The basics of living soil: bacteria, fungi, microorganisms

A living soil is a soil that naturally nourishes

In permaculture, we don’t feed the plants, we feed the soil. Why? Because it is the soil microorganisms that decompose, transform, and make available the nutrients necessary for plant growth. A living soil is therefore a rich, active, and self-sustaining soil.

1. What is a living soil?

• 🌱 Aerated soil, with channels formed by earthworms and dead roots.
• 🌿 Covered soil, never left bare (mulching, green manure).
• 🦠 Soil that is little or not tilled, to avoid disturbing life deep down.

2. Who lives in a living soil?

🦠 Soil bacteria

• Decompose organic matter (leaves, compost).
• Transform nitrogen from the air into usable nutrients.
• Essential for the chemical balance of the soil.

🍄 Fungi & mycorrhizae

• Underground network that connects plants to each other (“soil internet”).
• Increase root absorption surface up to 1000×.
• Exchange water, minerals, and carbon with roots.

🪱 Soil fauna

• Earthworms: aerate, mix, and digest organic matter.
• Springtails, nematodes, mites: essential small decomposers.
• Larvae and beneficial insects: participate in the underground food chain.

3. Why preserve soil life?

• 💧 To naturally improve water retention.
• 🌿 To avoid deficiencies and imbalances caused by chemical fertilizers.
• 🌾 To promote stronger plants resistant to diseases and pests.
• ♻️ To recycle organic waste directly in the garden.

4. How to maintain a living soil?

• 🪵 Mulch continuously (hay, leaves, wood chips, dry grass clippings).
• 🌾 Sow green manures (phacelia, clover, mustard).
• 🍂 Add compost or carbon-rich materials.
• ❌ Do not turn the soil over (prefer surface loosening).
• 🚿 Limit excessive watering that washes away microfauna.

Conclusion

A productive and resilient garden always starts with a living soil. What you see on the surface depends on what happens below. By cultivating soil life, you maintain a fertile, self-sustaining, and sustainable vegetable garden.

🌿 Discover our compatible seeds to nourish the soil right now.