Chapter 3 - Minimize Disturbance, or 'Do Not Disturb!'

After the till is gone: Using no-till to improve soil health

In the third chapter of his five-part mini-series, “Bringing the Science of Soil Health Home,” Buz Kloot, Ph.D. explores a “disturbing,” but oft-used aspect of soil management: Physical disturbance via tillage.

Dr. Kloot reminds us that while farmers have historically used tillage to prepare seed beds and to control weeds, natural systems do not use tillage. Yet in those natural systems water infiltrates into the soil, plants grow and nutrients recycle. Tillage, he says, “destroys biology, exacerbates compaction and burns up organic matter.”

But how do we get plants in the ground without tilling? In this chapter, Dr. Kloot explains how it’s done on a row-crop farm, an organic farm and his own 1,000 square foot garden.

Watch chapter three (4:20).

[donnabalzerhelpinggardener]

Thanks for the great soil info! Love it