Soil is at the beating heart of our planet. The top six inches of soil supports all life on earth - we cannot survive without it. Our bodies are built from and sustained by the nutrients found in soil.
Whole civilisations have crumbled to dust because of how they treat their soils. Yet despite the fact that healthy soil remains crucial for food production, flood defences and our ability to tackle climate change, we fail to look after it.International Year of Soils:
The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation has declared 2015 to be the International Year of Soils. It hopes to raise awareness and create an understanding of the significance of soil for all living things.“Soils are not something we can simply fix if it breaks: it can take up to one thousand years to form one centimetre of topsoil.”
- José Graziano da Silva, Food and Agriculture Organisation Director-General
On the farm
Research shows that organic farming benefits soils. Studies from all around the world demonstrate that organically-managed soils have significantly higher levels of essential organic matter.We (and the farms that supply us) grow food in a way that supports nature; providing natural habitats and food sources for wildlife to help increase biodiversity both above and below the soil.
• We don’t use pesticides or herbicides. • This year 45% of our growing areas have been planted with fertility-building leys. • We compost all our waste plant material and return it to the soil
At home
• Support soil-friendly organic farming. Every time you shop, you have the power to make a difference• Save the ash from your fire, it is full of goodness that will help your soil flourish • Compost your vegetable peelings • Avoid leaving your soil bare overwinter. Green cover crops like clover or rye grass are a good way to protect it • Safeguard your soil structure by not walking on beds and reducing compaction • Dig at the right time (when the soil is neither too wet nor too dry) • Regularly supplement it with compost and other organic matter • Leave garden clippings where they fall (they will return the nutrients back to the soil)
Want to get down and dirty with the Soil Association?
This 5 November the Soil Association is hosting an organic feast at At-Bristol, with live music, dancing into the night and a talk from newly appointed Shadow Environment Minister, Kerry McCarthy.
Down and Dirty is open to everyone with a passion for food, farming and our soil. It will follow on from the Annual Soil Symposium, an event primarily for farmers and growers with workshops and technical sessions centred around keeping the top six inches healthy.Tickets include a delicious all organic dinner and drinks!
For more information and to book.
This article is part of our Do 15 series.
