Annual General Meeting 2026 and "Soil Health" talk by Soil Ecology Laboratory

Sunday 22nd Feb from 4:40pm

RISC, 35-39 London Street, Reading RG1 4PS

We will start with the RFGN seed swap and refreshments. Please bring seeds to swap, cash donations are also welcome.

There will be a short AGM at 5pm:

  • Chair's report
  • Treasurer's report
  • Election of committee
  • AOB

We welcome new members of the committee so please consider joining us. If you would like to join, please contact secretary@readingfoodgrowingnetwork.org.uk

"Soil Health" by Soil Ecology Laboratory

The soil is teaming with microbes - if we let it. Modern agricultural and gardening practices ignore the microbes in the soil and forget that all the mechanical and chemical tools we use are a disturbance to the life within - to say the least.

Screen showing microscope image of soilShould we acknowledge the life in the soil? Should we let it do its work, and can it be beneficial? Can we influence it so that it works for us?

Soil Ecology Laboratory (soilecologylab.co.uk) has been working with farmers and growers across the UK and Europe, providing training, laboratory services and unique microbial and nutritional products.

Daniel Tyrkiel and Frida Mariana from Soil Ecology Laboratory will talk about their work with the soil microbial ecosystem. They will tell us how microbes cycle nutrients from decaying organic matter to our plants and crops, how they can stave off disease and increase resiliency towards drought.

Microscope image of soil lifeThey will also touch on their work with peat free growing mediums, especially on nutrient availability changes or moisture retention. You will also learn about the true value of home-made compost and answer your questions regarding best practices.

Daniel and Frida will bring a microscope so that if you bring samples of your soil and compost you may have a look at it. We suggest two samples per person, a sample being about a handful in a suitable container. soilsmiths.co.uk is where they promote their products for gardeners, which they will bring with them for purchasing, payments by card.

Donations towards the cost of the event and refreshments are very welcome.