Beneath the rolling hills of the Piedmont in North Carolina, a secret world thrives, right here in Montgomery County. This world is the soil, a complex ecosystem teeming with life that’s often overlooked. In the Piedmont’s clay-rich soils, an unseen community of microbes (including bacteria, fungi, and protozoa) plays a critical role in creating fertile ground for your plants to grow.
These microbes are like unseen workers, constantly toiling without a break to keep the world as we know it growing and thriving. Bacteria, the most numerous of the soil microbes, are the workhorses, breaking down organic matter like fallen leaves and dead roots, turning them into nutrients that plants can absorb. Fungi, with their expansive networks, act like the garden’s internet, connecting different plants and helping them share nutrients and water.
In the Piedmont, where the soil can be dense and compact, these microbes are vital in creating spaces within the soil for air and water to flow, which roots need to expand and absorb nutrients. They’re the architects of a healthy soil structure, breaking down the heavy clay into a more plant-friendly environment. Think of them as tiny gardeners, aerating your soil and making it a better home for your plants.
The symbiotic relationships in the soil can also defend your garden against diseases and pests. Some soil microbes produce substances that are harmful to plant pathogens, effectively guarding the roots of your plants like little knights protecting a castle.
But these microscopic allies need care to thrive. In the Piedmont, where the summers can be hot and dry, covering the soil with a layer of mulch can protect these microorganisms from the sun’s intensity, keeping the soil moist and cool. Organic matter, such as compost, is like a feast for these microbes, providing them with the energy they need to work their magic.
While fertilizers can give plants a quick boost, they can disrupt the natural balance of the soil’s ecosystem. It’s like fast food for plants; it might fill them up, but it doesn’t provide the long-term nutrients they get from a rich, microbe-friendly soil. Over time, building a healthy soil with plenty of organic material is the best way to create a sustainable garden. And this is why it is a shame to remove rich topsoil from an area without trying to put some of it back down.
The soil in your garden is a living, breathing thing. It’s a complex web of life that supports your plants from below. By understanding and nurturing the secret life of soil, you’re not just gardening; you’re stewarding an entire world that, in turn, ensures your garden is healthy and thriving. So next time you’re digging in the dirt, remember: you’re interacting with a vibrant community that is the foundation of all life in your garden.
Feel free to swing by The Gathering Garden in Mount Gilead at the corner of W Allenton St and School St, if you want to discuss gardening with us, you can find out more about or workdays on our facebook page.
In these weekly columns, I will share the science of gardening and so many more interesting tidbits. Check back here every week for tailored Montgomery County garden advice, sharing our garden updates, and more.
Let’s grow together!
This article was originally published in the Montgomery Herald and is reused here with permission by Mary Poplin.