Bay-Friendly Landscaping Principles and Practices - StopWaste.org

3. Nurture the Soil
Soil is a complex, dynamic combination of minerals, air, water and organic matter.
And although organic matter is a small fraction of the soil, it is a vital component.
It includes plant and animal debris in various stages of decay as well as many
living organisms — one teaspoon of a healthy soil can contain billions of beneficial bacteria
and fungi.
A cornerstone of Bay-Friendly landscaping is creating and protecting conditions for a
diversity of beneficial soil organisms. It is based on the principle of feeding the soil, not the
plant, to encourage a thriving community — a foodweb — of microorganisms, worms and
other beneficial creatures. Healthy soil is alive!
Why Does Soil Life Matter
Living soil is teeming with bacteria, fungi, protozoa, beneficial
nematodes, worms and other beneficial organisms — amazing
workhorses that will carry out the following valuable processes:
4 Creating soil structure
4 Storing and cycling nutrients
4 Protecting plants from pests
4 Improving water infiltration and storage
4 Filtering out urban pollutants
Functions of a Healthy Living Soil
Survey Says...
80% of single-family households
agree with the statement that
using compost in the yard is
good for the environment.
3 Principles
& Practices
Store water
and nutrients
Much like a giant sponge,
healthy soil acts as a
storehouse for water and
nutrients. The slow release
helps plants absorb the
correct amount. As a storage
reservoir for both water and
nutrients, healthy soil has
a greater holding capacity
than soils that lack sufficient
organisms, organic matter
and pore spaces.
Water flow and
regulation
Like the on/off function of a
faucet, healthy soil regulates
and partitions water flow,
naturally maintaining the
water cycle by slowly
discharging to streams, lakes
and recharging aquifers.
Neutralization
of pollutants
Healthy soil is the site of
intensive physical, chemical
and biological activity, thus
it can prevent water and
air pollution. Soil rich in
organic matter contains
microorganisms that can
immobilize or degrade
pollutants.
Resists pests
Living soil has an incredible
array of organisms, most of
which are beneficial. The
beneficial organisms protect
plants from disease through
predation, parasitization,
competition and antibiosis.
Bacteria, for example,
cover leaf surfaces and
block infection. Beneficial
nematodes prey on harmful
nematodes.
Adapted from: The Relationship Between Soil and Water, King County Department of Natural Resources.
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