Soil

This short article relates to soil health to support life below and above the ground and gives some basic tips on how to achieve this. If we are designing for new plantings in the earth, we will always include a strong focus on soil health. 

Healthy Soil will be full of life ! Decomposers ,the last stop in the food chain break down plant materials including the mulch covering the ground into a form that supports soil and plant life. Earthworms, nematodes, flies, cockroaches, wasps, slaters, springtails and ants improve soil structure and nutrient uptake for plants as they move and work decomposing through the soil . Applications of fertilisers and chemicals to the soil kills these beneficial decomposers. Underground fungal networks which support plants growth are also destroyed through the use of chemicals in many pesticides and fungicides.

Basic Tips

1. Maintain a constant cover over your soils with natural leaf litter and small twigs etc. This provides decomposers with material that they can break down for soil life to thrive.
2. Spray no chemicals onto your earth or plants to avoid killing beneficial insects that live above and below your soil surface
3. Don't apply artificial fertilisers.
4. If you provide sufficient water in the soil profile positive bacteria and fungi life will improve and contribute to plant health.

In summary ,healthy soil is the foundation of a healthy garden that supports healthy resilient plants. If your growing food crops, the soil health will directly relate to improved flavor and increased level of nutrients in the food grown.