Regenerative gardening practices

We learn about healthy fertile soil on a visit to Red Thread Farm, a micro family farm in Franklin TN. There’s no mechanized tillage that happens here, just a liberal use of broadforks. Keeping the soil covered is a priority, either with a thick mulch or cover crops. And there’s no commercial pesticide use on the premises. All methods used are meant to enhance microbial activity in the soil, and in turn, produce nutrient-rich vegetables.

Post author By NPT Editorial
Post date September 28, 2023
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Gardener Extras

Soil microorganisms are classified into 7 different categories: bacteria, fungi, virus, blue-green algae, actinomycetes, protozoa, and nematodes.
Soil temps can affect organic matter decomposition and mineralization rates, thereby impacting microbial biomass and activity levels. Bare soil will have lower microbial activity occurring, regardless of season.
Studies show that microbial activity in agricultural soils increases in the fall, likely due to an increased level of nutrients and soil organic matter from crop and plant residue post-harvest.
The soil contains a wide-range of substrates for microorganisms, from simple sugars to the most complex materials, such as humus.

Gardener Notes

Red Thread Farm 5561 Parker Branch Road, Franklin TN 37064 redthreadfarm.com theredthreadfarm@gmail.com Farm Store Wed-Sat. 9am - 4pm

Tammy Algood

Tammy Algood — Tammy has loved to garden and cook her whole life. She wanted to spend as much time as possible with her Grandmother who gardened and cooked, so she learned at her knee. Tammy is a marketing specialist with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. She has written numerous cookbooks, including Farm Fresh Southern Cooking and The Southern Slow Cooker Bible. “Being a host on Volunteer Gardener allows me to meld both of my passions into one activity…cooking from my garden.”