Soil – The Often Overlooked Foundation
Whether in a garden, on a field, or in a pot: without living soil, nothing grows. Yet soil is often treated like a neutral mass – something to fertilize, dig up, or replace. But soil is not passive. It’s an active system working around the clock. It stores water, regulates nutrients, gives plants stability – and is home to countless organisms that make all of this possible. Once you start working with healthy soil, you quickly realize: what happens below the surface is just as important as what grows above it. If we want strong harvests, long-term gardening success, or simply resilient plants, we need to give soil the same care and attention we give our seeds.
An Active Network Beneath Our Feet
Healthy soil is more than crumbly texture or dark color – it’s alive, reactive, and full of activity. In every gram of healthy earth, millions to billions of organisms thrive: bacteria, fungi, springtails, nematodes, mites, and more. They break down organic matter like leaves, roots, and plant debris. In doing so, they release nutrients that plants can actually absorb. Without this soil life, no plant would thrive for long. These organisms also create a stable soil structure, allowing water to seep in and be stored, air to circulate, and roots to spread. Many of these processes happen unseen – but they’re measurable. Living soils need less fertilizer, remain stable even in rain, and offer better growing conditions. Anyone who has ever touched dry, lifeless compacted dirt and then a soft, rich garden bed knows instantly how much the soil makes the difference. With every new bed we build and every time we touch the soil, we’re shaping this cycle – for better or worse.
Different Soil Structures on Our Property
Humus Holds It All Together
Humus isn’t a soil type – it’s the result of life in the soil. It forms when microorganisms and soil animals break down organic matter and transform it into stable compounds. These humus-rich components not only darken the soil but also give it unique qualities: they hold moisture, store nutrients, and release them gradually. In humus-rich soil, seeds germinate better, plants grow more evenly, and crops can survive hot summers more easily. Humus improves structure, reduces compaction, and protects against erosion. But it doesn’t build itself – it needs constant inputs like compost, mulch, green manure, or simply leftover plant roots after harvest. Humus is also delicate: heavy digging, bare patches, or neglect can break it down again. Increasing the humus content in your soil doesn’t just improve plant health – it boosts moisture retention, microbial life, and long-term garden stability. Especially in times of drought and unpredictable weather, humus is one of the most powerful tools we have.
Since we don’t yet have much humus, we try to cover every bare patch of earth to prevent erosion. We use a mix of cover crops, straw or hay (we don’t mind the seeds for now), wood chips, or simply leave the natural moss as it is.
Soil Care Reaches Beyond the Garden Bed
What happens underground doesn’t just affect roots – it shapes the entire garden ecosystem. Living soil creates a finely tuned balance between fungi, bacteria, roots, and soil organisms. This network is self-regulating: if harmful microbes appear, beneficial ones – like mycorrhizal fungi – step in and suppress them. The same goes for predatory soil mites, nematodes, and springtails. A thriving soil reduces disease pressure naturally – without the need for sprays.
Healthy soil also boosts cooperation between plants. Legumes like beans or clover form symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (rhizobia), feeding both themselves and the crops that follow. These underground partnerships affect crop rotation and even nearby beds. Diversity below the surface leads to diversity above – a principle used in polyculture, permaculture, and regenerative gardening.
A vibrant soil ecosystem also protects plants from environmental stress. Research shows that plants growing with the help of active soil microbes are better able to tolerate drought, heat, and nutrient deficiencies. Meanwhile, soil animals like earthworms and enchytraeids create channels that guide water and root growth. The result: stronger root systems, more stable plants, and less work for us. Soil care isn’t a one-time job – it’s a long-term investment that pays off in biological, structural, and practical ways.
Gardening Starts in the Soil
Every successful planting, every strong harvest, every healthy bed begins with one thing: understanding your soil. It’s not enough to simply put a plant “somewhere.” You need to know the nature of that specific patch of earth – is it loose, compacted, rich in organic matter? How well does it hold water? Are there earthworms? These clues tell you more than any fertilizer label. Once you learn to read your soil – with your hands, your nose, your senses – you’ll be better able to respond and adapt. Simple actions like adding organic matter, mulching, or incorporating compost can make a big difference. Often, the effects show up after just one season: less watering, healthier plants, fewer pests. And the best part? Every step you take toward living soil pays off twice – with harvests, and with the quiet satisfaction of building something long-lasting.
Dive Deeper: Understanding Soil in Practice
This article just scratches the surface – because healthy soil is part of a much deeper system of structure, biology, and seasonal rhythm. For those who want to dive further into the subject, we’ve created a comprehensive German-language e‑book:
„Leben im Boden – Erde verstehen und nutzen“
It offers practical guidance, soil tests, background knowledge on soil types, microorganisms, composting, and natural care throughout the year.
The purchase is processed via our second project, Bras d’Or – touch wood, which we also introduce on our blog homepage. That way, readers know exactly where the link leads and can feel confident it’s not spam.
Note: Currently, the e-book is available in German only!
