On Friday 20th February, CAG Devon members gathered at Trimplants and the Blackdown Hills Eco Hub for a full day of practical learning about Creating a Micro Nursery and Practical Biochar Workshop.
Creating a Community Micro Nursery (Morning)
The morning session began with a behind-the-scenes visit to Trimplants, where participants benefitted from over 40 years of commercial nursery experience shared by Terry. Attendees explored challenges faced by the horticulture sector and how community groups are setting up micro nurseries, to grow resilient plants and food for local community gardens and spaces.
Highlights included making use of recycled/natural materials, compost mixes, compost teas, fermentations and how to make LAB to enhance soil biology / compost / breakdown dung and when diluted used as a foliar feed. Many practical tips, real-world insights from the nursery business were shared.
There was great appreciation for Terry’s depth of knowledge and his commitment to reuse. Nearly everything in the nursery has been repurposed or built from reclaimed or second-hand materials, demonstrating sustainability in action. Even the growing medium includes Dartmoor Sand — a by-product of granite mining on Dartmoor — showing how local waste materials can be thoughtfully reintegrated into productive systems. His long-lasting plastic trays, still in use after 20–30 years and supporting the innovative TrimTroff design, were a powerful example of durability and resourcefulness.
Participants left the session inspired, with many ideas to bring back to their own projects.
It was fantastic to see so many people taking detailed notes throughout the morning.
Practical Biochar Workshop (Afternoon)
During lunch and the much-appreciated soups, Vicky, a former organic farmer, shared her knowledge of nature-based solutions and how to nurture healthy, living soils while supporting local ecosystems. She highlighted the vital role of dung beetles in maintaining soil structure, fertility and biodiversity, adding another rich layer of ecological understanding to the day.
The afternoon’s Practical Biochar Workshop proved equally informative and inspiring
At the Blackdown Hills Eco Hub, despite the challenges in lighting wet wood, attendees saw biochar being produced using Dartmoor Dragons, Tawi Stoves and new kilns. The session explored how biochar improves soil health, boosts plant resilience, enhances nutrient retention, locks up carbon, can be used for water filtration, adsorption of PFAS/phosphates, nitrates etc. all while making use of local waste materials.
Ongoing Learning & Resources
The feedback from the day has been wonderful, with lots of appreciation expressed for the knowledge shared, the practical demonstrations and the welcoming atmosphere created throughout.
We’re looking forward to seeing photos of soil and plants as participants begin trialling compost teas, LAB, fermentations and biochar in their community gardens and growing spaces, continuing the learning well beyond the workshop day.
