Bringing Life to Engineered Soils: A Microbial Approach

The Canadian Landscape Standard does not specify requirements for biological testing or protocols for developing healthy microbial communities in engineered growing medium. We are finding suppliers are reluctant to incorporate biological amendments due to uncertainty about impacts on soil chemistry, unpredictable costs, and absence of standardized biological testing protocols. This field trial monitors biological activity in engineered growing medium over time, evaluating amendment combinations and inoculation strategies to establish resilient microbial communities. The results will provide evidence-based recommendations for integrating biological metrics into growing medium specifications, supporting climate resilience through enhanced carbon sequestration and reduced dependence on synthetic fertilizers.