A teaspoon of healthy soil holds more living organisms than there are people on Earth. They break down plant and animal material, release nutrients in forms plants can use, and help hold the soil together. Feeding them is a big part of feeding plants.
Why it matters
- Organic matter, the decayed plant and animal material in soil, holds water and nutrients and is the food source for soil life.
- More active soil life usually means better structure and steadier nutrient supply.
- Worms and other larger organisms mix and aerate the soil for you.
Ways to feed the soil
- Add compost to the surface of beds, or make your own from kitchen and garden waste.
- Mulch with leaves, straw, or wood chips. They break down slowly and feed the soil from the top.
- Leave roots and residue from finished crops where possible.
- Go easy on products that can harm soil life. Test your soil before adding amendments, and follow label directions.
Things to watch
- Do not add compost, manure, or fresh materials without knowing where they came from. Some can carry herbicide residue or contaminants. A small test with bean or pea seedlings is a simple check.
- If you are worried about lead or other contaminants, particularly in older neighborhoods or near old buildings or roads, get a soil test before growing food.
- Fresh manure should be aged or composted before use on food crops.
A lab soil test tells you what you cannot see: pH, organic matter, nutrients, and lead. Your county extension office can point you to one.
Recommendations vary by climate, soil, and growing system.