news and blog
Why Everything You Know About “Bad” Microbes Might Be Wrong
We’ve been taught that some microbes are “good” and others are “bad”. But in UK market gardening and regenerative horticulture, the reality is more complex. Soil microbes respond to context — oxygen levels, nutrition, chemical inputs and carbon flow. When we change the environment, we change microbial behaviour. This shift in thinking could transform how we approach soil health, compost quality and crop resilience.
Wanted: Dead or Alive — How Microbes Keep Carbon in the Ground
When it comes to carbon, microbes are the true heroes of the soil — wanted dead or alive.
Alive, they build living systems through photosynthesis and root interactions. Dead, they become stable organic matter that locks carbon underground for centuries.
Through Bokashi fermentation, we can accelerate this natural process — feeding the soil, improving fertility, and helping the planet store more carbon where it belongs.
The Hidden Orchestra in Your Gut: Conductors of Health
A fascinating study emerged from the world of gut microbes. Researchers essentially conducted a musical swap meet, transplanting gut bacteria between young and old mice. The results mirrored the power of a well-conducted orchestra. Young bacteria seemed to revitalize the older mice, while the opposite happened with the older bacteria. This suggests a strong connection between the gut microbiome's composition and our overall health. It's a reminder that our internal world is a delicate symphony, and the conductors – in this case, trillions of bacteria – play a crucial role in how we age and how healthy we are.