Flowing water�..��..When the rain hit the bare soil and separated the OM particles from the sand��the OM was put into suspension�..meaning that the sandier surface areas you see (that looks like concrete) we�re not allowing water to infiltrate the ground�� so the water was building up and moving across the field surface. The OM particles were floating within that water (in suspension) and moving with it. So how did it accumulate in those spots????

See that pile of surface mulch to the right of the pic�..That surface mulch slowed down the flow from the water and caused the OM to fall out of suspension in those piles when the flow stopped. This is just one of the many reasons why we keep �thatch� across the entire surface�..it helps control the movement of water�it keeps the water from being able to build up steam and flow across the surface. It slows it down and gives it a chance to infiltrate. It also protects the soil surface from the initial energy of the falling rain drop that caused the particles to separate in the first place. The thatch absorbs that impact. If heavy rain will separate soil particles and carry away the humus particles that are big enough for you to see with your eyes�..what do you think it�s doing to your fertilizer you applied?

An interesting side note��I forget what it�s called but they sell some stuff now in a bag that looks just like those little piles of black humus. It�s applied in order to accomplish the exact same thing as the humus you see in my field. This is a whole nuther can of worms though that I�ll hold off on for now.