Why minerals in soil are essential

Why minerals in the soil are essential for healthy soil, plants, and animals

What are soil minerals and why are they so important?

Soil minerals are the nutrients that plants, animals, and humans need to function healthily. Think of calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, but also zinc, cobalt, selenium, and boron, the so-called trace elements.

In healthy soil, plant roots and microorganisms work together in a complex system. Plants release sugars to the soil life, in exchange for precisely the minerals they need. This natural balance ensures that nutrients are absorbable and available in the correct proportions.

Without sufficient minerals, that system becomes imbalanced. Plants weaken, nutritional value decreases, and animals (and humans) develop deficiencies.

Trace elements: small but indispensable

Trace elements are often overlooked precisely because they are needed in such small quantities. But their effect is profound: they are the catalysts of life. Without these micronutrients, metabolic processes fail.

An example? Cattle only need a fraction of a microgram of cobalt daily, literally the tip of a needle. If this is missing from the grass, deficiencies and diseases occur. And this also applies to horses, plants, and humans.

Soil without trace elements is like an orchestra without a conductor.

Symptoms of a mineral deficiency in the soil

How do you know your soil is out of balance? The signs often come through the crop or the animal:

Poor nutrient absorption
Greasy or dull coat in animals
Excessive itching or flaking
Dominant weeds (such as sorrel)
Insect infestations or diseases in the crop
“Full” feed that still provides no energy

A plant that receives too much nitrogen via artificial fertilizer must excrete this excess – often in the form of ammonia. This smell specifically attracts insects. What we see as ‘pests’ is, in fact, a signal of weak plants in disturbed soil.

Building humus = activating soil life

Do you want to improve soil health? That starts with humus formation: building up organic matter. Humus acts like a sponge, buffers water, retains nutrients, and provides a home for millions of microorganisms.

How do you build up humus?

Use vegetable compost or digested horse manure
Add lava, clay minerals or rock dust for balance
Avoid artificial fertilizers and slurry, which kill soil life
Leave the soil as undisturbed as possible and cover it with crop residues

Soil with at least 4–5% organic matter is resilient, fertile, and resistant to drought and cold.

From symptom control to circular agriculture

Many problems arise when we try to “repair” individual components: lime here, supplement there. But the solution is not in individual products, but in a different way of thinking.

Circular agriculture means: working with nature. What you take out, you put back. Think of:

Composting your own manure
Diversity in plants and crops
Use of long-acting, natural fertilizers
Restoring mineral balance with rock dust or seaweed products

Living soil nourishes itself and everything that lives on it.

How can you improve soil health?

If you want to get started with healthier soil, begin with these three steps:

Analyze your soil
Have a soil test done for trace elements and organic matter.
Start composting
Use your own manure as a power source. Mix it with brown material, lava, and microorganisms.
Return minerals to the cycle
Consider seashell lime, lava meal, clay minerals, or Eifel grit.

Read more here!

Summary: healthy soil, healthy life

Healthy soil is not a given; it is the result of attention, awareness, and cooperation with nature. Whether you manage a horse pasture, grow vegetables, or simply care for your piece of land: the right minerals in the soil are not a luxury, but a necessity.