Having healthy soil is the best way to ensure healthy plants and thriving gardens. However, not everyone is aware of the factors that are involved in soil health and what can be done to improve soil health. Improving soil health and everything it involves is likely one of the most important and beneficial strategies any gardener or homeowner can follow. 

In the world of landscaping, soil and soil health is often overlooked in favour of more visible elements. The truth is that soil health in landscaping is one of the most important factors in whether a garden thrives or fails.

What are the Key Factors in Soil Health?

Healthy soil has a good physical structure, with enough pore space to contain the necessary oxygen that fuels the growth of plant roots and microbes in the soil. Soil that has a good structure allows water to easily penetrate without any pooling or running off. Healthy soil will also hold adequate water levels in order to support and promote the growth and health of your plants. Healthy soil also requires significant microbial activity and diversity in its microbial populations. 

What do Soil Microbes Do?

Soil microbes are a vital part of soil health, as they perform several important functions, such as: 

  • Helping soil particles to group together to form stable aggregates which improves and maintains soil structure.
  • Converting nutrients that are in unavailable forms into plant-available forms. 
  • A diverse and healthy microbial population minimizes pest and disease problems.

A strong soil microbial community needs organic compounds to use as energy sources. Organic matter in soil is an essential carbon source that feeds healthy microbial populations. Unfortunately, organic matter levels in soils are declining in general, partly due to overreliance on synthetic fertilizers and regular pesticide use.

What Factors Reduce Soil Health?

It is common for new homes to suffer from poor soil health because the healthy topsoil (which contains organic matter) is removed during the construction process to form a stable foundation. As a result, the subsoil (with low organic matter) from the basement excavation is commonly spread over the rest of the yard once construction is complete. This often causes yards and lawn areas to have very low organic matter, as well as compaction from the heavy construction equipment.

Compacted soils also have reduced pore space, which means water does not penetrate well, and oxygen levels are greatly diminished. This subsequently significantly inhibits the growth of plant roots and essential soil microbes.

Overly acidic (especially under pH 5.6) or alkaline (pH 8.0 or higher) soil will also reduce microbial activity. A slightly acidic or neutral soil pH encourages the best microbial activity.

In addition, consistent use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers can hurt soil health by reducing the diversity of the organisms within the soil, including those that build and maintain soil structure. Long-term use of synthetic fertilizer accelerates the breakdown of organic matter in the soil, which reduces the carbon sources available to feed diverse microbial populations that are essential for the protection of plant roots from pests and disease, as well as cycling nutrients.

How Can I Improve Garden Soil Health?

There are many steps homeowners and gardeners can take to improve and maintain soil health. Our top tips for improving soil health are:

  • Reducing the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides in your lawns and gardens.
  • Replace synthetic products with those that work to improve the soil.
  • Routinely adding organic matter to soils to ensure adequate carbon reserves to feed microbial growth. 
  • Using organic mulch in gardens helps prevent soil compaction and provides a source of organic matter that decomposes over time. 
  • Adjusting soil pH if necessary. 
  • Avoid digging or tilling the soil when it is wet. Disturbing wet soil often harms the soil structure and causes compaction.

The Bottom Line 

It is not overly difficult or complicated to implement lawn and garden care practices that benefit soil health. By avoiding harmful practices and choosing the right products, you will rapidly provide benefits to your lawn and gardens. If you want to learn more about how to improve soil health and sustainable landscape practices or how we can help you with your landscape needs, contact us at Mountview Services today!