Weeds: What They’re Really Telling You About Your Soil

The 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 failure
• Why chemical spraying makes soil problems worse
• The role of biology, minerals, and grazing in weed control
• Real examples of gorse and blackberry transforming into rich pasture
• How nature self-corrects when given the right conditions
• The philosophy behind constructive money vs. destructive money in farming

Full 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 Campbell
Powered by: EcoFarm Aotearoa – www.efa.nz

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