Cultural Operations

Question 1

Soil cultivation definition

Answer 1

Soil cultivation includes all mechanical measures to loosen, turn or mix the soil by digging, forking, ploughing, raking, rotavatong, hoeing and harrowing etc

Question 2

Reasons to cultivate

Answer 2

To improve structure for better aeration
To bury weeds and other organic debris or crop residues
To loosen soil to facilitate better oenetration by roots
To encourage activity of soil microorganisms
To increase water infiltration
To create seed bedto repair compacted soils.

To improve structure through incorporation of organic matter or inorganic soil improvers

Question 3

Did and don’ts

Answer 3

Know why you are cultivating
Know the type of soil you are cultivating
Only cultivate at the correct time of year
Use the correct tool for the job

Question 4

Tools

Answer 4

Spades and forks
Steel landscapers rake
Hoes
Rotavators - can damage soils structure 
Tractor mounted spadeing machine

Question 5

Double digging

Answer 5

For fresh piece of land being brought into cultivation.

Way of incorporating large amounts of organic matter into the soil.

Question 6

Single digging

Answer 6

Usually in soils that have been cultivated before

Turning the soil to incorporate organic matter

Question 7

Minimal cultivation or no dig

Answer 7

Based on principle that cultivating good soil can damage its structure.
Layer organic matter on top of soil to create a nutrient rich environment.
Encourages worms to take the organic matter into the soil.

Question 8

Soil consolidation

Answer 8

Used where plants like brassicas prefer firm soil.
In past rollering was common.
More common to trample the soil now.
Alternatively leave the soil to settle itself over a few weeks.
After any firming loosen the soil surface lightly.

Question 9

Sandy soils

Answer 9

Well drained
Quick to warm up in spring
Often poor levels of nutrients due to leaching
Easy to cultivate (light)
Can be cultivated at most times of year.
Best management is routine applications of organic matter to help hold water.

Question 10

Clay soils

Answer 10

Poorly drained and easily become waterlogged
Slow to warm up
High levels of nutrients
Difficult to cultivate (heavy)
Narrow window for cultivation.

Best management is routine applications of organic matter and attention to fostering activity if soil microorganisms and earthworms.

Question 11

Silt soils

Answer 11

Well drained
Fertile
Intermediate particle sized
Prone to erosion and washing away

Organic matter can help bind the soil particles and make it more stable.

Question 12

Bed systems

Answer 12

Involves deep cultivation and incorporation of organic matter.
Soil level is raised up and beds may be edged with timber or other material to keep the soil in place.
Normally about 1.2 m wide
Paths between should be around 1m
Particularly good for veg.