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Cover crop suppresses soil-overheaing in summer
When the soil temperature reaches 40°C (104
℉
), most crop roots stop to
function. How hot is it beneath the black plastic mulch in summer? Loot at the
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picture. Just a few hours after the ambient temperature hit 34°C (93
℉
), the tem-
perature of the top 1 cm (0.4 in) layer of the soil rose to a staggering 45°C
(113
℉
). Dig deeper to 15 cm (6 in)-depth but still the temperature is above
30°C (86
℉
). And, this is in early June – not even summer!
Many farmers use black plastic mulch. is is quite effective in keeping
weeds out. It also helps the crops in their early growth stage because it keeps the
soil warm and holds moisture and nutrients. But that is until early spring. When
the hot season begins, things are completely different. e plastic sheet chokes
the roots and drives the plants to ill health. It’s like being locked up in a black
car. ey have to live in it for ive months: from June to October. Remember
that I said repeatedly that “I and others are one.” In this condition, I (human)
will not be able to stand for just 10 minutes. e temperature shoots up to 45°C
(113
℉
) in the daytime and plummets down to 15°C (59
℉
) at night. In the
middle of summer, when there are “tropical nights” phenomena, the soil temper-
ature raised during the day stays high throughout the night.
Modern farming is highly lawed from the basics. e cause for failure in
farming does not lie in something very complicated or sophisticated. Observe
with a loving eye and think with common sense. What do you expect from crop
growth when the roots are tortured with heat? Put yourself in the crops’ shoes (or
roots, should I say). Remember that “I and others are one.” Look at the ields, do
you not see the desperate struggle of plants? Farming has lost its direction. Soil is
suffering from compaction, suffocation and contamination. Roots are left to
grow in hideous conditions. Farmers, who should be their loving carers, are ig-
norant of their plants’ suffering. When they are not happy with crops’ growth,
they start applying chemical fertilizer, herbicide and pesticide. Strangely, it is al-
most as if current farming practices are inviting disease so that the business can
sell more products. Suppliers are the winners but the farmers and soil are the los-
ers. Farming has to go back to its roots.
e best method to control soil temperature and suppress weeds is to mulch
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JADAM Organic Farming
the ield with hay or plant materials. But this traditional method might prove
difficult over too large an area. You might be forced to rely on the convenience of
plastic mulching. You can also consider the use of weed mats for a smaller scale.
ey are good for keeping a steady soil temperature and keeping weeds at bay.
e mat has small holes that lets hot air through; it does not raise the soil tem-
perature that much. It also has the advantage of being able to apply water and
liquid fertilizer onto the mat. It can be used for about 5 years compared to plas-
tic that are good only for a year.
I am not completely against
plastic mulching. However, you
have to use it wisely. As shown in
the picture, when the hot season be-
gins, make holes on the left and
right sides and at the top of the
plastic mulch to prevent sharp tem-
perature rises. Also do not block the
hole where a nursery plant is
planted. It is a good idea to inten-
tionally grow grass in the furrow to
ight the super-high heat during the
hot season. If you have grass in the
furrow it substantially lowers soil
temperature and consequentially
helps the roots continue absorb nu-
trients throughout the hot season.
is symbiosis with wild grass even
reduces the incidence of pests and
diseases. Leave ample space between
crop rows so that the grass growing
Here, Mr. Kim secured enough space between the
rows and planted hairy vetch to seek symbiosis with
wild grass. This gives much higher yield. (Mr.
Yongsan Kim, Taean)
This is how you grow pepper when you are not inter-
ested in health of its roots but only in money. These
plants will not survive after autumn.
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in between the rows will not compete with the crops for water and nutrients. Ba-
sically, you will be cutting the grass and covering the soil 3 times a year. at
way you can succeed in soil temperature management. Use a sickle for small
ields; for bigger plots, use a mower. Cut 5 cm (2 in) high; go straight and
don’t worry about some parts that are not cut. 2-3 hours of work and you will
be able to cut a few acres. Trying to be perfect; trying to cut every single grass
will make you tired and rob you of your will to farm. Some remaining uncut
grass is even useful. e reason why JADAM suggests leaving 5 cm (2 in) of
grass is because they help stop the
spread of aphids and mites. Do not
hand pull weeds as that farming is
just too damn exhausting!
Temperature management is
the key to success in summer farm-
ing. To keep temperature preferred
by the crops, you have to use cover
crop. If you succeed in tempera-
ture management, you will get big
yields because during the summer,
crops’ roots will keep growing and
prosper in the favorable condition.
Stronger and vigorous roots mean
stronger resistance against pests and
diseases. Remember: big yield comes
from big roots; big roots come from
good soil temperature management.
Take the grass along with you in
your farming.
If you have to use plastic mulch, give full attention to
the temperature problem. Make holes in the left, right
and top parts to prevent temperature rise.
Mr. Park shifts weed mats from one place to another.
This is an easy way to suppress weeds and yet keep
the soil healthy. (Mr. Ilju Park, Damyang)
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