● Programs

This flagship course takes participants deep into the unseen biology of healthy soils, revealing the microorganisms that drive nutrient cycling, build resilient ecosystems, and support thriving plants.

Discover the living world beneath your feet.

A Microscopic Journey to the Centre of your Compost

● Course highlights

Making the unseen seen

Open your eyes to a whole new way of looking at the world, and discover what life looks like at 400x magnification.

Make incredible compost

Get your hands dirty building a tried-and-true fungi-rich compost pile, and adapt the method to suit your own context.

Meet the mauri microbes

Learn to recognise beneficial bacteria, fungi, protozoa and nematodes - and understand how they are responsible for your garden’s fertility.

Analyse your own samples

Practice your analysis tools while looking at your own soil and compost samples, with the guidance of two Soil Food Web trained specialists.

At a glance

● Course Overview

What You’ll Learn

Combining online learning with hands-on microscopy and composting at Dignan Street Community Garden, you'll gain a practical understanding of the Soil Food Web and the confidence to apply these principles in your own growing.

Whether you're a home gardener, community grower, composter, educator or market gardener, this course offers a completely new way of seeing the soil.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

  • Covers all four modules (3 x online, 1 x in-person) and course materials.

  • Includes all three online Zoom sessions, but excludes the in-person compost build and live microscopy.

    Suits remote/distance learners still keen to understand the soil food web.

  • Available to members of:

    • Dignan Street Community Garden

    • Aotearoa Composters Network

    • Hua Parakore

    • Earthworkers Alumni

    • Garden to Table

  • If cost is a barrier to your learning, flick us a message.

4 sessions delivered both online and in person

Discounted prices
and scholarships available

Throughout this course you’ll learn to:

  • Understand the key members of the Soil Food Web, including bacteria, fungi, protozoa and beneficial nematodes.

  • Recognise healthy biology under the microscope.

  • Produce microbially diverse, fungi-rich compost using Growing Point's hybrid composting method.

Session Lengths

Pricing

  • Assess the biological quality of compost and soil.

  • Bring your own samples to observe and discuss.

  • Discover how to extract biology from compost through extracts and slurries.

  • Understand how soil biology supports nutrient cycling, plant health and resilient growing systems.

The course is delivered over four modules, combining online learning with practical, hands-on experience.

  • Three Online Sessions
    Tuesday evenings (typically 7.00–8.30pm)

    Delivered live via Zoom.

  • Practical Workshop
    Saturday, 9.00am–1.00pm

    Held at Dignan Street Community Garden, where participants work with microscopes, analyse samples, and explore compost and soil biology together.

Who This Course Is For

This course is designed for anyone wanting to deepen their understanding of living soils, including:

  • Home gardeners

  • Community gardeners

  • Compost makers

  • Market gardeners

  • School and education staff

  • Environmental practitioners

  • Anyone curious about the biology beneath their feet

No previous experience with microscopy or soil science is required.

Register your interest now

Our courses run two to three times throughout the year, as numbers allow.

Register your interest and we'll let you know when the next intake opens.

Get Started