Yesterday was World Soil Day and it had us reflecting on our soil over here.
When we first moved into our space, the soil was hard, compacted clay. Improving our soil is an ongoing process and some areas still need a lot of amendment. But after years of loving on our soil with lots and lots of organic matter, we now have some nice loamy areas where it’s light, fluffy, and nutrient-rich. It’s rewarding to see this shift.
The key to having a thriving garden is the soil. And the best way to build rich, healthy soil that is alive and thriving is by mimicking natural processes. By continually adding layers of organic matter and letting it break down over time, you’ll be feeding the soil life and improving your soil’s structure.
Building better soil doesn’t necessarily have to be a lot of work, either, and you don’t need a garden to care about supporting soil health. One of the easiest things you can do is simply let the fallen leaves and dead plant material stay where it is. A ground cover of leaves will provide overwintering habitat for pollinators and wildlife and fertilize the soil naturally as it decomposes. Imagine how much more vibrant and healthy our planet would be if everyone would just leave the leaves. Nature knows what it’s doing. We just have to step out of the way sometimes and let it do its thing.
