Protect My Soil

So we know how to increase our numbers of beneficial organisms in the soil by making Aerated Compost Tea.

And we know how to make a favourable environment for the bacteria, fungi and minibeasts, with air-spaces, optimal moisture retention and drainage and abundant different food types by making our own Home-Made Compost.  

We now need to take steps to look after our soil.

Run-off and the degradation of the world's soil. examples around the world of soil loss.

The main things we need to do are:

• Protect it from being stripped of nutrients through exposure to weathering.

• Protect fungal growth and mycelial structure by not disturbing the soil,

• Use plants year round to feed and encourage beneficial microbes, protect soil structure, retain moisture, add organic matter.

Plants really do do it best.  They have lived and thrived in soil on this planet for at least 435 million years (give or take).  We humans have only been trampling around on top of the soil for 2 million years (not forgetting the previous 4 millions years or human-like predecessors of course).  When it comes to knowing how to maintain the best soil for plants, it is the very plants themselves.

And have a quick look at any natural environment and you will see all sorts of plants growing together.  Certain environments encourage certain groups of plants, but even on pavements along city streets you will never see just one type of plant (Morethanweeds.co.uk) growing.

To be continued...