Passion Projects and My Mission
This is nothing new, when you want to change the world, and you have more than one opportunity to do it, then balance is key.
Carbon Footprint in a Yard
QuickVue at all the ways you can reduce your carbon footprint in your own backyard with a little effort time and Applied STEM
Water From Waste Part Two
After testing the design for a simple plastic solar still, we will build a better more efficient model with wood, metal and glass.
Care and Instructions for a Parterre Garden
The parterre garden has a long and storied history. It is a good system for gardening and is quite effective.
Parterre Herb Garden Update 2022
A quick update on the parterre herbal gardens. A note on how to how to harvest and preserve them. And they smell delightful.
From Waste to Water
Using off the shelf buckets, washed sand, gravel, charcoal and was large river stone we can purify even the dirtiest water.
The Gift of the Magi
Two people share a combined passion but come at it from completely different angles, it can be interesting. So we laugh and compromise.
Next-Level Algae Collection
I have been cleaning biofilter sponges of their dried algae by hand. Today I repurposed my chicken feather plucker for algae.
Avian Flu and Sanitation
Avian Flu is deadly for chickens and ducks. When kids visit Mezzacello, I insist they sterilize the shoes in bleach. All feet covered!
Fire In The Garden
Using fire in the garden benefits ecosystems. It may be counterintuitive, but fire is more dangerous to everything but the plants and soil! I also love the image my niece drew from 2017!
Interns and Mentorship on an Urban Farm
That moment when you think you have a temporary solution to one thing and you find a new solution to a bigger problem.
Mezzacello: Home Is Where The Lab Is
My home and my non-profit Mezzacello are the same place. This is the future of food security, creating networked gardens.
Do It Now: Repeat
"Survivors” are generally people for whom the idea of quitting or giving up had not ever occurred to them. This is why they survived. Simple.
Mentorship Is It's Own Reward
This was a surprise "Thank You" you from my delightful mentee, Audrey. It came at the right time and it reminds me that giving is getting.
The State of the Garden in Summer 2022
The gardens in late June 2022. Everything is doing well, with the exception of the biodome.
Lesson: Data 101
This lesson is in regards to the basics of clear data collection, attention to detail and rigor in data collection - an essential STTEM Skill
Cardboard Journey Into Green
What do you do with all the cardboard one collects? Treat non-waxed boxes with DE, let it sit in the sun and rain and then mow it.
Reset The Bio Dome
The Bio dome project has failed. Too many variables to control and not enough hands on the job. Will reset and try again. Heat, Water, life.
Bioreactor Compost Engine Update for 2022
A Spring 2022 update on the bioreactor/compost engine at Mezzacello. I am currently on my 2nd 1000L batch, this year.
Lesson: As Above So Below
Life is a dance of balance with soil or water below, the ground barrier between and the atmosphere above. Pattern, Process, structure.