Letting the microbial superstars do the work, simple steps to build soil biology, with Dr Mary Cole
Update: 2025-07-22
Description
Dr Mary Cole has spent more than 40 years working with the microbial life that underpins healthy soil. In this episode, she shares what she's learned from a career in plant pathology and soil microbiology, and from farming using compost products, aeration and no synthetic inputs on her own property in Gippsland Victoria.
Mary explains how simple practices like aeration, compost, and soil and plant observation can make a big difference to soil function. She talks through what happens when we disturb soil biology, how to get started on improving microbial life, and why she believes we should all be working with, not against, the life beneath our feet.
In this episode, you'll hear about:
- What mycorrhizal fungi actually do, and why they matter
- How biology-first farming reduces the need for inputs
- Monitoring tips for farmers who want to learn more about what’s going on underground
- Why Mary suggests starting with your worst paddock, not their best
- Reflections on 50 years of biological farming, and what she wishes more people knew
Links and resources:
- AgPath (Mary’s consulting and training organisation)
- Our video on brewing biofertiliser: Watch now
- Our podcast episode on compost: Listen
- Other episodes on soil biology: Planting with purpose, Diversity is king
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