Not to say that I'm directing anyone now, if anything we are all working side-by-side on this project with the same intentions...but the world of waste is not yet a woman's world - yet. I am definitely up for the challenge though (could never say no to a good challenge) and I'm glad there are woman like Monica, Barbara and Katrina that are helping to pave the way.
Back to the project! Week 2 and day 2 of actual composting. We downloaded the composter and out came approximately 2 cubic yards of some beautiful, dark compost. (Check out the NING site for pictures). Now it cures for about 10 days, until temperatures drop, and then off to the urban gardens where we will see what kind of difference it makes!
Most gardens I have visited use compost made out of just yard trimmings. High in carbon, but very low in nitrogen. Plants need nitrogen to grow, so adding compost made out of food residuals with are have higher nitrogen content should show a significant improvement in plant growth. Both Roots In The City and the Troy Academy Gardens will be doing tests for us to see just what type of difference it makes.
Adding natural nitrogen to the soil also allows plants to ability to pick up the nitrogen in a slow-release manner. Important because plants can't absorb chemical nitrogen easily, and about 70% runs off the land and pollutes our soil, rivers and air creating detrimental results such as destroying our ozone layer, contributing to global warming and creating "dead zones" which are killing our oceans. According to a study conducted by Nature, the nitrogen problem ranks right up there with climate change and biodiversity loss as the three greatest threats to the future habitability of Planet Earth! Wow. A really good article for learning about the nitrogen problem is "The Nitrogen Fix: Breaking a Costly Addiction".
Well, I feel good that doing such a simple thing as composting can help protect our oceans, fish, plant diversity, biodiversity, ozone layer, reduce GHGs, produce healthier plants & healthier people - the list goes on and on. And absolutely EVERYONE can do it - whether you live on a farm or a small, one bedroom apartment with no balcony let alone a yard (like me). Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE COMPOSTING?!? Well, let it be a secret no longer....
Happy 2010 to all and til next week....