Humus buildup in the garden

Below we would like to give you important information on soil cultivation in general, humus build-up and optimal soil care .

In the past, soil cultivation was primarily achieved through regular tilling—that is, completely turning over or even milling the topsoil. Does a similar process occur in nature? No, for several reasons:

1. Protect existing microorganisms

Important natural processes are disrupted during tilling, thus preventing a sustainable nutrient balance in the soil. The different microorganisms required to release nutrients from the humus occur at different depths. This is because they require unequal oxygen levels and temperatures to survive. A complete tillage disrupts this structure and thus significantly reduces the ability of these organisms to release nutrients.

2. Conservation of soil-dwelling species

Other soil-dwelling species, such as earthworms, woodlice, ants, etc., lose their habitat due to tilling. However, they are responsible for absorbing organic matter from the soil's surface, decomposing it, and transporting it to deeper layers of the soil. This is the only way for deeper-living microorganisms to receive a supply of nutrients, which is then available to the plants at the roots.

But why has industrial agriculture consistently achieved increasing yields in recent decades, despite regular soil tillage and declining humus content? This is only possible through the large-scale application of these nutrients in the form of mineral and organic fertilizers. This is a "borrowed" practice that cannot work in the long run and places a severe burden on the environment. The use of finite resources (mineral fertilizers) and the import of nutrients from other continents are not sustainable, environmentally friendly processes.

Given these circumstances, does it even make sense to cultivate the soil? Absolutely—but do so with caution.
Our soils are often compacted . The TERRADIX® Broadfork is ideal for breaking up this compaction without destroying the entire structure. Its use barely disrupts soil layers, allowing soil organisms to thrive undisturbed.

The loosening thus forms the basis for humus build-up and sustainable growth :

• Loosening with the Broadfork provides soil-dwelling species with new habitat and promotes nutrient exchange to deeper areas.
• In the loosened soil, capillaries form which promote water absorption.
• Aeration of compacted soils promotes aerobic microorganisms and thus the availability of nutrients to plants.
• Plants can root more easily in loose soil and thus contribute to loosening.

As soil quality improves, less and less cultivation will be necessary over time.

Humus and the climate

An increasing proportion of humus is also essential in relation to climate change. For every 1% increase in humus, approximately 40 liters more water per square meter can be stored. This offers enormous potential for our plants to survive prolonged droughts unscathed. The CO2 binding capacity in humus is also impressive. Globally, targeted humus buildup could offset a large proportion of human-caused CO2 emissions.

Accelerate humus formation

Humus formation therefore primarily means creating an intact soil fauna . The key word here is " mulching ," meaning the permanent covering of the soil's surface with organic material. This serves as food for worms, insects, and bacteria and is slowly decomposed near the surface (without the need for air).

Suitable mulch materials include:

• compost
• Pruning
• leaves
• Lawn/grass clippings
• Other plant remains
• crap

By adding such materials in abundance from other areas of the garden, fertility can be “transferred” and made available where it is needed – for example, in your vegetable garden.
It's important that the mulch layer isn't too thick (which promotes rotting), but thick enough that the soil beneath it doesn't dry out. This requires some experimentation. Depending on the material used, 5-10 cm is recommended.
Mulching has other advantages:

• The water retention capacity of the soil is significantly increased
• Weeds are suppressed

The aim is basically to cover the earth's surface all year round , ideally with living plants (vegetation) and a layer of mulch in combination.
Before replanting the bed, it is recommended to loosen and aerate the soil with the TERRADIX® Broadfork.

You can find further information on this topic from our partner Fryd .