So this its where it’s all at- all those interlinking complex communities that make up the biology of our soil.

A major change in philosophy as happened in farming as we start to understand that traditional European farming methods (in both farming and viticulture)- tilling and adding nutrient from salt fertilizers kill the very organisms that will release vital nutrients from the soil. As we deplete those organisms from the soil, nutrients become locked up and unavailable to the plant, soil structure and water holding capacity is reduced and the health and volume of our soil depleted. Australian soils are so fragile that the effects of modern day agricultural on our soil health are all too easily visible.

These gorgeous little critters, bacteria and fungi, will grow soil for us; breaking down plant material into organic matter , sequestering huge amounts of carbon, and ,when they are eaten in the food pyramid , they release nitrogen and micro nutrients to the nearby plant roots. Perennial plants, such as native pastures, and vines can source up to 50 % of their nutrients from soil biology by -products alone. All they need is a healthy complex living soil.
So then our home composting then went from a good idea to get rid of waste material, to becoming a vital way to seed soil with the living biology we so urgently require to kick start the vitality of our vineyards.

Nothing is wasted, grape marc, winery cardboard and paper, domestic green waste, manure from our organic cattle, manure from local horse studs, council green waste and water from the waste water dam - it all has a purpose in composting. Made biodynamically, it has become a vital part of our farm management.

But it doesn’t stop there- there is never enough to go around. So we have started a business with another like minded farmer – Ed Turner of Frog Rock wines. We are composting on a grand scale now for the local area processing local waste materials and turning them into valuable living fertiliser- for more info visit www.mudgeecompost.com.au