Tilling and cultivation revolutionized agriculture across the world, and quickly became the preferred methods for farming (over the no-till practices of many indigenous cultures). Heavily churned soil set the stage for roots to settle in and take hold quickly. The results spoke for themselves. Tilling has since been industrialized and practiced worldwide, feeding billions, but we are now learning about the long-term and far-reaching downsides of shocking the system in place- even in a small backyard garden. A shift is being made towards more mutually nourishing practices, and many of these changes fall under the general category referred to as regenerative agriculture.
Regenerative agriculture seeks to both restore and improve the status quo by making the most of what is already on hand. Its roots (pun intended) are ancient, and its preparation is slower; but these practices yield a more long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationship between farmer and land. As such, they also provide more food consistently over time (with greater nutrient density). When comparing the world of farming to that of its byproduct--food--for myself and clients, I find myself circling the questions, "Can you afford to till? Can you afford not to?"
Some of us have time to play the long game and focus on slow shifts, softening our habits to make room for growth. We can reap the benefits of a decade of incremental changes. Some of us, however, are starving. And the best method is the one that works fastest (at least for now). Steps can be taken later to restore and replenish the planting ground when we aren't concerned with surviving the year. If you don't know if you have time or not, start with taking a close and honest look at the soil. Knowing what you are working with allows you to make better choices on what will work best for you.
