Greetings!
We
tend to take soil for granted. It seems
to be everywhere. But in reality, only a
small percentage of our planet has soil that is suitable for sustaining high
levels of plant life.
We all appreciate
beautiful plants and depend on fruits and vegetables to keep our bodies
healthy. This is what sustains us and it
is critical that we do what we can to preserve these resources so they continue to
produce for generations to come. It is
why we are devoting this issue to soil.
All the best,
Suzanne Harris 510-439-3728  |
 | What Makes Soil Healthy
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In healthy soil, there exists an ecosystem
comparable to a jungle in its diversity, productivity, and health. It is a complex
structure of interdependent and mutually beneficial organisms. As a matter of fact, a teaspoon of good garden
soil is teaming with 20,000 to 30,000 different species or organisms. This diversity helps plants to ward off diseases.
Healthy soil also contains a fungi that establishes a symbiotic relationship with
plant roots called mycorrhizae. This relationship enables the delivery of water, phosphorus and other necessary plant
nutrients. When this soil food web population is not in balance plants can suffer.Mycorrhizae on Pine
 | Factors that degrade soil include conventional construction practices and heavy use of synthetic or chemical products. The
spaces
between soil particles normally available for air and water can shrink.
And, if not restored, a plant's access to nutrients is suppressed.
The solution - to feed our soil with the right organic products and instituting specific cultural practices. Researchers have developed an array of certified organic products that when skillfully applied on a regular basis will gradually reverse this damage and return the soil to its natural state.
Read the case study below:
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| Organic Soil Building in Action
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We recently took on a project at the renowned St. Mary's College in Moraga. They hired us to assist them in transitioning their landscape to a more sustainable approach.
Our program incorporates the usage of certified organic products in two large turf areas; an athletic field and a large area surrounding the campus residence hall .
The strategy consists of introducing beneficial organisms and implementing cultural practices that work to restore the soil. This results in increased plant vigor, disease resistance and enhanced drought tolerance. We use the following products.
See the Gardeners' Guild website for more information about our program. we
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