Cool Compost

Episode 2: How Aussie vegetable growers can transform crops with commercial compost

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When it comes to growing vegetables and other horticulture crops, soil health is vital. So, it's important to put nutrient-rich plant material back into the soil using recycled organics like compost. It builds soil health, structure and water holding capacity.

In this episode, we talk to a vegetable grower who trialled compost made from supermarket food waste. And we hear from experts about the growing opportunities for the horticulture industry as food and garden organics waste collection ramps up across NSW.


Tune in to learn

  • How compost makes soil more resilient and able to cope with heavy rainfall, high temperatures and drought. (02:16)


    • How vegetable and herb grower Damien Lin trialled quality compost made from food waste supplied by Harris Farm Markets. (05:18)


      • How successful demonstration trials around NSW have proven that compost can have economic benefits and increase soil health, organic matter, and yield. (8:14)


        • How a lack of awareness of compost and the benefits of using it has limited uptake across the agriculture sector to date – and how this is set to change. (15:42)


          • How vegetable growers and other horticulture industries can get started with compost – and what to consider when sourcing and applying it. (17:58)


            • About our guests

            • Angus Johnston is the founder and director of BioCarbon Soil. biocarbonsoil.com.au


              • Damien Lin is a vegetable and herb grower in Mangrove Mountain, NSW.


                • Courtney McGregor is the sustainability project lead at Harris Farm Markets. harrisfarm.com.au


                  • Liam Southam-Rogers is an environmental scientist at Applied Horticulture Research. ahr.com.au


                    • Elisabeth Blik is an environmental consultant and educator wildblueglobal.com.au


                      • Resources and links

                      • To learn more, visit circularag.com.au/compost
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                        Cool CompostBy NSW Environment Protection Authority