The sabbath of the land is a traditional rotational practice where arable land is left fallow for an entire growing season, typically every seventh year. Historically rooted in religious texts, the method allowed exhausted soil to naturally regenerate its organic matter and nutrient profile without the application of external fertilizers. During this rest period, spontaneous vegetation was often grazed by livestock, which added manure back to the soil.
The old lease agreement actually includes a clause requiring a sabbath of the land to keep the soil from burning out.
Related terms
Fallow
Cultivated land that is deliberately left unplanted for one or more growing seasons to recover its fertility.
Crop rotation
The practice of planting different types of crops sequentially on the same plot of land.
Soil fertility
The capacity of soil to provide essential nutrients and a suitable environment for plant growth.