Bare soil is like an open invitation for nature to wreak havoc. Without something to shield it, the ground becomes vulnerable to erosion, nutrient loss, and even a total collapse in biodiversity. At Huckleberry Farms, we’ve learned this firsthand—thanks to a free-roaming flock of highly enthusiastic chickens. What was once a lush yard has now been reduced to patches of bare, lifeless-looking soil, the result of dustbathing, scratching, and the sheer chaos that chickens seem to thrive on. Lesson learned: exposed soil is not to be taken lightly.
This year, we’re taking steps to repair the damage and prevent future destruction. For us, that means laying down wood chips, focusing on regeneration, and turning to moveable fencing to contain our feathery excavators. Here’s why keeping soil covered is critical, the methods we’re implementing, and how you can do the same for your land.
Why Bare Soil is a Problem
When soil is left exposed, it’s at the mercy of the elements—and the consequences are anything but gentle. Here’s what happens when you let soil go “naked”:
- Erosion: Wind and rain quickly strip away the topsoil, which is the most nutrient-rich layer. Without it, plants struggle to grow, and the land loses its productivity.
- Nutrient Loss: With no cover to retain moisture and organic matter, nutrients leach away, leaving behind compacted, lifeless dirt.
- Decline in Biodiversity: Soil organisms like worms, fungi, and beneficial microbes are left without the organic matter they need to survive, reducing the soil’s health and fertility.
- Crusting and Compaction: Sun exposure causes the soil to dry out and form a hard crust, making it difficult for water, air, and seeds to penetrate.
For us, the relentless scratching and dustbathing of our chickens exacerbated these issues, and now we’re left scrambling to undo the damage.
The Benefits of Covered Soil
Keeping soil covered isn’t just a quick fix—it’s a long-term solution with a host of benefits:
- Moisture Retention: Covering the soil reduces evaporation, helping it retain water and keeping it accessible for plants.
- Erosion Prevention: Mulch, cover crops, or other protective layers act as a barrier, preventing wind and water from washing away the topsoil.
- Nutrient Preservation: Organic matter on the soil surface breaks down slowly, feeding the soil and fostering healthy microbial activity.
- Weed Suppression: A covered surface means less room for unwanted weeds to take hold.
- Biodiversity Boost: Healthy, covered soil encourages a thriving ecosystem of organisms that aerate the soil and break down organic material.
Methods for Protecting Your Soil
To help our yard recover—and to prevent further damage—we’re implementing several methods to keep the soil covered and healthy.
1. Mulching
Mulch is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect bare soil. This spring, we’re covering as many exposed areas as possible with wood chips. Here’s why mulch is a game changer:
- Organic Matter: Wood chips break down over time, enriching the soil with organic material.
- Temperature Regulation: Mulch insulates the soil, keeping it cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
- Moisture Retention: A layer of mulch helps prevent evaporation and keeps the soil moist.
We’re hoping that as the wood chips decompose, seeds in the latent seed bank will sprout, bringing a bit of greenery back to the bare spots.
2. Cover Crops
If you’ve got the time and space, planting cover crops is an excellent way to restore soil health. These fast-growing plants (like clover, vetch, or rye) provide a living cover, protecting the soil from erosion while adding nutrients as they decompose. Cover crops also suppress weeds and improve soil structure. While it might not be practical for our entire yard, we’re considering adding cover crops to particularly bare areas.
3. Deep Bedding for Chickens
To keep our chickens from creating more havoc this year, we’re moving them to a contained space and utilizing the deep bedding method. By layering wood shavings, leaves, and other organic matter in their coop and run, we can create a micro-ecosystem where the chickens themselves help turn the bedding into rich compost. This not only reduces the impact on our yard but also provides a steady source of organic material for future soil enrichment.
4. Moveable Fencing
Our feathery yard warriors are getting a new “lease” on life—literally. We’ll be using moveable fencing to rotate their grazing area, ensuring they don’t spend too much time in one spot. This approach allows us to manage the impact of their scratching and pecking, while still letting them enjoy fresh forage.
5. Composting
If mulching and cover crops aren’t feasible for an area, spreading well-aged compost can be another effective option. Compost not only covers the soil but also jumpstarts the process of adding nutrients and organic matter.
A Lesson Learned the Hard Way
Looking back on last year’s free-roaming flock experiment, it’s clear that we underestimated the power of chickens to destroy vegetation. What started as a lush yard is now a patchwork of bare soil. While we can’t turn back time, we can take steps to repair the damage and learn from our mistakes. By focusing on soil health and containment, we’re determined to make this year one of regeneration and recovery.
The Bottom Line
Bare soil is a problem, but it’s also an opportunity. With methods like mulching, cover crops, deep bedding, and moveable fencing, it’s possible to protect and restore your soil, even after significant damage. Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving garden or farm, and every effort to care for it pays dividends in plant growth, biodiversity, and sustainability.
If you’re grappling with bare patches of soil, take heart. Whether it’s wood chips, deep bedding, or some resilient latent seeds, nature has a way of bouncing back—sometimes with a little help from us.
