How Healthy Is Your Soil, Really?

Here’s How to Read the Signs—and Join the Movement That’s Changing Farming Forever

Healthy soil tells us when it’s thriving and when it’s gasping for life.

Farmers who learn to listen—really listen—start to see the invisible patterns that shape everything on their land.

At Farming Secrets, we’ve spent decades working with farmers who share one common trait: curiosity. They know that soil health is the foundation of their farm – every yield, every decision, and every dollar. But more than that, they know that observing soil isn’t just science—it’s an essential relationship. It’s how we reconnect with the living world beneath our feet.

You don’t need expensive lab gear to understand your soil.

Do you ever hop off the tractor and grab some soil? The best tools are already in your hands. When you scoop up a handful of moist soil, you’re holding a living ecosystem. Its feel alone can tell you a lot. If it crumbles easily, it’s sandy. If it ribbons between your fingers, there’s more clay. That texture reveals how well the soil holds water and nutrients. And it smells good too.

Over time, as organic matter builds, that texture shifts—becoming richer, springier, and more alive. Farmers often describe this as their soil “waking up.” It’s one of the most rewarding signs that regeneration is taking hold.

Moisture: The Quiet Test of Soil Resilience

Healthy soil holds water like a sponge and releases it slowly, giving plants consistent access even through dry spells. You can feel its bounce under your feet. But when soil becomes lifeless or compacted, it struggles—holding too little or too much water at the wrong times.

Simple field checks can tell you a lot. Dig down six inches and feel. If the soil’s dry, your plants are already under stress. Crusting or cracking at the surface? That’s your soil crying out for structure.

Pour water into a small hole and time how long it takes to drain. If it’s still there after a few hours, you’ve got drainage problems—and a clear signal your soil life needs attention.

These tests may seem basic, but done regularly, they build a record of progress. Over months and years, they reveal the real story: whether your land is healing or degrading.

Life Beneath the Surface: What to Look For

If you want to know the truth about your soil, look at what’s living in it.

When you dig up a small square—say, a foot wide and half a foot deep—count your worms. Ten or more in that space means your soil is in great shape. Fewer than that means you’ve got rebuilding to do. But the good news? Biology responds fast when you feed it right.

Healthy soil smells earthy and rich. You may see fungal threads weaving through the profile, decomposing organic matter, and a darker, humus-rich colour. Those are the quiet signs of life returning. And if you pay attention over time, you’ll see those changes spread field by field.

Roots: The Mirror of the Soil

Every plant’s roots tell a story about what’s happening underground.

When you pull up a plant, notice how its roots behave. Well-branched, vigorous roots show there’s oxygen, life, and space for biology to thrive. Sideways-growing roots reveal hardpans that block access to deeper nutrients and moisture.

Legumes are especially telling. Slice open a nodule—if it’s pink or red inside, your nitrogen-fixing bacteria are doing their job. Green or black means they’re struggling. The more nodules you find, the more nitrogen your system’s producing naturally.

Roots are your real-time soil test—free, fast, and honest.

Why Recording Matters as Much as Observing

Observation without recording is like planting without harvesting. You can’t measure what you don’t track.

Keep simple field notes: texture, structure, worms, moisture, drainage, root condition, and yields. Repeat these tests throughout the season. Over time, those records will show you something incredible—the living evolution of your soil.

Farmers who record their progress consistently see clearer patterns and faster results. They can prove, not just feel, that their land is regenerating.

And that proof isn’t just scientific—it’s deeply satisfying. It’s the reward for paying attention.