Guest article by Ing. 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 yet nothing seems to grow properly. The vegetables remain small, the soil seems dull, somehow… tired. For a long time, I blamed it on poor seeds or the weather forecast. Until I eventually stumbled upon microorganisms. And suddenly everything changed. Not overnight, but noticeably 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 the nutrient content. It lies in the microworld directly beneath our feet. These countless helpers – lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, photosynthetically active bacteria – do far more than fix nitrogen. They transform lifeless humus into living soil. They heal what we have thrown out of balance through over-fertilization, monoculture, and stress. And they do so with a humility and persistence that makes even the best organic fertilizer look outdated. Those who love their garden don't just feed it – they give it life.
Why conventional organic fertilizer is often not enough
For me, the smell of freshly spread compost used to be the epitome of healthy garden soil—and somehow, a source of peace of mind. After all, it was organic. So I spread it, mulched, watered… and yet, in some parts of the garden, nothing seemed to happen. The soil remained as hard as concrete, the water ran off like water off a plate, and the plants were susceptible to all sorts of pests and diseases. Only later did I realize: I had nourished the soil, but I hadn't brought it to life.
Because traditional organic fertilizers – whether horn shavings, compost, or sheep's wool – provide nutrients, but not life. They feed plants, but not the soil. Microorganisms, on the other hand, go much deeper. They aren't simply fertilizers – they transform. They ferment organic material, decompose pollutants, create symbiotic relationships, and build a stable soil environment. Without them, even the best organic fertilizer can't have its effect. It's a bit like setting out a buffet but not inviting any guests. And that's precisely where active microorganisms come in – they bring back the guests. The ones that 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... Once I tried it, it quickly became clear – there was more to it than that. The soil smelled alive, and earthworms appeared instead of moss. Lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, and their tiny counterparts ferment organic material 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 feels like revitalization.
What impressed me most was the effect on rock dust. Normally, it takes ages for it to release its minerals. Microorganisms accelerate this process using natural acids – completely without chemicals. It's almost as if tiny alchemists are working in the soil, breaking down minerals and delivering them directly to the plant's roots. For me, that's true soil art.
And it shows: The true 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 result was clear: By adding so-called "Effective Microorganisms," not only did the vegetation improve, but the microbial diversity in the soil also noticeably increased (2).
Another scientific study confirms exactly this: microorganisms actively help in the regeneration of degraded soils. Researchers were able to show that soils treated with EM contained more nutrients, exhibited 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 rebuild completely depleted soils – what can they possibly achieve in a "normal" home garden that's just suffering from a few years of compost stress?
It gets even more interesting when you broaden your perspective: Microorganisms also have a tremendous impact in the stable, during horse care, and in manure treatment. I recall a report from a farmer who spoke of significantly fewer flies, improved manure quality, and, above all, lower veterinary costs – simply because he used AM+PLUS (1). These interconnections make the bigger picture clear to me: Microorganisms are not an additive; they are the foundation. And yes – I now believe that the best organic fertilizer is not the one that contains the most nutrients, but the one that gets the soil life flowing.
The new generation of microbial soil power
What fascinated me about active microorganisms from the very beginning was this interplay between traditional farming 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? Perhaps a little. But the results are measurable – in the soil, in the plants, in the barn. The microorganisms in AM+PLUS aren't simply cultivated, but rather informed – essentially charged with diverse impulses that not only nourish the soil but also remind it of its fertility, its cycles, and its life.
I've seen firsthand what this special blend can do: looser soil, a stable crumb structure, less rot, and more vitality in the garden bed. And it's not just lactic acid bacteria, but a whole microbial orchestra – including yeasts and photosynthetically active bacteria. They activate soil life, help break down minerals, and initiate a process that has a lasting effect. For me, AM+PLUS isn't just a product, but a catalyst. An invitation to the soil to regenerate itself. And that's the big difference compared to conventional organic fertilizers: here, it's not just spread – it's healed.
What we truly owe our soils
Sometimes it's easy to forget that the soil beneath our feet isn't simply 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 its natural balance. Microorganisms like those in AM+PLUS are not merely tools in this process, but allies. They bring back what has been lost through overuse, haste, and inappropriate methods: true vitality. Anyone who has witnessed tired soil begin to breathe again suddenly sees gardening in a different light. It's no longer about yield, but about connection. And perhaps now is the perfect moment to become part of this cycle once more – with a watering can of life and the willingness not only to fertilize, but to heal.
Sources
(1) Steinkraft GmbH. (2025, April 6). Microorganisms in horse care – advantages 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
Brief portrait of the author
Matthias Jünger is a father, a passionate gardener, and the 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. Since his son Noah started asking him big questions with his little hands in the garden, Matthias no longer sees microorganisms as microbes, but as fellow inhabitants. In his writing, humus, heart, and attitude blend together – honest, connected to nature, and with a keen eye for what happens beneath our feet. Anyone who wants to know how soil can heal need only walk with him through the rows of garden beds.
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