GOOD SOIL = GOOD GROWTH

The challenges presented by gardening in dry, lifeless soils can seem endless — and incredibly frustrating. Plants struggle to grow, and no matter how much we water and fertilise gardens don’t seem to come good.

We can blame the weather, but the reason why soil becomes dry is because it is lifeless, which often comes down to poor gardening practices, such as the use of fertilisers. In fact, some people have begun to ask if adding fertiliser is necessary or beneficial; after all, plants grow in the forest without it.

“In the forest, up to 90 percent of all the nutrients taken up by plants is done through microbial action. The combination of natural organic matter and rock minerals deposited in the forest are enough to support entire plant ecosystems,” says Colin Johnson of Earthlife. “But we are told that we need to feed plants for them to live. Fertilisers are sold and used to ‘feed’ plants with what have been called essential elements that are necessary for our plants to grow.

“When we use chemical fertilisers, those soil microbes that the plants rely on become redundant and our plants then have to rely on us to be able to grow. These fertilisers are generally salt- or sulphur-based, which can build up to toxic levels in the soil, adversely affecting the microbes in the soil and, subsequently, the long-term ability of the soil to sustain life. These fertilisers should be only considered supplemental to proper soil nutrition,” he adds.

Soil conditioning is a healthier, more natural approach. It works on the structure of the soil and its ability to support growing plants, influencing water penetration, storage and drainage, aggregate formation, as well as nutrient retention and availability.

“Some of our common practices like using gypsum, lime, dolomite and wetting agents can also adversely affect the structure of the soil and the beneficial life within it,” explains Colin. “Using Earthlife Microbial Rock Minerals instead adds a broad-spectrum of beneficial nutrients, as well as conditioning soils and helping create an environment that promotes strong, energetic growth, while helping plants with their natural ability to grow without the need for numerous different chemical supplements.

“By conditioning the soil, we are planning for the future, so our plants can grow in to our soils, as nature intended, rather than being reliant on us to care for them.”

It doesn’t matter whether you’re growing flowers, fruit or veggies, shrubs or trees, native plants or exotic species, or if you’re trying to establish a lush lawn, it all starts from the ground up — with healthy soil.

Find out more from Earth Life at earthlife.com.au