Know your Garden Microbes : Nostoc As gardeners, we often focus on the macro aspects of our garden such as the plants, trees, and shrubs. But, what about the tiny microbes that play a vital role in the health of our gardens? Today, we are going to focus on a particular type of bacteria that is often overlooked: Nostoc. What is Nostoc? N ostoc is a jelly-like microorganism commonly found growing on soggy lawns. While the discovery of the creature might be frightening for some gardeners, it poses no threat to plants or animals in the environment. Because the Nostoc grows in places where grass does not, it is likely to fill in any gaps left by the grass. Evidence of an imbalance in the ratio of fungus to bacteria can be easily identified. Figure 1: Nostoc Growing in the Garden. It was once believed that these strange-looking masses of matter came from the dust of shooting stars, which gave rise to the nicknames star jelly, star shot, and star slime beca...
Build a greener future with biochar and lime-infused cow dung bricks If you're looking for an eco-friendly and sustainable way to build, consider making cow dung bricks. Not only are they a low-cost alternative to traditional fired clay bricks, but they also use waste materials like cow dung and biochar. Biochar is a charcoal-like substance that is made by burning organic materials in the absence of oxygen. It is a byproduct of biomass pyrolysis, a process that turns plant waste into energy. Biochar is known for its high carbon content, which makes it an excellent soil amendment and a potential solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To make cow dung bricks with biochar, you will need the following materials: 1) Cow dung 2) Biochar 3) Lime or Chona 4) Methi water (Water fermented with fenugreek seeds) Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make cow dung bricks using these materials: Mix the cow dung with biochar and lime in a 2...