on the nutrients-de cient soil will not contain the
de cient nutrients, and the soil will still be unbalanced
even after the cured compost is added. Therefore, in
some cases, you may need to bring nutrients in the form
of organic fertilizers into the mini-farm from the outside.
Your goal should be to bring in a minimum of outside
organic fertilizers and maintain them cycling in the
system through compost.
You may also decide to bring carbonaceous materials
into the garden or mini-farm in the beginning so
su+cient humus can be added to the soil. Humus is the
fo o d of soil microorganisms that are responsible for
creating good soil structure and soil fertility. It also helps
hold the nutrients in the soil. If there is not enough
humus (about 4% to 6% organic matter in temperate
regions; about 3% organic matter in tropical ones),
nutrients that are returned to the soil in the form of
cured compost may leach out.
100% Sustainability Impossible
Some nutrients will escape from the garden or mini-
farm, whether from leaching, from rainfall runo:, or
from wind picking them up and carrying them away
(although water and wind erosion are usually not a
problem when the soil’s humus supply is maintained
and all of the GROW BIOINTENSIVE techniques are
used). At the same time, however, nutrients are added
naturally to the mini-farm through rainfall, wind, the