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...
Myths on Composting Container/Pits Design Are you interested in composting but unsure about which container or pit design to use? There are many myths surrounding composting container and pit designs that may be preventing you from starting your composting journey. Learn the truth about composting container and pit designs and start turning your organic waste into nutrient-rich soil. Composting is a fantastic way to reduce waste and enrich soil health in a garden or farm. However, there are many misconceptions about the design and use of composting containers and pits. In this article, we will discuss some common myths about composting container design and pits and debunk them with scientific facts. Don' t make such Pits Myth #1: Composting containers and pits need to be ...