Feeding the Underground Livestock: Why Microbes Matter in Soil Health
In Episode 3 of the Sea2Soil Podcast, Grant James is joined by James Warne from Soil First Farming to dig into the fascinating – and often overlooked – world of microbial activity in soils.
Healthy soils are alive with billions of microscopic organisms – often described as “livestock beneath the surface.” These microbes play a crucial role in breaking down residues, cycling nutrients, and supporting profitable crop production. But, as James explains, they need the right environment to thrive.
Moisture, aeration, and good soil structure are the starting points. Once that environment is in place, it becomes a question of how to keep the biology fed. Without food, microbes can begin consuming stored carbon, reducing long-term fertility. Products like Sea2Soil, when applied at the right time, can provide valuable nutrition to sustain this underground workforce.
Timing is key. As temperatures rise in spring and rainfall reinvigorates activity, microbial life “wakes up” and begins working again. With cover crops in the autumn, there are further opportunities to boost biology – provided warmth and moisture remain in the system.
The conversation also explores:
- The role of microbes in unlocking phosphate and supporting crop availability
- Why reducing nitrogen inputs is possible – but not straightforward
- The importance of returning organic matter, such as chopped straw, to feed the soil
- Why building carbon and biology together creates more resilient, productive systems
Soil biology, James emphasises, is a jigsaw puzzle. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but understanding and nurturing the underground ecosystem is key to making soils healthier, more resilient, and more profitable.
Read up on Episode 3 of the Sea2Soil Podcast: Feeding the Underground Livestock, coming to YouTube and Spotify on September 11th at 10am.