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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Undertake simple soil assessment tests
   • Prepare soil samples for testing
   • Use simple techniques to check the texture, pH, organic matter and soil life in the soil samples
   • Use simple techniques to read the probable soil condition using plant growth and insect or animal activity
2. Add organic or allowable nutrients to improve soil
   • Determine needs of soil for improvement
   • Add allowable additives such as compost, rock dust, manure and compost tea to improve soil
   • Use planting techniques such as green manures, companions, guilds and nurse plants to improve soils and plant nutrition
   • Protect the soil with mulch to maintain moisture and discourage unwanted growth
3. Monitor soil health
   • Monitor the health of the soil through the seasons
   • Ensure soils are not over dry or over wet
   • Avoid salting or greywater sodicity if watering with reused water
   • Regularly check for health of soil organisms, nutrient deficiency in leaves, and signs of pathogen fungal, bacterial or viral action on plants
   • Monitor soil improvement and plant nutrition over time

Range Statement

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Performance Evidence

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

undertake simple soil assessment tests

add organic or allowable nutrients to improve soil

Protect soil to maintain moisture and overall soil health

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Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

permaculture principles and practices related to soil health and plant nutrition, such as:

working with natural soils rather than importing soil

soil as an ecosystem

soil as biomass and carbon capture and storage

principles of sustainable horticultural practices

soil testing techniques, such as:

jar test for texture

ribbon test and ball test

pH testing

surface evaporation test

worm count

basic plant nutrition

allowable additives to improve soils, such as:

compost and worm castings

compost teas

rock dust

gypsum

green manures

manures/animal bedding materials

leaf mould

plantings – green manures, nurse plants

companion planting

dynamic accumulators

chop and drop

nutrient trapping systems

greywater use

organically certified products

methods of waste disposal causing minimal impact on the environment

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