“Mother earth never attempts to farm without live stock; she always raises mixed crops; great pains are taken to preserve the soil and to prevent erosion; the mixed vegetable and animal wastes are converted into humus; there is no waste; the processes of growth and the processes of decay balance one another; ample provision is made to maintain large reserves of fertility; the greatest care is taken to store the rainfall; both plants and animals are left to protect themselves against disease.”
Treatment & Restoration
Use high-quality compost and living liquid applications to support healthier soil, stronger roots and more resilient plants.
Exploring the worm bin. A mite resting on organic matter. Photo taken by Jo Tobias.
Whether you want to apply compost yourself or need help developing a treatment plan, start with the option that best fits your context.
Request Compost for Liquid Applications
Focusing on quality, not quantity.
RootShoot Soils occasionally has small quantities of high-quality compost for gardeners and small-scale farmers who want to make liquid biological applications.
This compost is intended primarily for making compost extracts. It is not sold as bulk compost for spreading over garden beds or fields.
What is a Compost Extract?
A compost extract allows you to transfer microorganisms and organic matter from a relatively small amount of compost into water, making it possible to apply biology across a larger growing area.
Compost Extracts and Compost Teas Are Not the Same
A compost extract is made by agitating compost in water to transfer organisms and soluble materials from the compost. It is generally the simpler and more appropriate option for gardeners and small-scale growers making their own liquid applications.
Aerated compost tea involves adding microbial food and actively managing the brewing process. Oxygen levels, brewing time, temperature and food quantities all affect the final product.
Because compost teas are easier to mismanage, I recommend that most customers begin with a compost extract unless they already have suitable brewing equipment and experience.
Before Requesting Compost
Watch the video below to see how a simple, small-scale compost extract is prepared and applied.
How Far Does 40 L of Compost Go?
A 40 L container of compost costs $55 + GST and can make approximately 10–20 small-scale compost extracts over the growing season.
For each 5-gallon batch, you will need:
2–4 L of compost
A 5-gallon bucket of water
A compost brew bag or a medium paint strainer bag, approximately 600 microns
A watering can
Place the compost inside the strainer bag and submerge it in the water. Massage the bag vigorously for 5–10 minutes to transfer the organisms and organic matter into the water.
Pour the finished extract into a watering can and apply it around the roots of your plants.
A regular paint strainer is sufficient for getting started.
Brew bags designed specifically for compost extracts are also available separately.
Request Compost Form
Compost is available in limited batches.
Complete the form below, and I will contact you with current availability, pricing and pickup details.
Submitting this form does not commit you to a purchase. I will contact you with current availability, pricing and pickup details.
What We Offer
On-Site Treatment & Restoration
For gardens, urban landscapes and growing spaces up to one acre, I prepare and apply the liquid bio-blend for you.
The service begins with an assessment of your soil and growing conditions to determine the appropriate treatment plan.
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I prepare and apply a compost extract or compost tea tailored to your soil, plants, and growing conditions.
This service is intended for people who want to use biological liquid applications but do not have the equipment, compost or experience to prepare and distribute them properly.
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Please submit a request for an estimate.
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Choose this offer if:
• Your crops/plants are more prone to disease, pests, have low yield and poor vigour.
• You need support in producing and properly distributing compost extracts or teas.
• You want to support plant vigour, root development and the biological condition of your soil.
• Your growing size is less than or equal to one-acre. For larger areas, make sure to check out our Regenerative Soils Consulting page.
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• Initial site visit to identify your needs and determine treatment logistics.
• Initial baseline biological analysis of your soil to understand its microbiota population. This information will guide the treatment plan.
• On-site treatment using our high-quality liquid bio-inoculants (compost extract or tea).
• Follow-up biological analysis to identify treatment efficacy, if necessary.
Request On-Site Support
I will review your request and contact you to discuss the site, treatment options and estimated cost.
“Since working with Jo at RootShoot Soils we have seen a remarkable increase in the number of pollinators and insects that have visited our green roofs. After applying her compost extract the plants were visibly very healthy and flowered beautifully. Jo takes a very client focussed approach to projects, you can tell she really cares about the soil health of your project and the relation it has to healthy plants. I would highly recommend working with Jo at every step of the process on the journey to making your soil healthier.”
Glossary
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: results from a well-managed, aerobic decomposition process, exhibiting amending, fertilizing character and containing diverse soil organisms.
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: requiring oxygen
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: breakdown of organic matter; rot; decay.
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: high-quality compost contains compounds that, when applied onto the soil, can be integrated into a micro aggregate, consumed by soil microorganisms, or produce larger molecules like fulvic acids, crenic acids, humic acids, etc.
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: high-quality compost contains bioavailable elements that, when applied onto the soil, can be absorbed by plants, absorbed by soil organisms, or held tightly on the surfaces of fine silt minerals, clay minerals or organic matter.
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: high-quality compost is not only about returning organic matter into the soil, but it is also about bringing back the organisms to replenish the life system of the land. Think of compost as a pre and probiotic supplement for your plants. Using compost is replenishing the microbiome of your land.
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: compost, compost extract or compost tea exhibiting amending, fertilizing character and contains diverse organisms.
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: an umbrella term for biologically active and diverse liquid inoculants made from high-quality compost (most commonly compost extract and tea) used to introduce and support beneficial microorganisms.
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: facilitating a decomposition process aided by the activity of microorganisms. As composters, we provide a habitat ensuring that the microorganisms receive sufficient oxygen and moisture to decompose diverse organic matter effectively.
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: the process of extracting the organisms and nutrients into water from the compost material. Used mainly as a root drench to better support the plants in nutrient acquisition.
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: the process of brewing a water extract of compost for 24 hours (or more) and adding microbial supplements to encourage the growth of beneficial organisms. Used mainly as a foliar spray for aboveground disease and pathogen protection.