Soil is a living ecosystem, an interaction between living microorganisms, plant roots, structured solids, water, air, and nutrients. Soil health is defined by the USDA as the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans. Healthy soil is the backbone of productive, sustainable agriculture. Every teaspoon of soil is home to billions of microorganisms that each play an important role. These microorganisms include fungi, bacteria, earthworms, insects, and nematodes.
Here are some tips for healthy soil from your friends here at Nourse Farms:
TEST YOUR SOIL
To create an optimum soil ecosystem, you must understand your soil first! Conducting a soil sample test will provide insight on pH, nutrients, soil texture, and organic matter. Use this link to find your local extension office for soil testing.
ADD ORGANIC MATTER
Organic matter improves the physical properties of soil and promotes healthy root growth. A good time to incorporate organic matter into your garden bed is in the fall, as it will spend the winter decomposing. Commonly used organic soil amendments include shredded leaves, home composting organic matter, and peat moss.
AVOID SOIL COMPACTION
Compaction leads to runoff, erosion, and poor water infiltration. To minimize compaction, integrate compost, reduce or eliminate tilling, and use designated walking paths around planting beds. Tread and till with care!
COVER CROPS
Cover crops can improve soil structure, enhance nutrients, reduce soil erosion, and promote biological activity. To add nitrogen to the soil, try leguminous cover crops like hairy vetch, clovers, and field peas. For weed suppression, try fast-growing cover crops like Sudan grass, buckwheat, and Japanese millet.
AVOID, OR LIMIT, CHEMICAL USE
A well-tended garden rarely requires pesticides. Needlessly spraying pesticides can kill beneficial soil microbes and insects and may harm other wildlife. Before spraying chemicals, consider pesticide alternatives, hand-pick larger bugs, choose disease-resistant varieties, and/or use water from a garden hose to remove insects from plants.
QUESTIONS?
Contact our Customer Service team at info@noursefarms.com or 413-665-2658. We're here to help you grow Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
Grubinger, Vern. "Crop Rotations and Cover Crops for Strawberries." University of Vermont. Accessed August 16, 2023.
“Practical Tips for Healthy Soil in a Home Garden.” Penn State Extension. Accessed August 16, 2023.
Sawyer, Anne. “Living Soil, Healthy Garden.” UMN Extension. Accessed August 16, 2023.