Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Week 6: Back to the Fertilizer (project)

 Week 6: Mar. 18

Final Measurements!

Controls.

Composts.

The final fertilizer.

Compost + Teas.

Mar. 17
I put the plants outside for some more sun and fresh air here.

Mar. 18
The plastic cover was put back on the greenhouse because 
the nighttime temperature was supposed to get around freezing.


Weeks 4 & 5: More Tragedy and Spring Break

 Week 4: Mar. 4


Measuring the Compost + Tea plants (above).

These are either the control or compost plants.
(forgive me, I have forgotten since and can't tell from the image)


Another of the fertilizers didn't make it :(

Mar. 7


Letting the plants out for a little sunshine and to be watered.
___

As it turns out, the plants were on a 6-hour light cycle prior to this, 
so, the timer was changed to 12 hours. 
The results of this are quite visible in later weeks.
___

The cover for the greenhouse was also removed at this point
because the outdoor temperature had gotten warmer. 
This was done to help with the high humidity in the greenhouse.

Week 5: Mar. 11

Controls

Composts.

My one fertilizer.

Compost + Teas.


Week 3: Leap Day Tea Time

 Week 3: Feb. 26-29

Measurements:


Controls

 




Fertilizers.



Composts.



Composts + 2nd Application.

Making Compost Tea:

Gather supplies:
Distilled water, a pitcher, cheese cloth, paper towel, and a scale.


Tare...


...then add water.
I did a 1:10 ratio of compost to water
(as described on the NC State Extension page on compost tea*).



Tare cheesecloth and paper towel.



Add compost.


Tie the cloth with a rubber band.


Add to pitcher.
Then wait 48 hours.


Store somewhere in a fairly stable environment.

Day 1
Day 2.
Stirring as it steeps.
Day 3.


Tea time plants!







*Composting Webpage:
2. Composting | NC State Extension Publications (ncsu.edu)
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/extension-gardener-handbook/2-composting#:~:text=Make%20compost%20tea%20%20a,48%20hours%2C%20stirring%2012%20times

Week 2: More Measurements

Week 2: Feb. 19


Plants chilling in the greenhouse.




 


Taking measurements and deadheading.