
Originally Posted by
Collateral Damage
As I said, you are still taking the chance that there are pathogens active, and what is the cost of a lost crop?
I've gardened for crops for 20 years, and when I have had crop damage due to disease, a combination of things happen. The crops get rotated every year, regardless of disease, but depending on the disease, the bed may be left vacant for a season, after the top 8-12 inches of soil has been removed. That soil is disposed of over the embankment, a good 200 yards away from the beds, in case it is airborne, dusted with lime. After a season of exposure, new soil is used, and amended if necessary.
Soil doesn't need to be 'expensive' to grow crops. I live where clay is the 'soil', and some crops are planted directly in it. I'll admit, I spoil mine a bit and add leaf mulch, compost, earth worms, and when I can get down to the Monterey mushroom farm, bring in a load of that compost.
If one is more concerned by the cost of the soil, but not the 'amendments' necessary to rehab a disease bearing soil, then who am I to argue. I disagree with you, as would most professionals, but it is your choice to make.