As we ride through the countryside, we see the markings of agriculture at work.  Rows of corn or cotton mark the landscape. It is fun to watch the exact rows as we drive by the fields. What we may not see is what is going on at the soil surface and below.  Soil is alive and has billions of organisms trying to obtain food, water and shelter, just like we do.
 
This life in the soil includes important residents that do much to help plants grow healthy.  One of the important residents is fungi. Fungi is like an electricity network. Like electricity networks bring energy to a home, fungi can bring water and nutrients to plants.  Plants are in one place, and fungi can help plants get more from their surroundings. Then there are bacteria that produce nutrients that plants can use. Earthworms are natural tillers and can mix up the soil, providing holes that capture rain. Soil life is numerous and diverse, just like humans are.  
          

So, how can we help soil life be the best it can be?  Just like us, organisms that live in the soil need good nutrition, adequate water and shelter. This happens by always providing a covering over the soil, even when the corn and cotton crops are done growing. As you ride in the countryside, we typically see the soil uncovered after the main crops are harvested. This should not be the case.
 
There are a few things that can be practiced by farmers and gardeners that can help soil life.

• Till less – continuous tilling can break the soil up. Just like a tornado can destroy a home, tilling can destroy shelter for soil life.
• Keep plants growing – as plants capture sunlight, they provide food to the soil life through the plant roots.
• Keep different plants growing – just like we need different food to eat to be healthy, soil life needs different plants to have a healthy diet.
• Keep the soil covered – soil life needs protection, and plants provide shelter.Radishes, peas and mustards.Sunflowers, clovers and summer grasses.

Cover crops can provide food and shelter, and can even help the soil stay moist. They can also prevent the soil from washing or blowing away when it storms.  As soils are protected, we then also benefit with cleaner lakes and streams.
 
The nice thing about cover crops is they can be used on farms and in city gardens. I have used cover crops for many years in my garden, and it is amazing to see the benefits. I hope you can try them and discover their benefits. They are an important addition to protecting our nation’s greatest resource – healthy soils!
 
Jodie McVane Reisner is a doctoral sudent in the Department of Soil & Crop Sciences.

All Photos: Jodie McVane Reisner.