Pondergeist
I have consigned myself that I have built this pond on the site of an ancient Indian burial ground, and is cursed by malevolent spirits.
Twenty-First Century Realities to Restoration
Ah the things you find while transforming a vacant urban lot into an urban farm and garden. Kevlar Gloves!
Too Much Nitrogen, Not Enough Nutrients
After a hopeful start, I realized I missed the mark on nutrients, minerals and compost vs manure. Another season.
The Foodist: Quick Bean Soup
For a quick and savory meal in a flash, I always turn to this delightful Jaques Pepin-inspired soup.
Springtime, Chicks and the Truth About Ducks
Choose wisely when you are adding animals. to an urban farm. You need to know the pros and cons up front!
Hugelkultur at Mezzacello
German for Hill Culture, this ancient form of permaculture transforms lifeless, heavy clay dirt into a forest floor and captures CO2.
Compost, Soil Enrichment, and Garden Infrastructure
In place composting like you see in nature on the forest floor. A lasagna garden. That is this lesson.
A Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystem
A big hole, bigger dreams, some resources, disasters, and a summer later, we have a pond. And there were ducks.
The Path to an Aquatic Ecosystem
Armed with a vision and some CAD plans for my semicircular Georgian pond, I presented my idea to the Columbus Department of Health Animal Permit Division.
Practical Water Management
Water is one of the holy trinity of resources in an urban ecosystem, alongside biomass, and flora and fauna.
Beginning to Start to Commence
What do you do with two vacant lots a low budget, and big dreams. You build and plan! Oh and rebuild the house as well.
Urban Farm, Urban Problems
Urban Farm, urban problems vandals, theft and working out the path of sustainability and ecosystems. We rebuild and keep working.
The City/Farm Garden
The Systems Approach to life expects one to look at pattern, process, and structure. That's what we have done here at Mezzacello.
Why "Poor Boys Have Poor Ways"?
This was our original inspiration for starting Mezzacello. We had vision, but no funds. Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, “Poor boys have poor ways”, and “Living in the past, for the future”. These lay at the heart of what Mezzacello Urban Farm is.
How We Discovered Mezzacello
The Origin Story of Mezzacello as told by Rick. Who would buy a property in the city and then adapt it completely to another use? Little did we know how much this space would evolve over time.
The Foodist: The virtues of Bourbon and Vanilla
This delightful Madagascar Bourbon infused Vanilla Extract is the ultimate luxury in the kitchen of a foodist!
The Foodist: Pasta with Mussels
This is a superb recipe and a favorite here at Mezzacello. It is also the FIRST recipe we ever posted here! June 21, 2017!
The Foodist: Buttermilk Biscuits
This is the original recipe card for Big Mom's buttermilk recipe card. Not sure what the original source was. Easy peasy!
My First Garden
Understanding and Exploring the Role of Balance in Our Relationship with the Natural World is a critical 21st Century skill.