The Hard Facts About Microbial Life
(short version)

It is our sole intent to offer our knowledge to you in order to remove the “Hocus Pocus” and “Snake Oil” misconceptions that shadow your understanding of the micro-biology of soil fertility.

There is no quick fix for soil infertility and plant disease. So stop grabbing for the “Quick-Fixes”. The basic fact is that soil cannot be fixed at a rate faster than the natural cycle of micro-biology. Once you get this mindset in motion, the solutions to your problems are actually quite simple and the rewards are great.

You must concern yourself with the microbial life of the soil found in two primary forms - aerobic or anaerobic. Aerobic microbes establish themselves in healthy soils that are high in oxygen. Anaerobic microbes thrive in collapsed, diseased soils that have low or no oxygen circulation. Anaerobic disease-causing organisms cannot live in healthy, aerobic oxygenated soils. The type of microbial life that your soil attracts is dependent solely on the environment which you create; aerobic or anaerobic.

Next, check the pH of the soil. If it is acidic (below 7.0), do not add dolomitic lime. It depletes the oxygen from the soil and creates ammonia and methane gases which attract insects which may start disease problems. Adding N-P-K fertilizer also is not the answer. Microbial processes form acids as a by-product. However, this acidity is neutralized and oxygen is maintained by the minerals in the soil if they are in the proper balance.

Calcium is responsible for binding Oxygen into the soil whereas Magnesium, being a reducing agent, chemically drives Oxygen out of the soil (as well as Nitrogen). By directing the mineral makeup of the clay particles to the following ideal base saturation: 68% Calcium, 15% Magnesium, 3% Potassium , 4% Micro-Nutrients and 10% Hydrogen, the soil will be slightly acidic (pH 6.2 to 6.7) allowing for base exchange and Aerobic Microbial conditions to flourish. This physical mineral soil condition is the basic soil foundation. Add to this, organic complexed nutrients and you will grow strong- celled plants that are naturally resistant to disease and insects.