Patrick's blog

Rainwater efficiency vs. Rainwater Collection

Submitted by Patrick on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 3:34pm

A few years back, we were all learning a fundamental thing about investing in clean energy. That lesson was that energy efficiency investments were far more profitable than investments in new generation, even if it is green.

Water, Weeds & Gardening

Submitted by Patrick on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 3:33pm

Calcium

Submitted by Patrick on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 11:26pm

As we have been shreeding Xmas trees, several clients have reminded us about how beneficial the more acidic pine mulch will be for our alkaline soils. This got me to thinking about some of the reading I had been doing during the holidays on what is the ideal soil.

What becomes clear when you read books on the structure of organic soils is that calcium is a huge player in how fertile our soils are. While the bags at the retail store talk about N-P-K numbers that are on the bottom of the bags, we rarely consider the improvements we can make with the all important mineral of Calcium.

Blendtec makes the environment better!

Submitted by Patrick on Tue, 11/15/2011 - 9:22pm

I was so happy to see that our experiment with the Bokashi bin and the blendtec food processor went so well. We basically made a slurry out of our food scraps with a second blendtec jar (one marked compost and the other main jar for use with edible foods). The food scraps are placed into the second "compost" jar as they are generated.

Texas Climate News - Drought Management Info

Submitted by Patrick on Wed, 10/26/2011 - 6:01pm

A drought for the centuries: It hasn't been this dry in Texas since 1789

Water quality.

Submitted by Patrick on Wed, 10/26/2011 - 3:39pm

This is a big and cumbersome topic. Emily Fitzgerald who works at Microbial Earth Farms as our education and communications co-ordinator has a very keen sense of smell. She has repeatedly mentioned that she was not happy with the smell of the water at our house, as well as at her friend's house, and that it worried her.

Soil Test Kits now available from the Texas Plant and Soil Lab

Submitted by Patrick on Wed, 10/26/2011 - 3:34pm

We have been carrying them for several months, but now is the time to act regarding soil tests. Click here to reserve your test kit at any of our farmer's market locations.

New shipping options for Azomite!

Submitted by Patrick on Fri, 10/21/2011 - 9:04am

Instead of shipping the big 44lb bags, we now have 7 lb bags which qualify for flat rate shipping! That means 2x 1 gallon bags will ship for $10 anywhere.  Even lower cost shipping with regional rates is available (1 bag for about $5 shipping to most of Texas).  Please call us for the exact rates to your region.

Advanced Master Composter classes?

Submitted by Patrick on Fri, 10/21/2011 - 9:03am

Microbial Earth Farms is considering holding an advanced composting course as compared to the state Master Gardener program. The course is not directed towards large commercial facilities, but instead towards property owners looking to maximize the value of their biomass.

Course content will consist of introductory materials to the Soil Foodweb, Humified Compost, the needs of our ecosystems natural cycles and composts contributions, compost recipe formulation, etc.

Does Bokashi smell of stench?

Submitted by Patrick on Fri, 10/21/2011 - 9:00am

I was doing a bokashi experiment last night. I took the food scraps that my wife had assembled over the last three days and began to make smoothies out of the materials. The first batch went easily. Long green leaves from leeks, plus potato skins and some coffee grinds. That is when the stench started. My wife asked if that was the bokashi, and the truth is that I had yet to open the bokashi bin to add the first batch of scraps. By the way, the food scrap smoothie was a lovely vibrant green which caught my wife’s positive attention. What was happening?

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