U.S. Department of Agriculture (Wikimedia Commons)
For the next month or so, we’ll be focusing on the flora and fauna of our places, including insects and other microorganisms, all inhabitants of your place. The health of all are highly dependent on the health of the soil.
A few years ago, I found an old copy of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring on my bookshelf. I had never read this classic book, published in 1962, that launched the environmental movement, so it was time. Carson’s impassioned and beautiful scientific writing details the consequences of spraying insecticides and it led to the banning of DDT. One chapter is on soil and it confirmed my belief that soil is a miracle.
”The thin layer of soil that forms a patchy covering over the continents controls our own existence and that of every other animal of the land. Without soil, land plants as we know them could not grow, and without plants no animals could survive.” ~ Rachel Carson, Silent Spring
As you can see from the graphic above, soil is alive with the detritus of previous life and billions of organisms.there’s so much involved in keeping soil healthy. Animals keep soil turned over and insects keep soil aerated. Even microscopic organisms and bacteria have their roles to play.
According to Regeneration Canada, soil provides many important services, including:
Nutrient Cycling
Water Purification
Flood and Drought Regulation
Climate Regulation and Air Purification
Provision of Food, Fuel, Fiber, and Medicine
Disease Suppression and Soil Detoxification
More than 33% of the soil worldwide is degraded due to clear cutting, development, monocultures (lack of biodiversity), and toxic chemicals. Without healthy soil, we would have no plant life, a major source of our food. So, we have a vested interest in the health of the soil in our own place, and around the world.
Regenerative Agriculture
One way to improve the soil is through regenerative gardening and agriculture, which, at its most basic, means getting out of the way of nature and letting it do what it already knows how to do. I googled “regenerative agriculture in Niagara” and found several examples, including this story of a partnership between a local farmer and a winery.
At the Saunders Family Farm and Vineyard in Beamsville, they began practicing regenerative agriculture after their mother died from Parkinson’s, a disease linked to pesticides. They started working towards becoming a certified organic and biodynamic operation. They’re less dependent on chemicals; instead of pesticides, they use sulphur on the vines to combat mildew. They cover the soil with duck manure and wood bedding. Daikon radishes, oats and peas are planted throughout the vineyard, alongside natural grasses and dandelions.
“The soil and plants flourish in symbiosis; below the surface is teeming with billions of wiggling micro-organisms devouring carbohydrates funnelled through roots below, then providing nutrients in return to plants above. Cover cropping keeps soil cool while root systems allow for oxygenation and maintain soil structure, preventing water run-off and erosion.” ~ Niagara Grape Growers getting to the root of good wine with regenerative agriculture by Jordan Snobelen (Niagara Falls Review)
The Saunders participate in a soil health study with the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario. They sell their grapes to a biodynamic winery called Southbrook, just down the road from where I live, whose tagline is “As rich as the soil that sustains us.” This winery, owned by the Redelmeier family, also practices regenerative agriculture, using cover crops and adding manure from livestock at Linc Farms, located on their property. Sheep graze the clovers, grasses, alfalfa, dandelions, legumes and other crops which fix nitrogen and store CO2 in the ground.
Practice
This week, notice and appreciate the soil of your place. Soil is an amazing living entity that can be categorised into types, like sand, clay, silt, peat, chalk and loam. In my area, the plain located between Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment is mostly made up of sandy soils with clay subsoil, which is why it’s ideal for growing tender fruits. What soil types are common in your area? What grows well there?
Practice connecting to the ground with your senses. Walk barefoot, touch and smell the soil. Dig up some soil in your yard or somewhere else. Describe how it feels and determine what type it is. What creepy-crawly beings do you find? More on that next week.
What is the quality of soil in your area? What examples can you find of regenerative agriculture? How can you support them?
What can you personally do to protect soil? Some ideas: grow your own food or support local farmers, reduce waste and compost as much as you can, reduce or eliminate pesticide use, support local regenerative agriculture and advocate for healthy soils.
Watch the Kiss the Ground Film (available on Netflix and other streaming options).
Resources
Living Soil via The Nib and The Dirt on Soil via Resilience
From Emergence Magazine: Tending Soil by Emma Marris, Dwelling on Earth by Jay Griffiths
This is beautiful Kim. I know this to be true. The wonders and miracles brought to light because of covid virus. This little virus brought out the best in us and dare I say the worse. Instead of hiding inside during our forced lockdown a group took to the forest walked, walked & walked, read and read (for me Braiding Sweetgrass became my bible) and learned from others who never ever turned their back on the land. Indigenous women were more than pleased to teach us about edible wild plants, medicinal wild plants.
No seeds? Don’t worry plant carrot, celery, onion, potatoes etc from the tops of grown plants.
Please no monoculture rows of plants. Mix and mingle plants so they can have conversations with bugs, worms, snails and snakes and of course each other. Left alone with good compost, without poisonous pesticides gardens & people thrive, and of course we thrive. All the love we give/gave the earth she returns love to us times 100+.
All the conversation and hands in soil, rejuvenated our souls while many were locked inside.
We now have a bee hive, yesterday we tasted our first piece of warm honeycomb generously provided by our loving bees. Bees know what to do, in the right environment and left alone to bee 🐝 they thrive. Our colony is already ready for another hive. They love all the amazing plants we planted in 2021, even before we knew about having a bee hive.
I love seeing soil under my nails, knees crusted with soil, hair dripping while gardening in the rain, saving bugs and worms, sharing our bounty, loving and soulful conversation with our gardening group. A group of strangers brought together by a little virus, we are so very grateful. And now our group has grown, edible plants, best bee plants and practices and medicinal plant workshops are set for August. I’m in awe.