Begin your soil journey here
Whatever's happening in your soil, we are here to help you rebuild soil health through biological soil analysis, compost extracts and regenerative growing practices.
We use a 3 tier system for our soil biology analysis, starting from £30 -£80 depending on your budget.
Tier 1
Tier 2
Tier3
Quick soil biology analysis £30
A qualitative snapshot of your soil's microbiology.
-
We'll look through the sample and tell you which micro-organisms are present, potential imbalances and issues suggestions for improvement
-
-
Perfect if you want to know who's home in the soil.
Full biology assessment £50
Get a complete breakdown of
your soils microbial life.
-
Fungal to Bacterial Biomass
-
Protozoa and Nematode Count
-
Fungal to Bacterial Ratio F:B
-
Comparison to recommended Ranges for your crops.
-
-
Ideal if you want to make comparisons in the future
Full soil biology analysis +
Soil texture profile +
PH acidity test £80
A more detailed soil analysis
-
Full biology count
-
F:B ratio
-
Nematode and protozoa count.
-
Soil texture triangle
-
PH of your soil/compost
-
-
Great for understanding your soil in more detail.
So what does this involve? You would send a message to us first using the form below and then send in your samples. (Sampling Guidelines Here)
Full biology analysis and Report This includes Nematode, Protozoa, fungal and bacterial biomass per gram of soil. The F:B ratio and comparison with recommended ranges for desired plant requirements.We also add a couple of paragraphs in the comments section where we go into a bit more detail.
Quick soil biology test This is a pared down version of the above, more a qualitative approach with 3-5 images of key organisms. We'll be able to give you an idea of the biology in the sample as well as any potential imbalances and issues we find and make some suggestions for improvement if needed.
Consultancy/Advice We use a sliding scale of pricing so that nobody gets left behind.
We offer a practical, scientifically proven approach to help you restore your soil to a
healthy balanced living eco system. Whether you want to reduce chemical input or just
want to boost your soil fertility, we are here to help.
So what does this involve? We use the Soil Food Web approach which involves looking at the soil as a whole. A holistic approach that works with the soil and plant together. Like the human body working with its microbiome, when in balance, the body is able to digest foods properly, think rationally and fight off illness and disease. So too, the soil works in the same way. A plant with a balanced soil food web, (fungi, bacteria, protozoa and nematodes), is able to tap into a higher intelligence. It can mine for nutrients, absorb and access water, store carbon and fight off pests and diseases. The roots become stronger and can spread deep into the soil. However in contrary to plants that are fed from above ground using inorganic fertiliser. The plant becomes dependant on these in-puts and un-able to mine for nutrients or fight off pests and diseases by itself. The roots stay small, the soil becomes tight when compaction occurs and the only biology that survives these conditions are bacteria, and some protozoa. Usually anaerobes, as there are no microbes to create pore spaces.
The idea with the soil food web approach, is to create the conditions that make it possible for the biology to thrive.
How do we do it? It all depends?
We'll assess your growing space and help you to choose the right tools for your particular soil type and budget. Depending on what works for you, we'll train you to use the tools, and continue to help you on your journey for success.
If you would like to have a free chat by phone to understand if this approach would work for you, please fill in the form at the bottom of the page
So why do we need biology in the system
Having a balanced soil food web in place, (bacteria, fungi, nematodes, protozoa,) means that plants can control the nutrient cycling that's happening in the root zone by investing some of their sugar and carbohydrates they produce, captured from the sun and air in order to feed bacteria and fungi, which causes these organisms to multiply around the root zone, then they get busy harvesting nutrients from organic matter and parent material in the sands, silts and clays which they absorb into their bodies. This attracts predatory microbes, protozoa and nematodes which consume bacteria and fungi. The wastes left behind from these predators contain an abundance of nutrients in plant available form that the plant can take up. This results in well nourished, resilient plants that produce nourishing food for us.
In Summary
-
The soil holds on to water (mitigates flooding)
-
Nutrient cycling in the root zone between the plant and the soil.
-
Stronger, healthier plants with deeper roots.
-
Plants become stronger and so are able to ward off pest and diseases.
-
Carbon sink (through the fungal network)
-
Less costs (save money)
-
Higher yields (healthy foods)
-
Biodiversity (restoring eco system)
This is after all the way Mother Nature has been growing food for billions of years
This drawing shows the stages of Succession
One of the tools we use are our bio-amendments expained in more depth below
Liquid amendments
Explained
Micro-organisms are extracted from our biologically complete compost into water.Extracts can then be delivered into the root of your plant by drip feed, soil injection, or watered in using a watering can.
The extracts are also used for seed coating.From my own experience this gives the plant some protection and enhances root growth.
Teas on the other hand are made from compost extracts and used as a foliar spray which protects the external part of the plant.
The Extracts are grown in a brewer with aeration and foods added. Bacteria, produce glues and fungi produce rope like hypha, so when they are sprayed onto the foliage they tend to stick on because they are growing. This is how they can protect the surfaces of your plant from pests and diseases.
Soil sampling instructions
-
You will need:
-
An apple corer or teaspoon,
-
Sealable bag for each sample,
-
Permanent marker.
-
Identify your sampling areas. There may be multiple samples to take if there are several different conditions of interest on your land. For example, if some of your crop is healthy and some diseased, those would be two separate sampling areas. Another example is if you have two or more compost piles, each one would be its own individual sample. And if conditions within a pile are not homogenous, you can separate these different areas of one pile into two different samples. -
Complete the following for each separate soil sampling area, or compost pile.
-
-
Brush aside any loose, un-decomposed organic matter from the surface of the area you will be sampling. Soil...
-
-
Use the apple corer or teaspoon to sample the top 3 inches (~ 7.6 cm) of the soil, halfway between the drip line and stem/trunk. The drip line is the edge of the canopy of the plant. Take at least 3 randomly chosen soil cores in each area and place all three cores into the same bag without mixing. Do this for each area you want to sample.Compost…..
-
For Windrow compost take 5 tablespoons for small, and 20 tablespoons for Take from different areas of the compost.
-
Add to plastic bag.
-
Label with date and , sample type and name
-
-
-
Teas or Extracts (Liquids)
-
Fill a 500ml clean plastic water bottle ¼ of the way with sample. Seal just before mailing with tape around the lid. (Run a test sample a few days prior to know that the liquid doesn’t leek or expand with gases.)
-
-
-
Make sure to clearly label the bag on the outside, including date, location, type of sample (soil, kind of plant sampled), the person who sampled, and any other information relevant to the sample. Use the permanent marker to prevent the label from being washed or rubbed off.
-
-
Do not fill the bag more than ⅓ full, and make sure to leave air inside the bag before sealing it, so the microorganisms have oxygen.
-
-
Email ahead to book slot using form and message above