Setup
Raised bed
Beds and raised beds offer high volume, strong buffering, and ideal conditions for stable living soil systems.
Setup Focus
What makes this setup unique
A bed or raised bed is one of the most stable setups in living soil. Due to the large volume of soil, microorganisms, humus structures, and nutrient cycles can develop and stabilize over the long term.
Compared to pots, the system reacts much more slowly to fluctuations and offers greater fault tolerance. Water is stored better, roots can develop more freely, and biological processes occur more continuously.
This setup is ideal for anyone who wants to work long-term and sustainably with living soil. At the same time, it requires an understanding of structure, mulch, water management, and the build-up of organic matter.
Suitable strategies for this setup
Diese Strategien passen besonders gut zu den Anforderungen dieses Systems.
Stabilization
Build a bloom-oriented top dressing
This strategy is ideal for plants in pre-bloom or early bloom when the soil is to be specifically supported towards flower formation. It helps to adjust nutrient supply appropriately without heavily overloading the system.
Immediate solution
Regenerate soil after stress
This strategy is intended for soil that has visibly deteriorated due to overwatering, drying out, heat stress, or general root stress. The goal is not to immediately add a lot of nutrients, but rather to calmly and biologically restore soil function.
Comprehensive Strategy
Reactivating soil life so that nutrients can flow again
This strategy is suitable when the soil appears sluggish, inputs are no longer properly absorbed, and the plant isn't thriving despite available nutrients. Instead of simply adding more fertilizer, this approach focuses on deliberately building up the system's microbial activity.
Stabilization
Balance calcium-magnesium ratio
This strategy is useful not when there is a clear single deficiency, but when the calcium-to-magnesium ratio is out of balance. It is suitable for diffuse problems with leaf structure, growth, turgor, and recurring deficiency symptoms despite generally adequate nutrient supply.
Stabilization
Stabilize calcium without major pH shift
This strategy is suitable when calcium needs to be supplemented without shifting the system too heavily towards calcium-rich inputs. It is particularly useful in existing living soil setups where stability is more important than a harsh correction.
Stabilization
Improve potassium availability during flowering
This strategy is suitable for plants in early to mid-flowering when potassium demand increases and bloom development, leaf turgor, or overall stability is lagging. The goal is to make potassium available organically and in a soil-friendly manner.
Long-term
Build up slow nitrogen reserves for longer growth phases
This strategy is suitable when plants need a stable supply for growth over a longer period and not just a short-term nitrogen boost. It is particularly useful for longer growing seasons, larger plants, and setups that should not require constant readjustment.
Immediate solution
Targeted magnesium increase
Diese Strategie eignet sich, wenn Magnesium gezielt ergänzt werden soll und eine präzisere Maßnahme sinnvoller ist als eine breite Kalkgabe. Sie passt vor allem dann, wenn die Erde grundsätzlich noch läuft, aber Magnesium sichtbar zu kurz kommt.
Stabilization
Targeted microbe feeding and active topsoil maintenance
This strategy is suitable when the soil has not completely collapsed, but the topsoil needs to be kept more active, vibrant, and biologically resilient. It is ideal as a preventive measure between acute problems and complete regeneration.
Comprehensive Strategy
Improve nutrient storage and soil structure
This strategy is suitable when soil degrades too quickly, retains water and nutrients poorly, or generally lacks structure and storage capacity. It is not an acute measure but a systemic improvement for more resilient living soil setups.
Long-term
Keeping no-till soil buffers stable
This strategy is designed for perpetually running living soil systems that are not constantly re-mixed. It stabilizes the topsoil, nutrient buffer, and biological activity so that the system is sustainable in the long term and does not slowly degrade.
Comprehensive Strategy
Keep topsoil moist and biologically stable
This strategy is suitable when the topsoil dries out quickly, hardens, or loses biological activity. It is particularly valuable in living soil setups because a protected topsoil directly contributes to microbiology, nutrient flow, and watering stability.
Comprehensive Strategy
Recharging Reused Soil for the Next Run
This strategy is designed to restore used soil to a viable, living state after one run. It doesn't just replenish individual nutrients but renews the structure, mineral base, and biological activity for the next run.
Comprehensive Strategy
Gentle complete rejuvenation for tired soil
This strategy is intended for soil that is still usable but has visibly lost strength, activity, and buffering capacity. It does not aim for a complete rebuild, but rather a broad, gentle overall rejuvenation.
Stabilization
Supplement sulfur in a targeted way
This strategy is suitable for setups where sulfur has likely become scarce or where calcium or magnesium supplements should be considered in conjunction with sulfur. It is particularly useful in reused or repeatedly cultivated soil.
Comprehensive Strategy
Build up trace elements and mineral buffers
This strategy is ideal for soil that has gone through several cycles, quickly becomes unbalanced, or repeatedly shows small, diffuse deficiencies. The goal is not just to supplement a single nutrient, but to rebuild the entire mineral spectrum and buffering capacity of the soil.
Immediate solution
Gently push nitrogen
This strategy is ideal if the plant becomes paler during growth, new growth is smaller, or the plant appears “empty” too early overall. The goal is not a harsh nitrogen boost, but a gentle, microbe-friendly replenishment, which brings back color, leaf mass, and growth.
Immediate Solution
Activate growth after a sluggish start
This strategy is intended for plants that are not growing properly after repotting, in cool conditions, or after a weak start. It gives the system a targeted yet organic boost without unnecessarily stressing the soil.
Immediate solution
Biologically activate the root zone after repotting
This strategy is suitable when plants have been recently repotted or a new root zone needs to be biologically colonized more quickly. The goal is to ensure a smoother, faster start in the new substrate with better root integration.
Appropriate inputs for this setup
These inputs are particularly suitable for this setup.
Mineral
Calcareous algae
for calcium and pH stability in living soil
Algae lime is a calcium-rich raw lime material of marine origin, primarily used in Living Soil to supply calcium, buffer acidic soil, and create more stable soil conditions long-term.
Mineral
Oyster shell flour
Slow-release calcium
Oyster shell meal is a slow-release calcium source for long-term soil stabilization.
Mineral
Basalt Meal / Rock Dust
Trace Elements & Mineral Balance
Basalt meal provides trace elements and supports long-term mineral stability in the soil.
Mineral
Bentonite
Buffer & Structural Aid
Bentonite improves water and nutrient retention and supports the structural stability of living soil mixes.
Mineral
Biochar
for microbes, water retention, and soil structure in living soil
Biochar is a porous, carbon-rich soil additive primarily used in living soil to promote microbes, improve nutrient and water retention, and create a more stable soil structure.
Flour
Blood meal
Fast nitrogen
Blood meal is a nitrogen-rich input for targeted corrections and powerful growth phases.
Compost
Bokashi
Fermentation & Soil Improvement
Bokashi supports fermentation processes, introduces organic matter into the system, and aids in the biological regeneration of the soil.
Mineral
Calcitic lime / Garden lime
for calcium and pH stability in living soil
Calcit lime, often also referred to as garden lime or carbonic lime, is a calcium carbonate-based lime raw material that is primarily used in Living Soil for calcium supply and to raise the pH of acidic soils.
Mulch
Cover crop
Living Mulch & Soil Activity
Cover crops protect the soil surface, activate soil life, and support regeneration and nutrient cycles.
Mineral
Dolomitic limestone
Calcium & Magnesium
Mineral input for calcium and magnesium supply, and soil stabilization.
Flour
Feather meal
Slow-release nitrogen
Feather meal provides organic nitrogen with a slower, longer-lasting effect than very rapid nitrogen inputs.
Flour
Fishbone meal
Phosphorus & Calcium
Fishbone meal primarily provides phosphorus and calcium for root development and flower structure.
Flour
Fishmeal
for Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Living Soil
Fishmeal is an organic fertilizer made from dried, ground fish components and is used in living soil primarily for slow-release nitrogen, additional phosphorus, and as a potent input for growth, reusing soil, and larger pots.
Flour
Barley malt
Enzymes & Soil Activity
Barley malt supports enzymatic processes, activates soil life, and promotes vibrant root environments.
Mineral
Plaster
Calcium & Structure
Calcium source to improve soil structure and nutrient availability.
Flour
Guano
Phosphorus & Bloom Boost
Guano is a classic living soil input for phosphorus, bloom support, and comparatively quick organic amendments.
Compost
Chicken manure
Nitrogen & Organic Power
Chicken manure is a potent organic input for nitrogen, phosphorus, and the revitalization of nutrient-depleted living soil mixes.
Plant flour
Insect damage
Nitrogen & Soil Life
Insect frass combines mild nutrient supply with biological activation of the soil.
Flour
Karanja cake
for nitrogen and an active soil life in Living Soil
Karanja cake is an organic press cake made from karanja tree seeds and is primarily used in Living Soil for gentle nitrogen release, increased soil activity, and as a versatile input for reuse soil and no-till systems.
Extract
Kelp (algae)
Microbes & Plant Hormones
Algae provide trace elements and natural growth hormones for healthy plant development.
Mineral
Kieserite
Magnesium & Sulfur
Kieserite is a targeted mineral input for magnesium and sulfur corrections.
Flour
Bone meal
Phosphorus & Calcium
Bone meal primarily provides phosphorus and calcium for root development, flowering, and long-term soil enrichment.
Compost
Compost
Humus Accumulation & Soil Life
Compost is the foundation of every living soil system, providing organic matter, microbes, and long-term nutrients.
Liquid
Compost Tea / Worm Tea
Microbes & Instant Vitalization
Compost tea introduces living microorganisms into the system and helps to quickly reactivate tired soil.
Flour
Crustacean meal
Calcium & Soil Biology
Crustacean meal provides calcium, supports soil life, and is a classic input for active living soil mixes.
Mineral
Leonardite
Humic Substances & Soil Stability
Leonardite provides humic substances and supports nutrient binding, soil fertility, and long-term system stability.
System Input
Living Soil Base
Pre-fertilized base for stable Living Soil systems
The Living Soil Base is the foundation for a functioning Living Soil System. It provides a balanced combination of organic nutrients while supporting the development of stable soil life.
Plant flour
Neem cake
Neem cake
Organic nitrogen supplier with additional effect against soil pests.
Flour
Alfalfa pellets
Nitrogen & Growth Boost
Alfalfa pellets provide nitrogen and organic energy for active growth and vibrant soils.
Liquid
Molasses
for microbes and active soil life in Living Soil
Molasses is a sugar-rich byproduct of sugar production and is primarily used in Living Soil to feed microbes, increase soil activity, and specifically stimulate organic nutrient processes.
Microbes
MicroBio+
Microbial input to activate soil life and support living E
MicroBio+ is a microbial input for living soil that activates soil life and supports the biological dynamics in the substrate. It is particularly useful when soil needs to be reactivated, stabilized, or given a microbial boost.
Mineral
Mineral Charge
Mineral input to supplement buffering, structure, and long-term nutrient base
Mineral Charge supplements Living Soil with a mineral component, thereby strengthening the system's long-term stability. Particularly useful for buffering, reuse soil, larger soil volumes, and sustainable soil building.
Mulch
Mulch
Ground cover & Moisture stability
Mulch protects the soil surface, retains moisture in the system, and supports soil life.
Microbes
Mycorrhiza
Root Aid & Nutrient Release
Mycorrhiza supports root development, nutrient uptake, and biological stability in the soil.
Mineral
Epsom salts / sulphate of potash
for potassium, magnesium, and sulfur in Living Soil
Patentkali is a mineral potassium fertilizer with magnesium and sulfur, which is primarily used in Living Soil for targeted potassium supply, for more stable flowering, and for replenishing depleted soil.
Mineral
Potash magnesia
for potassium, magnesium, and sulfur in Living Soil
Patentkali is a mineral potassium fertilizer with magnesium and sulfur, which is primarily used in Living Soil for targeted potassium supply, for more stable flowering, and for replenishing depleted soil.
Compost
Biochar
Structure & Microbial Storage
Biochar improves soil structure, stores nutrients, and provides a long-term habitat for microbes.
Flour
Rice bran
Organic Energy & Soil Life
Rice bran provides organic matter, supports microorganisms, and is suitable for active, living soil systems.
Mineral
Crude Phosphate
for Phosphorus in Living Soil
Rock phosphate is a slow-release mineral phosphorus fertilizer used in living soil primarily for long-term phosphorus supply, stable bloom development, and recharging reused soil.
Extract
Sheep wool pellets
for gentle nitrogen and vibrant soil structure in Living Soil
Sheep's wool pellets are an organic long-term fertilizer made from sheep's wool, used in Living Soil primarily for slow-release nitrogen, better water retention, and a sustainably more active soil structure.
Flour
Soy flour
Nitrogen & Organic Matter
Soybean meal provides organic nitrogen and supports active growth in living soil systems.
System Input
TopDress Bloom
Bloom-oriented top-dress input for organic follow-up fertilization in the flowering phase
Top Dress Bloom is a bloom-oriented input for organic supplementary feeding during the generative phase. It is suitable for supporting the system towards flowering performance without abandoning the living soil approach.
Compost
Vermicompost
Microbes & Gentle Nutrients
Worm humus is one of the most valuable organic inputs in living soil, supplying nutrients, microorganisms, and humus in an optimally available form.
Mineral
Zeolite
Storage & Nutrient Buffer
Zeolite improves the soil's storage capacity and helps to keep nutrients and moisture more stable within the system.
Want to first identify problems in your setup more precisely?
With the Pflanzen-Doktor/Plant Doctor you can narrow down common issues and get hints about which causes are most likely in your system.