soil structure
PART 2 The science of soil
Good soil structure is essential for healthy plants – and a healthy planet. Becky Searle explores how it works, and what we can all do to help
ILLUSTRATION: IAN CUNLIFFE PHOTO: PAULA FERNLEY
The Dust Bowl of 1930s America is the best-known example of a catastrophic collapse of soil structure. The soil simply blew away as dust, leaving nothing but barren land. This should have been a wake-up call, but still most of us do not know how soil structure is formed, or how to protect it.
Like all good ecosystems, healthy soil is self-sustaining. It is well aerated and moist. It can regulate water, protecting us from droughts and flooding, and holds its form well against erosion. The soil ecosystem creates the perfect environment for our plants to grow and thrive. All we must do is let it.
Becky Searle is a writer, gardener and blogger who is passionate about soil health, organic gardening and ecology. sowmuchmore.co.uk
Protect your soil with no-dig
No-dig is a style of gardening aimed at replicating the natural processes in the soil to help them create and maintain their own structure. No-dig beds are very resilient, with no need for fertiliser, and the soil structure improves over time. The aim is to reduce soil disturbance and build organic matter content. Here are a few tips to get you started.