Crop Rotation And Cannabis

[CannaN00b]

I was listening to a Jeff Lowenfels interview on KIS' podcast and it got me thinking about the issue of crop rotation and reusing soil. Both Jeff (author of teaming with microbes) and tad seem to be strong proponents of reusing the soil without break. As an organic market farmer this seems contrary to the principles of succession planting and crop rotations. How do you successfully grow in the same soil without issue of disease, pest incidences, nutrient depletion, etc. It's so contrary to everything I know and have practiced for years.

Crop rotation is standard practice for organic farming which is why I don't understand how cannabis can continually be grown in the same spot without issue.

This seems so foreign. Is there something that makes cannabis different from other annual vegetable crops that allows this?

 

[Ar.BsG]

It's a weed . In pots I think nutrients would deplete unless recharged . In the ground I think of it as the roots die wich supply nutes plus most ppl fertilize anyways

 

[Burned Haze]

It's a weed . In pots I think nutrients would deplete unless recharged . In the ground I think of it as the roots die wich supply nutes plus most ppl fertilize anyways

Incorrect , cannabis is not a weed by agriculture viewpoint , just govt viewpoint

Unless your a cop and you don’t want cannabis here or want to arrest people, cannabis by definition by 5-0 is a weed since they want to destroy it and it’s not allowed.


“
A weed may be defined as any plant or vegetation that interferes with the objectives of farming or forestry, such as growing crops, grazing animals or cultivating forest plantations. A weed may also be defined as any plant growing where it is not wanted.”

Cannabis is in same family as hops and intill this stupid drug war it was well respected world wide for 1000’s of years on record and in religions and holistic remoldies ( hemp fiber and cannabis for consumption)

 

[Ar.BsG]

That may be true but still doesn't disprove that roots decomposeing plus rechargeing soil wouldn't allow you to contiounsaly grow on the same plot.

 

[Madmax]

It just goes to show weed uses frockall nutrients from ground.Ive grown in same spot for 18 yrs , but where last one was i just move where ill b planting over 40cm i just top it up with more compost,manures etc and away i go.still growing pound plants easily..

 

[JWM2]

I think the word weed is being taken too literally. We sometimes describe it as such due to its resilience and ability to adapt to harsh growing conditions. We by no means are trying to insult the plant we love we just use that as a popular metaphor. But I get why you’d be defensive over the term and maybe we should revisit the wording we use to describe it. But by no means are we demeaning the plant out of spite. It’s more of a playful term we toss around because we are lazy ;-)

 

[eastcoastjoe]

I was listening to a Jeff Lowenfels interview on KIS' podcast and it got me thinking about the issue of crop rotation and reusing soil. Both Jeff (author of teaming with microbes) and tad seem to be strong proponents of reusing the soil without break. As an organic market farmer this seems contrary to the principles of succession planting and crop rotations. How do you successfully grow in the same soil without issue of disease, pest incidences, nutrient depletion, etc. It's so contrary to everything I know and have practiced for years.

Crop rotation is standard practice for organic farming which is why I don't understand how cannabis can continually be grown in the same spot without issue.

This seems so foreign. Is there something that makes cannabis different from other annual vegetable crops that allows this?

The short answer is the difference in the soil. Your comparing field soil to a perfectly crafted potting mix with over 30% organic matter. Not to mention all the amendments in the soil mix that aid in helping repel pests and strengthen the plants immune system. If your field soil had that much compost in it I’d bet disease wouldn’t be a problem in your market garden either

 

[JWM2]

As for the original question and post it’s common to recondition the soil as its being used even in farming. As the crops use the nutrients they need to be replaced. I have never been one to reuse soil as that is just inviting potential problems and it’s just easier to replace it when container gardening.

However I can see their point in how building up beneficial bacteria and microbes are helpful and can create an even better growing environment.

I just don’t do it personally as using fresh soil is a great base and gives you a mean to make judgements from. But thats me and my perspective. If you do opt to go that direction by all means report your findings and growing pains. I’m sure we’d all be interested in the info.

 

[scubascrog]

ask a farmer at the corn maze this season.

do you have acres of land?

 

[MissBotany]

In my area, farmers rotate planting corn and soybean. Has to do with how the crops take in nitrogen. Grass based plants such as corn suck nitrogen from the soil and the soybeans put nitrogen in the soil. So putting the corn in a field where soybeans were ensures a nitrogen rich soil and the soybeans will put nitrogen back in the soil where the corn was planted the previous season.

 

[MissBotany]

This is also why some practice companion planting.

 

[jumpincactus]

Incorrect , cannabis is not a weed by agriculture viewpoint , just govt viewpoint

Unless your a cop and you don’t want cannabis here or want to arrest people, cannabis by definition by 5-0 is a weed since they want to destroy it and it’s not allowed.


“
A weed may be defined as any plant or vegetation that interferes with the objectives of farming or forestry, such as growing crops, grazing animals or cultivating forest plantations. A weed may also be defined as any plant growing where it is not wanted.”

Cannabis is in same family as hops and intill this stupid drug war it was well respected world wide for 1000’s of years on record and in religions and holistic remoldies ( hemp fiber and cannabis for consumption)

Now thats what I'm talking about, errr or what @Burned Haze was sayn. :D

And to the OP @CannaN00b there is a strong following and believers in ROLS (recycled organic living soil) It can and is done all the time. Do some legwork, which you started by asking the question and you will see that it is a viable more sustainable way to repurpose and have a better soil than you can by in any bag from a canna shop or the local home depot. All it requires is knowledge of how it works and some labor of love. But if your the typical grower, and I use the term loosely, if your lazy by nature and would rather pull out your credit card to buy the ready made soil of the month, then the ROLS method isn't for you. :D

My post isn't meant to enflame, just speaking my mind and sayn it like it is. No fake news here!!!!!

 

[jumpincactus]

Here are your assignments, will be a quiz at end of section!!!! There are many resources to teach you how to do rols, dig in it works!!!!:D The link to Daniel is by far the best place to start.

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=241964

https://thestash.wikileaf.com/reuse-soil/



https://danieljmonk.com/2016/04/20/no-till-recycled-organic-living-soil/

http://living-soils.com/soil-microbes-nutrient-recycling/

 

[RippedTorn]

I give my soil a rest at least every 7 years. Thats all the Bible says is needed (Ancient coded agricultural book)

 

[CannaN00b]

jumpincactus thanks for the links I'll look them over later, I'm always open to learning something new... but as I said this concept is completely foreign to me. I am a market organic farmer and crop rotation, companion planting, and letting the soil go fallow for a time are all cornerstones of organic agriculture. I can't imagine someone growing tomatoes or zucchini reusing the same plot of land year after year (the thought makes me shudder).

 

[eastcoastjoe]

jumpincactus thanks for the links I'll look them over later, I'm always open to learning something new... but as I said this concept is completely foreign to me. I am a market organic farmer and crop rotation, companion planting, and letting the soil go fallow for a time are all cornerstones of organic agriculture. I can't imagine someone growing tomatoes or zucchini reusing the same plot of land year after year (the thought makes me shudder).

What’s wrong with growing in the same soil year after year , specifically organically?