There will always be those who during economic hard times, and particularly economic meltdowns, prefer to take personal responsibility for food security rather than join angry protesters. Of course access to land will be necessary and in many cases there may not be enough land to feed oneself and perhaps dependents. It is recommended by some that very close spacing is a good way to maximize production, but I am not one of them. Though close spacing economizes space above ground, the roots below are cramped which would tempt the gardener to resort to costly soil additives of many kinds. A better practice would be to increase topsoil depth. In this regard nightcrawlers should be employed as nightcrawlers are Nature’s premier topsoil builders.
Rather than ingesting organic matter that is already in the soil they prefer organic matter at the surface and bring it down deep through vertical tunnels, mixing it with subsoil which provides the grit for shredding the organic matter. Like other earthworms they prefer partially decomposed organic matter that provides them with digesting microorganisms. These tunnels also transport oxygen and water, essential for the survival of both worms’ and plants. Surface mulch, therefore, is needed to keep the worms constantly fed. Even cover crops would need to be mulched, otherwise the earthworms may spend too much time hibernating at the bottom of their tunnels.
gardeners, what is still to be learned is how much can cover-cropping be reduced once the soil is charged with stable humus. Since research is non-existent on this matter each gardener must do their own experimenting.
