The path to vital plants, living soil and a bountiful harvest 🌿
A fertile vegetable garden begins underground: When soil life, microorganisms, and fungal networks are active, plants benefit from optimal nutrition, stress resistance, and high-quality harvests. The combination of organic NPK fertilization , beneficial soil cultivation , and suitable tools creates the foundation for this.
N, P and K – the main nutrients for plant growth
The three main nutrients are essential for plant life:
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Nitrogen (N) : stimulates leaf and shoot growth.
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Phosphorus (P) : important for root formation, energy transfer, flowering and fruit set.
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Potassium (K) : regulates water balance, strengthens cell walls and increases resistance to drought or disease.
When these nutrients are available in the right proportions and at the right time, plants lay the foundation for healthy development and a subsequent harvest. Organic fertilizers release nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compounds more slowly, while simultaneously promoting soil life and avoiding the typical side effects of fast-acting mineral fertilizers.
Secondary nutrients and trace elements – for a complete nutrient spectrum
In addition to NPK, plants need:
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Calcium (Ca) : stabilizes cell walls, regulates soil pH and improves structure.
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Magnesium (Mg) : a component of chlorophyll and therefore essential for photosynthesis.
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Sulfur (S) : required for amino acids, proteins and enzymes.
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Trace elements such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), boron (B), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo) and nickel (Ni) control enzyme activities, influencing leaf health, fruit formation and soil reactions.
Organic fertilizers often contain these elements in bound form, which are only slowly broken down by the soil micro- and macrolife – this ensures a more even supply.
Soil microorganisms – the invisible foundation
Healthy soil is living soil. Billions of microorganisms – bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, protozoa – form networks that:
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break down organic matter and thus release nutrients
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Fix nitrogen or mobilize phosphorus
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Stabilize soil aggregates, improve the structure and thus promote water and air balance
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To displace disease-causing organisms or reduce their effects
Organic fertilization provides these microorganisms not only with nutrients, but also with organic matter as an energy source (e.g. cellulose, lignin, proteins) – which significantly strengthens soil life.
Organic fertilizers increase microbiological diversity and activity compared to untreated or purely mineral-fertilized systems.
Mycorrhizal fungi – key partners for plants and soil
Symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi are particularly important: they form a network with plant roots and significantly increase their absorption surface. Their functions include:
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Mobilization of nutrients that are difficult to obtain (e.g., phosphorus, trace elements) and transfer to the plant.
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Improved water uptake and higher drought stress tolerance through network formation with plant roots.
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Promoting the plant's defense mechanisms against diseases.
Important: Very high doses of phosphate or nitrogen can reduce mycorrhizal colonization and its benefits – therefore, a needs-based, slow-acting supply is more beneficial than excessive immediate application.
Gentle soil cultivation – preserving soil life instead of destroying it
Soil cultivation strongly influences soil life. Deep digging or intensive plowing disturbs soil layers, destroys fungal and microorganism networks, and increases humus degradation.
In contrast, soils benefit from:
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No-dig or highly reduced soil cultivation ("No-Dig", mulch systems) that leaves the structure and microbial network largely intact.
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Tools that loosen the soil but do not turn over layers and minimally disturb soil life.
Gentle loosening with the broadfork – soil protection in practice
One tool that perfectly supports this approach is the Broadfork:
A manual garden tool with wide, deep-penetrating tines that loosens the soil without turning it over .
Why a broadfork is particularly gentle on the soil:
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It aerates and loosens the soil, improves water absorption and root penetration without destroying the soil structure.
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The layers are preserved, the uppermost humus-rich layer remains on top – an important habitat for microorganisms and fungi remains intact.
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This protects the soil microbial environment: mycorrhizal networks, earthworms, and microorganisms are less disturbed.
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Ideal in combination with organic fertilization and mulch systems – this creates a garden soil with high vitality and stability.
Conclusion – the holistic path to healthy garden soil
A successful vegetable garden depends on three interconnected elements:
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Organic fertilization (and supplementary nutrients) – provides nutrients in a soil-friendly form and promotes soil life.
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Microorganisms and mycorrhizae ensure nutrient release, stable soil structure, plant health and resource efficiency.
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Gentle soil cultivation with tools like the broadfork – effectively loosens the soil, preserves structure and life, reduces stress on the biology in the soil.
When these three aspects work together, a soil system is created that not only provides plants with short-term nutrients but also remains fertile in the long term: vital plants, healthy harvests, resilient cultivation in harmony with nature.
TERRADIX stands for exactly this approach – sustainable fertilization systems, soil-friendly care and tools that do not disturb soil life, but promote it.
