116 Facilitator’s Handbook for Permaculture Workshops
- The soil will have millions of “soil workers” that manage nutrient
availability and storage, and increase the amount of air in the soil. Worms are
particularly hard workers. - The soil is easier to dig and work with because it is less compacted and
includes more types of materials. - The inputs that are needed for healthy living soil are locally available
and organic, which saves money.
What is healthy living soil?Healthy living soil contains humus, which:- Provides food for soil biota, which breaks down humus and turns it into food for
plants. - Stores plant nutrients, such as liquid fertilizer.
- Helps to bind soil particles together, which improves soil structure.
- Soaks up and stores water like a sponge.
Humus is made up of:- Broken down organic matter.
- Compost.
- Mulch.
- Manure.
- Decomposing plant roots.
- Decomposing plant material.
Healthy soil is alive - It contains billions of soil biota that turn organic matter and
nutrients into plant food. Soil biota includes bacteria, micro-organisms, ants, earthworms,
and very small organisms.It contains a good mix of clay and sand particles; not too much of either - The
clay holds minerals and the sand allows drainage.It should hold together loosely when pressed - It is not crumbly like sand or sticky
like clay.It is composed of about 50% clay, sand, humus, and organic matter, and
50% air pockets - The air pockets are very important because:- They provide space for the soil to hold more water.
- The air provides oxygen that the plant roots need to be able to access nutrients.
- They allow easy, fast, and deep root growth - therefore plant roots can gather
more water and nutrients which makes plants bigger and healthier.