Principle 1: Build and Maintain Soil Health

    

    
Lawrence Hills, founder of Garden Organic, described healthy fertile soil as

...one which will continue to produce good crops indefinitely.

By adopting an organic approach to looking after your soil, you will be supporting the activity of all of the often invisible, but vital, creatures that work to create and maintain its structure and fertility; both key components for creating the best environment for plants to root well and gain their nourishment. You will also be avoiding any activities that might disrupt or harm the soil's rich ecosystem allowing you to grow healthy, productive crops year after year. 

The earth you grow in should be teeming with life – worms, fungi, bacteria, and other microscopic creatures. These help to create its structure and fertility; key components for creating the right environment for plants to root well and gain nourishment. If you look after your soil organically, you will be supporting the activity of these vital creatures and improving their diversity. Crucially, you will be avoiding activities that disrupt or harm the soil’s rich ecosystem. 

The four main methods to build the perfect soil are:

• Add compost and other bulky organic materials – to add nutrients and create a good structure for plant roots.
• Minimise digging to avoid disturbing the complex soil life.
• Plan your planting to make best use of the soil’s nutrients and to avoid build-up of pests and diseases.
• Grow certain plants, such as green manures, which hold nutrients in the soil and can help suppress weeds.