The Gourmet Garden School
Taste the difference
Soil Health
What is Healthy Soil?
A healthy soil is one that functions properly and has the necessary components for the soil biological community to thrive in ways that support the types of crops we want to grow.
Most fruits, herbs and vegetables require a rich, moist, yet well-drained soil. This requires:
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Good Soil Structure
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Active & Diverse Soil Biology
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A Soil Mineral Balance
To enjoy a low maintenance, highly productive garden it's vital that each of these 3 components are considered and improved as required.
If your soil can supply your crops all they require, they will naturally thrive and you get better results for very little work!
Soil Health
Soil Health = Plant Health = YOUR Health
Soil life needs to breathe & soil minerals need to be available. Healthy soil has good structure!
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Rainwater must infiltrate easily
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Soil needs to be moist
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Excess moisture needs to drain
There are several ways we can assess soil structure & most of these can be done easily at home, for free.
We've created an online Masterclass Program to assess your soil structure and know what it needs to ensure optimum conditions.
To help you do just this, we're even offering the first Module 'Assess & Progress' for Free- 1.5hrs of video tutorials + a Basic Soil Assessment Checklist.
Soil Life
Soil life is the essence of fertility! For a soil to function properly and supply crops with all they require, the microbial community must be:
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As Diverse as Possible
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Active & Thriving
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Supported by Optimum Structure
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Nourished by Living Plants
The world of soil life is microscopic. To assess your soil microbial community you may wish to consider a biological assay using the services of a specialist laboratory. This can provide you a snapshot of which components are active and present, and which you can support to ensure optimum diversity and healthy function.
Soil Mineral
Testing
Soil, by its very nature is full of minerals. But not necessarily all the minerals needed to ensure healthy crops or in the right proportions to ensure optimum mineral availability.
For plants to grow vigorously, soil minerals must:
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Be Present
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Be Biologically Available
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Be in Correct Proportions
To assess the mineral profile of your soil you may wish to consider getting a professional soil analysis from a laboratory. By adding the right amount of deficient minerals and managing excesses, a soil mineral balancing program ensures the optimum conditions for plants to excel. The result:
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Food Tastes better
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More Nutrition
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Bigger Yields
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Faster Growth/Quicker Harvest
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Less Pests & Diseases
Soil Contamination
Some soils contain contaminants that do not support the growth of safe foods. There are multiple types of contaminants than can cause problems for food and these could be a problem for you and your soil. Typical sources of contamination include:
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Agricultural Poisons
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Industrial Wastes
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Sewerage & Raw Manures
All contaminants can be biologically degraded and/or remediated using plants, and using the soil for growing food in the meantime may not be suitable, depending on the type & extent of the contamination. If concerned, you may wish to consider getting your soil or water laboratory tested for contaminants.
