as a cover crop because it is a way of adding nitrogen to the soil without applying fertilizer.
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Edible Landscapes Yard Maintenance & Organic Garden Care
Ado Grimwood-Adam The Benefits of Soil Bacteria
Ado is an organic gardener, foodie and father of three living in the Cowichan Valley. He holds a Certificate in Permaculture from Langara College, and is passionate about sustainability, food security, climate change and organic gardening. Whether you need yard maintenance, or want to establish Edible Landscapes, Ado is a reliable, friendly and helpful person to work with.
Services offered include: ~ Edible Landscapes ~ Yard Maintenance ~ Organic Garden Care
Call or text for a free on-site consultation!
250.815.5789
Tamara Dinter, Dinter Nursery General Manager and Soil Enthusiast
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very teaspoon of healthy soil contains one million to one billion bacteria. Have you ever wondered what all these bacteria are up to? Along with fungi, bacteria are the primary decomposers in soil, meaning they break down organic matter and release essential nutrients for plants. Bacteria consume nitrogen, carbon and other nutrients from organic matter and when they die (usually from predation by other organisms) the nutrients inside them are released into the soil for uptake by plant roots. In this way, bacteria not only transform nutrients in organic matter into plantavailable forms, but also help prevent soil nutrients from washing away in the rain very important in our climate! Certain bacteria known as Rhizobia provide nitrogen to plants by forming a symbiotic relationship with the roots of legume plants, converting nitrogen from its gaseous form into ammonia which can be used by plants. Farmers will often use a member of the legume family (e.g. alfalfa or red clover)
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Bacteria help build soil structure by assisting with aggregate formation. Aggregates consist of inorganic soil particles (clay, silt or sand, depending on the size) and organic matter, that are stuck together by slime produced by bacteria. Formation of aggregates is the cornerstone of healthy soil texture, as the spaces in between aggregates (pore space) facilitate soil drainage and air exchange. How to build healthy and diverse bacteria populations in soil? Bacteria love consuming fresh, green organic matter (e.g. fresh leaves), so keep adding organic matter to your soil! Most bacteria are found within the top 6 inches of soil and around the plant roots (i.e. the rhizosphere). Adding 1-2 inches of good quality compost each spring and using a natural mulch (e.g. leaves) each fall is a great start. Most soil bacteria are aerobic and need oxygen to survive, therefore avoid compacting your soil by not walking on it, especially when it’s wet. Lastly, planting a variety of species in your garden will encourage bacterial diversity because each plant species has different bacterial associations.
