Garden soil might look fairly ordinary, but beneath the surface is an extraordinary living ecosystem.
A single teaspoon of healthy garden soil can contain up to a billion bacteria, alongside many other microorganisms. These tiny organisms form part of a complex community that helps keep soil functioning and supports the plants growing above it.
What is living in your garden soil?
Healthy garden soil isn’t simply dirt. It can be home to enormous communities of bacteria, fungi and other microscopic organisms, alongside larger soil inhabitants such as earthworms and insects.
Together, these organisms form part of what is often called the soil food web.
They interact with plant roots, organic matter and one another, helping drive many of the natural processes that keep soil functioning. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations — Soil Biodiversity provides more information about the diversity and importance of organisms found in soil.
Why are garden soil microorganisms important?
One of their most important jobs is helping to break down organic material.
As leaves, roots and other plant material naturally decompose, soil organisms help break that material down and recycle nutrients through the soil. Some microorganisms also form relationships with plant roots, while the wider soil ecosystem contributes to soil structure and nutrient cycling.
The FAO — Biological Properties of Soil explains the role of bacteria, fungi, earthworms and other organisms in these processes.
In other words, a healthy garden isn’t only about what you’re growing above the ground. Healthy soil matters too.
5 simple ways to look after your garden soil
You don’t need to see these microscopic garden residents to give them a better environment.
A few sensible gardening habits can help:
- Add suitable compost or organic matter. Organic matter can help improve soil structure, water retention and nutrient availability. The Royal Horticultural Society — Organic Matter Guide provides practical guidance on using organic matter in the garden.
- Avoid unnecessarily compacting or disturbing healthy soil. Maintaining good soil structure allows space for air and water to move through the soil.
- Grow a variety of plants where practical. Different plants contribute to the garden ecosystem in different ways.
- Avoid overwatering and prolonged waterlogging. Waterlogged soil contains less oxygen, which can negatively affect roots and soil life. See the RHS guide to waterlogging and flooding.
- Let appropriate organic material return to the soil. Not every fallen leaf needs to be treated as waste. Suitable organic material can sometimes be composted or used within the garden.
The exact needs will naturally depend on your plants and the soil conditions in your garden.
What should stay in your garden — and what should go?
Spring in South Africa often means renewed growth — and with that comes mowing, pruning, trimming and general garden maintenance.
Some organic material can be useful in the garden, but you’re still likely to end up with excess grass cuttings, leaves, weeds, hedge trimmings and branches that need to go somewhere.
That’s where regular garden refuse removal comes in.
MegaBin provides a simple way to manage the accepted garden refuse you don’t want to keep: put it into your MegaBin and we’ll empty it as part of your weekly collection.
A healthier garden starts beneath your feet
Take a moment to think about what’s happening underneath your feet.
That ordinary-looking patch of soil is home to an enormous community of living organisms, quietly contributing to the ecosystem that helps your garden grow.
There’s a whole world beneath your garden.
Garden Refuse Made Simple.
Sources & further reading
USDA NRCS — Healthy Soil at Home
FAO — Biological Properties of Soil
Royal Horticultural Society — Organic Matter
Royal Horticultural Society — Waterlogging and Flooding
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