"The most important good on earth" - is the humus.
At least that is the opinion of several organizers who set up the first “humus week Oberland” from Saturday, August 28th to Saturday, September 4th.
Interview with co-organizer Heiner Putzier.
What is the difference between humus, earth and soil?
Heiner Putzier: Humus is the uppermost 10 to 20 centimeter thick layer of organic substances that are essential for plant growth.
Floor is the generic term for everything on which we move.
Earth is humus plus the underlying layer.
Many think that forests and moors are primarily important for the climate. Hardly anyone has an eye on the humus, why is that?
Heiner Putzier: We honestly ask ourselves that too.
That's why we're doing this series of events.
Of course, forests and moors are also incredibly important.
And peatlands are also humus in the broadest sense.
Ultimately, all three bind carbon.
But agriculture has a completely neglected potential for carbon storage.
What about in the district, is there a lot or little humus?
Heiner Putzier: Too little from our point of view.
For example, growing maize in monoculture does not promote humus formation.
Due to the geological and climatic conditions in the foothills of the Alps, we usually still have very good humus contents above the important five percent.
Nevertheless, we must guard this treasure trove of good humus content and try to improve it.
What role does modern agriculture play, does it slow down or promote humus formation?
Heiner Putzier: From our point of view, it slows down humus formation.
The use of pesticides and heavy machinery promotes compaction of the soil.
This is harmful to the microorganisms, and growth is hindered.
In the grassland belt of the foothills of the Alps, we usually still have very good humus contents.
This is influenced on the one hand by the geological and climatic conditions as well as by the mostly somewhat more extensive management of the comparatively small-scale agriculture.
Arable farming was largely abandoned in our region when the farming methods became more and more harmful to the soil.
This can be our luck when in other regions of the world the harvests and thus also the global security of supply with food are becoming more and more insecure.
What can individuals do so that there is more humus?
Heiner Putzier: For example, don't use pesticides in the garden, create corners where nothing happens.
You should always make sure that the soil is covered, either with compost or thinly with grass clippings.
There is no need for mineral fertilizers in the garden.
Whoever buys regional products in organic quality directly from the producer is also doing something for humus formation, as it supports local farmers.
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Heiner Putzier from Weilheim
© private
Your series of events has very specific topics, do you still believe that non-experts will also come?
Heiner Putzier: We hope so and do everything we can for it.
The topic of “climate change” is currently in focus everywhere.
But of course the whole thing is also very complex, we are aware of that.
Which lecture would you recommend to laypeople?
Heiner Putzier: Our kick-off event with expert speakers is definitely very interesting - please register on our website.
For those who like it practical: the event on Wednesday, September 1st, about stone sheep.
It's about the importance of pasture farming.
On slopes, the animals are also landscapers and they are also good suppliers of meat.
Interview: Johannes Thoma
The program of the humus week Oberland:
Guided tours, films, lectures and tastings on the subject of “humus” under the motto “Soil good - Future good” will be offered by the 1st Humus Week Oberland from Saturday, August 28, in the district, in the neighboring district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and in Lenggries. According to the organizers - Energiewende Oberland, Slow Food, Forum Kapellgärten, "bioSim" and Transition-Region Ammer-Lech - interested parties should register at humuswoche-oberland.de/anmeldung at least one day before the event.
Kick-off on
Saturday, August 28th
, Tiefstollenhalle Peißenberg, 6 p.m .: Lecture and discussion
evening
.
Sunday, September 29th
, 10:30 am in Jaudenmühle 1 in Habach "Garden floor tour" through the chapel gardens.
Guided tour at 2 p.m. in Wolfhof 7 in Forst. Presentation of the Institute for Nature-loving Lifestyle and Agriculture (INLA) and guided tour through the Paradieshof.
Monday, August 30th
, 10 am, workshop in Jaudenmühle in Habach: “Learning to understand soil” with Anselm Hannemann.
4 p.m. Seminar house, Kirchberg 10, Aidling: “Fermented foods”, workshop.
6 p.m. Adventure hike in the Weilheimer Moos: "The Weilheimer Moos - soil and landscape in transition" with Prof. Dr. Reinhold Schumacher.
Tuesday 31st August
, 2 p.m., Sonnenacker Murnau, meeting point at Nikolauskirche: “Naschwanderung im Gemüseacker” for children with Sara Bader and Anastasia Kühn.
5 pm Workshop in Forst: "Gardening in your own four walls" with Melanie Kleid and Norbert Weimann.
“Starlight Kino” Weilheim, 7:30 pm: “Our soil, our heritage”.
Wednesday, September 1st
, 10 am, Altenau orchard meadow: “Soil experience day in the phenological garden” with Garnet Wachsmann.
6 pm, Jenhausen 2: “The guardians of the sod. Stone sheep in landscape and soil care ”with Verena Hausmann, lecture and food.
Thursday, September 2nd
, 2 pm, workshop and compost tea hour, Augsburger Str. 62 in Schongau with Rainer Engler from the "Flower School".
5 pm, Steinbach 8c, Lenggries: “Discovery tour through the nursery of the“ Biotop Oberland ”with Sebastian Girmann.
6 pm, Oderding: “Visit to an organic sun field” with Maria Hermann from the Association for Nature Conservation Bavaria.
5 pm, Jaudenmühle 1, Habach “Garden floor tour” through the chapel gardens of the Jaudenmühle.
Friday, September 3rd
, 2 pm, Jaudenmühle 3, Habach: “Plant care and protection with effective microorganisms and Co.” with Anselm Hannemann.
5 pm, Schlehdorf Monastery, workshop: Black worm humus “with Siegfried Malaj.
5 pm, Jaudenmühle 1, Habach: "Garden floor tour" through the chapel gardens of the Jaudenmühle.
6 p.m., Ohlstadt: Visit to the Sonnenacker Ohlstadt.
7 pm Hofgartenstüberl, Dorfstrasse 4, Weilheim-Unterhausen: Wine tasting "Taste the soil" with wine merchant Martin Kössler from Nuremberg.
Saturday, September 4th
, 11 am, Solawi Peißenberg, workshop: “Principle of the production, utilization and application of Terra Preta” with Helge Reiter and Markus Koller.
1 p.m., Paradieshof, Forst: “Autumn joys in the green”.
As part of the “Gartenwinkel Pfaffenwinkel network”.
You can find
more information
about the events here
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