Two Day | Soil Testing and Fertiliser Making | 13th to 14th April 2024

Description

Tutors: Kay Baxter and Paul Rutledge. 

Join us for a comprehensive workshop where you’ll learn how to conduct soil and plant testing, as well as create your own balanced fertiliser using materials sourced from your garden or local surroundings with the help of the Kōanga Compost Calculator.

At Kōanga, we have embarked on an enlightening journey to eliminate the use of industrial fertilizers in all of our seed gardens and food gardens. To achieve this, we have developed a Compost Calculator that guides us in determining the necessary additions to our existing materials. This ensures that we maintain the right mineral balance and relationships within our compost, effectively replenishing the minerals extracted by our food plants while simultaneously promoting carbon buildup in the soil.

This transformative journey and workshop will empower you with the skills to engage in the following practices:

1. Crafting your own Fish Hydrolysate
2. Creating your own BioFert
3. Exploring various Compost recipes (including the production of Biochar and the creation of Bone char or ash)

During this workshop, you will actively participate in:

1. Making fish hydrolysate
2. Producing BioFert
3. Creating a range of Compost recipes
4. Crafting Biochar
5. Formulating Bone char
6. Generating Bone ash

Moreover, you will gain valuable knowledge in utilizing the following tools to enhance your gardening expertise:

1. Learning to use a refractometer to analyze the dynamics within your garden
2. Understanding the effective utilization of a sap pH meter to cater to your plants’ specific needs
3. Mastering the utilization of a conductivity meter to help evaluate soil and plant health.

These tools, while simple and affordable, enable you to make informed decisions in enhancing soil and plant vitality without relying solely on soil tests or industrial fertilizers. This workshop promises to be an extraordinary experience, particularly for those who have been connected to Kōanga for some time and are already on a similar journey. 

As a special offer, attendees of this in-person workshop will receive a 15% discount for our online, on-demand Growing Nutrient Dense Food workshop. We look forward to welcoming you here at Kōanga Institute. 

Itinerary

Saturday 13th + Sunday 14th April: 9am to 4pm both days 

Meals Provided

Saturday 13th: Morning Tea – Lunch – Afternoon Tea – Dinner

Sunday 14th: Breakfast – Morning Tea – Lunch – Afternoon Tea

Catered Meals During the Workshop: We understand the significance of food in ecosystems, cultures, and health. That’s why all the meals provided during the workshop are thoughtfully sourced and prepared. While we cannot accommodate specific food preferences or intolerances, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] if you have any concerns or queries.

At Kōanga, we recognize the vital role of food in ecosystems, cultures, communities, and our overall health. Therefore, all the meals served during our courses adhere to these principles:

• Locally sourced
• Organic
• Unrefined
• Nutrient-dense
• Traditional
• Prepared following the principles of Weston A. Price

For your convenience, we offer very basic camping facilities on-site, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the experience. Alternatively, you can opt to stay in Wairoa at your own cost. If you’re travelling from afar and need accommodation the night before or after the workshop, kindly inform us in advance. During this time, participants usually arrange their own food and cooking facilities.

We look forward to welcoming you here at Kōanga Institute.