Lava Rock (Volcanic Stone)

Lava rock is beneficial to soil because it feeds fungal networks. While the benefits have not been studied locally, in urban spaces, the application proved beneficial at our site. Wherever lava rock was located, clover, kale, cabbage and swamp milkweed grew from seed to sprout faster and grew in greater densities of offshoots. 

Erosion Blanket

My initial erosion blanket application was to mitigate against soil loss. The first test plot, small, covered a 2.5 feet by 3.5 feet slope, next to a concrete driveway. Process began in March 2023. The erosion blanket, photodegradable, was successful in mitigating against soil loss.

Surprisingly, the soil quality improved after a month. Observationally, the insect population grew an estimated 150% and species diversified. We compared the test plot to soil within a 10 foot radius. None of the comparisons presented a similar insect population. Instead, the insect population was limited to mostly ants. 

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Mayan migration pattern agriculture imagined as a response to test plot developments:

• The erosion blanket strategy was also effective at mitigating radon levels on the interior of our house. When our soil biome surrounding our house improved, the radon level in our second story rental decreased from a 3.9 to 1.6-1.9. The strategy may mitigate other soil contaminants, like phosphorus, from exponentially impacting the soil in the evaporation or aeration processes. 

• AFMAUE erosion blanket practice was inspired by indigenous cultures' relationship with the sweet grass braid. I imagine a dried grass tapestry being braided and laid across a field of seeds. The field would then be returned to, during migration patterns. The dried grass would be tucked along the edge of the field, secured with wood, stone and/or lava rock. This would mitigate soil leaching and protect seeds from dispersing elsewhere. My strategy, reflective of what a Mayan migratory pattern agriculture would look like, lets the environment process ecological signals independently (without human interference). The Mayans would return along similar paths of planting, harvest and carry what they were able to. I imagine the Mayan, along their migration, planned for replenishing resources.

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After seeing the results, confirming by geo-specific observations, I decided to see if the erosion blanket could also improve the soil health around the base of my terrace trees (space between the sidewalk and the street). The terrace is a super vulnerable area due to low plant biodiversity.  The process was highly successful.

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Transparent reflections: The erosion blanket verses tacky/sticky straw may be specific to situation.

• The erosion blanket was chosen over loose straw because loose straw may be more vulnerable to the weather and may also sit closer to the earth. The erosion blanket almost hovers above the ground cover. This allows for clover and yard grass to sprout without any resistance, with plenty of protection.

• The erosion blanket was also chosen because of its success to protect the earth from elements during home construction and mitigate soil loss during road construction. The AFMAUE application is similar to current public protocols and therefore urban municipalities may more readily access the the strategy in vulnerable spaces. 

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Other covers: Burlap covered a test plot under a group of rose bushes. The bushes had diminished leaf output and often lost flowers short after bloom (compared to cycles 2022). This application was applied late season. At this time, I do not have enough data to gauge the effectiveness of this strategy. However, there were obvious benefits as rose bushes held flower petal weeks longer than the comparison (no ground cover). 

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Wood Chips 

Wood chips are a strategy which have always proved beneficial to gardening and yard health. However, application was different than in years past. We took a lighter approach and mixed with lava rock. This application allowed for the soil to aerate better, conserved a varied degree of water and protected the top soil from degradation. 

Seeds (optional)

• Clover seed is a great ground cover to mix with your lawn grass. It is drought resistant, mitigates runoff and provides for variation within lower foliage shapes. On a small scale, clover, when mixed with grass seed, can better self manage soil responsibilities. 

• Kale, Cabbage, and Brussel Sprout seeds are a helpful spring warmup. All 3, and similar varieties, can almost over winter during these warmer weather cycles. This indicates the vitality of their root system in varied climatic conditions. They are also great at nurturing biodiversity within insect and animal species. They are edible, but my suggestion is to feed your soil community with these hearty veggies. 

• Swamp milkweed seed has a hearty leaf and a hearty flower. The milkweed plant will help our pollinators during tougher flower output cycles. This strategy, in turn, will then nourish genetic variation and revitalize flower species which are suffering the most. Swamp milkweed is another consideration to self sustain holistic soil care.