organic farming

[mike507]

Hi, Any farmers out there? I have a finca and produce Almonds,Figs and Grapes. I have been interested in doing organic permaculture specifically no ploughing of the land instead cutting and composting. I am not yet sure about this because of various implications that I wonder if anyone has some knowledge of.
Would the Almonds be affected and as my land is dry is there a risk of fire from composts? I understand the risk from forest fires and would create a fire barrier.
Thanks,
Mike

[nevada smith]

at the least
you open pandora's box -

how much acreage... how may trees (almonds)
how much cutting - compost holding are you generating?
do you 'shred' your prunings or... ?
while i've pulled all my almonds as non-productive or dying
and replaced them with olives
i have all my compost isolated at 'row's end -
neighborhood sheep graze to keep the growth down...

my experience...?
1970's responsible for $20,000,000 seasonal (3 month) production in
central california...

do you have agricultural neighbors...? work with them -
most rewarding...

[mike507]

Hi, 25 hectares. 23 Almonds (5700 trees), some Figs and 2 has of Grapes. We are only just starting this year but want to cut and compost. We are getting the local shepherd to put his herd of goats on it apparently they really clean up and leave good manure. I'm told that apart from fire risk I'll have difficulty putting nets down when harvesting. The horticulturalist that I know says he does not think there will be any problem with the Almonds being affected with weed compaction or them taking nutrients away from the Almonds.
Cheers,
Mike

[nevada smith]

you've got your work cut out for you,
but then i imagine you'll be hiring help...

watch the goats,
they like to get up on their hind legs and eat the lower branches -
is the fire risk, 'forest fire'
or are you worried about spontaneous combustion in the compost?
still suggest composting at the end of tree rows - shortest distance...
now, i assume you've got a water source to irrigate your trees, so
suggest you run a water line(s) along the composts to keep them damp...

what is the difficulty with putting down harvesting nets?
how old are the trees?
what were the problems in previous harvests?

in addition to local farmers, you will usually get reliable help from
the people who are going to process or buy your harvest...

[nevada smith]

should have asked you what you will be composting and
will you be shredding or mulching your cuttings (prunings)?

[mike507]

Thanks Nevada,
Firstlt it is dry land so no irrigation although we will be watering the composts. The material will be cut weeds.flowers and grasses that grow like mad in Spring. I am aware of the Goats eating the Almonds but the shepherd is careful. I am worried about spontaneous combustion from the composts and also forest fire but for the latter I will be doing a 25m firebreak which should satisfy neighbours. The locals are agog at what I am proposing as they have always done things the same way. I have had various responses like "The Almonds will eventually disappear to a positive nostalgic interest that I am going to do it the old way that the older ones probably remember, however they are amazed that I can do it and still earn a living. However earning money from it is not my main concern its being organic and having repect for the land i.e. erosion and putting back into the earth the goodness. The trees are a mix age wise but someone sugested that the nets would stick to the stubble.
Many thanks,
Keith.

[nevada smith]

5700 almond trees without access to irrigation...
who'd a' thunk it...?
anyroad -
i can't imagine that stubble will pose a problem for the harvesting nets,
but then, you could always run the sheep or goats in 'front' of your harvest to clear the ground cover -
for my money, they 'cut' better than the mowers we used in california -
go for it...

[mike507]

Almonds thrive in dry conditions although they do better with water. Yes I've been told that goats clean very well, thanks a lot.Mike

[Mariposa]

What about chickens?!