REVIVING soils vitality together

At Vital Soils Services, we help growers rebuild productive soils. That means improving structure, water movement, nutrient use, and biological life.

Whether you’re starting out or refining your system, we work with you to understand your soil and build a plan that fits.

It’s not about handing over a recipe — it’s about equipping you with the tools and understanding to take control of your own soil health journey.

Learn more about the principles that guide our approach.

Discover Our Soil Health Principles

it DIDN'T start with a plan

Vital Soils didn’t begin with a plan—it began with poor soil, failed fruit trees, and a garden that wouldn’t grow. Frustration led to trial plots, soil pits, and an education both formal and hands-on. Along the way, one question kept rising to the surface:

“What does the soil need?”

That question reshaped us—from how we grow to how we serve. Today, it remains at the heart of our work with growers across Australia.

Read the Background Story

Our Nutrition Planning Process

A structured approach that turns site data into practical, site-specific nutrition strategies

1. Initial Consult

A focused discussion to understand the site, objectives, constraints, and context, and to define the scope and planning requirements.

2. Data Collection

A targeted data-collection plan is established, including what needs testing & how samples are collected.
This may involve new soil testing, review of existing analyses, or staged sampling where appropriate.

Book a Free 30min Initial Consult

3. Interpretation & Requirements

Collected data is interpreted using Soil Renovator™ reports to identify limiting factors, assess nutrient interactions, and define the raw nutritional requirements — independent of product brands.

4. Formulation & Application Strategy

Nutritional requirements are translated into a practical, site-ready strategy, accounting for budget, equipment capability, access, logistics, and suitable product pathways.
Matched to budget from $100/ha to $20,000+/ha.

If you’re considering next steps, an on-boarding consult is the appropriate place to start

Learn more

Our Services

"In three years, Ian has helped us grow from 3 acres to 20, with healthier soils and higher yields year after year. His soil testing, mineral programs, and fertiliser planning have saved us time and money while reshaping our management approach. He’s been hands-on throughout and genuinely invested in seeing us do well."

Michael & Sam — Plenty Valley Produce
"I am interested in regenerative farming, and Vital Soils helped me understand my soil tests and provided fertiliser recommendations aligned with regenerative farming principles, including guidance on sourcing inputs. They were patient and understanding, especially when I wasn’t fully confident in my decisions"

Russell Young - Beef Farmer of Winchelsea
Ian at Vital Soils has been our go to Agronomist for our small scale market garden. Each year we have taken a soil test, been able to talk over results, then have a specific mineral mix made up for our farm. The service fits our farm size and its great to be able to focus also on mineral balance and not just using compost and green manures as our only tools for fertility.

Josh Tucker - Silvertine Farm
"As a micro-scale market gardener, I don’t have the resources to source perfect soil, but Vital Soils made it easy to improve what I already have. Ian provided a comprehensive analysis of my soil test, with clear, practical guidance on how to address the specific challenges of my site. His advice was thoughtful and aligned with my values, and the tailored blend of amendments was both economical and scaled appropriately for my operation, removing the complexity of sourcing multiple inputs. Throughout the process, Ian has been readily available to answer questions and offer support. I’m excited to see how my operation evolves through this partnership with Vital Soils.”

Chris McGorlick — Market Gardener
"Ian was great to deal with — thorough in his explanations and always willing to make time to answer questions. His advice has improved both my growing results and yields. Highly recommended"

Karl Breese - Morning Penni Farm
“As a passionate home gardener, I’ve benefited greatly from Ian’s ongoing support and depth of knowledge. Our soil had some serious challenges — high calcium, hydrophobic conditions, and low organic matter — and Ian helped me understand what was happening and how to address it practically. His willingness to problem-solve and provide follow-up resources has been invaluable. Improving our soil together has lifted the health of my garden and, in turn, the quality of the food we grow and eat.”

Tanya Lentsment - Gardner of Adelaide

Ian Mot is a horticultural agronomist with a Master’s in Sustainable Production Systems from the University of Melbourne and over seven years of hands-on experience in crop nutrition, disease management, market gardening, rural lifestyle property development, horticultural equipment, cover cropping, and education services.

In 2018, he founded Vital Soils Services — a mission focused business dedicated to spreading knowledge and expertise as a driver of client enterprise growth. Based in Victoria, Ian is committed to advancing regenerative soil practices that positively impact human and environmental health.

Ian Mot

Senior Agronomy Consultant

Subscribe to Free Soil Health Insights

Want to learn more about soil? Sign up to our newsletters and we'll stay in touch. We’ll talk about everything soil health, including successful case studies and common failures – plenty to share!