In nature, where do plants get their food? From the soil. What do most commercially available fertilizers do? Feed the plant. Why is this a concern? Well, it would be like feeding a human body with an IV. The body gets what it needs but it is not how things are made to work and it is more expensive. I believe the best way to feed the plants is to feed the soil and let the soil do its job.

So how do you feed the soil? Compost, organic matter, and more compost. In essence, we try and replicate what already happens in our incomprehensible ecosystem. As things like leaves and plants die, they return to the soil and improve its microbiology and nutrient levels. The best vegetables are grown in highly active, highly nutritious soil with an appropriate pH level.

Does this mean I am opposed to commercial fertilizers? No, I am not, as I am not opposed to IV fluids. What I am trying to promote here is why spend the extra money to feed the plant when it is the soil that does that job. If any money is to be spent, it should be on improving the soil. Take all your kitchen scraps and but them in the compost and not the trash. That is valuable soil food. Use your grass clippings, dead leaves and any horse or chicken manure you can get people to give you. These “free” inputs are so important for your soil and in turn your vegetables.

If you don’t have any compost material then you may have to spend some money on compost from a local nursery or organic material like peat, but it will pay huge dividends.

Let nature do its work and instead of trying to bypass the system, use it and you will find that you will get superior produce and enhance a sustainable production system that will actually save you money in the long run.

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