The Harm Tilling Can Do To Garden Soil
by John Yazo
A gardeners dream is to have a soil that is naturally airy and one that they can just plunge there fingers into. A soil that they can just scratch with no effort a furrow to plant there seeds. The truth is that tilling garden soil to the point where it meets these conditions can do more harm than good.
Garden soil is full of life. It is a complex community of animals, insects and microorganisms. They are a beneficial part of organically maintaining a good healthy soil. These microorganisms are what aid in the decomposition of organic matter in the soil and add nutrients back into the soil. Earthworms along with other soil dwelling insects are a beneficial part of the soil maintenance process. They tunnel there way through the soil tilling and aerating it naturally. Along with this they contribute more organic matter and nutrients to the soil by the distribution of there waste. This is the natural process that makes a healthy soil.
Tilling of garden soil can harm or even kill the beneficial insects and other microorganisms in the soil. Soil also contains pathways that were made by plant roots tunneling and earthworms. These pathways is what allows air and water these spaces. The tilling of soil will destroy these pathways allowing the soil to compact. Another thing that happens hen soil is tilled is it brings to the surface weed seeds that have been buried to deep to germinate. Bringing these dormant seeds to the surface will allow them to now grow and add to the never ending weed problems in the garden.
A no-till garden is a garden that has a good healthy soil structure with plenty of organic matter that will give the food supply to the beneficial insects and microorganisms that live in the soil. In return these insects and microorganisms will work the soil for you by tilling it naturally and providing the nutrients needed for plants to thrive. Just by a continuous top dressing of organic matter like compost ill add the food supply needed for these beneficial insects and microorganisms to survive and work hard for you to have a healthy garden soil.
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