Full of microbial life
Our soil is bioactive and teeming with microbial life thanks to fresh worm castings.
It can be home to helpful critters like springtails, isopods, and the predatory mite "Macrocheles robustulus" – what awe-inspiring name! Springtails and isopods help convert decomposed matter into nutrients without interfering with the plants. The predatory mites specialize in attacking the eggs, larvae, and pupae of fungus gnats, thrips, and fruit flies. So, it's like having your own personal defense line! While the soil is being cleared of adult worms, the eggs can still hatch in the soil. WORMS IN MY SOIL? YES! That's a good sign! It signifies incredibly fresh worm castings. Earthworms feast on decaying plant matter, keeping the soil airy and producing fresh nutrients. They also regulate their own population (along with springtails, isopods, and predatory mites). So, once there's no more decaying matter, they'll gradually disappear.