Sustainable Management of Living Soils

This 2 day course will provide participants with an understanding of the importance of living soil to their organisation and business. It will give an overview on the benefits of soil organic matter and its contribution to soil health. During the course we will sample soil and learn of tools which can be used onsite and using basic lab equipment to monitor soil health. On the second day we will look in depth into strategies for improving soil life such as making compost and brewing compost teas. Participants will leave with a practical experience in strategies to improve soil organic matter and soil life.

Course aims:

During the course you will learn:

• The importance of soil organic matter and soil life to the health of plants, enterprise and planet
• How to sample and assess soil organic matter and soil life
• Strategies to improve soil organic matter and soil life: Making compost and compost teas

Topics covered:

• The role of organic matter and soil ecology in promoting plant and planet health.
• The relationship of soil bacteria and fungi to different crops
• Interpreting soil sample tests and acting on the results
• Making and using good quality compost
• Brewing and using different compost teas
• Cover crops, no-dig, mulch and minimum till strategies

Day 1

• AM Recap - soil organic matter and soil ecology- role of soil OM and soil life in maintaining and promoting plant and planet health. Discussion, case studies (look at 'For the love of Soil'), how has the 1 day course changed your practices? Soil web of life- different soil microbes.
• AM - Talk by Nick from the soil lab about sampling, testing methods and how to interpret the results
• PM  - Soil Lab practical- Nick from Mycolife will show how soil samples are tested and the group will look at soil samples to assess for nematodes, protozoa and other soil life.

Day 2

• AM - Compost making theory and practical.
• PM - Compost tea brewing and application of a tea previously done.
• PM - Discussion on additional strategies for regenerative soil management: mulch and no-dig/min till and green manures. Looking at different horticultural settings: public ornamental garden, sports venue, production horticulture. Including case studies.

Course Cost

£295 for the two day course.