Pansy Spring Pot - Free photo on Pixabay - Pixabay https://pixabay.com/photos/pansy-spring-pot-plant-1169471/
The Idea: The concept of my project is to explore and compare synthetic versus easily accessible organic forms of nutrient management (compost, table scraps, etc.).
The Execution: This will be done by conducting an experiment using eight different plants, divided into four groups of two (I may change these numbers depending on availability/convenience). One group will be a control. The others will be treated with compost, kitchen scraps, or liquid fertilizer, with other factors (light, watering, media, etc.) being kept as standard as possible. I will place the plants in an outdoor pop-up greenhouse. The growth of the plants will be measured at regular intervals to determine the effectiveness of the nutrient supplements. The plants used will be pansies simply because these are readily available this time of year, they’re fairly inexpensive, and I won’t feel terribly bad if something happens and one doesn’t make it. I will be growing these plants in pots (most likely plastic).
The Reasoning (initially): When I first began brainstorming for this project, I was drawn to this concept because of the potential environmental benefits of using organic vs. synthetic fertilizers. However, over the next couple weeks in lecture, Dr. Kraus explained how the nutrients are pretty much the same in both organic and synthetic sources, which means they can both be just as harmful to the environment.
The Reasoning (revised): After this, my goal switched from solely an environmental perspective to also include an economic and convenience standpoint as well. My goal now also includes seeing if compost and kitchen scraps (all things homeowners can acquire at little to no cost) can keep a plant healthy and thriving just as well as potentially expensive synthetic fertilizers. If they're just as good, they might as well be used. That way money is being saved and there is still an environmental benefit that potential trash is being recycled!
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