Nov 17, 2007
Soil testing, cover crops aim to make Wilton's Ambler Farm organic
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Ambler Farm is looking at putting organic methods to work at the farm through testing the soil and seeing how to make it better, according to Susan DiLoreto, a past president of Friends of Ambler Farm.
“Through sustainable soil management, it will continue to be healthy, living soil,” said Ms. DiLoreto.
The first place the group is looking at for improving the soil is Ambler’s West Field. Ms. DiLoreto said the group had been working with Millstone Farm in Wilton to come up with the best way to cultivate organic methods at Ambler.
To begin, the soil was tested this fall to see what kinds of nutrients are in the soil. Ms. DiLoreto said the soil needed to have a balance of nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorous and iron, to grow crops effectively.
There are organisms, such as earthworms, bacteria, algae, and nematodes, that contribute to the health of the soil by creating the nutrients through natural processes, Ms. DiLoreto said. By employing other techniques of organic farming, such as using compost, rotating crops, and using cover crops, these organisms can be assisted.
To give an example of how a cover crop helps soil naturally, Ms. DiLoreto mentioned planting a legume, which in its “early stages is rich in nitrogen.” If the field is found to be lower in nitrogen content than it should be for optimum growing conditions, legumes planted in the field would help to ease that problem.
Rye, when it becomes mulch, has chemicals in it that work to suppress weed growth. By planting these cover crops, one can have healthy soil without using artificial methods, she said.
“Next spring, the field will have the bare bones of being ready to plant,” said Ms. DiLoreto. To that end, some of the strips of the field will have cover crops and others will have vegetables, in order to continue to improve the soil health.
She said the cover crops help to optimize the soil, but it could take some time before the field had the best conditions for organic farming.
In addition to Millstone and Cranberry farms, Ms. DiLoreto said, Ambler has been getting help from Adrian Offinger, a local farmer, and Sam Hammer from Holcomb Farm in West Granby.
The Friends of Ambler Farm are giving some thought to the farm possibly becoming certified organic, she said, but because of the expense of certification along with other considerations, the group might simply use the organic methods and forgo the certification.
“We use these methods because it contributes to a healthier environmental system,” said Ms. DiLoreto.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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