Is tilling harmful

[forgeblast]

I use the pallets to compost also. i have them in a corner of my garden. I also heard that as long as your composting on top of the soil you dont have to worry about adding nitrogen. its when your mixing it into the soil that you have to add extra to help break it down. when its on top all the other micro organisms do all the work.
lazagna method---works to keep weeds down, i use old newspapers, grass clippings, even cardboard boxes to keep weeds out of areas. Its crazy thought because one day its there and the next poof its just swallowed up and you have to replace it.
Here in pa we just had our first cold day low 60s. on monday when i was chipping some brush piles it was close to 90. crazy year so far.

 

[Rara Avis]

No Till Operations Data...
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[Pilot]

There's a difference between tilling & excessive tilling.

Tilling reduces the density of the soil, turns stuff in and is useful and can reduce water related erosion. Fluffy soil allows water to soak into the soil, rather than running across and prevents erosion.

Excessive tilling destroys the soil structure, breaking up the little clods (1/8"-1/4"+). Clods & the space between them allow for aeration, water infiltration and hold the soil together preventing erosion. You break up the soil clods & it becomes like flour, easily blown away and sets the stage for a hardpan developing, depending on soil type. Rain wetting the soil surface seals the surface as the particles expand when wet. Water related erosion occurs when water can't go into the sealed surface, and flows across instead.

OT, but the B.S. about clearcutting causing erosion is just that, B.S., as long as the soil is not compacted during logging. If it is compacted, the water runs over the soil surface, taking soil particles with it and creating gullies. If there are a lot of small pebbles on the surface compared to undisturbed surrounding area, you lost the soil that was between the pebbles. If not compacted, rain goes into the soil and erosion doesn't happen. Tilling makes it like undisturbed forest soil, allowing water infiltration as long as soil structure remains, allowing the water to flow between the clods.

Tilling is OK, but just don't till too often. Don't destroy the little clods. Maybe cultivate once every year or two, deeper than the tiller reaches to break up any hardpan forming under the tilled layer.

Richard Scott
Retired forester