Soil sampling mistakes are more common than most researchers and agronomists like to admit. These mistakes don’t just waste time and money but they also expose a deeper issue in traditional soil testing workflows. Even when sampling is done correctly, delays between collection and analysis can alter biological activity, particularly in microbiome testing, leading to results that don’t fully reflect real field conditions.
microBIOMETER® is a soil testing tool designed for researchers, farmers, and soil scientists who rely on accurate, field-relevant soil health data to make meaningful decisions.
In this blog, we’ll cover:
The Most Common Field-Level Soil Sampling Mistakes
Most bad soil data starts in the field, not the lab.
Sampling at the wrong depth is one of the most frequent errors. Different analyses require different depths. Surface nutrient analysis typically samples the top 0 to 15 cm. Subsoil analysis goes deeper. Microbiome and biological activity analysis often focuses on the very top layer. Using the same depth for all purposes produces misleading data.
Composite sample bias happens when you’re combining cores from multiple points within a field or sampling area. If you collect more cores from one area type than another, or if your sampling points aren’t genuinely representative of the area’s variability, your composite doesn’t reflect the true average.
Sampling at the wrong time matters more than most people account for. Soil moisture, temperature, and recent land management activity all affect the data you get. Comparing samples taken at different times of year or different stages of a crop cycle introduces variability that isn’t real.
Contamination from equipment is a constant risk. Residue from previous samples, lubricants, rust, or residue from cleaning products on sampling tools can alter test results, particularly for microbiological analyses.
Even when field sampling is executed correctly, one major variable remains difficult to control: the time between sampling and analysis. For microbiological testing, this delay allows biological processes to continue, meaning the sample you analyze may no longer represent the conditions present at the time of collection.
Lab Errors in Soil Testing: What Happens After the Sample Leaves the Field
Getting the soil sample into the right container at the right time is just the beginning.
Improper storage and transport between collection and analysis allows biological activity to continue, particularly for microbiological tests. For accurate microbiome soil analysis, samples need to be processed quickly or stored under conditions that halt biological change.
Mislabeled samples are more common than anyone admits and have obvious consequences for data reliability.
Subsampling errors in the lab, when the subsample taken for analysis isn’t representative of the bulk sample you submitted, introduce variance that isn’t from the field.
Moisture content variation affects nutrient analysis results because many results are reported on a dry weight basis. If moisture isn’t measured and accounted for correctly, your reported concentrations are off.
Cross-contamination in the lab can occur between samples or from equipment, particularly for trace element and microbiological testing.
Bridging the Gap Between Soil Sampling and Test Results
One big challenge in soil microbiome testing is the gap between when a sample is collected and when it is analyzed. During this time, biological activity continues, which means the results may not fully reflect the actual in-field conditions at the time of sampling.
MicroBIOMETER® is a low-cost, 20-minute, on-site soil test that measures:
Using smartphone-based analysis, it allows users to generate results directly in the field and eliminates delays associated with lab testing and reducing the risk of biological changes during transport.
Because results are instant, you can retest as often as you need to, which turns out to be really valuable when you’re trying to understand how your soil responds to different management practices over time. Instead of piecing together a picture from occasional lab reports, you can actually track trends and make decisions based on what’s happening right now.
How Field-Based Testing Is Changing Soil Health Measurement
Traditional soil testing has a fundamental problem: by the time your sample reaches the lab and gets analysed, the biology has already started to change. Microbial activity doesn’t pause for shipping. Even with careful handling, that time gap introduces variability you can’t fully control.
microBIOMETER® takes a different approach as you can test in the field, get results in minutes, and capture soil conditions as they actually are.
That shift makes a real practical difference:
More accurate data
Without the delay between sampling and analysis, your results reflect what’s actually in the soil, not what changed during transport or storage.
Faster decisions
Instead of waiting days or weeks for lab results, you have actionable information in minutes. If something needs adjusting, you can act on it straight away.
Regular monitoring, without the cost
The test is quick and affordable so that retesting frequently becomes practical. That’s how you start to see patterns, how your practices are actually affecting microbial activity over time.
Fewer chances for error
Fewer steps between sample and result means fewer opportunities for contamination or handling mistakes to skew your data.
Good sampling protocols still matter field tools don’t change that. But combining solid protocols with something like microBIOMETER® gives you soil health data that’s more reliable, more consistent, and a lot more useful.
Start Measuring Soil Health in Real Time
If lab delays are slowing down your decision-making, microBIOMETER® gives you a faster, more practical way to understand what’s happening in your soil, right where you’re standing.
Explore how microBIOMETER® can fit into your soil health strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is microbiome soil testing different from traditional soil testing?
Traditional testing looks at the chemistry such as nutrients and pH and usually involves sending samples to a lab. Microbiome testing is measuring something different entirely: the biological activity in your soil, like microbial biomass and fungal-to-bacterial balance. That biological data is also far more sensitive to time and handling, which is why being able to test in the field immediately makes such a difference.
Why does timing matter so much in soil microbiome analysis?
Microbial activity doesn’t stop when you collect a sample. By the time a lab-based sample gets analysed, the biology has already shifted, sometimes significantly. Testing in the field removes that delay and gives you results that actually reflect what’s in your soil at that moment, not what it looked like hours later.
Can I track changes in soil health over time with repeated testing?
Yes, and honestly, this is where field-based testing really earns its keep. Because it’s quick and cost-effective, regular retesting becomes practical rather than aspirational. Over time, that consistency lets you see real trends: how your soil is responding to what you’re doing, and where adjustments are actually making a difference.
Most farmers focus on what they can see: the crop, the weather, and the yield. But some of the most important activity on any farm happens underground, where millions of tiny organisms are constantly working. Understanding the soil food web helps you make better decisions about how you manage your land.
And once you understand it, you start to see your soil completely differently.
The soil food web is the network of living things that exist in healthy soil. Bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, earthworms, and many other organisms all interact with each other and with plant roots in a constant cycle of feeding, dying, and decomposing.
Think of it like a food chain, but underground. Plants feed microbes. Microbes feed larger organisms. Those organisms die and release nutrients back into the soil. The cycle keeps going, and plants benefit from every stage of it.
Healthy soil is not just dirt with some nutrients in it. It is a living system. When the microbial biomass in your soil is strong, meaning the bacteria and fungi populations are active and balanced, several things happen naturally:
Bacteria and fungi are the foundation of the soil food web. They break down organic matter, release nutrients, and build the structure that holds soil together.
Bacteria tend to dominate in soils that get tilled frequently or treated with synthetic fertilisers. They cycle nutrients quickly but do not build long-term soil structure as effectively.
Fungi are slower but more powerful for long-term soil health. Fungal networks connect plant roots, transport nutrients over long distances, and help build the stable carbon structures that improve water retention. The fungal-to-bacterial ratio in your soil tells you a lot about where your soil health currently stands.
For agronomists working with multiple farms or fields, understanding the soil food web shifts the conversation from “what fertiliser do we apply” to “what does the biology in this soil actually need.”
That is a more useful question. It leads to decisions that improve long-term productivity rather than just patching short-term deficiencies.
The challenge has always been measurement. Soil microbial testing used to require lab equipment, long waiting times, and high cost. That made frequent testing impractical for most farms.
The soil food web is not a complicated concept once you break it down. Living soil feeds plants. Healthy microbes reduce the need for external inputs. And tracking soil biology over time gives farmers and agronomists the information they need to make genuinely better decisions.
The soil is already doing the work. Understanding it just helps you work with it instead of against it.
Dimitris Mameletzis is a physics educator and olive grower at Ελαιώνες Μαμελετζή (Mameletzis Olive Groves) in Greece. Dimitris’ project, Terra Vitalis, focuses on transitioning conventional olive groves into self-sustaining, regenerative ecosystems. The company specializes in high-phenolic olive oil (Halkidiki and Koroneiki varieties) by prioritizing soil health over chemical inputs.
Dimitris has been utilizing microBIOMETER® as a primary tool to scientifically validate their regenerative practices and monitor the impact of Effective Microorganisms (EM) inoculation in the soil and foliage. Their methods include organic mulching using shredded olive branches and local flora (like Taraxacum) and attapulgite soil amendments to enhance water retention in drought-stressed (dry-farmed) groves.
microBIOMETER® results have shown a significant increase in microbial biomass in their Terra Vitalis plots compared to conventional plots. This biological activity is directly linked to the exceptional health of their trees—visible, deep green foliage, zero fungal issues (Cycloconium), and high polyphenol counts (Oleocanthal) in their olive oil, which carries an EU Health Claim. Dimitris enjoys having the ability to monitor soil microbial biomass in real-time as they transition from conventional to chemical-free olive farming.
Dimitris will continue to use microBIOMETER® for on-site monitoring and comparative analysis between different olive groves. Specifically, comparing the microbial biomass in irrigated “transition” plots versus dry-farmed “Terra Vitalis” plots to monitor in real-time how soil biology responds to regenerative interventions.
“The main benefit of microBIOMETER® is the ability to quantify “soil health,” which was previously invisible. It helps us make data-driven decisions on where to apply more organic matter and provides tangible proof to our customers that our regenerative practices actually work. It has bridged the gap between theoretical physics/biology and practical field application. Interestingly, we found that even in dry-farmed (non-irrigated) groves, microbial activity remained resilient during heatwaves, As a physicist, I view this as a transition from a high-entropy, input-dependent system to a low-entropy, self-organizing biological engine.” – Dimitris Mameletzis
Dimitris Mameletzis is a physics educator and olive grower at Ελαιώνες Μαμελετζή (Mameletzis Olive Groves) in Greece. Dimitris’ project, Terra Vitalis, focuses on transitioning conventional olive groves into self-sustaining, regenerative ecosystems. The company specializes in high-phenolic olive oil (Halkidiki and Koroneiki varieties) by prioritizing soil health over chemical inputs.
Healthy soil contains billions of tiny living organisms that farmers can’t see with their eyes. Soil biology impacts everything from how well crops grow to how much food farmers harvest each season. Understanding these microscopic helpers can transform struggling fields into productive farmland across the USA.
The Living World Beneath Your Feet
Soil is a complex ecosystem filled with bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and countless other microorganisms. These tiny creatures work together to create what scientists call microbial biomass, which essentially means the total mass of all living things in the soil. These microbes break down dead plant material, release nutrients, and protect roots from diseases.
Farmers who ignore soil biology often struggle with poor yields despite using expensive fertilizers. The problem isn’t always a lack of nutrients but rather a lack of living organisms to make those nutrients available to plants. Healthy soil microbes act like tiny factories that process raw materials into forms plants can actually use.
How Microbes Feed Your Crops
● Plants need nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and many other nutrients to grow strong and produce good yields. Chemical fertilizers provide these elements, but plants can’t always absorb them efficiently without help from soil biology.
● Some bacteria form nodules on roots as an exchange site where they give the plant fixed nitrogen and receive carbohydrates form the plant. Other types of bacteria are free-living and can fix nitrogen without directly living on the roots.
● Microbes also produce natural chemicals that stimulate plant growth. These substances work like vitamins for plants, boosting their immune systems and helping them resist stress from drought, heat, or pests.
Root Development Starts With Biology
Plant roots don’t grow alone in the soil. They partner with fungi called mycorrhizae that attach to root surfaces and extend deep into the ground. Healthy root development depends heavily on this partnership. The fungi gather water and nutrients from far away and deliver them to plant roots.
In return, plants share sugars they make through photosynthesis with their fungal partners. Soil bacteria also cluster around plant roots in areas called the rhizosphere. They create a living shield that can help keep plants healthy without requiring chemical treatments.
Testing Your Soil’s Living Community
Farmers across the USA now test their soil biology regularly to track improvements. Traditional soil tests only measure chemical nutrients, missing the crucial living component that drives soil health.
Modern testing methods allow farmers to measure microbial biomass quickly without sending samples to distant laboratories. The microBIOMETER® Soil Test Kit takes just 20 minutes and works right in the field on fresh soil. This real-time data helps farmers see if their management practices actually improve soil life.
Building Soil Biology Takes Time
Improving soil biology doesn’t happen overnight. Microbes need food, water, and proper conditions to multiply. Farmers build populations gradually through practices that support microbial life rather than destroy it.
Adding organic matter like compost or cover crops feeds soil organisms. Living roots in the ground year-round provide constant food for microbes. Regenerative agriculture practices focus specifically on building soil biology.
Soil biology impacts every aspect of farming, from root development to final harvest. Farmers who nurture the living community in their soil see stronger plants, better yields, and lower input costs. Understanding and supporting soil microbes isn’t just good science, it’s good business for American agriculture.
Farmers across America are discovering something amazing beneath their feet. The secret to better crops and healthier land isn’t always found in a bottle or bag. It lives naturally in the soil, waiting to be awakened through smart and intentional farming practices. Soil microbial communities play a large role in soil metabolic activity and drive critical ecosystem services like decomposition and nutrient cycling.
Bacteria, fungi, and other microscopic creatures transform dead plant material into food that crops can use. Regenerative agriculture & microbes work together like partners in a successful business. When farmers treat soil as a living system rather than just dirt, these microorganisms multiply and strengthen.
How Traditional Farming Hurts Soil Life
Conventional farming methods can accidentally damage the very organisms that make soil productive and alive. Heavy tilling breaks apart fungal networks that connect plant roots. Chemical fertilizers flood the system with quick nutrients but starve the microbes that naturally produce those same nutrients.
Soil health drops when microbial diversity and abundance decreases. Farms become dependent on more chemicals to achieve the same results. It’s like trying to run a factory with fewer workers each year while expecting the same output.
Different microbes handle different jobs in the soil. Some break down tough plant materials. Others protect crop roots from diseases. Many form partnerships with plants, trading nutrients for sugars. This complexity creates a stable system that keeps working even when conditions change.
Healthy microbial communities also help crops handle stress better. During droughts, diverse soil life improves water retention. When diseases threaten, beneficial microbes compete with harmful ones, protecting plant roots naturally.
Farmers don’t need complicated systems to start improving their soil life. Cover crops provide food for microbes when cash crops aren’t growing. These plants keep living roots in the ground, which helps more microbes stay fed year-round instead of going dormant.
Crop rotation brings diversity that supports more types of beneficial organisms. Different plants feed different microbes, and varying root depths access nutrients from multiple soil layers. This natural variety strengthens the entire system.
The benefits of regenerative farming show up quickly in soil tests and gradually in farm economics. Crops access nutrients more efficiently when healthy microbial populations cycle them naturally. This means farmers are able to spend less on fertilizers while maintaining or improving yields.
Weed and pest pressure often decreases, too. A diverse microbial community supports beneficial insects and creates conditions where crops outcompete weeds naturally. This reduces herbicide needs and the labor involved in weed management.
Fungal to bacterial ratio serves as an important indicator of soil condition. Healthy agricultural soils need both types of microbes, but many farms have shifted too far toward bacteria-dominated systems. Restoring fungal populations helps lock carbon in the soil and improves overall stability, as fungi connect different plants and transport nutrients across distances that roots alone could never reach.
The science behind soil biology keeps advancing, giving farmers better tools and understanding. New microbial products target specific crop needs or soil conditions. Education and support networks help farmers adopt these methods successfully. Universities, extension services, and farmer groups share practical knowledge gained from real-world experience. This collective learning accelerates the regenerative movement.
Most people never think about the dirt beneath their feet. They see it as something that makes their shoes messy or their hands dirty. But soil is actually alive with billions of tiny creatures that keep our entire planet running.
Soil health = planet health is not just a catchy phrase. It represents a real connection between what happens underground and the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink.
What Do Soil Microbes Actually Do?
These tiny organisms perform jobs that keep our planet functioning. Without them, life as we know it would stop. Soil microorganisms break down dead plants and animals. They turn this material into nutrients that new plants can use. This recycling process has continued for millions of years.
They also help plants grow stronger. Some microbes form partnerships with plant roots. They bring water and nutrients to the plant. In return, the plant gives them sugars. This teamwork benefits both sides.
The Carbon Connection
Climate change worries many people today. Soil microbes play a huge role in this challenge. They help store carbon underground instead of letting it float into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Soil biology acts like a carbon sponge. When microbes are healthy and numerous, they lock carbon into the soil. This process removes greenhouse gases from the air naturally.
Damaged soil with low microbial biomass and activity cannot store carbon effectively. The carbon escapes back into the air, exacerbating climate issues. Protecting soil life helps fight climate change.
Why Soil Health Matters for Food?
Farmers face increasing pressure to grow more food for our growing population, while facing the need to use fewer chemicals and resources to have more sustainable growing practices. Plants growing in soil rich with microbes need less fertilizer. The microbes provide nutrients naturally and help soil hold water better, reducing the need for irrigation.
Living soil creates stronger plants that resist pests and diseases. This means farmers can use fewer pesticides and the food can become healthier, while the environment stays cleaner.
Testing Makes the Difference
You cannot improve what you cannot measure. This applies to soil health, too. Farmers and gardeners need ways to check if their soil management practices actually work.
Testing methods, such as the microBIOMETER®, measure soil microbial biomass directly. These types of tests show how much life exists in the soil. The microBIOMETER® also estimates the balance between different types of microbes. The fungal-to-bacterial ratio tells us about soil conditions. Different plants and ecosystems prefer different ratios. Vegetables like more bacteria, while trees prefer more fungi. Understanding these preferences helps growers manage their land better.
The Bigger Picture
When we improve soil health in one place, the benefits spread. Healthy soil reduces erosion, stores carbon, and supports both aboveground and belowground biodiversity.
Soil health = planet health because everything connects. The microbes in your garden affect the air quality in your neighborhood.
Soil looks simple. But a small clump contains an entire world teeming with life. Understanding microbial life in soil changes how people think about growing plants.
Microbial biomass carbon varies around a median of 206 micrograms per gram of soil.
The Invisible Workers Underground
Soil microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and archaea, drive essential soil functions such as nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and disease suppression.
Bacteria often represent the most numerous group. They break down dead plant material and transform nutrients into forms plants can use. Some bacteria fix nitrogen from the air, turning it into fertilizer that plants need for growth.
Fungi contribute heavily to soil structure and the break down organic matter, significantly contributing to the conversion of carbon to stable organic matter. This makes fungi extremely efficient at building long-term soil health.
How Do Bacteria Help Plants Grow?
Bacteria do several important jobs in soil. As they decompose organic matter like leaf litter or dead roots, nutrients locked inside dead material are released and become available for plants to use.
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria work with plants in special partnerships. Bacteria like Rhizobium form symbiotic relationships that fix nitrogen, converting atmospheric nitrogen gas into usable ammonia that plants absorb through their roots. This free fertilizer helps plants grow strong without chemical additions.
Some bacteria dissolve minerals in soil. Bacteria such as Micrococcus, Enterobacter, and Pseudomonas play crucial roles in phosphorus solubilization, making phosphorus available for plant uptake. Plants need phosphorus for root development.
Understanding Fungi’s Critical Role
Fungi look different from bacteria; not only are they larger, but they have slightly different pigments. Fungal biomass is necessary for healthy soil—their size and structure give them special abilities.
Fungi break down tough plant materials like wood and tree bark. They produce special enzymes that dissolve lignin, the substance that makes wood hard. This decomposition creates rich, dark soil called humus that holds moisture and nutrients.
How Farming Practices Affect Soil Microbes
Fungi and bacteria keep each other in check through symbiotic relationships. Different plants prefer different ratios of fungi to bacteria. Annual crops may prefer lower fungal-to-bacteria ratios, while perennials prefer higher ratios. Forests have the highest ratios because trees depend heavily on fungal networks for nutrients.
According to a study by Lori et. al. in 2017, organic farming systems show 32 to 84 percent greater microbial biomass compared to conventional systems. Adding compost, manure, and cover crops feeds soil microbes and helps grow their populations.
Chemical fertilizers and pesticides harm soil microbial communities. Fungicides kill both harmful and helpful fungi. Without beneficial fungi, plants struggle to access nutrients and water. This forces farmers to add more chemicals, creating a cycle that damages soil health.
Understanding Soil as a Living System
Soil microbial biomass represents the foundation of productive agriculture and healthy gardens. When people protect and feed these microscopic workers, they foster plant-soil interactions and receive a stronger and healthier soil community.
Learning about soil microbes transforms how people garden and farm. Every decision—from whether to till, what to plant, and how to fertilize—affects billions of organisms working underground. Making choices that support microbial communities creates healthier soil, stronger plants, and better harvests that last for generations. Use the microBIOMETER® soil test to estimate your soil microbial biomass and ensure you have the healthiest soil possible.
Remember when you needed expensive equipment just to know what’s happening in your soil? Well now that same device you use to scroll social media and read the news can analyze soil health with lab-quality precision.
The Science Behind Your Pocket Soil Lab
Your smartphone possesses something laboratories have relied on for decades: sophisticated optical sensors and powerful processing capabilities. Modern smartphones can detect color variations, light intensity, and chemical reactions through their cameras and built-in sensors. When paired with the right testing reagents and apps, these everyday devices transform into legitimate soil analysis tools.
The principle is surprisingly straightforward. Soil samples react with specific chemical reagents, producing color changes that correspond to different nutrient levels, pH values, or biological activity. Your phone’s camera captures these color variations, while specialized algorithms interpret the data and provide instant results.
What Your Mobile Soil Lab Can Actually Measure
You might wonder what kind of soil data you can realistically expect from smartphone-based testing. The capabilities are more extensive than you’d think:
Real-Time Results That Actually Matter
The game-changer isn’t just the technology—it’s the speed. Traditional soil testing means collecting samples, shipping them to a lab, and waiting days or weeks for results. And by then, growing conditions and microbial communities may have changed completely. Smartphone-based soil lab technology delivers results in minutes, not days. This real-time capability transforms how you can manage your soil health. And the microBIOMETER® can help you do just that.
Notice your tomatoes looking yellow in mid-July? Test the soil immediately and adjust your fertilization strategy that same afternoon. Planning fall amendments for your lawn in Texas? Test multiple spots across your property in a single morning and create a targeted improvement plan.
Getting Started: Your First Mobile Soil Analysis
Setting up your smartphone as a soil lab is simpler than you might expect. The microBIOMETER® includes testing reagents, measuring tools, and a smartphone app that guide you through the entire process step by step. You’ll collect a representative soil sample, mix it with the provided reagents, and use your smartphone’s camera to capture the resulting color changes. The app then analyzes the images and provides detailed reports about your soil’s condition. The testing process is quick and you can see results in 20 minutes.
The Technology Revolution Happening Now
All-in-one smartphone-based devices are becoming preferable for agricultural soil analysis, enabling users to complete self-assessments about soil quality and receive performance reports with actionable insights.
The implications extend far beyond individual gardeners. Extension services at universities across the United States are incorporating smartphone soil testing into their educational programs. Community gardens in both rural and urban areas are using these tools to optimize their growing strategies and share soil health data among members.
Urban gardening isn’t just about growing tomatoes in a small closet. It’s about understanding the complexity of soil microbes in unconventional spaces and utilizing new methods that make city gardening not only possible, but also incredibly rewarding.
Plants with healthy microbial communities in their root zones tend to grow more vigorously and are better equipped to withstand stressors such as drought, pests, and diseases. In urban environments where plants face challenges like air pollution, heat islands, and limited space, this microbial support system becomes even more crucial.
Urban soil faces unique challenges that rural farmland doesn’t necessarily encounter on a daily basis. You’re dealing with:
Start with Quality Organic Matter
Your soil microbes are essentially composting machines, but they need fuel. Add compost, aged manure, or leaf mold regularly. These organic materials provide the carbon and nutrients that feed your microbial community. In cities like Portland and Seattle, many neighborhoods now offer community composting programs—take advantage of them!
Test and Track Your Progress
Understanding your soil’s microbial health doesn’t have to be guesswork. Modern soil testing technology allows you to monitor microbial biomass and the fungal-to-bacterial ratio right from your balcony or rooftop garden. This data helps you understand whether your soil management practices are actually working.
Minimize Chemical Disruption
Synthetic pesticides and fertilizers can disrupt your carefully cultivated microbial community. Instead, focus on building soil biology through organic amendments and natural pest management strategies. Beneficial soil microbes perform fundamental functions such as nutrient cycling, breaking down crop residues, and stimulating plant growth.
A recent study reported by the NIH reveals an intriguing connection between gardening and human health that goes beyond fresh vegetables and exercise. It found that frequent exposure to environmental microbiota, especially through skin to soil contact, diversifies commensal microbiota, enhances immune modulation, and ultimately lowers the risk of immune-mediated diseases.
As more Americans embrace urban gardening & soil health practices, we’re seeing innovations that make microbial monitoring and management more accessible than ever. Whether you’re growing herbs on a fire escape in Brooklyn or maintaining raised beds in a Phoenix community garden, understanding and nurturing your soil’s microbial community will help you grow healthier plants while potentially benefiting your own well-being.
