Landholders in the Peel-Harvey catchment recently came together on Fresh Tracks Farm in Myalup to learn from composting guru, Mark Tupman, from Productive Ecology. After lunch, participants got their hands dirty making a Johnson-Su Bioreactor; a type of aerobic composting system that, when built and maintained correctly, basically looks after itself!

Participants learnt about assessing compost quality, the different types of compost, steps in making compost, the benefits of composting, and how compost can be used on a large scale. Mark emphasised that compost is not a fertiliser, rather it is a soil amendment that can be used to improve soil health and function.

Made from organic material such as hay, green waste, manures and food scraps, good quality compost adds beneficial microbes to soil which release nutrients from dead organic matter, making them available to growing plants. A variety of compounds are produced in the process that stimulate surrounding biology, induce pest and disease resistance, and promote plant growth. Composting also increases soil organic matter, improves soil structure and water holding capacity.

After a delicious lunch provided by the Crooked Carrot Cafe, participants got their hands dirty making a Johnson-Su bioreactor; a type of aerobic composting system that, unlike more conventional composting systems, does not need turning, never has smells, and does not attract flies! Participants layered a combination of straw, manure, green waste and seaweed inside a mesh housing with punctured poly pipe placed vertically in the centre for aeration and to control the internal temperature. These materials will have started to breakdown, eventually turning into a microbial diverse compost that Fresh Tracks Farm can apply as an extract, use to coat seeds for planting, or apply directly as a soil amendment.

For more information see Productive Ecology – www.productiveecology.com.au.

This program is a part of Healthy Estuaries WA – a State Government Royalties for Regions program that aims to improve the health of our South West estuaries.

We acknowledge the Noongar people as Traditional Custodians of this land and pay our respects to all Elders past and present