There’s a whole world beneath your feet!
When we look at our vegetable gardens, we see the tomatoes growing, the lettuce pushing out new leaves and perhaps a few carrots starting to show their shoulders above the ground. But have you ever stopped to think about what is happening underneath all of that?
Because believe me, there is a LOT going on! Here’s something incredible: a single teaspoon of healthy soil can contain billions of microorganisms! Bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other tiny living things are all going about their daily business, most of them completely invisible to us.
And here’s another interesting thought. Scientists estimate that around 59% of Earth’s species live in soil, although many have yet to be discovered or described. Imagine that! We spend so much time admiring everything growing above ground, while an extraordinary amount of life is hiding right beneath our feet.
Meet the underground workforce
Imagine your soil as a busy little town, with everyone having a job to do.
Bacteria – the recyclers
Bacteria help break down dead leaves, roots and other organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the soil. And here’s something fascinating. Some bacteria can take nitrogen from the air and convert it into forms plants can use. Certain bacteria form partnerships with legumes such as beans and peas, living inside little nodules on their roots. So, while you’re admiring your bean plants above ground, there may be a tiny nitrogen factory operating underneath!
Fungi – the underground network
Some soil fungi form partnerships with plant roots through incredibly fine threads called hyphae. These threads reach into spaces that roots cannot easily access, helping plants absorb water and nutrients. In return, plants supply these fungi with sugars made during photosynthesis. Think about that for a moment. Your plants are exchanging food with microscopic partners underground!
Scientists have also discovered that some fungal networks can connect neighbouring plants. However, claims that plants routinely send warnings or deliberately share food through these networks are still being investigated.
Earthworms – nature’s little engineers
I always smile when I find earthworms in my garden because I know they’re helping with the soil. As earthworms tunnel through the ground, they create channels that improve the movement of air and water. They also eat decomposing organic material and produce castings that contribute to nutrient cycling.
Here’s a lekker fact: Charles Darwin spent decades studying earthworms and published an entire book about them in 1881. He recognised just how important these little creatures are in shaping the soil beneath our feet.
Not bad for an animal without legs!
Your plants are doing something amazing underground, too!
Plant roots release sugars and other compounds into the soil. These are called root exudates, and they help influence which microorganisms gather around the roots. This busy area surrounding the roots is known as the rhizosphere. It’s almost like your plants are running their own little underground café, attracting microbes with food while benefiting from some of the work those microbes do.
And the really interesting part? Different plants release different mixtures of compounds, so the microbial communities around a tomato plant may look quite different from those around a carrot or lettuce plant.
Why does all of this matter?
Because healthy soil is about so much more than adding fertiliser. A thriving soil ecosystem helps recycle nutrients, improves soil structure, supports water movement and creates better conditions for healthy root development.
And here’s something worth remembering as we head into our warmer growing season: soil with good structure and sufficient organic matter can hold water more effectively while still allowing excess water to drain. That means better conditions for your vegetables, especially during our hot Cape Town summers. But when we constantly dig, leave soil exposed to the sun or allow it to dry out completely, we can make life much harder for many of these underground workers.
A little experiment for your garden this week
Go outside and gently lift a handful of soil from one of your vegetable beds. Does it crumble nicely? Can you see little tunnels, decomposing organic matter or perhaps an earthworm? Now give it a smell. That lovely earthy smell we often notice after rain is partly caused by a compound called geosmin, produced by certain soil microorganisms.
Isn’t that amazing? Even the smell of soil has a fascinating story behind it! These observations can give you clues about soil conditions, although they aren’t a complete soil health test.
My garden tip for today
If you do one thing this week, feed your soil, not just your plants. Add a layer of mature compost to the surface of your beds and cover exposed soil with organic mulch. You don’t have to dig everything in. As the organic material gradually breaks down, it provides food and habitat for many of the organisms living beneath the surface. Keep your soil consistently moist without waterlogging it, and try to disturb it as little as possible.
Remember, every time you look at your vegetable garden, you’re only seeing half the story. Some of the most important work is happening where you can’t see it.
Coming up in Part 2: How does this underground world actually feed your vegetables? We’ll explore how roots, fungi and bacteria work together, and why adding more fertiliser isn’t always the answer.
Lekker tuinmaak!
Tash en die Familie
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