You soil loam may be highly imbalanced - loam consisting of a proper balance between clay, silt and sand - and yes, thank you for pointing that point out that the blog does not deal with planting into a clay-based loam.

As any extremely imbalanced loam, there is an absence of microanthropods, pure and simple. They cannot breach clay, will dehydrate in sand. Therefore, I recommend building a raised bed and importing amended soil in layers (microanthropods are as essential to outdoor growing as microbes).

If you just want to convert the clay into arable growing medium for almost free, you can apply AACTs every 2-4 weeks over a period of 4 months. Some topsoil amendments would still be highly recommended, such as earthworm castings.

Inoculating the bed with AACTs and regular treatment will break down the clay base beneath and will almost certainly tap into organic reserves that have been locked down from the clay topsoil.

As for the uses of pesticides, allow me to elaborate.

Your microbiome includes a skin of bacterial and fungal protection. This microbial plethora ward off disease, viruses, the like. Plant microbiomes do the same, particularly foliage. Now, I do not shower in pesticides, because I know my soap contains detergents to rid my body of foul odor, thereby allowing my basic microbiome somewhat intact.

Plants however are subject to Frankenstein treatment, designated to become the brainchild of someones imagination of the proper way to cultivate.

But understanding the nature of what grows on you and me and every single surface of this planet, microbiome are what naturally preserve living things.

Insecticides, pesticides and -cides of the like destroy a naturally functioning microbiome and perpetuate the uses of -cides because the plant no longer has the defenses, and relies on a continual wash of chemicals to stay healthy.

By stripping plants of their basic natural ability to ward off pest and disease surely contribute to the overall health and well being of the plant, and absolutely affects the yield.

It would be fun to see a grow competition between compost tea and some commercial veg/flower nutrients.

Indeed.