RootShoot Soils

08/09/2026

𝑫𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑽𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝑭𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝑫𝒂𝒚 𝒂𝒕 Little Dog Farm?
Cover cropping, combined with liquid biological inoculants, has become one of Ian’s primary practices for rebuilding soil function across the farm. It has also become one of his main methods to maintain the health of his trees.
Learn more about how these two practices are being stacked to help transform once hard, compacted soil into a more structured, biologically active habitat.
↓ 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐲. ↓

Join us for a visit to Little Dog Farm, a 60-acre polyculture orcha...

08/04/2026

This potworm came from a mine reclamation site.

It was trapped outside the cover slip, so it wove its way through, pushing soil particles aside while leaving a clear trail behind.

Imagine this happening thousands, perhaps millions, of times throughout the soil.

Burrowing here and there, winding this way and that, building micro voids and highways through which energy can flow freely.

Relatives of earthworms, potworms are underrated soil workers.

They live quietly in moist, organic-rich forest soils, feeding on decomposing litter enriched with bacteria, fungal hyphae and waste of other soil organisms.

Through their movement and feeding, they immediately influence their surroundings by releasing nutrients and reshaping the soil’s microbial composition.

Here’s hoping there are many more of them out there.

07/29/2026

The multi-day intensive workshop on restoring soil health is back for this fall!
Together, we’ll look at how soil life supports plant growth, observe soil/compost microorganisms under the microscope, and learn how to use compost, compost extracts, and compost teas to support healthier gardens and growing spaces.
Register → https://www.burnabycce.ca/courses/restoring-soil-health/

07/26/2026

Trees can’t do all the work on their own. They need a community.
Hosted by FarmFolk CityFolk with Little Dog Farm and RootShoot Soils.

Join us on July 29th, 6:30 - 8 PM PDT for a Virtual Field Day at the farm.

→ https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cover-cropping-for-orchard-soil-health-virtual-field-day-at-little-dog-farm-tickets-1992262272086

07/15/2026

This is a free virtual field day event! Join us on the conversation.

Join FarmFolk CityFolk on July 29 to explore how cover cropping and soil-building practices can contribute to healthier, more resilient orchard systems.

Gain practical insights from Little Dog Farm stewards Cathy and Ian Finley, and regenerative soil and living compost specialist Jo Tobias of RootShoot Soils.

Register here 👉 https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cover-cropping-for-orchard-soil-health-virtual-field-day-at-little-dog-farm-ticket
s-1992262272086

| RootShoot Soils

07/10/2026

Compost extract is one of the simplest ways to turn high-quality compost into a liquid application for your soil. It's also a great way to extend the value of good compost, especially if you don't have enough material on hand to spread.

In this video, I show how to make a simple compost extract for small-scale garden use, when to apply it and why it can be extremely helpful for supporting soil and plant health.

Watch the full video on YouTube .

Learn how to make a simple compost extract for small-scale garden a...

07/08/2026

Soil fertility is typically measured through macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, while the biological processes that make these nutrients available are frequently overlooked 🔍

Soil microorganisms act as a “living nutrient engine,” unlocking nutrients that may otherwise remain tied up in organic matter, microbial biomass, or mineral bonds in the soil. Without strong biological activity, many nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and micronutrients, remain unavailable to plants 🌱

You can learn more in an exciting new resource on our Regenerative Organic Hub based on content from a ROO Virtual Learning session, created in collaboration with CARA labs and Dr. Yamily Zavala. Find it at https://cog.ca/content_library/soil-microorganisms-as-the-nutrient-engine-from-biology-to-plant-uptake/

07/02/2026

A free event on orchard cover cropping and (potentially) much more. Join us on the conversations with Little Dog Farm.

Ready to boost soil health in your orchard?🌱🍎

Join us on July 29 for a virtual field day at Little Dog Farm to see how cover crops are rebuilding soil, cycling nutrients, and building drought resilience. Plus, live Q&A with the experts!

Register at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cover-cropping-for-orchard-soil-health-virtual-field-day-at-little-dog-farm-tickets-1992262272086

-FoodCanada for Climate Solutions - Fermiers pour la transition climatique Dog Farm Soils

06/26/2026

New video up on my YouTube!
→ https://youtu.be/bW6HEq95NOk?si=ix1Edn_W1UIddu8_
The quality of your compost extracts and teas depend on the quality of the base ingredient: your compost.
Garbage in. Garbage out.
Brewing transfers what’s already in the compost into a liquid. If the compost is poorly-managed or lacks the biological foundation you’re looking for, your liquid blend will not be any better.
There’s a whole other process for brewing quality liquids too, but I won’t get into that here.

The quality of your liquid bio-blends depends on the quality of the...