Dateline: 17 March 1017
Despite over two feet of snow still blanketing my garden, my exploration of garden soil biology continues, building on the foundation laid in my previous posts about Elaine Ingam and no-till gardening.
Discovering the fascinating world of soil biology and its impact on plant health naturally makes one eager to learn more. For gardeners, the definitive resource is Jeff Lowenfels’s book, Teaming with Microbes: The Organic Gardener’s Guide to the Soil Food Web.
Having just finished this best-selling book, I understand the accolades it receives. Lowenfels skillfully translates Professor Elaine Ingam’s complex microbiological research into a clear and understandable narrative for gardening enthusiasts like myself – a commendable feat.
My first attempt at delving into soil science for gardeners, forty years ago, was a book more focused on “dirt science” than the living world within the soil. It lacked the vibrancy of life that distinguishes soil from mere dirt, as highlighted in my piece on Elaine Ingam.
Unsurprisingly, that book remains unfinished and largely forgotten. While other attempts to grasp soil science followed, they often left me overwhelmed by data that felt inaccessible to a non-scientist gardener.
This changed when I encountered individuals like Ray Archuleta, Dr. Ingam, and now, Jeff Lowenfels.
Four decades ago, soil science had yet to fully grasp the intricate workings of microbial life within the soil and its influence on plant health. The understanding of how these microbes interact, their roles, and the symbiotic relationship with plants was limited.
Soil science today mirrors the rapid evolution of computer science in the 1970s, with constantly evolving insights and technology. Teaming With Microbes even underwent revisions six years after its initial publication to incorporate these advancements.
The book is structured in two parts. The first delves into the fundamental science behind the soil food web, encompassing all living organisms within the soil. Following an overview, dedicated chapters explore bacteria, archaea, fungi, algae, slime molds, protozoa, nematodes, arthropods, earthworms, and gastropods.
While some scientific discussions could have become overly technical, Lowenfels skillfully summarizes the key takeaways in a clear and concise manner, preventing information overload.
The most significant revelation for me was the intricate and efficient “eat-and-be-eaten” ecosystem thriving beneath our feet. This waste-free natural system, in my opinion, reflects an awe-inspiring and marvelous design.
The image above illustrates a nematode ensnared by fungal hyphae. Teaming With Microbes describes this interaction:
“The ring that trapped the nematode is actually just a hyphal branch, twisted back on itself. These branches each consist of only three cells, which, when touched, produce a signal to let water in; the cells then swell to three times their size and the unsuspecting victim is killed in a tenth of a second. … Not only does the fungus figure out a way to kill nematodes, which are all blind, but it attracts them to its trap in the first instance. In this case, the fungus releases a chemical that attracts the worm.”
“Within a matter of only a few minutes after trapping, the tip of the fungal hypha enters the nematode’s body, secretes its powerful enzymes, and starts absorbing nutrients. As this is exactly what the nematode has been doing—eating—the worm is usually a real treasure trove of nutrients for the fungus. These nutrients, of course, are then locked up inside the fungus until the fungus is eaten by one of its predators or it trades them for [plant] exudates.”
The second part of Teaming With Microbes focuses on applying soil food web science to backyard gardening. It centers around the appropriate creation and use of compost, compost teas, and mulch.
While these biological methods for cultivating food without synthetic fertilizers have been embraced by organic gardeners for a long time, a deeper understanding of soil biology can refine their application. Lowenfels illuminates these more nuanced and informed approaches.
This book has been an enlightening and enjoyable read. The fundamental concepts of soil life and its connection to plant health are presented in an accessible manner, while offering further insights without becoming overwhelming. I feel equipped to explain basic soil and plant biology, even to a young audience, in an engaging way.
Teaming With Microbes has earned a permanent place in my gardening library.
My next read, while snow still graces my garden, is The Hidden Half of Nature: The Microbial Roots of Life and Health, which explores the parallels between the soil microbiome and the human microbiome. I’ll be sure to share my thoughts if it proves insightful.