Expect results. In late march we made wicking beds out of 2 ex olive drums, filled them with a foot of good compost and planted them with tiny seedlings. 6 weeks later we were harvesting salads and beets.
![](https://i0.wp.com/merribeeorganicfarm.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Brag-beetroot-barrel-.jpg?resize=1000%2C563&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/merribeeorganicfarm.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240522_093827.jpg?resize=1000%2C563&ssl=1)
Blessed with some rain in May after literally 7 months without a drop. 2 weeks later this was the growth looking towards the house from the west boundary fence. I turned 180 degrees , looking west over the fence , for context.
![](https://i0.wp.com/merribeeorganicfarm.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240522_094006.jpg?resize=1000%2C563&ssl=1)
Here’s the crew on the same day in another location.
![](https://i0.wp.com/merribeeorganicfarm.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240524_104510.jpg?resize=1000%2C563&ssl=1)
They’ve come though the drought quite well.
![](https://i0.wp.com/merribeeorganicfarm.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/brag-Longys.jpg?resize=1000%2C666&ssl=1)
This was the same comparison a few years back.
![](https://i0.wp.com/merribeeorganicfarm.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/brag-book-2020-Novemeber-6-to-west.jpg?resize=1000%2C750&ssl=1)
November 2020 from the same location
![](https://i0.wp.com/merribeeorganicfarm.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/brag-Stephanies.jpg?resize=1000%2C563&ssl=1)
And looking over the eastern boundary fence November 2020
![](https://i0.wp.com/merribeeorganicfarm.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240601_150524.jpg?resize=1000%2C563&ssl=1)
And at our flat grazing block near the sea, in the same week.
So what are the 5 soil health principles?
- Never bare the soil. Keep the soil covered with living plants or mulch, all the time.
- Minimal disturbance ( to the soil cover )
- Livestock Integration in the operation .
- The more Diversity of Plants and Animals the better
- At least one green species all year round ( find a very drought tolerant plant and grow it. )
We will be running a workshop in August 2024. Please email merribeefarmacy@gmail.com to get on the invite list, or make contact through Bee Winfield on face book /messenger and register your interest.