Re: Microbes...you gotta see this one !!!

**Kelejan** 2/16/2016, 8:54 pm

A fascinating read. I am trying to read it carefully, it not like reading a novel, there is so much to take in. I have no doubt that I will buy this book and it will be a well-read one.

A couple of things that that I found thought-provoking:

Page 35
A diagram of Soil Textures. Courtesy of Tom Hoffman Graphic Design.
This a triangular shaped chart showing the percentages of clay, silt and sand and the designations given to them. e.g. sandy clay, sandy clay loam, sandy loam.etc.

Page 36
Sample your soils.
How to mix each soil sample with water and a tablespoon of a water softener, such as Calgon liquid. This gives you what soil you have, clay, silt and sand and the percentages of same. This takes about 24 hours to get the result if it includes clay.

Page 50 ..Since the bacteria are themselves attached to soil particles, the nutrient remain in the soil instead of being washed away, as is the case with chemical fertilizers.
Now I really see what happens in this chemical farming method when tonnes of fertilizers are applied.

One is supposed to read the first half of the book before delving into the second part, but I did leap ahead to chapter 19 Mycorrihizal Fungi, but I will be a good girl and get back to Part one when I resume reading.

Zmoore 2/17/2016, 7:25 am

Kelejan wrote:....One is supposed to read the first half of the book before delving into the second part, but I did leap ahead to chapter 19 Mycorrihizal Fungi, but I will be a good girl and get back to Part one when I resume reading.

CHEAT!!!

I can't tell you how many times I started to flip forward... no, no, no, stay the course. I managed though. Really nothing wrong with flipping ahead IMO, but I stayed the course, I treated it like waiting for my "Christmas Present" at the end Smile

Well, I won't say anymore, don't want to give any "spoilers" Smile

**jimmy cee** 2/17/2016, 9:32 am

Isn't this an amazing read ? I am almost done with the first read, then I will need to go over it many times before really even attempting to understand it..
Now when I read about folk wanting to till, toss chemicals on and al that stuff I want to scream.
I have attempted some comments, however, I've given up because as in the SFG book, Mel states. " because that's how they did it".
Maybe a section can be dedicated to microbes here, My thinking is it surely runs in line with Mel's Mix.

CapeCoddess 2/17/2016, 10:43 am

Kelejan wrote:

Page 50 ..Since the bacteria are themselves attached to soil particles, the nutrient remain in the soil instead of being washed away, as is the case with chemical fertilizers.

But we don't use soil...so what will they attach themselves to so they aren't washed out?
thinking

CC

**Kelejan** 2/17/2016, 11:43 am

CapeCoddess wrote:
Kelejan wrote:

Page 50 ..Since the bacteria are themselves attached to soil particles, the nutrient remain in the soil instead of being washed away, as is the case with chemical fertilizers.

But we don't use soil...so what will they attach themselves to so they aren't washed out?

CC

The one-third compost part? I have to think about this. Interesting point, CC.

**Kelejan** 2/17/2016, 11:47 am

Quote from Zmoore to me.

"CHEAT!!! Microbes...you gotta see this one !!! - Page 2 Icon_smile

"

I am mortified, Zmoore. Sad

**sanderson** 2/17/2016, 12:41 pm

I'm guessing that since the compost continuously breaks down, providing continuous supply of nutrients, and we keep adding more, the point is moot for SFG. Book should be here today.

Edit:
IT'S HERE! Looks like a fun 2-unit microbiology class book for gardening. study

Nice photos. Can't wait to read the part about lawns as we have dollar-spot fungus in our front lawn. study

Windmere 2/17/2016, 1:30 pm

Wow, you guys really piqued my curiosity. Just reading the recent posts have been so interesting! Just got off the phone with my library and the ordering/hold process has begun. I can't wait!

**jimmy cee** 2/17/2016, 6:27 pm

CapeCoddess wrote:
Kelejan wrote:

Page 50 ..Since the bacteria are themselves attached to soil particles, the nutrient remain in the soil instead of being washed away, as is the case with chemical fertilizers.

But we don't use soil...so what will they attach themselves to so they aren't washed out?

CC

When you get into this book you will read about exudes . roots give this off, and some fungi, bacteria etc...something like that makes a gel that keeps things in place....I hope some one can help me in the future to understand this read...LOL

**trolleydriver** 2/17/2016, 6:32 pm

I've got a hold placed on the Teaming With Microbes book at my library. They have 6 copies and they are all checked out. They have 10 copies of the 2nd Edition All New Square Foot Gardening book and they are all checked out as well.

**Scorpio Rising** 2/17/2016, 7:09 pm

I would think the microbes would be in the compost used to amend the vermiculite and peat. They would be fine!

**Kelejan** 2/17/2016, 10:48 pm

trolleydriver wrote:I've got a hold placed on the Teaming With Microbes book at my library. They have 6 copies and they are all checked out. They have 10 copies of the 2nd Edition All New Square Foot Gardening book and they are all checked out as well.

I think that is wonderful news. Perhaps things are taking off.

has55 2/18/2016, 12:34 am

Someone might find this of interest.

Podcast Episode 1213: The Soil Food Web with Jeff Lowenfels

**Scorpio Rising** 2/18/2016, 7:25 am

Kelejan wrote:
trolleydriver wrote:I've got a hold placed on the Teaming With Microbes book at my library. They have 6 copies and they are all checked out. They have 10 copies of the 2nd Edition All New Square Foot Gardening book and they are all checked out as well.

I think that is wonderful news. Perhaps things are taking off.

I agree!

has55 2/18/2016, 11:45 am

has55 wrote:Someone might find this of interest.

Podcast Episode 1213: The Soil Food Web with Jeff Lowenfels

I think this link will be easier to go straight to the podcast to listen to the author of "teaming with Microbes". "Click here to download the episode."

**jimmy cee** 2/18/2016, 4:05 pm

Remember this word

MYCORRHIZAL An extremely important microbe

Boz 2/18/2016, 4:42 pm

If you like "Teaming with Microbes" you should read his "Teaming With Nutrients". The organic gardener's guide to optimizing plant nutrition.

milt48 2/18/2016, 6:16 pm

I know that the organic plant foods sold by Dr. Earth and Espoma are all loaded with beneficial microbes.

I use one or the other in my Earthboxes , in ground stuff, and to jump start my compost bin. I like them and so do my plants.

A side note and FYI there are beneficial microbes(called normal flora) that inhabit your body as well. The old rule of thumb is there are 10 microbes to every 1 cell in your body.

Microbes...you gotta see this one !!! - Page 2 3170584802

Microbes...you gotta see this one !!! - Page 2 3170584802

cheers.

**Scorpio Rising** 2/19/2016, 8:26 am

Got it! Mine has a different cover, must be an older version. study

**jimmy cee** 2/19/2016, 8:31 am

mycorrhizal fungi
There are 2 different types
ectomycorrhizal fungi for most conifers and hardwood trees.
endomycorrhizal fungi for most shrubs, softwood trees and perennials
More reading and understanding needs to be done on my part, however the jist of this topic is. These fungi are / should be added when plants are set in ground in order to provide a good growing root system.
Trees and lawns use different organisms, some are bacteria motivated, some are fungi motivated...
Plant roots are pictured in this book comparing with and without mycorrhizal fungi...differences are huge.

**jimmy cee** 2/19/2016, 8:37 am

Another book, same author...should be quite interesting also
Microbes...you gotta see this one !!! - Page 2 Teamin10

CapeCoddess 2/19/2016, 11:40 am

Ooohhhh noooooo!
hyper

Actually, that looks FABULOUS! I'm adding it to my library wish list now!
gracias

CC

**Kelejan** 2/19/2016, 1:31 pm

jimmy cee wrote:mycorrhizal fungi
There are 2 different types
ectomycorrhizal fungi for most conifers and hardwood trees.
endomycorrhizal fungi for most shrubs, softwood trees and perennials

Just found 2 packets of Mycorrhizae that I bought last year from Fungi Perfecto.
I had three packets and put one them on my garden before winter so I hope they are having an effect for this coming year.

Luckily for me the expiration date is October 2016. Phew!

Reading the chapter in this book, I now realize what it is exactly that they do and that what I have is both Endo and ECTOmycorrhizal spores. I used them for putting in some small trees etc. and also spreading all over my SFG and BTE areas.

I only bought them as at the time I was wanting a mushroom pack but I could not afford one so I settled for these spores.

With my new knowledge I call that Serendipity.

**jimmy cee** 2/19/2016, 2:00 pm

Kelejan
I live in a university town IUP. I am going to try to get some interest in a garden biology program going for their community program....isn't learning great ? If I only thought this 60 years ago

**sanderson** 2/19/2016, 2:54 pm

60 years ago, you were busy being a young man with no time. Wink

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