Backyard Tomatoes 2023

Soil Food Web School

Consultant Training Program Final Project

The intent of this project is to show the difference between conventional methods and the Soil Food Web method.

There were a total of 8 sections in this plot. The two outside ones were not used as part of this project. Three tomato plants were to be in each section, planted 3 feet apart. The first section was Miracle Gro, the next was BioComplete Compost, next Miracle Gro, etc.………Every other section was Miracle Gro, BioComplete Compost.

I wanted to compare my BCC compost to growing with conventional method. I chose Miracle Gro since that is on of the more well known fertilizers. After purchase, I noticed the above notes on container that it feeds microbes in the soil. I also noted that it contains 6% sulfur. (Microbes don’t like)

I platted out the location at the end of February. I removed sod, broad forked subsoil, and added a commercial compost to give both areas an equal start.

Purchased heirloom Cherokee Purple seeds from Park Seeds. Started them in the house in March.

Irrigation of the plot was done via automatic irrigation system. It watered throughout the growing season every other day.

BCC compost was made using the 40 bucket system. Compost was made late Summer of 2022. Extract was made using a 30 gallon Compost Tea Brewer. 10 lbs of compost was used to make 30 gallons of extract. Extract was poured directly at the plant stem on the ground.

Compaction test was performed at the beginning of the season. It was near 300 psi. After 6 weeks, the compaction of the composted sections had dropped to less than 200 psi. By the end of the season, the composted sections were less than 100psi. The first picture is at the surface, while the last picture, probe penetrated to about 18 inches.

Brix levels fluctuate during the growing season, the Miracle Gro brix was consistently lower though. The were usually under 5. Composted ranged from 9ish to near 15.

In this graph, Control is Miracle Gro, Treatment is BCC. (Compost)

The BCC tomatoes were most definitely juicier and tastier as you can see here. (Control is BCC, Treatment is Miracle Gro)