Starting a survival garden is ideal for anyone who wishes to become self-sufficient. But if you’re growing your own food for the first time, you should be prepared for the possibility of failure. As a skill honed through trial and error, gardening is fraught with difficulties that can be discouraging for new gardeners. (h/t to TheOrganicPrepper.com) How to revive a dying … Continue reading What to do if your survival garden dies
“Wormnado” – Hundreds of worms cluster into a tornado-like pattern on New Jersey sidewalk
Earthworms typically tunnel to the surface after a rainstorm and writhe on top of the soil and sidewalks. But a pack of worms in New Jersey did more than just litter the ground after a heavy downpour. On March 25, a woman from Hoboken spotted hundreds of worms congregating to form a weird, tornado-like shape on a walkway near Maxwell … Continue reading “Wormnado” – Hundreds of worms cluster into a tornado-like pattern on New Jersey sidewalk
How do bacteria populations travel through soil layers?
Soil bacteria are important components of the ecosystem. They help improve soil structure and aggregation, as well as recycle soil nutrients and water. Soil bacteria also serve as decomposers that consume carbon compounds and provide large quantities of nitrogen to plants. Nitrogen is a major component of chlorophyll and is essential for the production of amino acids, which are … Continue reading How do bacteria populations travel through soil layers?
How safe are urban gardening crops?
As more people learn about their benefits, urban gardens have increased in number across the United States. However, there are several issues surrounding food production in urban areas, like soil contamination, that are thought to pose risks to human health. In a recent breakthrough, a team of researchers from the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (UPM) in Spain conducted a probabilistic risk assessment … Continue reading How safe are urban gardening crops?
Scientists warn that microplastics are harming earthworms, plant health and soil pH
Researchers from the Anglia Ruskin University found that microplastic can curb the growth of earthworms, potentially affecting plant and soil health. Earthworms play an important role in the soil ecosystem as they dramatically alter soil structure, nutrient dynamics, water movement and plant growth. But the presence of microplastics is harming earthworms, according to the findings published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. “The … Continue reading Scientists warn that microplastics are harming earthworms, plant health and soil pH
For the organic farmer: Grow healthier plants with organic fertilizer mixed with compost tea
A study published in Biological Agriculture & Horticulture confirmed what many organic farmers and gardeners have known for so long now: The benefits of biochar can be enhanced by amending it with compost tea. Biochar is charcoal used as a soil amendment. It’s very popular among organic farmers and gardeners, some of whom amend it with compost tea, … Continue reading For the organic farmer: Grow healthier plants with organic fertilizer mixed with compost tea
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 