When we think about nature, we often look up at trees, skies, wildlife, and landscapes. But some of the most important work for our planet is happening somewhere we rarely think about: beneath our feet.
Soil might look like “just dirt,” but it is a living system that quietly supports our food, ecosystems, and climate. Understanding it and learning how to care for it isn’t just for farmers or scientists. It’s something that affects all of us.
Soil is the foundation of almost everything we eat. It filters our water, supports plant life, and stores more carbon than the atmosphere and all vegetation combined. Healthy soil means healthier crops, more resilient landscapes, and stronger communities.
The amount of carbon that can be stored in soil depends on a few factors, but today we will focus on vegetation and human interference. In the image below, we can observe that the amount of carbon stored increases significantly in biomes with dense vegetation.
But how does human interference impact carbon storage? The tropical savanna is a great example. This is a biome with very few trees and sparse vegetation, so how is it a more effective carbon sink than the croplands? Grasses have deep root systems, and as animals graze, they return organic matter to the soil through manure and plant residue. This continuous cycle feeds soil microbes and allows carbon to be stored underground for long periods.
Croplands work very differently. Harvesting, tilling and burning agricultural waste breaks up soil structure, exposes organic matter to air, and causes stored carbon to be released back into the atmosphere instead of remaining in the soil.
Carbon can only be stored in soil if we give it time to decompose, for microbes to work, and for ecosystems to function as they were meant to. When we interfere too much or move too fast, that cycle breaks.
Healthy soil is alive! A single handful can contain billions of microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, insects, and earthworms, all working together.
Soil is made up of:
This balance is what allows soil to function properly. Microbes break down organic matter into nutrients that plants can absorb. Fungi help plant roots access water and minerals. Organic matter improves structure, allowing soil to hold water during dry periods and drain excess water during heavy rains.
Healthy soil also plays a quiet but powerful role in carbon sequestration. Plants pull carbon dioxide from the air, and when they shed leaves or roots, that carbon is stored in the soil, helping slow climate change.
Compost plays a huge role in boosting carbon sequestration by adding stable organic matter directly to soil, feeding soil microbes that create more stable carbon, and improving plant growth, which pulls more CO2 from the air to store in roots and biomass. This process builds soil organic matter, turning soil into a significant carbon sink, enhancing soil health, and reducing atmospheric carbon, with benefits lasting years from a single application.
Water significantly impacts how carbon is stored in soil.
Healthy soils, rich in organic matter, act like a sponge. They absorb rainfall, hold moisture, and create stable conditions where microbes can slowly break down organic material. This process allows carbon to be stored safely in the soil rather than released back into the atmosphere.
When soil is stripped of organic matter, water behaves very differently. Rain runs off instead of soaking in, taking topsoil and the carbon stored in it along with it.
Dry, exposed soils lose carbon more easily. Without moisture and plant cover, organic matter breaks down too quickly, allowing carbon to escape into the atmosphere rather than being stored underground.
In other words, poor water retention = poor carbon retention.
This is especially important in Kenya, where rainfall is becoming more unpredictable. Healthy soils create a buffer for both extremes: they reduce flooding during heavy rains and protect stored carbon during dry periods by keeping soil cool and moist.
One of the hardest things about caring for soil is that it doesn’t respond instantly.
Soil health builds slowly, over seasons. Organic matter needs time to decompose. Carbon only becomes truly stored in soil when it has time to bind with minerals and settle into deeper layers.
This is why practices that promise quick results often come at a cost. Frequent tilling, heavy chemical inputs, or burning agricultural waste may deliver short-term gains, but they disrupt the slow processes that allow soil to recover and store carbon over the long term.
More sustainable alternatives focus on working with these slow processes and using them to our advantage. Leaving crop residues on the field or incorporating them into the soil allows organic matter to decompose gradually. Practices like regenerative farming help preserve soil structure, protect microbial life, and prevent stored carbon from being released back into the atmosphere. Over time, these approaches build healthier, more resilient soils that require fewer external inputs and are able to withstand extreme weather.
Healthy ecosystems all share one thing in common: they give soil time to rebuild structure, retain water, and lock carbon underground.
In Kenya, soil health is under increasing pressure.
Many farming systems rely heavily on chemical fertilisers, which can boost yields in the short term but degrade soil life over time. Combined with deforestation, overgrazing, and poor land management, this leads to erosion and nutrient loss.
When topsoil is washed or blown away, farmers are left with land that produces less food and requires more inputs to stay productive. This directly affects livelihoods, food prices, and community resilience, especially for smallholder farmers who depend on the land season after season.
You don’t need a large farm to make a difference. Whether you’re gardening at home or working on a larger plot, you can still have a positive impact.
Food waste like vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells can be turned into nutrient-rich compost. Compost feeds soil microbes, improves structure, and reduces the need for synthetic fertilisers while keeping organic waste out of landfills.
Composting can be intimidating, especially when you are just starting out. In our blog post about composting, we have covered everything you need to know. Starting with the science behind it, the tools/materials you will need and how to troubleshoot any obstacles you might face in your journey. You can check it out here.
Growing the same crop in the same place year after year drains specific nutrients. Crop rotation helps balance soil nutrients and reduce pests. Cover crops (like legumes) protect soil from erosion and add organic matter back into the ground.
Using organic fertilisers, compost teas, or mulches supports soil life rather than disrupting it. Reducing chemical inputs helps microbes thrive, creating healthier, more resilient soil over time.
If you’re looking for a locally made option, Terra Safi compost is produced in Kwale County from organic waste, supporting healthier soils and a more circular system.
To make an inquiry, please contact us at 0746 35 35 35 or info@terra-safi.com
For the average person, learning about soil is empowering. It helps us understand where our food comes from, why farming practices matter, and how small actions at home, like composting or gardening, can contribute to larger environmental solutions.
The soil quietly supports our food systems, filters our water, and helps regulate our climate. That’s a lot of heavy lifting! Taking a moment to look down and recognise the living system beneath our feet reminds us how deeply soil is connected to our daily lives.
Remember that caring for the soil is an ongoing practice. You know the impact; it’s now up to you to do something.
Small actions, repeated over time, can help restore soil health and build more resilient landscapes for the future. Do you have any questions or tips that your fellow readers can use? Leave them in the comments below and subscribe to our newsletter for more updates!
