How do native plants improve soil quality?

Native plants enhance soil health by engaging in a type of ecological "natural engineering" that has been honed over millennia. The deep roots of native plants break up compacted soil, allowing water to penetrate deeper through the soil profile. Nitrogen-fixing species of native plants naturally enrich the soil with nutrients. Microbial activity increases tremendously. You create self-sustaining, fertile soil without the need for chemical interventions.

Having deep taproots that extend more than 15 feet into the ground will break up compacted layers of soil. As a result, natural channels for the movement of air and water are created. In only three years, my clay soil has changed from the consistency of concrete to that of crumbly loam. You also do not need mechanical aeration tools.

Nitrogen fixation happens naturally through symbiosis with bacteria. Legumes that have grown locally enrich the soil naturally without fertilizers, like the lupines. My garden beds are perfect with nitrogen levels sustained naturally. Neighbors apply synthetic nitrogen on an annual basis. With this method, the environment can be preserved, your potential root systems of species can be increased, and in doing so, you will save money.

Fungal networks truly function as a natural internet of nutrient distribution. Mycorrhizae, which we refer to as fungi, connect plant root systems, exchanging minerals and nutrients for sugars. The underground web of fungi enables fragile ecosystems to flourish. For example, in my native garden soil, a teaspoon of soil contains miles of fungal hyphae! These fungi are your unseen partners in fertility.

Organic matter increases through what is generally labeled continuous decomposition. Native leaf litter can build up humus, enriching the the existing soil structure. I doubled my soil organic content in five years without using compost. My water regime showed a significant improvement in retention, which greatly reduced watering needs. Wealthy topsoil is not something you can bring; it is built in place through biological processes.

Today is the day to engage in soil improvement, establish deep-rooted native species, and incorporate nitrogen-fixing plants, such as baptisia. Let the leaf litter decompose naturally. Carry on with life naturally without cultivation. Witness the metamorphosis of your garden into an ecosystem that self-fertilizes within a single season.

Read the full article: 10 Essential Benefits of Native Plants