Putting Compost Tea Under The Microscope

Featuring: David Davidson, Don Cane, Gerhard Grasser, John Bedwell, Yonke Cane

In this walk we revisit the farms of David Davidson, Yonke & Don Cane and John Bedwell to look more closely at how compost teas – vermicompost teas in particular – are being made and used.

This time we have with us Gerhard Grosser and his microscope to look at the teas more closely.
After a quick look to see how David‘s paddocks are performing after the application of vermicompost teas and vermicast, we look at his new simple and low energy system of providing material for his worms.

Over the road we find that Yonke too has added new systems on her farm and this time we meet Don, her husband who is now a worm compost enthusiast! Being a plumber his skills have come to the fore in building a brewer which is connected to a vortex stirring machine as well.

Keen to have their brews tested. we head up the road to meet John Bedwell who is waiting also with a sample of his latest brew ready to go under the microscope. What follows is a general discussion on various aspects of compost teas and the benefits of using a microscope to check them. Both Gerhard and John tell us about the role of various microbes. Gerhard also shows how to use the microscope to see the various layers and the importance of testing.

Then it’s out to John’s paddock to look at what has happened in the last 12 months. He too has a new system of rotational grazing which is allowing stronger and more varied plant growth with less weeds and worry about pests.