Soil Science Weekender

Humanity is completely dependent on the 4 inches of topsoil covering the soil for all our food, and many of our other needs too. But what do we know about the soil, and why is it rapidly disappearing?

Join Myco for our Soil Science Weekender, where we will deep dive into what’s going on under your feet. This course will cover a theoretical understanding of key soil topics such as soil texture and profiles, soil solution chemistry, and soil erosion. We will also cover some in-the-field tests to help you understand the soil you are working with better. 

Who should attend

This course is aimed at farmers, growers, and gardeners with a keen interest in learning more about soil. When you register on this course, you will be asked to fill in a form detailing what you want to get out of the weekend, and a little bit about your current level of knowledge. Soil science has a lot of chemistry and many people might find it intimidating, but we are hoping to communicate about it in an accessible manner and meet people where they are at, and focus on areas that are the most relevant to you.

What is covered

• Managing soil nutrients
• Soil texture analysis
• Soil profile analysis
• How soil chemistry determines soil fertility
• Soil acidification
• Preventing soil erosion
• Bioremediation of toxic soils

If you are interested in soil ecology and soil microbiology, you might like our Soil Ecology Weekender, coming up the week after. The separate weekends are standalone, but they complement each other well. We are offering a discount for people who come to both weekends. Both events are subject to our refund policy. 

Before you attend

This weekend course will take place 31st Aug - 1st Sept, running from 10am-5pm on Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday. The course takes place in person at the Myco Farm based at Platt Fields Market Garden in Manchester. Platt Fields Market Garden is a working garden, which also hosts other events on the site. There are gender neutral toilets on site, including wheelchair accessible toilets.

Food and accommodation are not provided as part of this course, so please make your own accommodation arrangements if necessary. MUD, who run the Market Garden, have a cafe on site which sells food, hot drinks, and cakes. We will also have a tea, coffee, and biscuits at the farm. 

Please bring weather appropriate clothing that you don’t mind getting muddy, as we will be spending some time outdoors digging up soil.

You will also need paper and pencils to take notes.

If you have a hand lens, bringing it might be useful, but it is not necessary.