Well, Spring is here, and it’s time to talk about probiotic home gardening! 

If you're interested in growing your own fresh produce while also promoting good gut health, you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about probiotic gardening, including its benefits, how to get started, and some tips for success.

First things first: what exactly is probiotic gardening? Essentially, it's a method of gardening that focuses on cultivating a healthy microbiome starting with your soil. By using natural probiotics such as compost tea, worm castings, and other organic matter, you can create an environment that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria and fungi. This, in turn, can help to improve the health of your plants, leading to better yields and a higher quality harvest.

We call the microbes that inhabit our bodies, including our gut flora, the human microbiome. There are twice as many bacterial cells as human cells in the body. In fact, most of the DNA in your body is microbial. Our microbiome generally plays a beneficial role synthesizing important nutrients and hormones that are essential for our health. These microbes perform many of the processes involved in digestion of the food we eat and breaking down and removing toxins. The microbiome is essential to our immune system and our mental health.

A garden that is not well tended can get overgrown with weeds. The more you abuse it the more likely that only the hardiest of weeds will grow.

So, what are the benefits of probiotic gardening? Well, for starters, it can help to improve the overall health of your garden. By promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms, you can create a more resilient ecosystem that can better fend off pests and diseases. And naturally, you won’t be using toxic pesticides and questionable chemical fertilizers! Additionally, probiotic gardening can help to improve the nutrient content of your soil, leading to healthier plants and a more bountiful harvest. Which in turn, is beneficial for your overall health if you’ll be eating foods from your garden. As the saying goes, you are what you eat!

• Buy organic whenever possible, at least focus on the dirty dozen and making sure you look for organic.
• Educate yourself on the differences between conventional and organic growing methods. Here is a good Help Guide.
• Find a local Community Support Agriculture (CSA) where you can speak with the farmer and ask questions about how the food is grown and what chemicals, if any are used.
• When eating out, look for restaurants that provide organic options or are willing to provide you with information about their food suppliers so you can make an informed choice from the menu.
• Write Congress and ask them what they are doing to address toxic pesticide and antibiotic exposure in our food supply.
• Become a conscious consumer, evaluate carefully what you consume. And remember You Are What YOU EAT!

If you're ready to start your own probiotic gardening journey, here are some tips:

First and foremost, you'll need to invest in some high-quality organic matter. This can include things like compost, manure, and worm castings, all of which are rich in the beneficial microorganisms that your soil needs. You'll also need to invest in some probiotic solutions, such as compost tea, which can be used to inoculate your soil with the necessary bacteria and fungi. You may consider using Yield&Shield™, our revolutionary probiotic for garden soil. 

Once you've got your supplies in order, it's time to get to work! The first step in creating a probiotic garden is to prepare your soil. This may involve removing any weeds or unwanted plants, and amending the soil with organic matter to create a rich, fertile growing environment. You'll also want to make sure that your soil is well-draining, as excess moisture can promote the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi.

Next, when your soil is prepped and ready to go, it's time to start planting! When selecting plants for your probiotic garden, look for varieties that are well-suited to your local climate and growing conditions. See our post on some of the best vegetables for your gut that are easy to grow! Consider planting a variety of different crops, as this can help to promote a more diverse ecosystem in your soil.

As your plants start to grow, be sure to keep an eye on them for any signs of pests or disease. One of the benefits of probiotic gardening is that it can help to reduce the incidence of these problems, but you may still need to take action from time to time. This could involve using natural pest control methods such as neem oil or introducing predatory insects like ladybugs or lacewings. Stay clear of pesticides in order to protect your health!

Overall, probiotic gardening is a fantastic way to grow your own fresh produce that’s more nutritious than store-bought while also promoting good gut health. With the right supplies and a little bit of know-how, anyone can create a thriving probiotic garden in their own backyard. So why not give it a try? Your taste buds (and your gut) will thank you!