The Secret Life of Winter Soil

Winter can mislead the eye.

One could be deceived into thinking that activities above and below the soil surface have stopped while the weather is cold and wet.

Sure, life under our feet has slowed, but - just like the growth of our veggies - it most certainly has not halted! Millions - nay, billions - of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi), arthropods, protozoa, nematodes and earthworms continue their humble work of recycling nutrients and slowly building the soils fertility.

I've talked extensively about our microbes and how important they are to us at Streamside, but I feel that perhaps I've neglected the most eye-catching of soil organisms: the earthworms.

Not only are they beautiful, earthworms are critical for a healthy soil profile.

They move up to the soil surface to forage for decomposing plant material, bringing those nutritious morsles back down to their burrows to munch in peace. There are 5 different types of earthworms, categorised by where they live and thrive in the soil profile: some hang out near the top (they like the fresh air).

Others live midway down the topsoil layer, and yet others live as deep as the subsoil (the basement dwellers, if you will).

As worms travel, they create tunnels (or macro pores), which benefits the soil threefold: they improve aeration, they allow water to drain away from the soil surface, and they create channels for the plant roots to move deeper into the topsoil.

Without worms, our soils would be desolate, dense slabs in which very few plants could grow. So, a toast to our worms, who help us create such wonderful produce!