Living Soil Health Check

At Ecothrive HQ, we offer an in-house Living Soil Health Check—a microscopy-based assessment specifically designed for biologically active potting soils. Using the same sample preparation and method as our full Soil Food Web Biological Assay, this streamlined analysis focuses on identifying the presence and diversity of nutrient-cycling organisms rather than quantifying their populations.

Why Choose a Health Check?

In living soils and active substrates, microbial populations are constantly shifting in response to root exudates, irrigation, and environmental changes. These fluctuations make it less meaningful to calculate precise fungal-to-bacterial ratios or cell counts. Instead, our Health Check focuses on what really matters: is your soil biology functioning and cycling nutrients effectively?

By assessing the presence and morphology of key trophic levels, we can determine whether your living soil supports balanced, beneficial microbial life — or if signs of stress, imbalance, or anaerobic conditions are emerging.

What We Look For

Our microscopy assessment identifies:

• Nematodes — including their morphology and feeding types (bacterial, fungal, or predatory).
• General bacterial and fungal presence — assessing activity and distribution.
• Flagellates and amoebae — key nutrient cyclers indicating healthy, aerobic conditions.
• Anaerobic indicators — microbial morphologies that may suggest overwatering or compaction.

This approach provides a rapid, insightful overview of your soil’s biological health and nutrient cycling capacity — without the added time and cost of a full assay.

Benefits of Regular Health Checks

Routine checks of nutrient-cycling life within your soil can help you:

• Confirm that your soil biology remains active and diverse.
• Identify early signs of anaerobic or stagnant conditions.
• Ensure your dry amendments and supplemented nutrition are being cycled efficiently.
• Support consistent plant performance and long-term soil vitality.

Fast and Cost-Effective

Because we’re not counting nematodes, fungi, bacteria and protozoa, the Living Soil Health Check offers faster turnaround times and greater affordability, making it ideal for regular monitoring.

How to Submit Samples

Download step-by-step instructions for taking and submitting your soil samples via this link  - Living Soil Health Check

For more information about our services or to discuss your specific needs, contact us at info@ecothrive.co.uk.