Lessons Learned from Natuurboerdery

The Apple Way…

“The Method”

• Compost

• 20 m³ per ha

• Mulching (Straw , Wood Chip)

• Covering of Compost

• Fertilizer (N)

• Stopped all chemical Fertilizer initially

• Top up N

“The spin off”

• Improved soil Health

• Microbial \ Fungal activity

• Water infiltration \ Aeration

“The spin off”

• Block 20

• Royal Gala

• Since 2001

“The spin off”

• Improved Tree Health

• Root Health and development

• Woolly Apple Aphid Control

• Reduced Mite control

• Nematode Population shift

• Stress Buffer

• Soil Health+Tree health=Stress Buffer

“The spin off”

• Improved Quality and Yield

“The spin off”

• Improved Quality and Yield

“The Way Forward….”

• Cover crops

• Mulch replacement

• N-Fixers

• K- Fixers

• Plant Biodiversity

• Insect Biodiversity

“The Way Forward….”

Thank You