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A WINDOW ONTO NATURE'S WORLD - SOIL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND SOCIAL BENEFITS

A WINDOW ONTO NATURE'S WORLD - SOIL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND SOCIAL BENEFITS

Author: Jill Theunissen
Date: 2023-11-23

The abundance of Spring Rainfall has blessed the Coastal regions with lush growth evident from the canopy of the Flatcrown Tree, to rapid spreading of herbal plants, to the rich carpet of lawn grass.

'CONTINUITY' of growth is essential, but may only be successful for horticulture and agriculture where attention has been given to 'Soil Quality Improvement', at the Planning Stage. Where the Land Resource has been Re-zoned for ResidentialDevelopment, this requirement maybe part of the Record of Decision. For every garden, Eco-Estate, Parkland, or agricultural enterprise, whether large or small, the initial Soil Fertility sampling, the Results and 'Site Specific'Recommendations are ESSENTIAL to the success of cultivation and restoration.

The location of the project in relation to the Shoreline is a Key Factor. TheAeolian wind-blown sandy soils along our Primary and Rear Dunes often present 'loose' to 'very loose', formations which invite rapid percolation, with steep slopes indicating 'High Risk' collapse potential. Remaining undisturbed areas of Dune Forest display a rich Humus layer of 30cm or deeper, comprising leaf and bark decomposition, with nature's fertilisers from bird and buck droppings.

Parallel to the Coastline inland lie the Berea 'Red' clay beds, often with 'highCollapse' potential where the deep-rooted Natal Fig Trees have been removed, or the Sugar Cane Stolens cleared, the 'Risk' of erosion increases. The Red deposit, laid down over the millennia presents Ferox oxide (Iron Filings) which adds 'WEIGHT' to the colloidal Run-off at times of 'Deluge' or Flood. Optimum stabilisation of these clay beds with an indigenous selection is imperative.North of Richard's Bay the mining activities in the Coastal dunes for Rutile,Ilmenite and Titanium necessitated strict compliance with the RehabilitationProgram.

Further inland the formations present Table Mountain Sandstone, Middle Ecca and Dwykabut SOIL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT applies for all applications from gardens to agricultural production and commercial forestry, to the new Macadamia plantations. In every instance a water resource of good quality is needed for'A' grade production and growth. An Environmental example of Soil Quality is the Lomond Wine Estate situated just outside Gansbaai. There are 18 different soil types enabling diversity in wine characteristics. With careful mapping of every soil type, the grapes are harvested by soil type. It is no wonder Lomond has been given an accolade of 'Social Responsibility and Environmental Champion' by its UK Importer, Hallgarter.

For the garden and the land resource where there has been a 'disturbed and modified' habitat over many decades the Fertility Results and recommendations will enable an 'Informed and Cost Effective approach' to up-grade the SoilQuality. This process compare's with the Doctor's diagnosis of his sick patient. Where mono-cropping for many decades has depleted the Soil nutrients,for example through sugar cane cultivation, rejuvenation may include 20 tons per hectare of good quality organic compost plus 2 tons per hectare DolomiticLime, together with selected additives to restore the balance. At the same time the process will add to the nutrient value of the crop, and should achieve a preferred market value. No more cardboard carrots!

To improve SOIL QUALITY a system of crop rotation creates natural enhancement for small or large scale production. At the same time observe that after 6rotations or years, the land should be allowed to lie fallow and rest. (Ref.Exodus, chapter 23 verses 10 and 11). There is a triangle linking Soil Quality,Water Quality and optimum on-going Care of Management - to the ultimate Social benefits embracing good health through Quality of Production.