soil health principles

The Soil Health Principles

The soil health principles are a set of guidelines used to manage soil to improve its biological, physical, and chemical function. They were developed by observing how healthy natural ecosystems maintain fertile, resilient soils. 

The soil health principles were not invented by a single person or organization. They emerged over decades of observation, research, and practical experience by farmers, soil scientists, agronomists, and conservationists who were trying to understand why some soils became healthier and more productive while others degraded.

The modern framework was largely developed and promoted by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and was influenced by research on prairie ecosystems, no-till farming, cover crops, grazing systems, and soil biology. Scientists observed that natural ecosystems such as prairies and forests maintain healthy soils without fertilizer applications, tillage, or pesticides. The question became: What are these ecosystems doing that agricultural systems are not?  The answer led to several key principles:

1. Keep the Soil Covered

Healthy soil is rarely bare. Soil cover protects the surface from erosion, temperature extremes, moisture loss, and weed pressure.

Lawn: A dense stand of grass acts as a living mulch, protecting the soil from heat, drought, and erosion. Grass clippings left after mowing further protect and feed the soil.  Wherever there is bare earth, take measures to cover it with mulch, compost or straw so that it remains healthy for grass to grow.

Garden: Mulch, cover crops, and plant residues protect the soil between crops, conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and support soil biology.

2. Minimize Soil Disturbance

Excessive disturbance breaks down soil structure, disrupts soil biology, and accelerates organic matter loss.

Lawn: Limit unnecessary aeration, dethatching, and soil disruption. Allow roots, earthworms, and microbes to naturally improve soil structure whenever possible.

Garden: Reduce tillage and digging. Minimize soil disturbance to preserve fungal networks, soil aggregates, and beneficial organisms.

3. Keep Living Roots in the Soil

Living roots feed soil microbes through root exudates and help maintain biological activity throughout the growing season.

Lawn: Grass provides a continuous network of living roots that support soil life and improve nutrient cycling year-round.

Garden: Keep plants growing as much of the year as possible using succession planting, cover crops, or perennial plantings to continuously feed the soil.

4. Increase Plant Diversity

Diverse plant communities support a wider range of beneficial organisms and improve ecosystem resilience.

Lawn: Incorporate species such as clover and other compatible plants where appropriate. Diversity can improve pollinator habitat, natural cycling of nutrients, and drought tolerance.

Garden: Grow a variety of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and cover crops. Diverse plantings attract beneficial insects, improve nutrient use, and reduce pest pressures.

5. Support Soil Biology

Healthy soils contain billions of microorganisms that help cycle nutrients, build soil structure, and support plant health.

Lawn: Feed soil biology with organic matter, grass clippings, compost, and thoughtful nutrient management. Avoid practices that unnecessarily harm beneficial organisms.

Garden: Add compost, mulch, and plant residues to support thriving soil organisms that help supply nutrients and suppress disease.

6. Integrate Natural Ecosystem Functions

Healthy ecosystems rely on relationships among plants, soil organisms, insects, water, and nutrients.

Lawn: Manage the lawn and soil together as an ecosystem.  Encourage healthy soil through management (proper mowing, efficient watering, and targeted nutrients).

Garden: Create a balanced growing environment that includes pollinators, beneficial insects, healthy soil, and diverse plant species working together.

7. Maximize Water Infiltration and Storage

Healthy soils absorb and store more water, reducing runoff and improving drought resilience.

Lawn: Build soil organic matter and improve soil structure to increase infiltration, reduce puddling, and help the lawn stay green during dry periods.

Garden: Use compost, mulch, and healthy soil structure to capture rainfall, reduce irrigation needs, and make water available to plants longer.