Mark Reynolds
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Organic matter isn't like nutrients/fertilizer when applied to the soil. Nutrients will break down and peculate though/into the soil and is incorporated. Organic matter does not work its way into the soil. It remains on the soil surface as thatch or mulch and breaks down. Logically, it would seem like the solution to this would be to till the OM into the soil. This will work only to a limited extent and only if you have a lot of OM to incorporate. The reason being, believe it or not, you end up losing just as much if not more OM already in the soil by exposing it to air when tilling it than you end up incorporating by tillage. IF you have a HIGH amount of earthworm activity. The earthworms can and will carry the OM underground and incorporate it, but activity is lacking more often than not. The best way to incorporate OM into soil is by growing roots that then die in place.