Guest article by Matthias Jünger, MBA, garden-shop.at | July 17, 2025
Organic fertilizer alone is often not enough—what soils really need are living microorganisms. AM+PLUS impressively demonstrates how microbial diversity heals the soil instead of just feeding it. Anyone who wants to understand why "the best organic fertilizer" is actually invisible should read on.
There are those moments in the garden that are simply inexplicable. You fertilize, water, loosen the soil—and still nothing seems to grow. The vegetables remain small, the soil seems dull, somehow... tired. For a long time, I blamed it on bad seeds or the weather forecast. Until I eventually discovered microorganisms. And suddenly, everything was different. Not overnight, but noticeably so over the past few seasons. The soil smells alive again. The plants seem stronger.
The secret to a truly fertile garden lies not only in its nutrient content. It lies in the microcosm directly beneath our feet. These countless little helpers—lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, photosynthetic bacteria—do far more than fix nitrogen. They transform lifeless humus into living soil. They heal what we have thrown out of balance through overfertilization, monoculture, and stress. And they do it with a humility and consistency that makes even the best organic fertilizer look outdated. Those who love their garden don't just give it food—they give it life.
Why traditional organic fertilizer is often not enough
For me, the smell of freshly spread compost used to symbolize healthy garden soil—and, in a way, a clear conscience. After all, it was organic. So I spread, mulched, watered... and yet, in some areas of the garden, nothing happened. The soil remained hard as concrete, the water ran off like a plate, and the plants were vulnerable to everything that crawled and flew. Only later did I realize: I had nourished, but not enlivened.
Because traditional organic fertilizer—whether horn shavings, compost, or sheep's wool—provides nutrients, but not life. It feeds plants, but not the soil. Microorganisms, on the other hand, go much deeper. They're not just fertilizers—they transform. They ferment organic matter, decompose pollutants, create symbiotic relationships, and build a stable soil environment. Without them, even the best organic fertilizer can't fully unfold its full effect. It's a bit like setting up a buffet but not inviting guests. And that's exactly where active microorganisms come in—they bring back guests. The ones who truly make the soil healthy.
How microorganisms work in the soil – and why this is revolutionary
At first, I thought microorganisms were just a nice addition to fertilizer. An exclusive "nice-to-have" bonus for maximum yield. But when I tried AM+PLUS , it quickly became clear – there's more going on. The soil smelled of life, and earthworms appeared instead of moss. Lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, and their little companions ferment organic matter and convert it into plant-available nutrients. They prevent rot, loosen the soil, and create a stable environment in which plants can truly thrive. This doesn't feel like fertilizing – it's revitalization.
I was particularly impressed by the effect on rock flour. Normally, it takes forever for it to release its minerals. Microorganisms accelerate this process with natural acids – entirely without chemicals. It's almost as if little alchemists are working in the soil, unlocking minerals and pushing them directly into the plant's roots. For me, this is true soil art.
And it shows: The real heroes in the garden are microscopically small – and revolutionary in their effectiveness.
Scientifically proven: Microorganisms make the difference
I'm someone who likes to keep both feet firmly on the ground—literally and figuratively. But at some point, I wanted to know for sure: Does what I'm doing with microorganisms in the garden really work? Or is it just a gut feeling? In a well-known study, researchers investigated the effect of microorganisms on depleted alpine grasslands—and the results were clear: By adding so-called "effective microorganisms," not only did the vegetation improve, but also the microbial diversity in the soil noticeably (2).
Another scientific study also confirms this: Microorganisms actively help renaturalize degraded soils. The researchers were able to show that soils with EM additives contained more nutrients, showed higher humus formation, and became usable for agriculture again in the long term (3). And that's the point that really got me thinking. Because if microorganisms can even regenerate completely depleted soils, what can they do in a "normal" home garden that's merely suffering from a few years of compost stress?
It gets even more exciting when you broaden your perspective: Microorganisms also have enormous effects in stables, in horse care, or in manure treatment. I remember a report in which a farmer spoke of significantly fewer flies, better manure quality, and, above all, lower veterinary costs – simply because he used AM+PLUS (1). These connections make the bigger picture clear to me: Microorganisms are not an additive; they are the foundation. And yes – I now believe: The best organic fertilizer is not the one with the most nutrients, but the one that stimulates soil life.
The new generation of microbial soil power
What fascinated me about active microorganisms from the very beginning was this interplay of ancient farmer's wisdom and modern microbiology. The product comes from the Loidholdhof farm in Upper Austria, where they work with a mixture of over 350 minerals and information from more than 170 plants – applied to a so-called "placenta." Sounds esoteric? Maybe a little. But the results are measurable – in the soil, in the plants, in the stable. The microorganisms in AM+PLUS aren't simply cultivated, but informed – charged, so to speak, with diverse impulses that not only feed the soil, but actually remind it of fertility. of cycles. of life.
I've seen firsthand what this special blend achieves: loose soil, stable crumb structure, less rot, more vitality in the bed. And it's not just lactic acid bacteria, but an entire microbial orchestra – including yeasts and photosynthetic bacteria. They activate soil life, help break down minerals, and initiate a process with lasting effects. For me, AM+PLUS isn't just a remedy, but a stimulus. An invitation to the soil to regenerate itself. And that's the big difference from conventional organic fertilizers: This isn't just spreading – it's healing.
What we really owe our soils
Sometimes it's easy to forget that the soil beneath our feet isn't just there—it's alive. And that's precisely why we owe it more than just a few grains of fertilizer. We owe it attention, understanding, and a return to natural balance. Microorganisms like those in AM+PLUS aren't just tools in this process, but allies. They bring back what has been lost through overuse, haste, and the wrong means: true vitality. Anyone who has ever experienced tired soil begin to breathe again suddenly sees gardening with different eyes. It's no longer about yield, but about relationships. And perhaps now is the moment to become part of this cycle again—with a watering can of life and the willingness not just to fertilize, but to heal.
Sources
(1) Steinkraft GmbH. (2025, April 6). Microorganisms in Horse Care – Benefits and Applications in the Stable. https://www.steinkraft-naturerocks.com/blogs/steinkraft-zeolith-blog/mikroorganismen-in-der-pferdepflege
(2) Li, J., Wei, J., Shao, X., Yan, X., & Liu, K. (2024). Effective microorganisms input efficiently improves the vegetation and microbial community of degraded alpine grassland. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38298535/
(3) Żukowska, G., Myszura-Dymek, M., Durczyńska, Z., Bik-Małodzińśka, M., & Roszkowski, S. (2023). Evaluation of the Efficacy of Effective Microorganisms in the Reclamation of Degraded Soils. Advances in Science and Technology Research Journal. https://www.astrj.com/Evaluation-of-the-Efficacy-of-Effective-Microorganisms-in-the-Reclamation-of-Degraded,182983,0,2.html
Short portrait of the author
Matthias Jünger is a father, passionate gardener, and owner of Garden-Shop.at – a place for everyone who sees more in the soil than just dirt. For him, true soil care doesn't begin with a can of fertilizer, but with respect for the life beneath the surface. Ever since his son Noah started asking him the big questions in the garden with his little hands, Matthias no longer sees microorganisms as microbes, but rather as fellow inhabitants. His writings blend humus, heart, and attitude – honest, close to nature, and with a keen eye for what's happening beneath our feet. Anyone who wants to know how soil can heal simply has to walk with him through the rows of beds.
