|
Soil can also benefit from an evaluation of its health - does it have a good diet (organic matter), is it fit (does it have good air, water, nutrients), does it have a variety of a social life (a variety of earthworms, critters, and soil microbes)? It may be surprising, but soils have health.
A soil’s health is based upon how well it functions for a particular use. Generally, we evaluate a soil’s health based upon its ability to grow things. Just as we benefit from a combination of lifestyle activities to improve our health, so does the soil benefit from a combination of practices. For example, if we only diet, our weight loss will be minimal or more difficult than if we would diet and add aerobic exercise. If we also add strength training and work on our flexibility, we make more rapid gains. So, evaluate your field, your yard, your garden - look for attributes that contribute to good soil health for growing things. Whether one grows grass, flowers or major crops, the principles of soil health are applicable to each situation.
One doesn’t need special equipment to make an assessment of the soil’s health. As Yogi Berra (former New York Yankee catcher and coach) said, “You can observe a lot just by watching.” Here’s an easy question to observe: Is you soil naked, hungry, thirsty, and sometimes runs a fever? To answer that question, compare the soil in your garden, yard, or field with the following principles. Some suggested practices for your field, yard, and garden are included.
| 
