Next you’ll need to decide on the type of garden that best suits your needs. If you have an area with fertile and healthy soil, you may be able to have an in-ground garden and only need to add some additional organic matter. However, many are dealing with soil depleted of nutrients that may be soil left over from construction of the house. If you don’t have good soil, or you just want more control over your soil, a simple raised garden bed can be created with some wood pieces, nails and a little sweat. Raised beds have advantages over in-ground such as, a larger growing season, better weed control, more control over soil quality and lots of options aesthetically.

2: Focus on Soil Health

Besides the obvious of giving plant roots a sturdy medium in which to grow, soil and the organisms residing within it are necessary in cycling of nutrients for plant growth, filtering rainwater and preventing flooding, and storing large amounts of elements such as carbon, nitrogen and pollutants. Unhealthy soils also have poor structure, leading to compaction and poor drainage. Microorganisms and soil organic matter are key to good soil structure and good soil health.   

Pick up a palm full of soil and you likely won't see many living organisms aside from small insects, ants or possibly an earthworm. However, in that handful alone (assuming it's fertile) there are thousands of species and billions of individual bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, algae, protozoa and nematodes. Bacteria, both beneficial and pathogenic, outnumber the other organisms at 10⁸-10⁹ per 1 gram of soil (Hoorman. 2010). Most know the vital role microorganisms play in the human body, from gut health to immunity strength. Soil, being a living organism itself, relies on microorganisms as well. Without a balanced population of beneficial microbes, soil is unable to do its job properly (i.e. cycling nutrients, supporting plant growth, filtering water).

3: Start Your Seeds Off Right 

Plants heavily rely on their relationships with microorganisms to defend against stressors, but also for plant growth. Because microorganisms produce enzymes, proteins and hormones that are then utilized by the plants, a healthy population of microbes in the soil can significantly increase seed germination, strength and vigor. In a study on Effective Microorganisms® and the plant Kalanchoe daigremontiana, plant growth was significantly higher in plants over the control. This included; increased seed germination, plant height, number of leaves, plant weight, new shoots, and leaf area. Because of the increase in leaf area, they also saw an increase in chlorophyll, net photosynthesis and water use efficiency (Domenico 2019).

Plant hormones, the driving force in seed germination, is controlled by both plant and soil bacteria. Research has found that soil bacteria produce a significant amount of the plant hormones needed in all stages of plant growth, and certain populations are key during the establishment of the seedlings to ensure healthy growth. With EM, seeds can be treated before planting with beneficial microbes from the beginning, ensuring quicker germination and increased strength.

5: Boost Your Microbial Population for Pest Control

Home gardens tend to need fewer chemical inputs than large scale agriculture, but that doesn’t mean pests don’t wipe out entire gardens if not properly managed. Chemical pesticides and fungicides can be avoided if we look at soil health and strive to mimic the natural environment and the natural balance of good and bad organisms within the soil system. 

Various studies have shown that high populations of microbes, such as those found in EM, produce compounds such as acids and bacteriocins on the leaf surface and in the rhizosphere. These compounds prevent pathogens by breaking down their cell walls, inhibiting fungi spore growth, and create a disease-suppressive soil dominated by antibiotic microorganisms. The beneficial microorganisms in EM also stimulate the growth of other beneficial microorganisms shown to prevent and control pathogens (Higa and Parr, 1994).