As gardeners, we often see the larger forms of life that live in or on our garden soil–beetles, worms, millipedes–and we accept on faith that there are other critters down there. Understanding the mystery of these others behooves us if we are to help them live and feed our plants.
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The number of organisms that exist in good soil is mind-boggling. When high-school students visit our farm, I hold up a single handful of soil and tell them, "There are more living organisms in this than there are people in the world!"
A soil food web begins and ends with plants. Plant roots exude secretions into the soil that attract and feed beneficial bacteria and fungi. These organisms compete for this food source and are in turn eaten by protozoa and nematodes. The excretions of all these creatures, and the nutrients therein, are made available to the plant roots. More nutrients are released when they die or are consumed and digested by other soil inhabitants. Larger forms of soil life, such as springtails and beetles, also feed on the results of this activity. When they die or are eaten, even more nutrients are released in plant-available form.
We can disrupt this natural cycle by applying chemical pesticides or by roto-tilling. We can also help by providing raw materials in the form of good compost. Use a tool called a broad fork to loosen and aerate your soil, apply a couple of inches of good compost and aerated compost tea, and your plants will flourish beyond your wildest expectations.
