8 Benefits of Healthy, Living Soil

Microorganisms are the building blocks of your soil so it is important to protect them and give them an environment in which they can thrive. Although cheap synthetic fertilizers invigorate your crops in the short-term, they strip the soil of life and pollute our waterways in the long-term. In contrast, microorganisms act as a natural fertilizer and serve as a defense mechanism against harmful fungi, pests, and heat stress. The cycle of life strengthens as you gradually reduce dependence on pesticides, fungicides, and other chemicals.

1 acre of good soil contains: 

2-3 million earthworms, 133 pounds of protozoa, 900 pounds of earthworms, 900 pounds of arthropods, 900 pounds of algae, 2,000 pounds of bacteria, and 2,400 pounds of fungi.

Here are the Top 8 Benefits of Living Soil:

1. Living soil puts biology to work.

Dirt looks lifeless, immobile and, frankly, useless. In reality, dirt is filled with life and buzzing with activity. According to the Slow Flood Foundation, one hectare of healthy soil contains 15 tons of organisms, which is about the same weight as 20 cows! Each of those organisms plays a role in working the dirt into quality soil.

2. Living soil has more nutrients.

Insects and worms shred dead plant matter, increasing the surface area for bacteria and fungi to consume and decay. Larger organisms consume the bacteria and fungi and, in return, excrete nutrients then available to plants. The organisms deposit these nutrients in the right place and quantity for the plants, generating them slowly over time.

Microbes in the soil break down organic matter, creating clay and humus which have an ionic charge that holds nutrients in the soil. This improves the structure of the soil and prevents water from leaching the nutrients out of the soil.

Microbial activity also fixes nitrogen in the air. It helps grass and plants pull nitrogen from the air and deliver it in a consumable form to plants.

3. Living soil aerates naturally.

Unbalanced, compact soil drains the water too quickly and blocks air circulation. Soil with healthy biology, in contrast, creates the perfect mix of large and small pore spaces that regulate the flow of air and water. In addition, larger organisms like insects and worms dig deeper pores around the roots of your plants. Good, porous soil allows water to drain more slowly and air to flow more easily, especially in the most important area - around the roots.

4. Living soil conserves water.

The organisms in your soil excrete organic matter that binds soil particles together, thereby increasing the amount of clay. (ete help) Clay has smaller pores, which slows the water to pass through it. As a result, more water remains in the soil and you can reduce the amount of water you spray on the area. 

Fun fact: According to the FAO, quality soil loaded with organic matter can store 20 times its weight in water. The USDA says that if the upper 6 inches of soil contained just 1% organic matter, an acre of soil could hold about 27,000 gallons of water. 

5. Living soil improves crop quality.

Because healthy soil has more pores, better texture, and more distributed nutrients, your plant’s roots can expand further and stronger. Many of the organisms bring additional nutrients directly to the roots, giving the plants the access they need to grow stronger and healthier.

6. Living soil prevents weed growth.

Many types of weeds have evolved to thrive in poor soil. As any homeowner can attest, they grow in even the most adverse terrain and reproduce quickly. Healthy soil supports more desirable plants, leaving less space for weeds. Plants and grasses in good soil choke out the weeds by expanding their root systems wide and deep. 

7. Living soil lessens dependence on chemicals and synthetic fertilizers.

Microbes and plant roots have a symbiotic relationship. Together they fight off harmful fungi and bacteria. This protects your plants and grasses and reduces the likelihood that you will need fungicides or other strong chemicals. Strong chemicals like fungicides pollute the environment and strip your soil of both harmful and beneficial bacteria. The process is similar to a person going through chemotherapy treatments: chemotherapy treatments remove the cancer but also lower resistance to harmful bacteria.

A healthy root/microbe/organism system also works in harmony to produce more natural fertilizers, retain added fertilizers, and spread fertilizers to the roots. As your soil biology strengthens, you can reduce your usage of added fertilizers.

8. Living soil is better for the Earth.

According to the Nature Conservancy, the earth takes 2,000 years to process 10 centimeters of fertile soil from bedrock. Impatient humans deplete 24 billion tons of quality topsoil each year and scientists agree that such activity is completely unsustainable. Soil organism populations are dying quickly around the world, causing a negative chain reaction throughout the whole biosphere. Don’t contribute to this problem. You can do your small part by making the soil on your property full of life and nutrient-rich.