soil update

I have found out a few things about the soil methods I had found
and want to get you to read a 37 page book on soil that is fantastic.

first I found that the carbon you add to the soil will take effect strongly at different times,
straw added will work great the first year, but don't last more than a few years,
wood chips added will start really working well in the 2nd to 3rd year, and will last 15 or so years,
charcoal added will take 5 or so to start working super well, but will last thousands of years,

so if you add a mix of all 3 when you fix the soil then you should never have to do it again,
or at least not super often.

the short book is called
The farm that won't wear out
by Cyril G. Hopkins

here it is to read online
http://www.soilandhealth.org/01aglibrary/010134hopkins/010134toc.html
if you have a kindle, then amazon has it for free
http://www.amazon.com/Farm-That-Wont-Wear-ebook/dp/B0082VJUBE/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1
printed version from amazon currently $7.02
http://www.amazon.com/Farm-That-WonT-Classic-Reprint/dp/B008LI55IK/ref=tmm_pap_title_0
pdf download (it has some issues, but is still readable)
www.small-farm-permaculture-and-sustainable-living.com/support-files/farm_that_wont_wear_out.pdf

and yes, it is that good of a book, it is from 1913, and is still in print, and is available in what ever format you want.