Copper / bronze versus steel tools

[Selina]

Hi all,
I’m looking for some advice on the use of copper and/or bronze tools.
We’ve been following the no dig approach for approximately 6 months on an existing allotment, but have recently taken on a new allotment that needs some level of initial soil disruption, due to lots of brambles and nettles.
I’ve been reading about the merits of copper tools versus steel, and how the steel in tools leaves a magnetic signature that disorientates slugs and snails, resulting in them finding their way to the crops, whereas copper ones don’t leave any trace. I’m really keen to give copper tools a go but my main concern is that the allotment has historically been worked with steel tools, and I’m not sure how long the ‘steel sugnature’ remains in the soil. Any thoughts on this?

Many thanks in advance,
Selina

[charles]

Selina I am not sure that anyone knows this for sure, However in the 1930’s Schauberger achieved great results in year one of switching form iron ploughs to wood or copper.
There are aspects of this that science cannot measure, it’s mostly anecdotal evidence, needs someone to do a trial of copper (actually bronze as it’s 5% tin) and iron/steel. Perhaps you could do that.

[Selina]

Thanks Charles. I have been reading about Schauberger this week after your mention of him; he seems like he was a very ‘out of the box’ thinking man!

I certainly will try to do a trial. Will give an update in 12 months time! I’ve also been doing quite a lot more thinking about my earlier question regarding how long the magnetic signature from the iron tools will remain in the soil after disturbance. It could depend on how long the iron stays in a magnetic form before it is oxidised within the soil to different minerals. Goethite, which is an iron oxide mineral and the most common iron mineral in temperate soils over here (I’m a geologist by training) has a very low / no magnetic field. And therefore even soils that have been tilled for years with steel should shed the magnetic trace over a relatively short time? I would imagine that oxidation will be pretty rapid depending on how well aerated the soil is / how active the microorganisms are in the soil. It’s all really very interesting and I look forward to reporting back soon. Any additional thoughts on the above from anyone else would be appreciated!

Thanks
Selina.

[charles]

Good you are a geologist.
Another aspect is how iron tools damage the capillary structure of soil particles and mean less ability to hold on to moisture, as Schauberger explained it.
Not sure how one proves that but a growth experiment is a great starting point.
There is a lot we don’t understand and plant growth can provide pointers.

[Author]

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