways in which working to maintain that balance influences practical production decisions.

    Whether you're a high-yield producer, a homesteader, or a market gardener, No-Till Intensive Vegetable Culture is the go-to vegetable grower's manual for the twenty-first century. O'Hara's advanced yet accessible methodology will both help you respond to natural systems and adapt to meet future challenges.

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      • Publisher's Weekly

        January 6, 2020
        In this passionate debut, farmer O’Hara merges science with the spiritual, detailing “no-till, pesticide-free, high-yielding” growing practices. Offering an approach that combines “biodynamics, with its spiritual and holistic view of agriculture,” and “Korean Natural Farming” which “improves soil function... through biological treatment of fertilizer materials,” O’Hara cites benefits that include “greater ease of planting, less need for irrigation, far fewer weeds to be controlled, crops that show better disease and pest resistance and increased cold tolerance, speedier harvests, and higher-quality produce.” Less tangibly, he writes, by “bringing out the fullest expression of potential... they in turn help us bring out the fullest expression of ourselves.” O’Hara gives instructions on creating beds, germinating seeds, and transplanting plants, along with creating compost and potting soil recipes, all with the aim of producing vegetables year-round. While some ideas are pretty out there (O’Hara advocates working barefoot to “allow water, nutrients, and earth energies to flow into the individual,” and hints at conspiracy theories, such as government control of weather), his enthusiasm for nurturing a harmonious relationship between agriculture and the natural world is admirable. Not for the casual hobbyist, O’Hara’s manual will appeal to those interested in balancing economically sustainable agriculture with environmentally responsible practices.

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    • EPUB ebook

    Languages

    • English

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