Why Soil Health Comes First in Regenerative Farming
- James Burnett
- Feb 28
- 3 min read
In our previous post, we introduced regenerative farming at Seven Hills Estate and outlined the four principles that guide how we care for this land. This article continues that series by exploring the first and most foundational principle: soil health.
Healthy soil is not just dirt beneath our feet. It is a living system. When soil functions well, water infiltrates more deeply, plants grow stronger, animals thrive, and the entire farm becomes more resilient.
At Seven Hills Estate, soil health is not one task on a checklist. It is the foundation that supports everything else we do.
Soil as a living system
One of the biggest shifts for us was learning to see soil as a living system rather than just something plants grow in.A teaspoon of healthy soil can contain billions of microorganisms. Bacteria, fungi, protozoa, earthworms and insects work together to cycle nutrients, store carbon, and build soil structure.
Rather than feeding plants directly with synthetic fertilisers, we focus on feeding this underground ecosystem. When soil biology is supported, plants gain access to nutrients naturally and develop deeper, more resilient root systems.
This approach is slower and less visible at first. But like many regenerative farmers observe, the gains compound with time.
How we build soil health at Seven Hills Estate
Our guiding principle is simple: disturb the soil as little as possible and keep it covered.
In our syntropic food garden, we plant trees, shrubs, and ground covers in layered systems that mimic natural forests. Vegetation is regularly cut and left in place using a “chop-and-drop” approach. This returns organic matter to the soil and protects it from sun and wind.
Heavy mulching plays a major role. It:
moderates soil temperature
retains moisture
feeds soil organisms as it breaks down
Early on, we underestimated how quickly mulch decomposes in our warm, wet climate. We now mulch more frequently and more heavily than we first planned.
Across our pastures, we apply similar thinking. When grass is flail-mown, clippings are spread rather than removed. Over the past two seasons, we’ve noticed thicker ground cover and better moisture retention in areas that previously dried out quickly.
Compost as a soil-building tool
Composting is another cornerstone of our soil strategy. Manure from cattle and horses is combined with kitchen scraps, leaves, cardboard, and local green waste, including coffee grounds. The aim is to maintain a workable balance between carbon and nitrogen.
The finished compost is dark, crumbly, and biologically active. When applied to the garden, it steadily lifts soil organic matter without relying on synthetic inputs.These improvements don’t happen overnight. Each season builds on the last. As we expand into raised garden beds this year, this compost will play an important role.
Managing weeds by improving soil
Subtropical farms in this area face persistent problems such as blade grass, bracken fern, and giant rat’s tail grass. Rather than defaulting to chemical control, our focus is on improving soil and pasture diversity so desirable species can compete more effectively.
As soil health improves, we’ve seen pasture composition gradually shift. This is not instant control. It is slow system change.
Learn more
If you’d like to see these ideas in practice, we share much of this journey on our YouTube channel Life’s Better on the Farm, including our episode on regenerative farming.
For a deeper dive, you can also download our full regenerative farming white paper:
In the next post, we’ll explore Principle 2: Fostering Biodiversity, and why diversity is the engine of resilience on a regenerative farm.
What changes have you noticed in soil where you live?
Have you seen soil improve when it’s given time and organic matter?
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