The intriguing world beneath your footsteps: More than you might imagine resides in earth's subsurface
In the heart of every thriving garden lies a living, breathing organism: the soil. This often-overlooked component of a garden is teeming with life, from fungi and bacteria to nematodes, worms, beetles, and a host of other organisms. These inhabitants work together to nourish plants, providing them with all they need to grow strong and vibrant.
One of the key players in this soil food chain are protozoa, including amoebae, ciliates, and flagellates. These microscopic organisms work with and live off bacteria, supplying as much as three quarters of plants' nitrogen requirements. Earthworms, another essential component, make casts up to 50% higher in organic matter than surrounding soil and increase soils' water-holding capacity.
Promoting soil biodiversity benefits plant growth and reduces reliance on synthetic chemicals. This approach improves soil health, nutrient cycling, disease suppression, and pest control through natural means.
One of the key benefits of soil biodiversity is improved nutrient availability and cycling. Soil microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi decompose organic matter, fix nitrogen, and solubilize minerals, making nutrients more accessible to plants. This enhancement in growth reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Enhanced soil structure and water retention are another advantage of soil biodiversity. Soil biodiversity promotes aggregation and better aeration, which improves water infiltration and retention, supporting healthy root systems and plant resilience. This, in turn, lowers the demand for chemical interventions.
Natural disease and pest suppression are also facilitated by diverse soil organisms. These organisms help suppress soil-borne pathogens and pests, minimizing plant diseases and reducing the need for synthetic pesticides.
Rich soil biodiversity attracts beneficial insects that control pests naturally and support pollination, further reducing chemical pesticide use. Composting, for instance, boosts soil biodiversity and attracts these beneficial insects.
Healthy, biodiverse soils contribute to climate regulation by sequestering carbon, maintaining fertile soils over time, and enabling more resilient agricultural and gardening systems that rely less on synthetic inputs.
When it comes to sourcing organic matter, black and crumbly green waste compost and mushroom compost are available at reasonable prices but are not rich in nutrients. Horse manure is better for heavy soils, while cow manure is more suitable for lighter soils. Gastropods, including slugs and snails, convert organic waste to a more decomposed form and help bind soil particles together.
Adopting practices such as avoiding synthetic chemicals, minimizing cultivation, and adding organic matter to the soil surface can lead to a more healthy soil population and more vibrant plants. Many gardens have grown fine plants in soil improved with horse manure.
For further information on soil food chains, visit www.soilfoodweb.com. "Teaming with Microbes" by Jeff Lowenfels & Wayne Lewis, revised edition, Timber Press, 2010, provides further reading on the topic.
Remember, a healthy soil population is the foundation of a thriving garden. By promoting soil biodiversity, we can foster robust plant growth and sustainable garden ecosystems, decreasing dependence on synthetic chemicals and improving long-term soil and plant health.
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