Healthy soil is more than just nutrients. Growing healthy plants involves more than just providing the right nutrients. I've lost count of how many times I've reviewed soil tests showing ideal nutrient levels, only to walk into a paddock with poor or patchy plant growth.
Plants simply don’t thrive in sandy soils—whether it's riverbanks or sand dunes. That’s because successful plant growth depends not just on nutrients, but on the life within the soil. While this living component only makes up about 5% of soil composition, it influences the remaining 95%. In essence, it’s the key that unlocks the potential of everything else in the soil.
This vital 5% governs water retention, nutrient availability, and the diversity and activity of beneficial soil organisms. Yet despite its importance, many overlook investing time and resources into cultivating a healthy soil biology.
Most people focus solely on pH levels and Olsen P readings. While these are certainly important, they’re not the full picture. It also matters how and where you source your NPKS fertilisers—avoid those that are acidic or overly water-soluble, as they can harm both the soil ecosystem and the broader environment.
The microbes and fungi living in that crucial 5% of soil do extraordinary work. Here are just a couple of examples:
1. Natural Control of Grass Grub
Grass grub is a serious problem on some farms. The insects lay eggs in late spring and early summer, which then hatch into grubs that go unnoticed until autumn—by which point pasture damage is already severe, leading to feed shortages in winter.
However, in biologically active soils, beneficial microbes and fungi can control grass grub populations before they become a threat. VITALIFE™, a product developed and promoted by Fertilizer NZ, contains specific microbes and fungi that help combat grass grub damage. For more insight, look into Amber Disease, which explains how this microbial action works—or give me a call and I’d be happy to explain further.
2. Preventing Grass Staggers and Milk Fever
Another benefit of VITALIFE™, is its magnesium content, which can help prevent grass staggers and milk fever—two common issues in early spring, particularly among dairy herds. Farmers who have used VITALIFE™ for years report significant reductions in both problems.
More Than Just Fertiliser
Beyond pest control and improved mineral balance, VITALIFE™, also helps aerate the soil and improves its water-holding capacity, making moisture more available to plants during dry periods.
Disease resistance - future proofing