This is a topic that deserves special consideration for organic gardeners. But what exactly is it?
At it’s most basic definition, it means soil it is capable of supporting life. But even more to the point it is soil that is alive.
In order for our garden soil to be truly fertile it must be populated with diverse micro-organisms such as fungi, bacteria, nematodes, protozoa and earth worms.
These most basic life forms perform the necessary function of converting fertilizer and organic matter into food for our plants.
That is why they are so important to have in our soil! Beneficial microbes also produce a lot of polysaccharides. This is like a glue that holds the soil together and increase aggregate structure.
Let explain soil fertility in a different manner.
“soil chemistry + organic matter + microorganisms = soil fertility”
Years ago, I remember seeing a depiction of The Cycle of Life in an elementary Science book. It showed how every living thing comes up from the earth and eventually it all returns back to where it came.
I think we all can remember seeing similar pictures at some point. But what is missed too often is that a similar life cycle is also functioning at a micro level in our soil.
Land development, tillage and chemical applications have all but destroyed natural populations of these in our soil. The good news is that we can restore it.
Compost is the most common way microorganisms are increased in our soil.
Bokashi compost is even a more effective method due to the fact contains an even more diverse combination of organisms. (beneficial bacteria, fungi and yeasts)
Modern farming methods simply are not sustainable. These methods which employ synthetic chemicals destroy the basis for soil fertility. Chemicals kill off the very micro-organisms needed to grow healthy crops.( And guess who is eating these chemically treated, nutritionally vacuous foods?)
I’ve said for years that “what you’re growing – can’t be any more healthy than the what it is being grown in.”
However, it is Baron Justus Von Liebig credited with the discovery what is now known as the ‘Law of Minimums.’
Von Liebig proved that soil having a deficiency in any one element would result in deficient growth, even if the other elements are in abundant supply. It’s all about balance.
Remember, Organic Gardening Is A Process. Not an Event!
I understand that it can often seem confusing deciding exactly where to start and please understand that you really don’t need to have to drive yourself to frustration.
So until you have gained the confidence from experience it is much simpler to purchase a really good quality inoculant that already contains all the ingredients that you are going to need to lay the foundation for really great soil.
It will take the guess work out of it for you and it is about the closest to “instant” that you are going to get.
There are a lot of products on the market that make these type of claims but there is only one that I am going to share with you because, quite honestly, it is the only one I trust enough.
There are several reasons for that. The most important factor is that it always works and I know that the bottle you get is going to be the exact same laboratory tested recipe that I get.
The second main reason is that it is the most complete recipe of organic inoculants that I have found. The trade name is EM·1® microbial inoculant. Who better to trust than the people who originally discovered it?
It is a true organic soil amendment that provides a broad spectrum of beneficial microorganisms, enzymes, trace minerals, vitamins, and various organic acids, all essential components for healthy soil and plants.
EM-1 is a great way to enhance your soil fertility.
These microbes will support the growth of other beneficial organisms like mychorrizae, worms, and beneficial insects already in your soil. It is great for your organic garden and turf application as well. You can even use it as an accelerant when starting a new compost pile. It is that good.
It is extremely easy to use, just fill the reservoir of a hose-end sprayer, then apply it to your plants. Your average quart size sprayer will treat about 1/8 acre so it goes a long, long way.
That equals about two tablespoons per gallon. Only apply it once per week throughout the growing season, you won’t really need any more than that. You will want to spray your plants in the evening, after the heat of the day when it is cooling down.
Since microbes convert organic matter to a usable food source for plants, your fruits and vegetables will not only taste better but they are going to be more nutritious as well and that is the whole point, isn’t it?
