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– not always so good. He didn’t mind using chemicals – it was all the one goal. The whole end result of a wholistic approach is simple:
rage back then. Yep, I even remember joining him in the early evenings
– him dusting the fruit trees with DDT – to chase the nasty bugs that Feed the soil – not the plants.
wanted to destroy his precious fruit! I may be wrong about the exact
chemical but for some reason DDT comes to mind. The old wise one Yes – when the soil is nourished the transformation begins. This is the
wasn’t all that wise. He loved using granular fertiliser too – and other direct opposite idea to modern monocultural propagation. Once soil
pest and herbicides. Yes, I know what you’re thinking… maybe those building begins – the micro and macro organisms in the soil will begin
toxins affected my head in some way? their work – and any plants (and animals) added to this soil will benefit
directly and indirectly from what is happening in the soil. When we
Right so… that gets me right back to the idea of regenerative agricul- apply the above steps, the environment becomes a winner too – not
ture. What I have gleaned from all my research and studies is that the just those who are using the methods and practices. All good and well,
basic idea is to work with nature, not against it! Therefore, chemicals you may say – but where do we begin? Why not in the kitchen… in the
are almost never used in the conventional way. I will digress a little home? The simple answer is composting.
again. I believe one of the fundamental wrongs being propped up today
is the continued practice of monoculture agriculture on a large scale. Composing is as old as the hills. Ma Nature does it all the time. Think
Monoculture seems to only survive if it is propped up by constant of the woodland floor – the leaves fall – the composting begins. The
chemical application – artificially feeding and protecting the plants to soil organisms do their work and return the nutrients to the soil
keep the crops alive. and the cycle continues – a few seeds germinate and new growth is
sustained. Nobody does anything, the soil wasn’t disturbed by forks
And here lies the basic kernel of truth that ties all three of the concepts or ploughs – the same happens in the grasslands and savannas of the
together – regenerative agriculture, no-dig planting and composting. world – until man arrives. Therefore, when we mimic nature, we’re
They are three large ideas – many different people have many ways of onto a winner.
adding to the pot – a stewing of thought that may well one day end in
a process whereby we leave the place in a better state than when we Let’s get back to where we, as individuals and households begin. With
found it! You see – all these ideas, theories and practices lead to just composting. We can implement some of Ma Nature’s tricks at home.
Basically, the way I see it – there are two fundamental processes in-
volved in composting – with or without oxygen. Aerobic or anaerobic.

Aerobic: We make compost piles outside – these piles are construct-
ed with different materials – high nitrogen (green) and high carbon
(brown) material, adding manure in the layers helps. However, it seems
this method takes time and effort and the pile must be built to an
optimum size – often too large for the household back garden. The pile
also needs turning – to allow for oxygen to get into the material. Water
must be restricted as a soggy pile will turn anaerobic and stink to high
heaven – rotting, not composting. The conversion of the material al-
lows heat generation. This is essential as it helps kill off weed seeds and
other harmful plant/ soil pathogens. (I’ve included a few pics of my pile
in the making – and using the lawnmower to mulch weeds as I mow…)

Yes, this whole process can be too involved and or daunting for the
backyard gardener. Therefore, we have a rather simple solution – mimic
nature’s process – go anaerobic! This process works on a small-scale
– so, after a small initial investment – any household can get going.
There are obviously massive benefits – to man and the environment
but I have carried on way too long already – so, I’m going to turn this
into a series. Next month, we chat about the principles of EM – using
Effective Micro-organism and Bokashi composting methods.

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