Some of us wonder if you may care to tell us about the life tinder on the soil’s surface. We know that life there runs along for Mother Nature quite carefree without much interference from Homo sapiens.
Life Under The Soil Surface
Everyone has found life down there—worms, ants, and plenty of other wigglers he can’t name. Worms we know are helpful, but how about ants and many other insects we see but can’t name?
How many other creatures are there? How much good or harm do they do? How do bacteria break down the organic matter below and turn it into plant food?
In this connection, we’re told to keep well away from newly set plants, such things as fresh organic matter, because the bacteria take nutrients from the soil in decomposing the organic matter.
Nitrates
Speaking of nitrates, we wonder whether nitrogen and other gasses are needed down there. Way back in our school days, we learned that water is a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen and that plant life takes oxygen through the leaf stomata.
But below the topsoil, is there any direct connection between roots and gasses?
Many such queries come to mind as we work with our plants. Do you think they are worth talking about in words of one syllable fitted for folk that knows there’s much to learn?
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