Living Soils: What Every Gardener Should Know About Soil Health

Why Living Soils Matter

Living Soil isn’t just “dirt” –  it’s a thriving ecosystem that supports every plant in your garden. A living soil is teeming with bacteria, fungi, earthworms, and microorganisms that work together to feed your plants, retain moisture, and build resilience against pests and disease.

Healthy soil is the cornerstone of a successful, sustainable garden. But it’s under threat from compaction, over-digging, chemical treatments, and hard landscaping. The good news? You can protect and improve your garden’s soil with a few practical changes.

What Is Living Soil?

Living soil contains a complex web of life:

• Fungi and bacteria that help break down organic matter and make nutrients available.
• Earthworms and insects that aerate the soil and create natural drainage.
• Mycorrhizal fungi, which form beneficial relationships with plant roots.

Together, this underground ecosystem boosts nutrient availability, regulates water retention, and improves plant health. Unlike sterile or heavily cultivated soil, living soils get better over time when treated well.

Living soils are rich, dark, and full of life — the foundation of a sustainable garden.

Common Threats to Soil Health

Modern garden design can unintentionally damage soil life. Watch out for:

• Compacted soil from foot traffic, machinery, or solid paving.
• Over-digging or tilling, which disturbs fungi and insects.
• Chemical fertilisers and pesticides that destroy microbial communities.
• Poor drainage, leading to waterlogged or anaerobic soil conditions.

Fortunately, there are simple, sustainable ways to reverse the damage and encourage healthy soil systems to thrive.

5 Ways to Support and Build Living Soils

1. Go No-Dig Where Possible

No-dig gardening helps preserve the natural structure of your soil and the delicate web of life beneath it. Instead of turning soil over, layer compost, mulch, and organic material on top, letting worms and microbes do the mixing.

💡 Use metal garden edging like CORE EDGE to frame your no-dig beds. It keeps materials in place without deep installation, protecting fungal networks and avoiding unnecessary soil disturbance.

2. Avoid Soil Compaction with Permeable Paths

Compacted soil prevents air, water, and nutrients from reaching plant roots – and it crushes the life out of your soil ecosystem. Paths made with traditional paving or gravel can quickly compact the ground beneath them.

💡 Switch to a permeable path system like CORE PATH, which stabilises gravel while allowing water and air to flow through. This keeps your garden walkways neat without harming the soil beneath.

Use it around planting beds or vegetable patches to protect delicate soil while keeping things accessible, especially during wet months.

A permeable system like CORE PATH supports soil health by allowing water to drain naturally and prevent compaction beneath high-traffic areas.

3. Mulch Generously and Organically

A thick layer of mulch protects soil from erosion, improves moisture retention, and feeds microorganisms as it breaks down. Try using compost, leaf mould, or well-rotted manure.

Apply mulch once or twice a year, ideally in spring and autumn, and don’t forget to leave a little breathing room around plant stems to prevent rot.

4. Grow Soil-Building Plants

Certain plants – like clover, comfrey, and legumes – naturally improve soil structure and fertility. They attract beneficial insects, fix nitrogen, and leave behind organic matter that enriches the soil when cut back or allowed to decompose in place.

These are especially useful in beds you’re resting between growing seasons or in wildlife-friendly zones.

5. Keep Heavy Features Off Key Soil Zones

If you’re installing sheds, bins, or driveways, be mindful of their long-term impact on the surrounding soil. Avoid placing heavy structures near planting areas, and use base systems that distribute weight evenly.

💡 For heavier-use areas like driveways or bin stores, CORE DRIVE offers a load-bearing yet fully permeable grid system. It supports vehicles and structures without compacting the soil beneath – and it’s made from recycled materials.

No-dig beds support the microbial life and structure of living soils, making them ideal for growing vegetables and herbs.

Integrating Soil Health Into Garden Design

When designing your garden, think below the surface. Protecting and improving soil health doesn’t mean compromising on structure or neatness. Instead, use low-impact materials and eco-friendly layout choices to create a garden that thrives from the ground up.

Define growing areas with products like CORE EDGE, build water-permeable paths with CORE PATH, and install load-bearing solutions like CORE DRIVE where needed – all without sacrificing the life in your soil.

Summary: Build Your Garden from the Soil Up

Soil health is the foundation of sustainable gardening. By adopting no-dig techniques, using mulch, choosing soil-friendly plants, and installing permeable, recycled hardscape materials, you’re investing in a living system that improves year after year.

The Ideal Garden’s range of recycled, eco-friendly products is designed to work with nature – not against it. Whether you’re edging a no-dig bed or protecting soil beneath a path, we’ve got practical solutions that help your garden thrive underground as well as above.