Part 4
Soil-Aid to Build Humus

Recent research shows cover crops are capable of providing multiple benefits. These benefits include decreased chemical inputs, decreased soil erosion, increased carbon and humus, increased soil organic matter, also the production of up to 150 pounds of nitrogen per acre for the next crop. To achieve these goals environmentalists encourage farmers to treat seed (such as ryegrass and others) with Early Riser seed treatment. Treated seed will produce massive root systems that lock in nitrogen. As these huge root systems decay during the next growing season, nitrogen is released slowly to feed the new crop.

This is an environmentally friendly approach designed to produce higher yields, lowering production costs and reducing toxic chemical residues from polluting our environment and waterways.

Now when you use Soil-Aid and green manure to restore your soil and build humus you encourage micro flora (microbes, algae, etc.) mites, ants, beetles, spiders, slugs, snails, and many other creatures such as tons and tons of earthworms.
(see part 5 - Farmers Best Helpers, the Earthworm)

Humus is better than money in the bank

Humus has many functions, it is about 50% air, extremely porous, rich in carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and minerals. Humus is a fertilizer in itself and it improves soil tilth. Without humus sandy soil will let the rain percolate precious nutrients away. While clay soils without humus shed rain like cement. Humus is a marvelous sponge as it can hold several times its own weight in water (a real drought insurance). Humus helps the soil maintain the correct pH, increases phosphorous availability, protects winter crops, plus a multitude of other benefits.

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