leaf mold and bio char

http://www.organicgardeningzen.com/gardening-guide/leaf-mold-guide/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaf_mold

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biochar

http://biochar-atlantic.org/assets/pdf/BiocharSoilFertility.pdf (this one is lengthy)

Ok what is all this about?? The short answer is Soil Health. We all know if we have sandy or clayey soil. Most of us know if our soils Ph falls in the acid or alkaline range. But what about the micro nutrients that are not mentioned in the NPK formula that the chemical fertilizer companies have foisted on the farmers and gardeners since around 1910. Yup the same companies that brought you hybrids that produce sterile seeds, and herbicides like Roundup (Glyphosphate) have defined the only common soil test. These tests indicate how much more chemicals you need to add to your soil (in the form of nitrates and sulfates (salts)) in order to grow their genetically modified plants. These salts kill the natural micro organisms that live in the soil and feed the plants that grow there. Leaf mold (decomposing leaves) and bio char (woody things partially burned without oxygen to form a type of charcoal) both provide habitat for these organisms. Leaf mold has the added benefits of feeding earthworms, and increasing the water retaining ability of the soil, as well as helping to loosen the soil making it easier for plants to grow a good root structure.