Sometimes the biggest changes in an orchard happen below the surface.

California almond growers face increasing pressure from limited water supplies, rising input costs, and soils that become harder to manage year after year. For Caleb Johnson of Johnson Farms Almond Shelling in Denair, California, improving the health of his orchards meant taking a closer look at what was happening underground.

Like many growers, Caleb had spent years watching crop residue accumulate. The assumption was that all that residue was helping build healthier soil. But over time, he realized something was missing.

"With water becoming a big deal here, and the organic matter increases that we have seen, it seems like really for years and years we have been building up residue and never done anything to make it organic matter. We thought we were making organic matter, but we weren't making organic matter; we were just making residue."

That realization led Caleb to focus on improving soil biology with Holganix Bio 800+. What began as a new approach has since become a standard practice across approximately 3,500 acres of his operation.

A Measurable Difference Below Ground

After incorporating Holganix Bio 800+ through his irrigation system, Caleb began noticing changes, not just in the appearance of his orchard, but in his soil test results.

For a California almond grower, increasing soil organic matter by nearly one percentage point in a single season represented more than just a number on a soil report. It meant building soil that could better retain moisture, improve structure, and support healthier root systems for years to come.

In a region where water is one of agriculture's most valuable resources, Caleb believes improving soil biology has become an important part of helping every irrigation event work harder.

Measuring Healthier Soil Below the Surface

For Caleb, the improvements aren't just visible; they're measurable. One of the tools he uses to evaluate soil health is a soil penetrometer, which measures resistance within the soil profile and helps identify compaction that can restrict root growth and water movement.

Before using Holganix Bio 800+, resistance was commonly encountered at just 6 to 8 inches below the surface. As Caleb continued improving soil biology over the following years, the difference became increasingly apparent.

Today, in many areas of the orchard, the penetrometer can be pushed nearly to the T-handle with minimal resistance, indicating improved soil structure and reduced compaction.

Healthy soil isn't just something you can see; it's something you can measure.

Healthier Soil, Stronger Trees

The benefits Caleb has observed extend beyond the soil itself.

As soil biology improved, he noticed healthier soil structure that supported stronger root development and more vigorous trees.

"Once you ruin your soil health, the tree health kind of goes with it. When soil biology is working, you see a lot of benefits from it. You see the physical structure of the soil isn't hard, isn't packed; it kind of crumbles in your hand."

That healthier soil has also translated into one of Caleb's favorite sights each spring, the first flush of green across his orchard.

According to Caleb, trees treated with Holganix Bio 800+ "green up sooner, with new growth that comes earlier, faster, and stronger than before."

Watch Caleb's 1-minute video featuring his soil health journey. Hear firsthand how improving soil biology has changed his orchard and why he believes healthy soil is the foundation of healthy trees. If you’re reading this blog via email, click here to see the video.

Almond orchards are a long-term investment, and Caleb believes building healthier soil today will continue paying dividends for years to come.

By improving soil biology, increasing organic matter, and creating better conditions for water infiltration and root growth, he's building a stronger foundation beneath every tree.

When asked whether he would recommend Holganix Bio 800+ to other growers, Caleb doesn't hesitate.

 For Caleb, nearly a 1% increase in soil organic matter wasn't simply a positive soil test; it was proof that healthier soil can create lasting improvements throughout the orchard.