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mom person

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About mom person

  • Birthday December 16

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  • Biography
    Urban farmer who is frightened by climate change and hopeful about Terra Preta.
  • Location
    Jamaica Plain MA
  • Interests
    Raising hell and vegetables
  • Occupation
    Retited psychotherapist

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  1. This is a very good question. I think that there are several things that need to be introduced at the same time: 1. Solar ovens. They are cheap to make and are already being spread by development agencies. 2. The pit. This is the concept of digging a pit and throwing all organic waste into it, including human waste, bones, twigs, weeds, branches, etc. then charring the contents. Since the contents would have a lot of small pieces and dust, the contents would not be as valuable for cooking with as charcoal made from wood and the agricultural use of the pit contents would be easier to sell. The solar ovens would reduce the desire to make charcoal from wood. That would create cleaner air and lungs. The charring of human and animal waste would also promote better sanitation and cleaner streams. Here is a link to an interesting article on the use of municipal solid waste to make charcoal: Conversion of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) into Charcoal & Producer Gas | Terra Preta Unfortunately they are making charcoal for cooking and not for TP. :)
  2. So far, I have not been able to break up very much without getting pretty messy, but it is better than when I started. First reccommendation is WEAR A RESPIRATOR! All the terra preta in the world won't help if you come down with black lung disease. As for the twist, I have used an old piece of wonder board and put the pieces directly on there. I have also used my sledge directly on the charcoal that is on top of some pieces of 2x4's fittting snuggly into a cardboard box. The box is on top of a short little wooden bench and the whole contraption fits inside a 55 gal plastic bag. I think that the best idea would be to make the charcoal of twigs, small branches, weeds, trimmings, etc - stuff that won't need much smashing later. So far I can't figure out how to make such a thing in the city.
  3. If haphazard is the key, then both of us will succeed. I think that the original terra preters just threw everything into the pit, wood, twigs, manure, and the bones of whatever. Sounds a bit like what I throw into the compost pit. I was wondering what it would be like to make such a pit, but I think that would not go over too well on my lot in Boston. Neighbors, ordinances, etc. I would love to find a way to make small batches of charred "pit material" in the city. Any ideas?
  4. Where can the new webpage be found?
  5. OK. I just did the math on thae Japanese trial and that is about 3.5 ounces per ten fquare feet per year. I am sure that if that much is making a difference, that my approximate two pounds per square foot will do nicely. I am sure that I am nowhere near the 20% cutoff point, but I no longer feel as if I am doing too little. Thanks for the ego boost and the rapid reply.
  6. I have already been deemed as a nutcake by the neighbors for making my own exterior housepaint from scratch. The terra preta obcession is only confirming their suspicions that I am hopeless. It appears that you have also lost a few marbles and that we are both in good company here.
  7. I do hope that we WILL be legion. Terra preta is one of the most hopeful ideas that I have heard in a long time and this is truly a case of the more, the merrier. It will take millions of folks making the stuff to help reverse the damage that we have done to the earth, but the fact that it is possible gives me at least a glimmer of hope.
  8. You can play with my CARbon anytime! If you would like to come over and help me smash up some of the stuff, that would be even better!
  9. Thanks! I am delighted to have been led to this amazing forum. I have learned so much already.
  10. When you said "Now at a field application rate of 2 lbs/sq ft", I was wondering if that is a reccommended application rate. It is approximately what I have been using on my first experimental plots.
  11. Thanks for the link to the newbies thread. I have a lot to learn.
  12. Thanks for the welcome and sorry that it took me so long to respond. I have been out in the garden pounding, stomping, swisting and smashing the stuffins out of my lumps of charcoal. So far I have pulvarized and dug in four bags and have another thirty waiting to go.
  13. Thanks Buffy! I have only busted up and dug in two bags of charcoal so far, but I am hooked. The ground already looks better and I am anticipating those juicy tomatoes who are the first recipients.:D
  14. I am an aging hippy, earth loving urban gardener with an ancient history of living on a farm and a deep fear :eek2: about the future of life on earth . Terra Preta sure looks like a great idea but it sure is a lot of work . So far I have tried stomping , pounding :hammer: (four pound sledge) and grinding . One of the best for me has been the latter which davidgmills affectionately dubbed "the Twist" Once I have tromped the lumps to a manageable size (about 1/2 an inch or so) I grind them to dust with a twisting motion with both feet. By the way, don't use your Beirkenstocks, they are too flimsy.:doh: My Neo overshoes with their big surface area seem to work the best for me. Since I've given up hope that the aliens will come and save us, I think we need to work together :circle: so I am joining this group. :hihi: Thanks to all of you who have started the ball rolling mom person
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