Grasses, legumes and radishes planted by air this month at four Northwest Hamilton County farms will together form a one two three punch to boost soil fertility, reduce erosion and improve water quality.
Friday a plane dropped 61 lbs. of seeds an acre on the Heyob, Knollman, Minges and Hoerst Farms.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFCLgw6RHgA
They are part of a three-year study sponsored by the Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District (HCSWCD) that could create a national model to improve soil and water quality using crop cover.
The idea:
- Planting Oilseed Radishes (18 inches in depth) will break up the soil and improve air and water movement
- The Winter Rye and Oat grasses will control erosion and then serve as organic matter in the spring
- Crimson Clover, a legume, will collect and fix atmospheric Nitrogen in the soil
How it is happening:
Small planes dump the seed mix on farms. In this case it falls in the midst of corn and soybean plants.
The idea of a special scientific crop cover is spreading where experts sample the soil and then seed companies provide specific seeds based on soil needs. Warren, Butler and Clermont County have done it. P
