When we admire a thriving garden, our attention usually goes straight to what’s visible. Rows of vegetables, bright blooms, or the branches of a healthy tree often steal the spotlight. But some of the most important work in a garden happens out of sight. Beneath the surface lies a living ecosystem that quietly supports nearly everything we grow.
Soil may look simple, but it is one of the most complex and important natural systems on Earth. In fact, one gram of soil, about a quarter of a tablespoon, can contain up to 10 billion living organisms, including bacteria, fungi, and other microscopic life forms.
These organisms are constantly working. They break down organic matter, recycle nutrients, and help plants absorb what they need to grow. Without them, healthy gardens and healthy orchards would not exist.
Soil: The Foundation of Our Food
Globally, about 95% of our food production relies on soil, making it one of the most valuable natural resources we have. From backyard vegetable patches to working farms across Nebraska, soil forms the foundation of the food system.
Here in southeast Nebraska, our fertile soils have long supported agriculture, orchards, and gardens. Much of the region’s soil developed from loess, a fine wind-blown silt that settled across the Midwest thousands of years ago. This process helped create the deep, productive soils that make this region well-suited for growing crops and fruit trees.
However, soil does not form quickly. It takes an incredibly long time for nature to build the fertile topsoil we depend on. Scientists estimate that it can take around 500 years to form just one inch of topsoil.
That slow process is one reason soil health matters so much. Once soil is degraded or lost through erosion, it can take centuries to rebuild naturally.
A World We Are Still Discovering
Despite how important soil is, scientists have only begun to understand the life within it. Researchers estimate that only about 1% of soil microorganisms have been identified so far.
That means the soil beneath our feet holds an enormous amount of biological diversity that researchers are still working to understand.
These microscopic organisms do more than simply exist in the soil. Many microbes help release nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium from organic matter, making them available for plant roots. Others form partnerships with plants that improve their ability to take up water and nutrients.
In many ways, healthy soil functions like a living community. Billions of organisms interact with plant roots, organic material, and minerals to create the conditions plants need to thrive.
What This Means for Home Gardens
For gardeners at home, soil health may sound like a scientific concept, but the practices that support it are simple and practical.
Adding organic matter, such as compost or decomposing leaves, feeds the organisms that live in the soil. These materials gradually break down, improving soil structure and helping the soil hold both water and nutrients.
Minimizing soil disturbance can also help protect the underground ecosystem. Excessive tilling can disrupt soil structure and the delicate networks formed by microorganisms and fungi.
Another simple step is keeping soil covered. Mulch, plant residue, or living plants can help protect soil from erosion, reduce moisture loss, and provide food for soil life as materials break down.
Growing With the Soil
At Kimmel Orchard, soil is the quiet partner in every harvest. The trees, gardens, and landscapes visitors enjoy all depend on the health of the soil beneath them.
Whether you are growing a few herbs in a raised bed or planning a backyard garden this season, healthy soil is always the starting point. Beneath every thriving plant is an entire world of life working together to support it.
The more we care for the soil, the more it will care for the plants and people who depend on it!
