Season 1
EPISODE 7
In this episode of Land Language, hosts Brit Sastrawidjaya and Bethany Rydmark sit down with soil consultant, microbiology specialist, and founder of Humankind Oregon, Nick Tomasini, to demystify soil health for real-world landscapes. From naked construction sites and scraped topsoil to raised beds and long-neglected lawns, Nick shares how to read soil, how to test it, and what actually moves the needle for long-term plant resilience.
“The best soil strategy is the one crews can actually repeat on every job.”
—Nick Tomasini
Together, they walk through the intertwined worlds of soil structure, mineral balance, and microbiology, starting with compaction and calcium–magnesium ratios, then zooming out to carbon pools, microbial communities, and the soil food web. Nick breaks down the difference between standard chemistry tests, the Haney test, PLFA, DNA sequencing, and direct microscopy, always pulling the conversation back to a central question: What is the status of this soil, and what is the next right move?
The episode also explores the compost spectrum, from bulk compost and raised-bed blends to compost tea and compost extract. Nick explains why extract is often a safer, more predictable tool than tea, why worm castings can be a smart starting point, and how to think about mycorrhizal inoculation so it actually benefits trees, shrubs, and perennials in landscape settings.
From there, the conversation moves into biochar hype, herbicide alternatives, and weed ecology. Nick shares hard-won lessons about uncharged biochar tying up nutrients, how fungal networks and nematodes drive nutrient cycling, and why hand-weeding, living roots, and wood-chip mulches still matter more than any “magic” product. Along the way, Brit and Bethany help ground the science in the realities of client expectations, contractor workflows, and budgets on residential and small commercial sites.
Whether you’re a landscape architect, contractor, gardener, or nursery professional, this episode gives you a clear framework for moving from “add more compost” guesswork to diagnostic, regenerative soil practice, without pretending there’s a single perfect recipe.
Nick Tomasini is a soil consultant, microbiology specialist, and Certified Soil Foodweb Consultant with nearly two decades of experience bridging organic and conventional agriculture. Through his work with Humankind Oregon, he helps farmers, land managers, and landscape professionals diagnose soil conditions, interpret tests, and design practical, biology-centered strategies for regeneration.
Born and raised in Southern Oregon, Nick earned his B.S. in Agriculture from Oregon State University and has worked across large-scale organic operations, small farm ventures, and research with soil scientists at OSU. His work with Dr. Elaine Ingham deepened his focus on soil biology, leading to certification as a Soil Foodweb Consultant. Nick's approach bridges soil chemistry, carbon dynamics, and the soil food web to build productive, resilient landscapes while prioritizing nutrient-dense food, carbon sequestration, and reduced environmental impact.
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