DOCSLIB.ORG

Soil Conditioner Recovery Product Construction Amendment

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Soil Conditioner Recovery Product Construction Amendment Guaranteed Analysis DIRECTIONS FOR USE Total Nitrogen (N) ...........................1.0% 0.5% Water Soluble Nitrogen Aerification Available Phosphate (P2O5) ................0% Renovate Plus is a recommended aerification Soluble Potash (K2O) ......................1.0% product. A wide range of application rates can Calcium (Ca) .................................5.0% be made depending on the desired outcome. Iron (Fe) .........................................2.0% Recommended rates are 10 to 25 pounds of Renovate P Renovate Plus Renovate product per 1,000 sq. ft. dragged into aeration Ingredients: CARBON BASED FERTILITY holes followed by watering the soil surface. L Compost, kelp, bone meal, greensand, rock Sod & Seed Establishment U phosphate, calcium sulfate, zeolites, humates. Apply Renovate Plus directly to the soil surface and scarify into the top inch or two of soil. Information regarding the contents and levels S Recommended rates are 10 to 25 pounds of of metals in this product is available on the e way s product per 1000 sq. ft. Internet at: g th ince http://www.aapfco.org/metals.htm din 19 Sand Construction Amendment ea 88 Up to 800 pounds of Renovate Plus per 1000 L sq. ft. worked into the top 6 to 8 inches of sand is recommended for sand root zone construc- tion. A complete chemistry soil testing protocol should accompany all construction programs including a particle size analysis. Lawn Care and Turf Maintenance Apply 10 to 25 pounds of product per 1000 sq. ft. as a top dressing ideally accompanied with TM surface spiking. On the weakest areas use the higher rates and water in thoroughly. Ornamental Planting Renovate Plus is a recommended planting amendment for woody ornamentals, perennials and annuals. Apply 1/2 to 1 cup per potted plant per 1 gallon container. TM Soil Conditioner Recovery Product Construction Amendment Renovate Plus Renovate Manufactured for: Net Weight: 50 pounds 30 Morgan Hill Rd. Renovate Easton, PA 18042 USA 22.68 Kilograms www.EarthWorksTurf.com PLUS 800-732-TURF F1399 Renovate/PlusTM Recovery Amendment EARTHWORKS NATURAL ORGANIC PRODUCTS, INC. A 50:50 BLEND OF RENOVATE AND ECO-LITE Renovate/Plus is an Ideal Amendment for: RENOVATE Plus GOLF COURSE GREENS AERIFICATION RECOVERY OF “DEAD SPOTS” SODDING AND SEEDING PROJECTS NEW CONSTRUCTION ECO-LITE SPORTS TURF RECOVERY BIOLOGICAL REPLENISHMENT LANDSCAPE PLANTINGS DIVOT MIX Renovate/Plus is the combination of EarthWorks Renovate and Eco-Lite and is a Ecolite - Zeolite powerful amendment that will open tight soils, speed turf recovery, and stimulate soil biology without a big nitrogen push. This combination allows for oxygen movement through Kelp Meal the soil and promotes an active microbial generated nitrogen cycle. This product is ideal for numerous projects on the golf course or sports field and can “save” those hard to Greensand grow areas. Renovate/Plus is the combination of all the raw materials found in The EarthWorks “Construction Program” which has been a huge success since the early 1990’s, Compost and has been the amendment program of choice for hundreds of golf courses as well as professional sports stadiums and other athletic fields. Renovate/Plus encourages quick Hard Rock recovery of “dead spots,” is the ideal product to put under any sod job, and can replace multiple aerification products to simplify those projects and significantly increase their suc- Phosphate cess rate. Renovate is a blend of organic and mineral amendments including kelp meal, compost and humic acids which make up a sustainable microbial food source of short, Soft Rock medium and long chained carbons. The diversity of ingredients allows for a quick jump-start Phosphate of soil activity, but one that will also be sustainable. The mineral fraction of Renovate includes greensand, sul-po-mag, hard and soft rock phosphate, and calcium. This combi- Humic/Fulvic nation prevents de-mineralization of the soil and allows for roots to take up nutrients as needed, and is a great way to provide a biological foundation to any soil by promoting soil Acids flocculation and turf recovery. Eco-Lite is the premier zeolite rock mineral mined from an exceptionally clean zeolite mine and provides an array of physical benefits including the Sul-Po-Mag highest CEC of all physical amendments. Zeolites are very hard rock minerals that possess a crystalline structure and have the capability to absorb water when the surrounding soil is wet, creating better air movement in the soil and allowing for the controlled release of this water when moisture levels in the soil fall. Perhaps the greatest difference between Eco-Lite and other physical amendments is its affinity to hold both ammonium nitrogen and potassium, allowing for both nutrients to be more available to the plant over a longer period of time. 1500 Uhler Rd. Easton, PA 18040 800-732-8873 Fax: 610-250-7840 soilfirst.com Renovate/Plus TM Recovery Amendment Renovate/Plus has a multitude of applications on golf courses, sports turf and landscaping situations. A combination of EarthWorks Renovate and the physical amendment Eco-Lite, this product can assure the success of sod jobs, improve aerification projects, help recover worn out dead spots and is an ideal divot mix and planting amendment. Renovate/Plus is formulated from the following amendments in order of volume: Eco-LiteTM: A Zeolite rock mineral mined from the cleanest known mine in New Mexico. Eco-Lite provides numerous benefits to the soil profile. First and perhaps most significantly, this mineral has the highest CEC value of any popular physical amendment ~ as much as three times higher than calcined clays and diatomaceous earth. Eco-Lite also has a very high water holding capacity which allows excess water to be pulled into its crystalline structure to dry up wet soils but allowing for its release osmotically as water pressure drops outside the mineral structure. This phenomena also explains how this mineral can create more air pore space. The most unique benefit from Eco-Lite is its strong affinity to hold ammonium and potassium while not having the same affinity for sodium. Eco-Lite becomes a sustainable mineral form of potassium preventing the leaching of more soluble forms. Dry Kelp Meal: A very digestible food source for micro-organisms. Rich in over 60 minerals, 21 Amino Acids and 12 Vitamins, ascophyllum nodosum is also a rich source of plant gibberellins and cytokinins which act as plant growth regulators. Kelp extract also provides polysaccarides, which are complex sugars, which along with its vitamins, minerals and amino acids greatly assists in the feeding of soil beneficial micro flora. Greensand: A potassium silica rock mineral rich in sustainable and available potassium, iron and many other trace nutrients. This is a mica like rock mineral that holds it own weight in water and is an excellent soil conditioner. Compost: Rich compost, produced on Amish farms in Pennsylvania, provides a stable form of carbon and minerals. Produced from stabilized manures, this product has gone through two digestions, producing an extremely biologically active material and a readily available food source for beneficial micro-organisms. Hard Rock Phosphate: This is the mineral that is acidified to create the commonly used soluble phosphorous fertilizers. There are studies that show this sustainable rock mineral to be as available as its soluble counterparts when chemical tie-up is taken into account. It is used as a very sustainable form of phosphorus; one that organic acids produced by plant root systems can digest when phosphorus is needed. Soft Rock Phosphate: A colloidal form of phosphorus. This mineral is available over a wider range of soil pH and provides a certain solubility not found in its hard rock counterpart. Humic acid and Fulvic acids: An alkaline extract of geologically concentrated humus, rich in organic acids that stimulate beneficial soil fungi, act as chelating agents for micro-nutrients and perform as sequestering agents to help fracture bonds between phosphorus and iron/calcium/aluminum. Sul-Po-Mag: A mineral that provides the soil with needed sulfur, potassium and magnesium as well as a host of other trace nutrients. Magnesium is a very important nutrient in the photosynthesis process. This mineral is a very good soil conditioner and is fairly soluble. APPLICATION RATES: Apply 25-50 lbs./1000 sq. ft. preferably in combination with aeration or worked into the top few inches of soil. Lighter top dressings can also be very beneficial. Continued use is important especially on heavily compacted and biologically weak soils or sand based soils..
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Dendrometric Analysis of Early Development of Eucalyptus Urophylla X Eucalyptus Grandis with Gypsum Use Under Subtropical Conditions
    Floresta e Ambiente 2020; 27(1): e20190095 https://doi.org/10.1590/2179-8087.009519 ISSN 2179-8087 (online) Original Article Silviculture Dendrometric Analysis of Early Development of Eucalyptus urophylla x Eucalyptus grandis with Gypsum use Under Subtropical Conditions Carla Fernanda Ferreira1, Marcos Vinicius Martins Bassaco2 , Milena Pereira3, Volnei Pauletti3, Stephen Arthur Prior4 , Antonio Carlos Vargas Motta3 1Departamento de Agronomia, Centro de Ensino Superior dos Campos Gerais – CESCAGE, Ponta Grossa/PR, Brasil 2 Departamento de Engenharia Florestal, Faculdades FATI-FAJAR, Jaguariaíva/PR, Brasil 3Departamento de Solos e Engenharia Agrícola, Universidade Federal do Paraná – UFPR, Curitiba/PR, Brasil 4ARS National Soil Dynamics Laboratory, Auburn, USA ABSTRACT Gypsum can be used as a source for calcium (Ca) and sulphurum (S) for plants, as well as an acid, that is, a natural soil conditioner. Aiming to determine the influence of gypsum on the development of Eucalyptus urograndis in Brazil, an experiment was conducted at two locations in Paraná State. Experiments were conducted with rates of 0, 0.3, 0.6, 1.2, 2.4, 4.8 and 9.6 Mg ha-1 to verify the method of broadcast planting in a randomized block design with four repetitions. Diameter and height of plants were measured every six months and volume was determined after 36 months. There was a difference in Eucalyptus growth between the two areas, possibly related to differences in planting season and climate. Gypsum did not influence on the dendrometric growth of Eucalyptus trees. The lack of a response to gypsum, as a source of Ca, S and soil conditioner, was discussed based on soil type, Eucalyptus tolerance to soil acidity, and climatic conditions in the period evaluated.
    [Show full text]
  • Opens in a New Windowguidelines for Pesticide Registration
    GUIDELINES FOR PESTICIDE REGISTRATION CONTROL OF PLANTS ACT, CHAPTER 57A. Control of Plants (Registration of Pesticides) Rules. General Information A. All agricultural pesticide1 products used in the cultivation of plants intended for sale must be registered with the Singapore Food Agency (SFA).These include pesticide-containing biostimulant/fertilizer/soil conditioner. Biostimulant/fertilizer/soil conditioner which does not contain pesticide, or pesticide products for other purposes, including export, and industrial, public hygiene, landscaping and household uses, do not require registration with SFA. Pesticides used for the formulation of pesticide products also do not require registration with SFA. B. Any person who manufactures, imports, distributes, supplies or sells any pesticide products and who is conducting business in Singapore which is registered under the Business Names Registration Act 2014, or any company incorporated under the Companies Act, may apply for the registration of pesticide products for use in the agricultural farms in Singapore. C. Before applying for registration of a pesticide product with SFA, applicants are required to check whether the import of the pesticide for local use is allowed by the following agencies: i) Pollution Control Department (PCD) of the National Environment Agency (NEA) for import, export and sale of chemical pesticides that are listed as hazardous substances ii) Plant Health Services of the National Parks Board (NParks) for import of biological pesticides and organic fertilizers [Please check with NEA if you intend to register pesticides for vector control purposes.] D. If applicants are dealing with pesticides that are listed in the Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA), a copy of the Hazardous Substances Licence issued by the PCD/NEA must accompany the application.
    [Show full text]
  • Permaculture in Humid Landscapes
    II PERMACULTURE IN HUMID LANDSCAPES BY BILL MOLLISON Pamphlet II in the Permaculture Design Course Series PUBLISHED BY YANKEE PERMACULTURE Publisher and Distributor of Permaculture Publications Barking Frogs Permaculture Center P.O. Box 52, Sparr FL 32192-0052 USA Email: [email protected] http://www.permaculture.net/~EPTA/Hemenway.htm Edited from the Transcript of the Permaculture Design Course The Rural Education Center, Wilton, NH USA 1981 Reproduction of this Pamphlet Is Free and Encouraged Pamphlet II Permaculture in Humid Landscapes Page 1. The category we are in now is hu- mid landscapes, which means a rain- fall of more than 30 inches. Our thesis is the storage of this water on the landscape. The important part is that America is not doing it. The humid landscape is water con- trolled, and unless it is an extremely new landscape- volcanic or newly faulted--it has softly rounded out- lines. When you are walking up the valley, or walking on the ridge, ob- serve that there is a rounded 'S' shaped profile to the hills. Where the landscape turns from convex to concave occurs a critical Having found the keypoint, we can now treat the whole landscape as if it were a roof and point that we call a keypoint.* a tank. The main valley is the main flow, from the horizontal, we put in a nomically store water. It is a rather with many little creeks entering. At groove around the hill. This is the deep little dam, and we need a fair the valley head where these creeks highest point at which we can work amount of Earth to build it.
    [Show full text]
  • Building Soil Organic Matter for a Sustainable Organic Crop Production
    Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service PSS-2257 Building Soil Organic Matter for a Sustainable Organic Crop Production Kefyalew Girma Former Assistant Professor/Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets are also available on our website at: Hailin Zhang http://osufacts.okstate.edu Professor Warren Roberts Benefi ts of Soil Organic Matter Associate Professor The content of SOM in an organic crop production system is the most important factor because it is the primary nutrient Organic Matter Matters! supplier and soil conditioner. Organic matter in the soil bal- Organic matter (OM) normally constitutes less than 5 ances various chemical and biological processes and helps to percent of most mineral soils. The majority of Oklahoma soils maintain soil quality parameters at an ideal level. It improves actually have only about 1 percent OM, but it is a key factor water infi ltration rate and water-holding capacity. It serves in determining the health of a soil. In principle, all organic as a reservoir of nutrients and water and supplies them to materials can be changed to soil organic matter (SOM) and crops when needed. Organic matter plays a signifi cant role can supply nutrients as well as “condition” the soil. Organic in keeping disease and insect pests at low levels by boosting matter is defi ned as any non-living organism, or product of a crop vigor and modifying the rhizosphere. Soils that are rich living organism on the surface or in the soil. Through decom- in SOM also have a high cation exchange capacity (CEC). position, organic materials added to a soil change to SOM Organic matter contains many negatively charged surfaces while releasing nutrients.
    [Show full text]
  • Handbook of Environmental Regulations for Agribusiness
    CHAP TE R TH R E E : AG R I C H E M I C AL S - PE S TI C I D E & FE RTI LI Z E R Agrichemicals - Pesticide & Fe rt i l i ze r Agrichemical dealers provide crop protection (pesticides) and enhancement (fert i l i zers) products to farmers. So m e facilities manufacture, formulate, package and re p a c k a g e agrichemicals prior to distribution. Others refill agrichemi- cal totes or mini bulk containers for their customers. T h e s e facilities typically have divisions between formulating and packaging operations and between dry and liquid o p e r a t i o n s . Some dealerships are corporately owned and/or managed and re c e i ve agrichemical use, storage and handling infor- mation from their parent company or corporate headquar- ters; some may belong to trade associations that prov i d e information and training on proper enviro n m e n t a l p ro c e d u res; and others may not have information re a d i l y a vailable to them. The following is an ove rv i ew and s u m m a ry of the environmental re q u i rements applying to agrichemical dealers. Ge n e r a l l y, agrichemicals fall under the regulation of the Iowa De p a rtment of Agricultural and Land St ew a rd s h i p (IDALS). A. Which Environmental Laws Apply to Agrichemicals – Pesticide and Fertilizer? 1.
    [Show full text]
  • 71122 Liquid Chisel 0-0-4 BL 2/7/14 10:29 AM Page 1
    71122 Liquid Chisel 0-0-4 BL 2/7/14 10:29 AM Page 1 0-0-4 SOIL CONDITIONER, CONCENTRATED POTASH SOLUTION AND LINE CLEANER GUARANTEED ANALYSIS Soluble Potash (K2O) . 4.00% Derived from potassium hydroxide. ALSO CONTAINS NON-PLANT FOOD INGREDIENTS: 63% . Polyaliphatic acid salts 5% . Alkyl aryl sulfonates (as line cleaner and soil conditioning agents) 68% . Total PEEL BACK BOOK HERE AND RESEAL AFTER OPENING KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN WARNING Causes mild skin irritation Causes severe eye irritation Harmful if swallowed Wear protective gloves and Eye/Face protection See Inside Panel for Additional Precautionary Statements SN 091213 WEIGHT PER GAL.: 9.9 lbs. (4.35 kg) Information about the components of this lot of fertilizer may be obtained by writing to Helena Chemical Company, 225 Schilling Boule- vard, Suite 300, Collierville, TN 38017 and giving the lot number which is found on the container. Information regarding the contents and levels of metals in this product is available on the Internet at http://www.aapfco.org/metals.htm Manufactured For HELENA CHEMICAL COMPANY 225 SCHILLING BOULEVARD, SUITE 300 • COLLIERVILLE, TN 38017 OPM #121190 NET CONTENTS: PF-71122 71122 Liquid Chisel 0-0-4 LF 2/7/14 10:30 AM Page 1 (1,1) PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS LIQUID CHISEL™ can be applied in a wide va WARNING kler jet and other irrigation systems. It can also BEFORE USING THIS PRODUCT, READ ALL PRECAUTIONS, DIRECTIONS FOR USE, CONDITIONS OF can be applied as a soil spray. When metering SALE – LIMITED WARRANTY AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY AND REMEDIES. ing injection pump or suction regulated line, do n to a public water system without a back siphon Avoid eye contact with formulated product.
    [Show full text]
  • Organic Farming and Growing Standards
    Soil Association Standards Farming and growing Version 18.6: Updated on 12th February 2021 Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 4 Guide to using these standards ................................................................................................................ 5 1.0 General standards for organic farming and growing....................................................................... 8 1.1 Scope ......................................................................................................................................................... 8 1.2 Principles ................................................................................................................................................. 9 1.3 Becoming Soil Association certified ................................................................................................ 11 1.4 Your obligations when certified....................................................................................................... 14 1.5 Inspections ............................................................................................................................................ 17 1.6 Non-compliance with the standards .............................................................................................. 19 1.7 Record keeping ....................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • STORIES from OUR FOOD GARDENS Melveen Jackson
    STORIES FROM OUR FOOD GARDENS MElvEEN JAckson STORIES FROM OUR FOOD GARDENS MIDlands kwAzUlU-Natal, South AFRIcA 2012 MElvEEN JAckson for Mandie With ThANkS to The Saville Foundation African Conservation Trust Dovehouse Organic Farm and Training Centre Arauna Ark Ministry Zakhe Academy and Training Institute Baynesfield Estate Thatchers Practically Permaculture Photographs: Nikki Raw William Jackson Melveen Jackson June Smith Assistance in editing: William Jackson Robyn Jackson Glen Jager contents 1 FARMING FOR ThE FUTURE 7 NO NEED 7 WHAT WE DO 7 IT IS TEAM WORK 8 PERMACULTURE MAKES IT POSSIBLE ON POOR LAND 8 START WITH SOIL NUTRITION 9 SUPER COMPOST GROWS SUPER FOOD 9 FOR ONE HEAP 2m x 3m x 1.8m 10 TO MAKE BEST PRACTICE COMPOST 11 EFFECTIVE MICRO-ORGANISMS 13 TO MULTIPLY AND ENSURE YOUR OWN SUPPLY OF EMS STOCK 13 OThER wAYS TO IMPROvE SOIl NUTRITION 14 THE TRENCH COMPOST GARDEN 14 TO MAKE A TRENCH GARDEN 14 VERMICULTURE: WORMS WONDERFUL WORMS 14 TO MAKE A BUCKET OR BIN WORMERY 15 TO MAKE A TRENCH WORMERY 16 LIQUID MANURE 17 TO MAKE LIQUID MANURE 17 GREEN MANURE, GREEN MULCH 17 SOIL NUTRITION CONCLUSIONS 19 ENDNOTES 19 FURTHER READING 19 03 2 PERMAcUlTURE PRINcIPlES AND PRAcTIcES 21 WHY PERMACULTURE? WHAT IS PERMACULTURE? 21 PERMACULTURE RECYCLES SOLAR ENERGY 21 CULTIVATED PERMANENT AGRICULTURE 21 MAXIMISING EFFICIENCY: USING CONNECTIVITY 22 ELEMENTS OF DESIGN 22 ZONE PLAN 22 SLOPE PLAN 23 SECTOR PLAN 23 WATER HARVESTING 24 SUCCESSION AND PIONEER PLANTING REDUCE OUR WORK 26 TO CULTIVATE FOR SUCCESSION AND DIVERSITY 27 OBSERVATION AND INTUITION
    [Show full text]
  • Bulk Soils & Amendments
    BULK SOILS & AMENDMENTS LAKE MURRAY MIX Includes ground pine bark, sand, land plaster (gypsum), lime, 14-7-7 fertilizer with micronutrients, fire ant killer VEGETABLE GARDEN MIX (for raised beds) Includes ground pine bark, sand, land plaster (gypsum), lime, mushroom compost, peat moss, and organic fertilizer (Espoma Garden Tone) SOIL CONDITIONER (amendment for clay soil) Ground pine bark (partially composted) SAND BAGGED SOILS & AMENDMENTS PREMIUM POTTING MIX - 1.5 cu. ft. Blend of softwood bark, composted peanut hulls, Canadian Spagnum peat moss, dolomite lime, and a wetting agent SOIL CONDITIONER - 1.5 cu. ft. Processed softwood bark MUSHROOM COMPOST - 40 lb. Spent mushroom compost BLACK KOW COMPOSTED MANURE - 50 lb. Composted cow manure SQUARE FOOT GARDEN MIX - 2 cu. ft. Same as Mel’s Mix - Five composts, including poultry and mushroom, peat moss, coarse vermiculite STOUT OLLIE COMPOST - 1.5 cu. ft. A Certified SC grown product, can be used as a soil amendment, top dressing or just like potting soil. PEAT MOSS - 3.8 cu.ft. or 1 cu.ft VERMICULITE COARSE - 4 cu. ft. WORM CASTINGS - 1 cu. ft. Revised 01/15/16 SOIL MEASUREMENT / CONVERSION 1 scoop = 9 cu.ft. = 1/3 cu.yd. 3 scoops = 27 cu.ft. = 1 cu.yd. 1 scoop covers 33 sq.ft. with 3 in. depth 1 cu. yd. covers 99 sq.ft. with 3 in. depth 1 scoop = 150 lbs. 1 cu.yd. = 450 lbs. Formula for Square Feet = length x width Formula for Cubic Feet = length x width x height Two ways to determine amount of bulk soil needed: Formula for cu.yds.
    [Show full text]
  • IDEM Vermicomposting Fact Sheet
    Take the first step and go Green Vermicomposting Fact Sheet What is vermicomposting? culate. Suitable materials include shredded paper Commonly known as worm composting, vermicom- (such as black-and-white newspapers, paper bags, posting is the process of using redworms to convert computer paper, or cardboard); composted animal organic materials including food waste into humus, manure (cow, horse, or rabbit); shredded, decay- a nutrient-rich soil conditioner. Vermicomposting ing leaves; peat moss (which increases moisture works similar to regular composting, except worms retention); or any combination of these. Do not are used. The worms feed on your food waste, use glossy paper or magazines. turning it into some of the best fertilizer on earth. Water. The bedding must be kept moist (but not Vermicomposting can be done in small spaces, wet) to enable the worms to breathe. Worms take such as classrooms. in oxygen through their moist skin. Why should schools vermicompost? Worms. It is important to get the type of worms Using worms to decompose food waste offers that will thrive in a worm bin. Only redworms or several advantages: “wigglers” which are “composting worms” should It can reduce garbage disposal costs. be used (do not use night crawlers or other types of worms). It produces fewer odors and attracts fewer pests than putting food wastes into a Food Scraps. Feed worms any organic waste such garbage container. as vegetables, fruits, eggshells, tea bags, coffee grounds, paper coffee filters, and shredded garden It saves water and electricity that sinks and waste. Do not add meat scraps or bones, fish, garbage disposals use.
    [Show full text]
  • A Narrative Review of the Facts and Perspectives on Agricultural Fertilization in Europe, with a Focus on Italy
    horticulturae Review A Narrative Review of the Facts and Perspectives on Agricultural Fertilization in Europe, with a Focus on Italy Arianna Latini 1,* , Germina Giagnacovo 1, Carlo Alberto Campiotti 1, Carlo Bibbiani 2 and Susanna Mariani 1 1 Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Energy Efficiency Department, Casaccia Research Center, 00123 Rome, Italy; [email protected] (G.G.); [email protected] (C.A.C.); [email protected] (S.M.) 2 Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: Fertilizers stand at the base of current agricultural practices, providing the nutrient sus- tainment required for growing plants. Most fertilizers are synthetic chemicals, whose exploitation at very high levels poses a risk to cultivated land and the whole environment. They have several drawbacks including soil degradation, water pollution, and human food safety. Currently, the urgent need to counterbalance these negative environmental impacts has opened the way for the use of natural and renewable products that may help to restore soil structure, microorganism communities, nutrient elements, and, in some cases, to positively enhance carbon soil sequestration. Here, we endeavor to reinforce the vision that effective strategies designed to mitigate negative anthropic and climate change impacts should combine, in appropriate proportions, solutions addressed to a lower Citation: Latini, A.; Giagnacovo, G.; and less energy intensive production of chemicals and to a more inclusive exploitation of renewable Campiotti, C.A.; Bibbiani, C.; Mariani, natural products as biological soil amendments. After drawing an overview of the agricultural energy S.
    [Show full text]
  • How to Vermicompost at Home Or Work 1 Continuous Vertical Flow Bin Type Is a Series of Trays Stacked Vertically
    Best Sustainable Practices How to Vermicompost at Home or Work Department of Parks and Recreation 915 I Street, 5th Fl, Sacramento, CA 95814 Contact: J.P. Tindell, [email protected], 916.808.1955 Updated May 2010 www.cityofsacramento.org/parksandrecreation/pdf/ vermicompost-01-08-09.pdf CONTENTS Section Page # Vermicomposting 1 Benefits 1 Getting Started 1 Bins 1 Bedding 2 Worms 2 Feeding 3 Maintenance 4 Harvesting 4 Troubleshooting 5 Myths 5 Additional Resources 7 So what is Vermicomposting anyway? Vermicompost (also called worm compost, vermicast, worm castings (poop), worm humus or worm manure) is the end-product of the breakdown of organic matter by some species of earthworm. Vermicompost is a nutrient-rich, organic fertilizer and soil conditioner. The process of producing vermicompost is called vermicomposting. How does it work? Without getting too “sciencey”, together with bacteria, earthworms are the major catalyst for decomposition in a healthy vermicomposting system. Why should I get involved? Benefits: • Diverting food waste from the landfill – approximately 1/3 of a community’s waste stream is food • An incredibly efficient method for recycling • Your commitment to sustainability and being green • Converts kitchen waste into nutrient-rich compost Okay, how can I get started? • Obtain “small scale” Bins • Other useful supplies o Worms (1-2 lbs) o Instruction signs o Food scrap container for kitchen area o Cutting knife or food shears (to cut scraps for spreading) o Newspaper for bedding o Fruit fly traps + solution to replace periodically (e.g., orange juice + dish liquid) o Cutting board o Plastic gloves o Spray bottle for providing moisture o “Scooper” and containers to harvest and give away castings/compost “tea” o Paper shredder Setting up a bin at home or work Worm bins vary depending on the desired size of the system.
    [Show full text]