how yards work
Understanding Your Landscape's Ecosystem
The following is a general illustration of a healthy backyard ecosystem. It points out the major components that contribute most to the life cycle of a healthy growing environment. You can click on the circled areas to see more detailed illustrations and explanations for each.
Transpiration = Breathing = CO2 / Oxygen
Soil & Biodynamics... A Critical Balancing Act
Healthy soil is the single most important factor in promoting plant health. Soil is composed of water, air and organic matter (both living and dead). These materials, along with other living organisms like beneficial insects, earthworms and microbes, form a symbiotic system. When soil conditions are optimal and a conscientious organic horticultural program is applied, this system has the ability to be largely self sustaining and naturally pest and disease resistant. In the long run, the cost for its maintenance is minimized because of the inherent strength in a healthy ecosystem. Properly balancing soil biology and chemistry with appropriate, plant-available nutrients makes use of the environment's superior natural abilities, rather than fighting against them with chemicals.
In any soil there should be a balance of key components to support plant growth. This includes equal portions of water and air, as well as up to 50% organic matter (minerals, living organisms and humus derived from previously living organic material).
In general, soil should contain neither too much sand nor too much clay, both of which can negatively impact plant health. If the soil is too sandy its ability to retain moisture and organic content (nutrients) is poor. As a result, plants growing in this type of environment need to be fed constantly and are highly susceptible to disease and insects. Conversely soil that has a high clay content is dense; its particles are too small to allow enough room for air. As a result. the flow of water, oxygen and nutrients is blocked and plants often suffocate or starve. One indication of a high clay soil is the presence of areas of molds or fungus killing off grass.
Deep Roots Are Vital to Healthy Plants
It's important to remember that while it appears that most living matter is on the surface, what you see is only the tip of the iceberg. Beneath the surface is another whole world in which the root systems of lawns, trees and shrubs have a primary role. Roots bring water and nutrients to the leaves for conversion into energy for growth. Without healthy roots, you cannot have truly healthy growth. Deep roots provide a solid structure. The better developed the root system is, the deeper it penetrates into the soil, allowing water and nutrients to be more easily found, especially during periods of drought. Organic land care is designed to create the soil conditions needed to promote this deep growth. Synthetic fertilizers tend to encourage shallow roots, since plants do not need to reach beyond the surface for them. This leads to an inability to handle drought well.
The Soil Food WebSmall creatures also contribute to the biodynamic cycle that supports your landscape's ecosystem. There are billions of microscopic organisms living in your soil and around your grass's roots. They are essential to the health and vitality of your lawn. The relationships between all these microorganisms are highly advanced and are currently being studied in labs worldwide. Dr. Elaine Ingham is the founder of Soil Foodweb Incorporated and is currently studying these relationships. She has many publications on this topic and also trains individuals to become Soilfood Web Advisors. Soilfood Web Advisors have been train to provide knowledgeable information on the interactions within your soil. We at Harrington's Organicare have a close affiliation with Dr. Elaine Ingham, and we are Soilfood Web Advisors. We are informed in the proper compost tea brewing guidelines, compost tea applications, composting, and interactions between microorganisms in the soil. Below is a brief layout of the relationships within the soil food web.
