Excelsior Springs, Mo. – Todd Higgins, Horticulture Field Specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, recently visited the Excelsior Springs Area Senior Center to meet with garden club members and discuss the importance of soil health.
Higgins began by explaining the basics of soil structure and texture, citing that “texture is simply sand, silt, and clay,” with each element playing a vital role in soil composition. He noted that sand promotes drainage and air movement, while silt supports water and nutrient retention. Clay, on the other hand, retains water and nutrients while providing habitats for small organisms.
He added that good soil has a balanced mix of each texture and that soil can even be analyzed by its color. “Color can tell you a lot,” Higgins said. “If it’s a dark color, that typically tells us the soil has a lot of organic matter and it’s richer.” In contrast, if the soil is grayish or colorless, it usually indicates lower organic matter and poor drainage.
Higgins emphasized that having organic matter in soil is beneficial for maintaining healthy soil fertility, and people can use a variety of methods to add those nutrients back into their gardens, including:
Compost
Manure
Plant residues
Newspaper
Coffee grounds
When organic matter is added to soil or garden beds, it’s broken down by organisms like decomposers, which release nutrients for plants. Higgins explained that this process is similar to how natural prairies maintain fertility through biological activity.
Organisms within the soil also play a vital role in overall soil health. “Soils are alive and living, and a place where a lot of organisms can be found,” Higgins said. He noted that the soil is teeming with life, including bacteria, fungi, earthworms, and insects—all of which promote healthy soil.
Since organisms contribute to biological activity beneath the ground, many are classified as decomposers. Higgins explained that “bacteria, fungi, earthworms, insects, algae, protozoa, nematodes, arthropods, and gastropods help break down organic matter and release nutrients for plants, all while creating soil structure and providing agro-ecosystem services.”
Of these organisms, Higgins highlighted fungi—specifically mycorrhizae—which form relationships with plant roots. The fungi spread out like white tentacles, creating thin thread-like filaments called hyphae that resemble a web. As they move through the soil, they help stabilize it and feed the plants nutrients, creating “symbiotic relationships that benefit both the fungi and the plants,” he said.
This network of fungi, plants, earthworms, and other soil organisms feeds itself, forming a microbiome that results in healthy garden beds and thriving plants.
Because of this natural microbiome, Higgins shared that new methods—like no-till or minimal-till farming—are gaining popularity. Tilling breaks down the beneficial mycorrhizal fungi, which then must reestablish themselves. “Every time you till, it breaks down soil nutrients, and some of the bacteria exposed to the surface may also be killed by sunlight,” he said. “It’s not always a bad thing, but if we can avoid it, we should.”
Another important factor associated with good soil health is pH, or potential of hydrogen, which measures how acidic or alkaline the soil is. With a pH scale ranging from 0 to 14, Higgins explained that “water has a neutral pH at seven,” but for soil, “the pH level for crop and garden production should be near a six.”
To raise pH, Higgins recommended adding lime; to lower it, apply sulfur. He noted that lime or sulfur should be added in the fall, as it takes about six months for the nutrients to react and bring the pH to a healthier level.
Higgins also explained that soil can lose nutrients through a process called leaching, where rainwater carries away vital nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. To prevent this, he advised against over-applying fertilizers and recommended working nutrients into the soil and watering them in with a handheld sprayer. “When you start to see runoff, shut the water off so you don’t lose your fertilizer,” he said.
For those curious about what nutrients their soil might be lacking, Higgins recommended taking a soil sample. “You can do it with a shovel, or at our office in Clay County we have soil probes,” he said. Samples should be taken from various spots within the zone to be tested, collecting 6–8 inches deep in each location. From there, collect 6–10 samples and mix them together in a clean plastic bucket, removing any rocks, sticks, or leaves. Place the mixture in a quart-size bag, label it, and bring or send it in for testing.
“In Clay County, the cost is $20 per sample,” he said. “Samples can be submitted to the Missouri Extension office,” located at 1901 Northeast 48th St. in Kansas City, Mo., any time on Monday or Tuesday between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
According to Higgins, each soil test will be evaluated and returned within two weeks and will remain accurate for up to five years. Test results will include pH and nutrient levels, organic matter percentages, and fertilizer recommendations. For those who may have trouble reading their results, Higgins added that individuals can consult the Extension office for help interpreting the information.
For more information regarding soil health, visit www.extension.missouri.edu.
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