The final lecture of the Oleg Valenchuk Horticultural School was held in the Novovyatsky district.

      For 15 years now, free classes have been held for our tireless workers on the initiative of Oleg Valenchuk, a State Duma deputy and chairman of the Russian Horticultural Union. Every year, gardeners here receive invaluable knowledge from leading Vyatka agronomists, allowing them to grow rich crops and at the same time take care of the land carefully and efficiently.

      Vyatka land is a land of generous land and hardworking people. Therefore, special attention was paid on the eve of the summer season to the key success factor of any gardener – soil fertility. Alexander Paladic, a regular lecturer at the school, emphasized that the earth is not just a substrate, but a complex ecosystem populated by billions of microorganisms that provide high yields. The more of these "helpers" there are, the richer the harvest.

      Sowing legumes and other sidereal crops enriches the soil with nitrogen and other nutrients, improving its structure and creating a favorable environment for the vital activity of microorganisms. It is important to remember about the correct selection of siderates for specific crops and soil type.

      Decomposition of plant residues (mown grass, fallen leaves, and food waste) in a compost pile is not only a way to dispose of organic waste, but also to produce valuable fertilizers. The resulting compost is saturated with beneficial microorganisms and nutrients.Covering the soil with mulch (crushed grass, straw, bark) is an effective method of preserving moisture, suppressing weed growth and stimulating the activity of soil microorganisms, including earthworms. Mulch creates a favorable microclimate, contributing to the development of the root system of plants. Dried grass is ideal for mulching, preventing the development of mold.

      - The horticultural school actively promotes environmentally friendly methods of increasing soil fertility, - Oleg Valenchuk notes. - The 15-year experience of the Horticultural School in the Kirov region proves the effectiveness of the approach. Many Vyatka gardeners are so sophisticated that they can already teach others themselves. In this case, our task is to help systematize the knowledge gained through experience and introduce advanced agricultural techniques.