5/6 Thursday - Homegrown Paleo

Whatever you do today, do it with a smile.

Before I opened True Spirit CrossFit, I worked as an Outreach Scientist with the US Geological Survey and as an Extension Agent for the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. For the past 7 years I have been slowly integrating my love of ecology, horticulture, gardening, and local agriculture into True Spirit's message of community, fitness and my own ethic of sustainability.
I have always had a garden. If you've been to my house you'll notice that my front and backyards are planted with edibles and pollinator friendly plants. 
Gardening is my way of providing for my family, being connected to my micro-ecosystem, and being independent from the industrial food system.  
You don't have to have a giant garden to gain a little independence. A few herbs and cherry tomatoes in a pot on your patio can go a long way to making you feel like a homesteader. 
Over the next few weeks I'm going to share a series of articles I wrote many moons ago (for the Nevada Cooperative Extension) to help you set up a garden and get growing. I'm calling this series, Homegrown Paleo and I hope you enjoy this journey! ​

Homegrown Paleo
Healthy Soil is Worth the Toil

The first time newcomers try to drive a shovel into the ground here, they often notice something different. This soil isn’t like soil in many other places. Our soils work perfectly for our beautiful native plant communities, but when you try to grow something that isn’t from around here, it’s another story.
Not only do we have soils with very little organic matter and a wide range of drainage issues, we also often contend with soils that have been compacted to 95 percent. Construction codes demand that the soil our homes are built upon be compacted to minimize settling and shifting. While this requirement works well for keeping our homes grounded, it is terrible for growing plants. Furthermore, most of the soil around your home may be from somewhere else. It is not uncommon to scrape off native topsoil during home construction, and replace it with fill-dirt of unknown quality and origin. We are asking a lot of our plants when we try expect them to grow and thrive with so much stacked against them.
So, how do we cure these ills and garden successfully in southwestern Montana? The only way to effectively improve your soil is to add organic matter. To illustrate this point, think of a time when you hiked through a heavily wooded area, such as a douglas fir forest. Now, think of hiking through sagebrush country. Do you recall stepping on pine needles and spongy soil in the forest? Forests have huge amounts of organic matter, such as leaves, needles, etc., being added to the soil and decomposing regularly. Sagebrush country, on the other hand, doesn’t get much in the way of leaves, needles or other organic matter falling on the ground. As a result, we typically try to plant on hard ground that contains very little organic matter.
Organic matter positively affects soil fertility, water holding capacity and drainage. You can work it into the soil or simply spread it on top of the soil. Working organic matter into the soil is called amending the soil. If you are planting right away, it is best to work the organic matter into the soil, rather than wait for it to work its way into the soil. Placing organic matter on top of the soil is called mulching. 
Compost is an excellent source of organic matter. If you make compost at home, it is also very inexpensive. You can even add organic matter to your soil by spreading shredded leaves and grass clippings on it. It might take a little time before it starts to decompose and work its way down to rooting depth, but once the decomposition starts, you will begin to see a big difference in your soil. You can also use horse, cow or chicken manure as an organic matter supplement. Just be sure the manure is aged or composted so that you don’t get a weed problem from viable weed seeds in the manure.
Don’t despair this spring as you head into the garden. Turn over a new leaf by paying attention to what’s underfoot. 
RESOURCES FOR LOCAL COMPOST:
https://www.happytrashcan.net/
https://www.yescompost.com/products

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