RhizoPhyllia Soil Food Web Experience

This is for corporate team building or parties only. It’s something different that might just change your life. We cover all the basics of soil and foliage microbes in our one-day introduction to the concepts of the Soil Food Web.

About this workshop

This workshop is designed for corporate team-building events or parties who want to try something a bit different. It could even be a life-changing experience! It’s ideal for any groups involved in rewilding, biodiversity, landscape rehabilitation, and any gardening-related organizations.

Understand the Soil Food Web, microbial habitats, and how microorganisms drive plant succession from bare earth to old-grown forest. Explore fungi, bacteria, ratios, rhizophagy, the ‘poop-loop’ and the basics of plant nutrition as provided by the microbes.

Learn how to prepare a sample for biological analysis in our allotment laboratory, then study the wonderful microbial world beneath the lens of a microscope.

Understand the role of pathogens and how they seek out weak and vulnerable plants. Have a go at BRIX testing to measure the nutrient density of the food you might buy. Explore common composting techniques, practices, and practicalities and work together to produce a compost extract. Take a look at bio-charged compost under the microscope.

What you’ll learn

  • The workings of the Soil Food Web and who’s who in the world of microbes
  • How to identify healthy soil or compost
  • To look at microbes under the microscope
  • Broad-spectrum analysis to understand foliar-related signs of a fully or poorly functioning Soil Food Web
  • Broad-spectrum analysis to understand foliar-related signs of a fully or poorly functioning Soil Food Web
  • The role of pathogens and how they seek out the weak and vulnerable plant
  • To test for nutrients using BRIX testing
  • Common composting techniques, practices, and practicalities
  • How to recognise a suitable compost without the need for a microscope
  • The process for successful tea brewing outcomes, such as ‘Peak Protozoa’ and what to do if something goes wrong

Lunch

Our delicious lunches are entirely plant-based, and prepared by our Vegan-Natural Chef, Courtney. Please let us know in advance if you have any special dietary requirements.

Teas, coffee, and soft drinks are available as required throughout the day.

Prices

Full day, including lunch: £1350. If 6 people attend, this equates to £225pp. If a maximum of 8 people attend, this equates to £168.75pp.

Location:

RhizoPhyllia Kitchen Gardens, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7ED

Sample itinerary

(times may change slightly):

9:15amWelcome and orientation.
9:30amAn introduction to the soil food web.
With the use of slides and videos, this session describes the soil food web and the way in which soil microorganisms drive plant succession from bare earth to old growth forest. We will explore fungi:bacteria ratios, the ‘poop-loop’ and the basics of plant nutrition as provided by the microbes. Next, we will introduce the soil food web microbes!
10:30amHow healthy is a soil or compost?
In this practical session we will examine samples of soil or compost. We will consider geology and climatic zone, look at sample colour, structure and texture, as well as smell and any other signs of life; we will also take a measure of pH and salinity.
11:15am

Taking a closer look.
Moving to the allotment laboratory you will learn how to prepare a sample for biological analysis. Then we will focus in on the wonderful microbial world beneath the lens! Will the sample meet your expectations gleaned from the first session? Down at the Compost Station we will look at a range of bought composts and prepare more samples for microscopical examination to see how they compare.

12:15amWhat are your plants telling you?
In this session we will look at the above ground, foliar-related signs of a fully or poorly functioning soil food web and chat through a Broad-Spectrum analysis. We will consider how to maintain optimal conditions for your microbial helpers and what biological remedial actions you can take when conditions become challenging for them.
1:00pmLunch.
Entirely plant based and a chance also to wander freely through the garden and home allotment.
2:00pmPests and diseases – a vital part of the soil food web?
In this session we will consider the conditions that enable pathogenic microbes and encourages pests. We will look afresh at the role of pathogens and how they seek out the weak and vulnerable plant.
2:45pmYou are what they eat!
We will prepare a range of shop-bought vegetables and fruits for BRIX testing – this is a measure of the nutrient density of the food you might buy. This session will illustrate how microbes working in harmony with plants deliver the highest nutrient density and in doing so protect plants from pests and diseases.
3:30pmRejuvenating degraded soil – common composting techniques, practices, and practicalities.
In this session at the Compost Station, we will discuss static composting and batch composting (thermophilic and JohnsonSu) using on-site examples. We’ll look at the C:N ratios of composting materials and discuss recipes for a crop of your choosing.
4:15pm

An introduction to extracts and teas and amendments.
In this session we will use a biologically rich compost and work together to produce a compost extract. I will explain how to recognise a suitable compost without the need for a microscope. We will then set the tea brewer running and I will explain the process for successful outcomes such as ‘Peak Protozoa’, and what to do if something goes wrong! How will you know if a brew has gone ‘wrong’ – you’ll smell it! During this last session we will consider amendments such as biochar, bonemeal, rock-dusts, and Effective Microbes.

 

We will finish this session with a final look under the microscope at a bio-charged compost.

5:00pmFinal thoughts and questions

This is for corporate team building or parties only. We require a minimum of 5 participants to run this course.

Please call us on 07376 238608 and we will be delighted to discuss details and arrange a suitable date with you.

Get in touch
“…A packed day of learning and fascinating content. I think the best part of the day, aside from the amazing home-cooked lunch, was getting to see our soil samples under the microscope. There really is a whole world beneath our feet and it was incredible to see it, as well as understand…why we may be having issues with our soil and the things we can do to remedy those issues. A very practical workshop.”
Katherine, Organiser of Small Change Festival, and allotmenteer

See what we've been up to lately...

Want to be the first to hear about new workshops?

As well as my upcoming workshops dates, you can get information, tips and stories from my back-garden allotment straight into your inbox.