Free-living nematodes (FLN) are a critical component of soil communities. Bacterial (bacterivorous) and fungal feeding (fungivorous) nematodes feed on microbial biomass, keep soil microbes in an active growth stage and contribute to nutrient turnover. While nematode-microbe interactions can impact plant health, this role is often overshadowed by a focus on some FLN to vector disease. The impacts of FLN on plants are mediated through interactions with beneficial and pathogenic soil microbes. The mechanisms by which FLN alter rhizosphere microbiomes and affect plant health are not well understood. Therefore, in this study we conducted a controlled pot experiment with purple cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis). Pots were inoculated with either i) nematodes (wild nematodes extracted from soil), ii) bacteria (enriched from soil), iii) both populations together and iv) no biotic component added. We monitored plant health throughout the experiment. FLN were extracted using the Baermann funnel technique. Amplicon sequencing was carried out on FLN DNA and extracted rhizosphere DNA using nematode-specific or bacterial-specific primers. In addition shotgun metagenomics was conducted on rhizosphere DNA. The presence of FLN increased plant height and chlorophyll concentrations. Leaf area was largest in pots with added bacteria. Nematode communities were dominated by bacterial feeding Mesorhabditis and Rhabditis species and these were heavily impacted by a lack of bacteria, which consequently impacted plant health. Microbial functions and nutrient cycling pathways were altered by the presence of FLN. These findings suggest FLN could be leveraged to create beneficial rhizosphere microbiomes for sustainable agriculture.