"The term "soil fatigue" or exhaustion refers to the condition that soil profiles take on when they've been heavily monocropped and untended. This soil is devoid of the microbial content that offers plants bioavailable food. It lacks the fungal and bacterial organisms that interact with plant nutrients."
"After a vigorous summer and fall season, rows can become compacted when exposed to heat and intense cold. To preserve topsoil, add organic matter, and till lightly. Nutrients get depleted in rows where heavy feeders are grown."
"While no-till farming is all the rage, some tilling helps rows where the same plants have grown year after year with little intervention. Compaction leads to topsoil erosion and the proliferation of perennial weeds that can take over."
February soil preparation is critical for farm success. Consistently farmed fields experience soil fatigue when depleted of microbial content and essential nutrients, leading to reduced production and increased pest and disease pressure. Light tilling helps address compaction from seasonal temperature extremes while preserving topsoil. Adding organic matter restores soil health. Crop rotation and cover crops prevent monocropping exhaustion. Building new beds maintains production capacity while allowing tired fields to recover. Soil testing before the growing season identifies specific nutrient deficiencies. These pre-season actions establish conditions for robust spring growth and sustained farm productivity.
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