Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #soilhealth, aggregated by home.social.
Soils for Europe Conference marks Mission Soil’s shift from research to action
The Soils for Europe Conference took place in Coimbra, Portugal, from 7 to 11 September 2026, bringing together…
#Europe #EU #EuropeanCommission #Agriculture #FoodProduction #HorizonEurope #soilhealth #Sustainability
https://www.europesays.com/europe/160371/
https://www.europesays.com/ch/144544/ In 2021, 1,000 Swiss volunteers buried 2,000 pairs of underwear; Ontario farmer tested soil health on his 500-acre farm from 2015 to 2025; study finds cotton decomposes fastest in gardens, slowest on lawns #AgricultureResearch #CottonDecomposition #OntarioFarmerNormLamothe #SoilConservation #SoilFertility #SoilHealth #SoilMicrobialActivity #SoilYourUndies #SoilYourUndiesExperiment #Swiss #SwissSoilStudy #Switzerland
INERA and Bayer partner to expand access to biological crop nutrition solutions
Collaboration will combine INERA’s biological innovation capabilities with Bayer…
#Germany #DE #Europe #EU #Europa #Bayer #Absolute #AgriculturalBiologicals #AgriculturalBiotechnology #AgTech #ArtificialIntelligenceinAgriculture #BioE3Policy #BiologicalInputs #Climate-ResilientAgriculture #CropNutrition #IndiaAgriculture #INERA #Nutrient-UseEfficiency #PM-PRANAM #soilhealth
https://www.europesays.com/germany/108775/
Is your garden showing signs of nitrogen deficiency? Yellowing leaves on your spinach 🥬, stunted growth in corn 🌽, or pale green foliage on roses 🌹 are common examples. Boost nitrogen by adding composted manure, blood meal, or planting legumes. Healthy soil, happy plants! 🌱 #GardeningTips #SoilHealth
Is your garden showing signs of nitrogen deficiency? Yellowing leaves on your spinach 🥬, stunted growth in corn 🌽, or pale green foliage on roses 🌹 are common examples. Boost nitrogen by adding composted manure, blood meal, or planting legumes. Healthy soil = happy plants! 🌱 #SoilHealth
🍄 Beneath our feet lies an invisible world that keeps our ecosystems alive. Mycorrhizal fungi connect with plant roots, helping them access water and nutrients while supporting healthy soils and biodiversity.
Protecting the soil means protecting life itself. 🌱
What if we started treating soil not as dirt, but as a living ecosystem worth protecting?
Fifty years of regenerative farming practices are showing what long-term care for soil can achieve. Healthier soil can improve resilience, support crops and reduce the need for external inputs. Sometimes meaningful change comes from simply giving natural systems time to recover.
🌱 Deep native plant roots do more than anchor plants. They act like underground sponges, absorbing rainwater, reducing flooding, erosion and polluted runoff while improving soil health and storing carbon.
Unlike shallow-rooted turf, native plants can reach deep into the soil, helping landscapes withstand drought and heavy rain. They also support pollinators, birds and wildlife.
Nature has already designed a powerful water-management system. 🌍
GROW: Use the off-season to build better garden soil | Oklahoma https://www.allforgardening.com/1943674/grow-use-the-off-season-to-build-better-garden-soil-oklahoma/ #agriculture #agroecology #botany #EarthSciences #garden #gardening #GardeningOklahoma #horticulture #landscape #Matter #NaturalEnvironment #NaturalMaterials #oklahoma #OrganicMatter #pedology #PhysicalGeography #plant #PlantAgriculture #plants #PrimarySector #regolith #soil #SoilHealth #SoilScience #SustainableGardening
🥔🌍 We are from Uganda, but we are always happy to learn from what is happening in Europe. The potato crisis is a reminder that soil health is at the heart of food security. Healthy, living soils can help farms withstand drought, heat and changing climate. At YECI, we believe sharing lessons across continents can help us build more resilient farming systems together. 🌱🤝
#FoodSecurity #SoilHealth #ClimateResilience #Europe #RegenerativeAgriculture
Iowa Farmer Says We’re Here to Make the Soil Better – Food Tank https://www.diningandcooking.com/us/41171/ #AmosGraber #FarmerFriday #IowaFarmers #livestock #NewYorkCity #NewYorkCityFood #NimanRanch #NYC #NYCFood #OrganicCrops #RegenerativeAgriculture #SoilHealth #SustainableFarming
How Cover Crops Can Support Sustainable Rice Farming – Food Tank https://www.diningandcooking.com/us/40903/ #china #Diversity #fertilizer #FertilizerOveruse #Legumes #NewYorkCity #NewYorkCityFood #nitrogen #NYC #NYCFood #rice #SoilHealth
From organic waste to new life! Banana peels, cassava peels, leaves and other farm residues are left to decompose and return nutrients to the soil. A simple example of turning what looks like waste into a resource for growing food.
Fellow farmers, how do you turn organic waste into a resource on your farm?
#organicfarming #foodsecurity #WasteReduction #solarpunksunday #permaculture #soilhealth
Agri-photovoltaics combines energy production & farming. But what happens to the soil below the modules? 🌱☀️
A ZALF study measured it for the first time: heavy machinery compacted the sandy soil between the panel rows during construction, and roots now struggle to get through.
The researchers recommend soil protection: supervision, designated driving tracks, ground protection mats and no construction on wet soil.
https://www.zalf.de/en/aktuelles/Pages/PB2/Bodenschutzmassnahmen_Agri-Photovoltaik.aspx
https://www.europesays.com/africa/441553/ No-Till Highlights: September 24, 2026 #AmericanFloodCoalition #BillKellogg #BiologicalDiversity #CaseIH215Magnum #DavidMontgomery #DavidRMontgomery #ElevateAg #FloodSmartAgriculture #GREATPLAINS2N3010GrainDrill #gullies #GullyErosion #IowaLearningFarms #JeffLeu #KeithBerns #NortheastIowaRC&D #ReGenBook #ScienceOfNoTill #ScienceOfRegenerativeAgriculture #SeedingCerealRye #SoilHealth #SoilHealthResearch #SoilTalk #WaterAbsorption #zimbabwe
Your garden is a reflection of your soul,let it bloom brightly 🌞
#Agriculture #gardening #food #Climate #climatechange #tomatoes #homesteading #sustainability #environment #plants #farming #nutrition #resilience #solarpunk #economics #photography #mastodon #Fediverse #linux #biodiversity #ecosystems #agroecology #NaturePhotography #nature #NaturePhotography #seeds #soilhealth #world
Seeds and Soil Organics in Alaska 🌲 grows agroecological seeds for food sovereignty 🌱. No-till, no chemicals—just living soil and resilience ❄️🌞. https://agroecologymap.org/l/392 #Agroecology #Permaculture #Alaska #SeedSaving #SoilHealth
📰 Regenerative Farming is Gaining Momentum
🌍 UK: Experts say regenerative agriculture is accelerating fast, with government backing, major brands adopting it, and farmers already shifting practices. But public awareness remains low.
🌱 Government support grows
The new Farming Roadmap 2050 centers soil health, biodiversity, and reduced synthetic inputs. Leaders call nature‑friendly farming the foundation of productivity, though details on implementation still need clarity.
🏦 Funding is finally flowing. Government incentives and private investment aim to make regenerative transitions financially viable. Experts stress the need for long‑term contracts and shared risk across the food system.
🔗 https://www.positive.news/society/will-regeneratively-grown-food-become-mainstream
#SolarpunkSunday #Agriculture #RegenerativeAgriculture #SoilHealth #Environment #Sustainability
🌱👀 A surprise beneath the soil!
While working on our farm, we uncovered these little soil creatures hiding beneath the mulch. Nature is full of surprises, and every discovery teaches us something new about the life beneath our feet. 🌍💚
Do you know what these are? Have you found them in your garden or farm before? We’d love to hear from you! 🌿🐛
#SoilHealth #OrganicFarming #Nature #Biodiversity #SustainableFarming #YECI
🌱👀 A surprise beneath the soil!
While working on our farm, we uncovered these little soil creatures hiding beneath the mulch. Nature is full of surprises, and every discovery teaches us something new about the life beneath our feet. 🌍💚
Do you know what these are? Have you found them in your garden or farm before? We’d love to hear from you! 🌿🐛
#SoilHealth #OrganicFarming #Nature #Biodiversity #SustainableFarming #YECI
Hey #farmers, have you realised what is being said in photo already?
#gardening #garden #agriculture #food #sustainability #farming #mastodon #nature #environment #Linux #Fediverse #linux #Photography #NaturePhotography #soil #biodiversity #soilhealth #plants #solarpunk #foodproduction
🌱 Ever noticed the difference in soil before and after adding compost?
Using compost is a game changer for gardeners and landscapers.
It not only enriches the soil but also improves its structure and nurtures beneficial microorganisms.
As paving and driveways become more popular, integrating compost can enhance plant health and ensure longevity.
https://ukpavingtalkgroup.com/go/bda6
#Compost #SoilHealth #GardeningTips #Landscaping #EcoFriendlyGardening #PlantCare #SustainableGardening
Hey folks, could you share with us the materials you are using to mulch your garden such that the soil can support your plants to grow?
#Plants #resilience #economy #drought #grobalwarming #environment #homesteading #garden #water #soilhealth #botany #biodiversity #food #diet #GreenVegetation #greenvegetables #malnutrition #malnutritionmews #vegetarian #growingup #climateemergency #solarpunk #mulching #SoilBiodiversity
On 22/9 participants in the @ClimateFarmDemo
Thematic Network Event
will gain insights into how #recycled #fertilisers influence #carbon accrual and #soilhealth, while considering potential trade-offs, such as nutrient losses and #greenhouse gas emissions.
https://climatefarmdemo.eu/cfd/en/#/event/2478
I need a reliable, inexpensive (is it even possible?) NPK sensor (soil nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium). It's not for me, so it doesn't need to be LoRaWAN (although that would be nice). Boosts appreciated.
Lost a small branch on this Bacon avocado this week- almost 100 young fruits down with it. 🥑💔
It broke under its own weight, right at a weak crotch angle. Hard reminder that pruning isn't just for shape- it's what keeps limbs strong enough to actually hold a full harvest.
Painful one to learn, but noted for next season!
(All those were his words)
I shared it from my friend James
#Sustainability #Permaculture #Agroecology #FoodForest #Agroforestry #SoilHealth #TreePlanting
The gifts given to us by Nature are mankind’s greatest blessing. Yet we neglect our environment terribly.
The good news is that Nature is forgiving. Given the right treatment she can recover. There are new ways to renew our land and soil, and my wife has included some in her blog.
You can help this process by your lifestyle, how you treat your garden, your contributions to Nature and what you eat.
Why Scientists Asked More Than 1,000 People to Bury Their Underwear to Study Soil Biodiversity Across Switzerland
More than 1,000 people across Switzerland were given an unusual scientific assignment: bury their underwear. The volunteers placed…
#Switzerland #CH #Europe #Europa #EU #buriedunderwear #citizenscience #cottondecomposition #Nachrichten #Nouvelles #schweiz #soilactivity #soilbiodiversity #soilhealth #soilmicrobes #Suisse #switzerland
https://www.europesays.com/3239164/
https://www.europesays.com/3239164/ Why Scientists Asked More Than 1,000 People to Bury Their Underwear to Study Soil Biodiversity Across Switzerland #BuriedUnderwear #CitizenScience #CottonDecomposition #Nachrichten #Nouvelles #schweiz #SoilActivity #SoilBiodiversity #SoilHealth #SoilMicrobes #Suisse #switzerland
https://www.europesays.com/ch/?p=127315 Why Scientists Asked More Than 1,000 People to Bury Their Underwear to Study Soil Biodiversity Across Switzerland #BuriedUnderwear #CitizenScience #CottonDecomposition #SoilActivity #SoilBiodiversity #SoilHealth #SoilMicrobes #Switzerland
https://www.europesays.com/ch/126412/ Research on cockroach milk and nose-blowing wins Ig Nobel prizes #AssociatedPress #CockroachMilk #Country #DigitalMagazine #FutureCeremony #IgNobelPrize #QuirkyScience #ResearchTeam #SoilHealth #technology #TravelConcern #underwear #UnitedStates #University #Zürich
Why did 1,000 world citizens bury their underpants?
Study: Land use is the biggest factor in determining decomposition rates of organic cotton underpants.
Jennifer Ouellette – Aug 27, 2026
Excerpt: "A thousand people voluntarily buried their cotton underpants for two months—not to keep the Underpants Gnomes from stealing them, but as part of a citizen science project to map out soil health in 25 countries around the world. The results of this unique experiment were reported in a new paper published in the journal #PlantsPeoplePlanet.
" 'Our results show that how soil is managed can significantly affect both soil life and soil quality,' said co-author Marcel van der Heijden, an #agroecologist at the University of Zurich. 'Healthy, biologically active soil is crucial for fertility, nutrient cycling and many other #ecosystem services.'
" #SoilHealth is critical for #agriculture and, by extension, #FoodSecurity, not to mention a healthy #GlobalEcosystem, but it has been declining worldwide, per the authors. One key indicator of soil health is #decomposition rates of complex organic matter, breaking down stuff like leaves, wood, even cadavers into simpler organic and inorganic compounds, releasing C02 and nutrients in the process. There have been relatively few large-scale national decomposition studies involving different land use types, although smaller studies have shown that how humans use a site can significantly affect the soil’s biological diversity.
"Commercially available teabags are a common material used to measure decomposition rates, known as the #TeabagIndex ( #TBI ). However, Van der Heijden and colleagues felt the teabag index could be improved upon, given that it requires careful handling and specific tools, like a fine-scale balance. They opted for a more playful approach to illustrate soil composition.
"Prior research had shown that cotton strips could also be used to assess decomposition, so why not engage in a bit of #CitizenScience and ask volunteers to bury cotton underpants for a couple of months, then dig them up and record the results? That’s exactly what the authors did in a national project they dubbed 'Proof by Underpants.' "
Read more:
https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/08/why-did-1000-swiss-citizens-bury-their-underpants/
#SolarPunkSunday #CitizenScientists #MeasuringSoilHealth #SoilMicrobes #Gardening #Soil #SoilQuality
We gathered this waste, but the bigger question is: where does it all end up if it isn’t properly managed? #MastodonMedia, what’s your take? Plastic waste pollutes our soil, clogs rivers, harms wildlife, and damages the environment we all depend on. Proper waste management is everyone’s responsibility. Let’s protect our future together.
#environment #climatechange #climatecrisis #climate #wastemanagement #soilhealth #PhysicalFeatures #wildlife #pollution #climatejustice #biodiversity #nature
https://www.europesays.com/ch/125896/ Scientists buried 2,000 pairs of cotton underwear across Switzerland; what they found revealed the health of the soil | #CottonUnderwearExperiment #SoilDegradation #SoilHealth #Switzerland #UnderpantsIndex
RE: https://mastodon.social/@Abelvicent/117212360896060423
#EnvironmentalConservation #ClimateAction #Sustainability #Permaculture #Agroecology #FoodForest #Agroforestry #SoilHealth #TreePlanting #SchoolGardens #CommunityOutreach #Nature #FoodSecurity #ZeroWaste #LandRestoration #SustainableFarming #Naturfrënn
How does the mixture of cow dung and goat dung work??..
#EnvironmentalConservation #ClimateAction #Sustainability #Permaculture #Agroecology #FoodForest #Agroforestry #SoilHealth #TreePlanting #SchoolGardens #CommunityOutreach #Nature #FoodSecurity #ZeroWaste #LandRestoration #SustainableFarming #Naturfrënn
Soil degradation - the stuff of life that is called 'dirt'
"Soil is a vital resource for life on Earth."
* The Ig Nobel Prizes: "Franz Bender, Marcel van der Heijden, Atlant Bieri, and Pia Viviani, for burying 1,000 identical pairs of underpants in more than 25 countries and then digging them up after two months."
"The results: Land use was the most important factor. Underpants decomposed the fastest in private gardens, where soil analysis also revealed the highest levels of organic matter. Lawns showed the least activity of soil organisms, with agricultural fields and meadows ranging in the middle. Temperature and moisture levels also affected organism activity, particularly if conditions were too cold or too dry, as did soil nutrient levels. Overall, the authors found that their “underpants index” provided equally meaningful information about soil conditions as the TBI, including chemical and physical properties, elevation, and moisture." >>
https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/09/meet-the-2026-ig-nobel-prize-winners/
* "Soil is a vital resource for plant growth. It hosts a major part of global species diversity and is key for ecosystem functioning and it forms the basis of human civilization. Yet soils are rapidly degrading, threatening food production, biodiversity, and Earth system functioning. This threat is largely unrecognized in broader society, hindering effective steps towards soil protection."
"Soil is a vital resource for life on Earth. Although many soils are degraded, societal awareness of soil-related issues is limited."
"Farmers, responsible for the management of vast areas of land, often receive little education in basic soil principles. The lack of relationship between the public and soil leads to wasteful treatment of global soil resources. Increased awareness and targeted action towards the protection of soils are urgently needed." >>
https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ppp3.70259
#biodiversity #degradation #soil #life #dirt #lawns #SoilHealth #farmers #ImperviousSurfaces
Image: Lawn and impervious surfaces NSW
🌱 We’ve been updating you on the cow dung we’re preparing to use at our farm. Today, we were lucky to collect it, and we hope to transport it to the farm tomorrow morning. Soon, we’ll use it in the holes where we’ll plant bananas. 🍌
We’d love your advice: what’s the best way to use cow dung to preserve soil fertility and benefit the plants? Please share your knowledge in the comments. 🙏🌍
Here you can see on our You tube
https://youtu.be/HT7hcSclGdY?si=ooO5-lRJP1TMc-RX
apanese scientists uncover microbial clues behind disease-resistant organic farmland
Researchers studied a Japanese organic farm with 50+ years of low soil-borne disease incidence.Organic fertilisers significantly increased Lysobacter,…
#EuropeSays #Japan #JP #carbon #Japanese #landmanagement #regenerative #restoration #soilhealth #soilrestoration #sustainability #sustainable #sustainablefarming #trend
https://www.europesays.com/japan/85215/
https://www.europesays.com/ie/670236/ apanese scientists uncover microbial clues behind disease-resistant organic farmland #Carbon #Éire #IE #Ireland #LandManagement #regenerative #Restoration #Science #SoilHealth #SoilRestoration #Sustainability #sustainable #SustainableFarming #trend
A little reminder that sometimes the answer to better farming isn’t more chemicals and more machinery, it’s working with nature.
Worms, castings and healthy soil: low-tech, brilliantly effective, and right under our feet.
#regenerativeagriculture #soilhealth
#sustainablefarming #worms #landline
🌱 Rest in peace, Wendell Berry. A farmer, poet and powerful voice for caring for the land, community and future generations. His life reminded us that farming is not simply production🌵it is stewardship and relationship with the soil. His work continues to inspire regenerative agriculture and those working for a healthier planet. We carry the work forward. 🌍💚 #WendellBerry #RegenerativeAgriculture #SoilHealth #Farming #Permaculture
Understanding soil texture is key to better gardening https://www.allforgardening.com/1936407/understanding-soil-texture-is-key-to-better-gardening/ #GardeningOregon #oregon #soil #SoilHealth
ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India, ICAR-IARI sign MoU to explore sustainable use of iron ore tailings in agriculture
New Delhi [India], September 1 (ANI): ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) and the Indian Council of Agricultural…
#EuropeSays #Japan #JP #circulareconomy #Cropproduction #environmentalimpact #Ironoretailings #Nippon #Onehealthapproach #Preliminarystudies #soilhealth #sustainableagriculture #valuecreation #Wastemanagement #Wealthpossibilities
https://www.europesays.com/japan/83856/
Why did 1,000 world citizens bury their underpants?
https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/08/why-did-1000-swiss-citizens-bury-their-underpants/