Make your own Natural Fertilisers

Wanting to grow food or farm more naturally? Wanting to have a local approach to fertility? Curious to know easy achievable methods that are cost effective, or even free? Then come along and learn in this hands-on afternoon!

We will make Cow Pat Pit - what I call a ‘wonder tonic’. Suitable for a wide variety of uses from a soil conditioner, microbial inoculant, foliar spray, seed soak, tree paste, rooting compound, mulch and compost decomposition assistance. It is super easy to make, with good quality cow manure, biodynamic compost preparations, crushed eggshells and basalt in a clay brick pit. We will make a new batch of this, and learn how to easily care for it through the process. 40kg of finished cow pat pit can cost as little as $32 - or even free in time, by sourcing all materials locally. It takes us on eight hectares around nine months to use a batch, and we use it liberally!

Later in the afternoon we will delve into Cow Horn Manure. Also known as Preparation 500, it is a living substance which helps build soil structure, stimulates microbial activity and the formation of humus, assists in root development to greater depths, improves absorption and retention of water in the soil and begins to bring overall ecological balance in the farming or gardening system. Fresh cow manure is buried in cow horns in fertile soils through autumn and winter, transforming it into a potent and incredibly fertile preparation for the soil. We will take a look at it, how to bury it, and then stir and spread the finished preparation over the land.

The methods for these natural local fertilisers come from Rudolf Steiner's biodynamics - a holistic, ecological and ethical approach to farming, gardening, food and nutrition. Used worldwide, they are part of a modality that brings the mineral kingdom into balance and produces the most incredible tasting food, whilst caring for all that surrounds us. 

Although these methods include good quality cow manure, please come along if you do not have access to cows and are interested - as there are many people up and down the country who are happy to provide materials needed to make these epic fully natural fertilisers!

We will also speak into other methods throughout the afternoon, of herbal leys, green crops, manure based teas and slurries, as well as connect in a community of like minded individuals. 

Whether you are growing on a balcony, backyard, lifestyle block or larger land holding, these methods are scalable, and can be used in the home garden or commercial applications. Everyone is welcome, no matter where you are on your journey.

We will be outside for the duration of the event. Please wear comfortable warm clothes, and bring gloves if you wish. 

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About your host...

As a holistic food systems facilitator, Monique Macfarlane of Natural Wisdom teaches a variety of workshops such as biodynamics, planting by the moon, no-dig food growing, seasonal approaches to gardening and community-sufficiency. She co-creates with biodynamic, organic, regenerative, no-till, and natural principles on four hectares in Waihi that includes a small market garden, orchard, beloved cows, chickens, agroforestry and rewilding native bush.

Her heartfelt passion for food, localisation, and thriving nature is the foundation of her incredible offerings. Monique is an EatNZ Kaitaki, creates a bi-monthly cosmic gardening calendar for the Soil & Health Association, presented a keynote at the Goetheanum for the international Agriculture Conference, and finds her greatest joy in helping people back to the land, and themselves. 

Discover more at www.natural-wisdom.net