Composting, Teas & Extracts – Building a Johnson-Su Bioreactor

Healthy soil is the heart of every thriving garden. At Gardners Bay Farm, we believe in working with nature—recycling what we have to grow food that nourishes both people and planet. This workshop dives deep into composting methods that do more than just reduce waste—they build living, breathing soil.

We’ll explore practical, regenerative composting techniques you can apply at any scale:

Traditional Composting
Learn how to layer kitchen scraps, green waste, and carbon-rich materials to create rich, aerated compost that feeds your soil life and holds water where your plants need it most.
Vermicomposting
Get to know the humble red wiggler worm and discover how these little workers turn your food waste into vermicast—one of the most potent soil amendments you can make at home.
Compost Teas & Extracts
We’ll break down the differences between teas and extracts, when to use each, and how to brew them safely to deliver a living dose of microbes and nutrients straight to your soil and plants.

Build Your Own Bio-Reactor
Roll up your sleeves and join us on the farm to construct a Johnson-Su Bioreactor—a static, fungal-dominant composting system that produces high-quality, microbially rich compost over time, with minimal effort or turning. This hands-on session will give you the skills to build one yourself, using affordable materials and space-efficient design.

We’ll also cover the foundations of Aerobic Thermal Composting, so you can choose the right method for your needs and context.

Whether you're new to composting or ready to take it to the next level, this workshop is about building systems that regenerate your soil, deepen your understanding, and connect you to the quiet magic happening underground.

TICKETS

Tickets to this full-day workshop cost $100+bf and include tea & coffee and morning tea . Limited to 25 participants.