Life in the soil is activated when it is worked with the appropriate tool
at the correct time. After the cold of winter, cultivating the topsoil provides aeration and drainage of water. Cultivation guarantees that
neither too much nor too little moisture remains in the soil during the warm season. Have you noticed that an air and water balance is connected:
the more air that gets into the uppermost soil layer, the better is micro-organism development and mulch? The proportion of water
remains at a level perfect for plant growth. Furthermore, in the hot summer months, regular loosening of the soil ensures that water does
not evaporate quickly via run off channels or hardened ground. Cultivated soil prevent water runoff, equal moisture distribution in the soil
for healthier plants and conserve our limited water resources as well.
Good soil means healthy plant growth. WOLF-Garten as defined the process of creating and maintaining
quality soil in 8 Easy Steps, what we call WOLFing. The WOLFing system has been used for years throughout Europe creating some of the most beautiful gardens in the world. The
8 Easy
Steps of WOLFing provides you a simple system insuring success in your garden.
Cultivating - The 1st step of WOLFing ... should begin in the
spring to prevent the soil from drying out and to assist in providing early
season nutrients. Suggested tools –
BAM,
BEM, or
BOM cultivators.
Loosening and aeration without damaging the roots is the trademark of
these tools. While the upper soil layer dries out, the moisture underneath is held in.
Crumbling - The 2nd step of WOLFing ... creating fine soil is
best for plant growth. The loosely crumbled soil helps keep the soil moist,
gives support to seeds and young plants and ensure even distribution of
water to ensure vigorous root formation. Suggested tool -
DAS Crumbler
and DOM35 or
DRM35 Rakes for loosening or leveling the soil. Whether
sowing or planting, finely crumbled soil is ideal because of little physical resistance
and the correct amount of moisture. Seeds, seedlings and plants are given the best conditions for growth.
Sowing & planting - The 3rd step of WOLFing ... begins once Crumbling is finished. Wait for the
temperature to rise and the soil to dry out for ideal planting and sowing conditions.
Loosening - The 4th step of WOLFing ... keeping the soil loose during the long season between sowing and plant maturity is important for growth. The earth should breathe and not become crusted. Only if the soil is loose can sufficient air, warmth and moisture reach the roots, together with nutrients. Suggested tools –
ILM3
Fertilizing - The 5th step of WOLFing ... Organic, mineral, or both? The main difference between these fertilizers lies in their origins. Organic fertilizer consists of animal products. The common feature of all organic fertilizers is that they activate soil life, promote humus formation and thus produce a lasting improvement in soil fertility. The exact composition of organic nutrients varies greatly. Organics are excellent "generalists". Fertilizing errors rarely occur with commercially-available organic fertilizers, even if one deviates somewhat from the prescribed dosing. Mineral fertilizers are obtained from inorganic raw materials. The main nutrients include nitrogen (N), which builds plant cells and allows them to grow, phosphorus (P), which promotes root growth and bloom and fruit formation, and potassium (K), which makes the plant cells temperature tolerant, as well as important trace elements. With organic fertilizers the nutrients are released little by little. This short-term release avoided mistakes and a lasting supply of the nutrients to the plants are guaranteed. With mineral fertilizers you must adhere strictly to the recommended quantities. Too much fertilizer damages the soil and the ground water; too little lets the plants starve. Suggested Methods to determine fertilizer needs– Rapiditest tests soil conditions yourself or contact your state university.
Weeding - The 6th step of WOLFing ... Weeds won't go away - but they can be held in check! Unwanted plants have no chance against the various weeding implements and hoes from WOLF-Garten. Weed with less effort with WOLF’s “Stand Up Straight” tools and without getting your hands dirty. Suggested tools -
GYM,
HOM15,
IEM or
RFM.
Cleaning up - The 7th step of WOLFing ... In nature, the soil is rarely bare. It is constantly covered with grasses, weeds or rotting organic material. In the garden one finds broken twigs, fallen leaves and petals or the remains of weeding work. But garden waste has its problems. Pulled-up weeds often contain more seeds for further unwelcome offspring. Neglected leaves are an ideal growth medium for fungal infections. With the various Tine Rakes and Brooms from WOLF-Garten, you can remove trouble makers from flower and vegetable beds, paths and yards. Garden clean up is the final touch for a beautiful garden. Suggested tools – Rakes;
UCM,
UEM, or
UFM. Brooms;
B40M.
Digging over - The 8th step of WOLFing ... Towards the end of the gardening year, many soils are compacted. Living conditions for soil life deteriorate as a result. So that the soil will be fit for the winter and above all the following spring, you should use the autumn for digging the ground over. You can turn over loose, humus-rich soil again at the start of the new gardening year. The soil should be dug to a depth of approx. 5 to 10 inches with a spade or gardening fork, even deeper if badly compacted. The coming frost and freezes of water during the winter months causes the earth to expand and contract. Repeated temperature changes around freezing point have the effect of many miniature "explosions" and the soil is broken into small crumbs. Thus it is ready for spring, for renewed cultivation. Suggested tools – pointed shovel or pitch fork.
