Soil Microscopy for Healthy Fruit Trees with Matt Powers

Soil Microscopy for Healthy Fruit Trees with Matt Powers

Author: Susan Poizner, OrchardPeople.com September 30, 2025 Duration: 54:52

How do you know if your soil is truly thriving?
Soil microscopy can give you the answer by actually seeing who's living in your soil.
Learn how to identify who's there, encourage the good guys, and build a living soil that feeds your trees naturally with Matt Powers.

Matt is a bestselling author, an educator, a citizen scientist, and the creator of the website regenerativesoilscience.com.
He’s also a family man who teaches people around the world how to live more regeneratively.

The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website www.orchardpeople.com.  


Susan is the author of four books on fruit tree care. Learn more here: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/books


She is also the creator of five-star rated premium online fruit tree care education at: https://learn.orchardpeople.com


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🌐 Transcript: Read the full conversation at your own pace.

🌐 Article: Read the article linked to the show "Harnessing the Power of Soil Microscopy for Fruit Trees" and find the video and podcast links there too! 

 

✍️ Do you want to learn to grow organic fruit trees successfully? Sign up for OrchardPeople.com's free monthly newsletter at https://orchardpeople.com/sign-up/


For premium fruit tree care education visit: https://learn.orchardpeople.com/


FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GROWING FRUIT TREES THAT THRIVE:


✂️ How to Prune Fruit Trees:

https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-prune-and-train-fruit-trees/

🪲 Fruit Tree Pests and Diseases:

https://orchardpeople.com/protecting-fruit-trees-from-pests-and-diseases/

🌳 How to Feed Fruit Trees:

https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-feed-fruit-trees/

🍎 The Best Fruit Trees to Grow:

https://orchardpeople.com/best-fruit-trees-to-grow/

🌱 How to Graft Fruit Trees:

https://orchardpeople.com/how-to-graft-fruit-trees/


MORE PODCASTS TO EXPLORE WITH RELATED TOPICS:
Healthy soil (Bury your briefs test)

Homemade foliar spray

Regenerative spray

Biochar

Wood chips

Beneficial nematodes

These show notes may contain affiliate links to products. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!


  • (00:00) - #120 Soil Microscopy for Healthy Fruit Trees with Matt Powers
  • (01:19) - Exploring Soil Microscopy
  • (01:37) - Interview with Matt Powers
  • (03:04) - Understanding Soil Testing and Microscopy
  • (05:05) - The Role of Microbes in Soil Health
  • (11:08) - Practical Soil Testing Techniques
  • (20:23) - Water Quality and Soil Testing
  • (29:45) - Balancing Fungi and Bacteria in Soil
  • (30:37) - Introduction to microBIOMETER and Its Benefits
  • (31:38) - Understanding Fungal and Bacterial Ratios
  • (32:28) - Exploring Nematodes and Their Role
  • (35:16) - Amoeba and Their Interactions
  • (39:24) - The Importance of Mycorrhizal Fungi
  • (43:26) - Endophytes: Microbes Inside Plants
  • (51:07) - Microscope Technology and Its Applications
  • (53:54) - Conclusion and Resources

Imagine stepping into your own backyard and picking a perfect, sun-warmed apple from a tree you nurtured yourself. That tangible connection to the land and the deep satisfaction of growing your own food is at the heart of Orchard People. Hosted by fruit tree care educator Susan Poizner, this podcast digs into the practical and often surprising world of cultivating fruit trees, whether you have a few pots on a balcony or several acres to explore. Each episode feels like a thoughtful conversation with a knowledgeable friend, as Susan and her guests unpack the nuances of pruning for better harvests, managing pests without harsh chemicals, and understanding the life beneath our feet through soil health. You’ll hear from specialists on topics like grafting heirloom varieties, designing resilient food forests, and integrating permaculture principles into any space. It’s more than just tips and tricks; it’s about building confidence and community around sustainable growing. Tune in to this garden-focused podcast for grounded advice that helps both new and experienced growers foster healthier trees and more abundant yields, season after season.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 123

Orchard People
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