SoilBioLab was started with the aim of providing choice to a wide a range of clients, including green keepers and grounds maintenance professionals. The specialist Laboratory opened in 2014 with a focused range of microbiological tests for soil, growing media and liquid additives. In 2016 the laboratory starts physical and structural soil testing services with tests designed to advance management practices to a more comprehensive approach.

The foundation of the lab’s approach is the maintenance of a diverse and healthy soil biological population and the team believe that if you start to measure the properties of soil, you can begin to manage it and greatly improve the quality of a playing surface.

Soil is a complex ecosystem and the organisms living within it are critical to the function and performance of the best turf-grass. Compost is an excellent amendment to boost soil biology levels, as well as source of nutrients to aid in root formation and plant growth.

SoilBioLab Director, Simon Parfey, says “It is possible for everyone to create their own compost if they are disciplined enough to follow some basic guidelines. We should encourage everyone to recycle and reuse their so-called waste.”

Using their proprietary soil health testing techniques, the laboratory can apply their method to growing media and composts. “Every day we study activities relating to different groups of microorganisms in many different materials. We apply these understandings to compost in order to determine quality and use this to offer guidance to clients.”

The success of new techniques and management practices is contingent to the provision of training and the staff actively promote the benefits of microbial management in soil care. Ongoing consultancy, in addition to training programmes that include basic microscopy have been key to developing partnerships with clients.

“Lab testing is crucial to be certain that you are using the right quality product for your site. Whether you are a park manager, greenhouse manager, farmer, green keeper or groundsman, we can help benchmark soil conditions before, during and after a trial or new management regime, like compost.”

If you want to adopt a new approach or need a fresh perspective to help invigorate life back into your plants and crops, in a cost effective and more natural way, get in touch today.