Leaf, Root & Fruit Pty Ltd.

Carbon and nitrogen cycles are critical to life on Earth. Learn how both these cycles underpin the making of great compost.

During this workshop we will explore different composting methods and the science behind them:

• Cold Composting
• Bokashi
• Hot Composting
• Worm Farms
• Leaf Mould
• Chickens
• Commercial Compost

This workshop looks at carbon and nitrogen cycles and how they influence composting. It involves a combination of theory in a classroom setting, demonstrations and hands-on practical activities including:

• Demonstrations of the different composting methods used on the Kyneton site
• Creating a hot compost
• Setting up a new bioassay trial

By the end of the class you will have the skills and confidence to determine and implement the best composting methods for your own household.

Fantastic workshop. Great balance of information and hands on work. Interesting and practical, allowing enough skill development to start successfully composting at home. Thank you.

Rhonda H.

Workshop Participant

What to Bring:

• Enthusiasm for learning
• Your lunch
• Water bottle
• Notepad and Pen
• Closed toed, practical shoes (consider bringing gumboots)
• Appropriate Clothing as Kyneton can get very cold and wet in winter

"Lots of ah-ha moments. I particularly enjoy the scientific framework that informs the workshops. Digestible and relevant information that is easy to apply in the home garden.”

Lynne F.

Workshop participant

About the facilitator

I’m Duncan Cocking and I’ve been growing fruit and vegetables since I was four years old. I support others to grow food and reconnect with nature through my business Leaf, Root & Fruit. I'm passionate about reconnecting you to nature via gardening. I write about growing food and living sustainably. I'm a cool-temperate gardener and permaculture educator with 10 years of experience hosting workshops.

“Fabulous workshop. You know your material so well and are able to deliver it in easily digestible form. I learned things I didn’t realise I needed to know. I loved having the science explained to counter some of the gardening folklore I’ve accepted without questioning…”

Wendy P.

About the facilities

In 2019 my young family and I moved from Melbourne to make a tree change to Kyneton, a small town 80 km north-west of the city in Victoria, Australia. Since then, I have been busy developing a permaculture-inspired garden ecosystem.

The property has an onsite classroom, with heating supplied by a wood burner. A split system acts as a back-up source of heating and cooling. The light filled, colourful classroom is kitted out with a large screen for running presentations (I promise that these presentations are almost entirely pictures and rarely contain words). The classroom has basic tea and coffee making facilities, ample car parking and a dedicated toilet.

My demonstration orchard contained within a netted enclosure provides opportunities for workshop participants to explore all aspects of growing fruit trees, and contains many examples of espaliered trees. I have designed and planted an extensive berry patch, market garden beds and edible forest gardens. The kitchen garden demonstrates food growing in a more typical backyard setting. 

Participants from all over the state attend our workshops. I look forward to hosting you at this exciting event.