Nematode Role In The Soil Food Web Nematodes are another important predator in the soil. They fall in the 3rd and 4th tropic level of the soil food web. There are 5 types of nematodes I look for while doing soil assessments: bacterial feeding (consume bacteria) fungal feeding (consume fungi) omnivores (eat both bacteria and … Continue reading Nematodes: Predator and Prey
Protozoa: Amebae, Flagellates and Nutrient Cycling
The third tropic level of the soil food web are the shredders, predators, and grazers. Bacteria and fungal feeding nematodes, protozoa, arthropods fall into this level .This is where nutrients are made plant available! Protozoa's Role in the Soil Food Web We have learned that bacteria in the soil are the foundation of large food … Continue reading Protozoa: Amebae, Flagellates and Nutrient Cycling
Fungi: The link in the soil
Fungal hyphae growing from spore. 400x mag. Fungi play a very important role in the soil food web. The aerobic, filamentous hyphae act like a grocery delivery service for plants. A plant indicates what nutrients it needs and the fungi seek out those nutrients in the surrounding soil! The fungi is rewarded with plant exudates … Continue reading Fungi: The link in the soil
Bacteria: The basic soil organism
Soil Microbes: The Workhorses of the Nutrient Cycle These tiny organisms may not seem like much, but they are the foundation of the soil food web. Bacteria help build the structure of the soil and break down nutrients locked up in soil particles. Bacteria are a food source for higher level organisms. Bacterial dominated soils are usually … Continue reading Bacteria: The basic soil organism
Microorganisms of the Soil Food Web
The bacteria, fungi, protozoa and nematodes in your soil can transform your soil nutrients into plant available forms. We have been led to believe that our soils lack nutrients and must be added. What is wrong with that statement is that the soils lack the nutrients. That is incorrect. The nutrients are there, they are just not plant available. And … Continue reading Microorganisms of the Soil Food Web
How to Get the Most Out of Your Backyard Home Compost
This is the final blog post in the backyard composting series.Make the most out of your backyard compost with compost teas and compost extracts. Eliminate the need for synthetic fertilizers in your home garden. Brew Compost Teas and Extracts for a thriving garden In the typical backyard, it is likely that your space limits you … Continue reading How to Get the Most Out of Your Backyard Home Compost
How to Store Your Compost to Preserve its Quality
Don't risk losing your soil microbes!! <strong ">This is the eighth post in the backyard composting series.Once you've created high quality compost in your backyard, properly storing it is important to preserve the active microorganisms. Below is a list of considerations to help you keep amazing compost alive until you're ready to eat it. 4 considerations … Continue reading How to Store Your Compost to Preserve its Quality
Troubleshooting Common Composting Struggles
This is the seventh post in the backyard composting series.At one time or another, you will build a compost pile the experiences some or all of these common issues. Knowing the likely cause or your struggles will lead you to the solution. Top 6 Backyard Composting Issues and How to Fix them My pile is not … Continue reading Troubleshooting Common Composting Struggles
When to Turn Your Backyard Compost Pile
This is the sixth post in the backyard composting series.Turning your compost pile is important for several reasons. Knowing when and how to turn your backyard compost pile will improve your success. Speeding up the process and maintaining the growth of the beneficial microorganisms! signs your compost pile is ready to be turned Temperature: Thermophilic (hot) … Continue reading When to Turn Your Backyard Compost Pile
Building Your Backyard Compost Pile
This is the fifth post in the backyard composting series.Now that you've have determined where to put your compost pile, collected materials to compost and understand the basic carbon to nitrogen ratios of the materials you have, it is time to put it all together. The following step-by-step overview is the method I have found … Continue reading Building Your Backyard Compost Pile