Reducing Water Use with Heathy Soils

We are approaching summer and the season of Birak, which brings hot and dry weather. To help prepare your garden for the dry weather, we're hosting a workshop to help you create healthier soils. 

Come along for an interactive session and practical demonstration of water infiltration and soil compaction testing, including live viewing of soil microbes from samples in compost and from the garden.
By the end of this session, participants will have a deeper understanding of how healthy populations of soil microbes can reduce water use, and information to help them enhance populations of soil microbes.

The workshop covers the following topics:

• The role of a healthy soil in management of water – the carbon sponge effect.
• Assessing the sponge effect through water infiltration and soil compaction testing.
• The role of soil microbes in building a healthy soil
• Viewing these microbes – bacteria, fungi, protozoa and nematodes
• How microbes help build soil structure – implications for water use.
• How microbes extend the plant’s root system to gather water.
• How do you know if you have a healthy population of soil microbes
• What harms soil microbes.
• How you can enhance the diversity and quantity of soil microbes in your area
• Questions and answers.

This workshop is presented by EarthWhile Australia who are passionate about soil health and educating the community. It is proudly organised by the City of Belmont in partnership with Switch Your Thinking.