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Pat Herbert is out to produce the best organic vegetables on the planet.
His secret weapon is this:
controlled microbial composting.
Pat learned the value of composting from Austrians Siegfried and Uta Lubke.
Using the Lubke method, it takes about 2 months to produce the desired quality of workable compost. The foundation is composed of straw and other waste materials, such as yard clippings, dairy manure and cannery waste.
Controlled microbial composting is not a matter of piling up debris and hoping for the best. The process involves daily monitoring of moisture, temperature, nitrogen and oxygen content, as well as aerating to ensure proper oxygen flow.
Microorganisms are the worker bees in this process. They are needed to break down the organic matter and attach nutrients to the clay particles, which in turn create a fertile, disease-resistant environment in which crops can thrive.
The end result for Pat Herbert is 700 acres of healthy potatoes, bell peppers and more -- all organically grown.
For more information on microbial composting and future workshops, you can phone Pat Herbert at (408) 637-5517. Or drop a line to Pat Herbert composting, P.O. Box 65, Hollister, CA 95024.
If you have questions of comments about this story, please e-mail our Producer Adrian Woodfork at calheart@kvie.org.
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