The work is devoted to a comparative analysis of the quantitative and qualitative microbiological composition of soils on the territory of the former Timiryazev gardens in the Dolgorukovsky district of the Lipetsk region. The samples were taken from sites where old apple trees and recultivated soils grow, differing in their properties and composition of microorganisms. The article presents the results of identification of such groups of microorganisms as ammonifying bacteria (total microbial number), microscopic fungi, actinomycetes, nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, cellulolytics.