Microbial growth is the increase in the number of microorganisms over time. This occurs naturally in soil with decay, such as in a woods with rotting leaves. However, many gardens/fields that produce crops year-after-year, microbials deplete. This is especially true if you do not practice crop rotation. Note that certain vegetables draw more nutrients out of the soil than others. Tomatoes require large amounts of nutrients. There are little things that you can do to increase microbials in your soil, such as bury kitchen scraps in your garden. However on large vegetable plots, this usually is not enough to replenish microbials. How can you tell if your soil has enough microbials? The best way is to have your soil tested. Soil sample testing is easy and relatively inexpensive. This year, Cottrell Country Farm is trying a different method to ensure our soil is not robbed of important microbials. We are adding microbials back to the soil through irrigation injection. The picture shows one method of doing this.
