Did you know that the soil beneath your feet underpins the health of the planet? That's because healthy soil is teeming with life.
There are more organisms in a teaspoon of good soil than there are people on Earth! Each of these organisms, including earthworms, bacteria and fungi, makes a special contribution in building a healthy, resilient community that is pest- and disease-resistant, soaks up water like a sponge, and provides nutrients to growing plants.
The leaves are changing colour and falling, the cold dark nights are rolling in and the socks coming out - we are well into autumn. Green-fingered folk are focused on giving back to the soil after the pleasure it's given all summer, and preparing the garden for spring. It's time to clean up rotten and finished plants, remove weeds, divide and plant bulbs and, most important of all, mulch the beds with compost and as much organic matter as you can find.
Nature helps us out, fallen leaves help improve soil. Leaf mould is great for adding structure and organic matter to your soil and even better, it's a great way to recycle fallen leaves. You can make leaf mould by finding a sheltered spot and making a large bin out of wire mesh and wooden stakes. Fill the bin with the leaves, sprinkle some water or Microbz Compost Activator and leave. They will eventually reach a crumbly texture which you can spread throughout your borders (shredding them will also help the process along). This is a fantastic natural way to prepare your soil without using chemicals.
If you're a lazy gardener and don't mind a bit of debris, you can just rake leaves from the lawn or path onto the flowerbeds and leave them to rot down over the winter. You can also leave decaying spent plants on the beds where they fall, perhaps cut them into smaller pieces if they are particularly large. Then spray Compost Activator over the debris. The Compost Activator contains beneficial microbes which will break the plants and leaves down more quickly and efficiently and help them to be absorbed into the soil, help to repel any fungus or pathogens, and add more microbes to your soil.
Compost is really important for feeding your soil and by now you may have plenty of it with summer's grass clippings and spent leaves and plants (hopefully with added Compost Activator!) Now is the best time to clear out this year's compost bin and use it throughout the garden. As components within the compost continue to rot, they will add nutrients and beneficial organisms to the soil. This is great preparation for spring planting. Once you have used up the compost, create a new heap ready for fresh organic matter.
Microbes determine the entire natural cycle of life and when the cycle is re-established and strengthened, a healthy environment is created for plants and soil. You can boost this system naturally and sustainably by using products that deliver added beneficial microbes such as our Compost Activator (already discussed), and Soil Conditioner.
Soil Conditioner is designed to boost your soil's fertility. It aims to deliver a host of beneficial microbes and essential minerals, restoring depleted soil in autumn and preparing the soil for planting in spring. It encourages root growth and improves the physical and biological condition of soil - and healthy soil means healthy plants!
Compost Activator helps your compost to naturally decompose and reduces rotting and unpleasant odours. There is less need to turn the compost heap, which can ferment anaerobically without rotting. Intended to speed up composting processes and promote odour-free decomposition, the resulting compost promotes healthier more fertile soil, with better water and nutrient retention. Healthy soil is a balanced ecosystem of billions of microbes. Harness the power of beneficial microbes today with Soil Conditioner and Compost Activator.
