EPISODE · Nov 18, 2025 · 33 MIN
Weeds: What They’re Really Telling You About Your Soil
from EcoFarm Aotearoa · host Ewan Campbell with co-host Stephen Brunton
Weeds: What They’re Really Telling You About Your SoilThe EcoFarm Aotearoa Podcast (Ep. 7)When weeds take over, most farmers reach for the spray. But what if every thistle, buttercup, or gorse plant is actually trying to tell you something? In this episode, Ewan Campbell and Stephen Brunton dig into the surprising truth about weeds, they’re not enemies of productivity, but messengers of the soil’s condition. Through real on-farm stories and decades of regenerative experience, Ewan explains how weeds reveal underlying mineral imbalances, poor aeration, and biological breakdowns and how the right soil management can make them disappear without a single drop of poison. From “fixing the soil, not the weed” to using livestock as living tools for regeneration, this conversation turns conventional weed control on its head.We discuss:How weeds reveal soil health, not failureWhy chemical spraying makes soil problems worseThe role of biology, minerals, and grazing in weed controlReal examples of gorse and blackberry transforming into rich pastureHow nature self-corrects when given the right conditionsThe philosophy behind constructive money vs. destructive money in farmingFull of practical wisdom, humour, and down-to-earth insight, this episode challenges the old mindset of “kill and control” — showing instead how healing the soil brings everything, even weeds, back into balance.With humour, honesty, and decades of hands-on experience, Ewan and Stephen explore how solving facial eczema starts with healthy soils, balanced biology, and a shift in thinking.Hosted by: Stephen Brunton & Ewan CampbellPowered by: EcoFarm Aotearoa – www.efa.nzSubscribe for weekly conversations exploring soil health, biology, and regenerative farming solutions that are transforming the way we farm in New Zealand.
What this episode covers
Weeds: What They’re Really Telling You About Your SoilThe EcoFarm Aotearoa Podcast (Ep. 7)When weeds take over, most farmers reach for the spray. But what if every thistle, buttercup, or gorse plant is actually trying to tell you something? In this episode, Ewan Campbell and Stephen Brunton dig into the surprising truth about weeds, they’re not enemies of productivity, but messengers of the soil’s condition. Through real on-farm stories and decades of regenerative experience, Ewan explains how weeds reveal underlying mineral imbalances, poor aeration, and biological breakdowns and how the right soil management can make them disappear without a single drop of poison. From “fixing the soil, not the weed” to using livestock as living tools for regeneration, this conversation turns conventional weed control on its head.We discuss:How weeds reveal soil health, not failureWhy chemical spraying makes soil problems worseThe role of biology, minerals, and grazing in weed controlReal examples of gorse and blackberry transforming into rich pastureHow nature self-corrects when given the right conditionsThe philosophy behind constructive money vs. destructive money in farmingFull of practical wisdom, humour, and down-to-earth insight, this episode challenges the old mindset of “kill and control” — showing instead how healing the soil brings everything, even weeds, back into balance.With humour, honesty, and decades of hands-on experience, Ewan and Stephen explore how solving facial eczema starts with healthy soils, balanced biology, and a shift in thinking.Hosted by: Stephen Brunton & Ewan CampbellPowered by: EcoFarm Aotearoa – www.efa.nzSubscribe for weekly conversations exploring soil health, biology, and regenerative farming solutions that are transforming the way we farm in New Zealand.
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Weeds: What They’re Really Telling You About Your Soil
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