AppliedSTEM

Lesson: Micro Hydroponics Systems

Students will repurpose takeout container to start growing seedlings in a small hydroponic container with a heat map to promote germination and growth,

Don’t Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth

Diversity Diversity in an ecosystem is always a good thing. I produce high quality compost and fertilizers from various sources. But the poultry and rabbit manure have limits. And it takes time and energy to synthesize them to where the…

Look at how adorable Ginger is!

Spring 2021 at Mezzacello

Well it’s nearly Easter in this year after COVID19. My enclosed sustainable ecosystem is readying itself to come back to life. I decided this cold sunny day was the perfect day to record Mezzacello. This is right before it goes…

Redefining Mezzacello

Mezzacello is more than an urban farm. It is more than a group of enclosed sustainable ecosystems. It is also a learning lab dedicated to advancing and innovating agricultural and technology solutions for urban food deserts. That takes improvements in…

A split screen of where we are now.

The Rule of Sustainability – 3 and 5 Strategy

Sustainability is an important topic right now. We need more of it, and better metrics to define what “it” is.

The Rule of Sustainability – 3 and 5 Strategy
Sustainability in a nutshell

The Manure That Infected Mars

#ProjectMartian really worked well. Especially during the COVID19 isolation. Last year every bit of manure and green and brown for compost went through the #Bioreactor. I was mocked for using it. I was chastised for calling it that. But it…

#ProjectMartian bed WITH manure from outside Mezzacello.

The New Neighbor Who Has 100 feet

Well year two of #ProjectMartian has been a learning experience to be sure! My original idea was to test if we could send greens and browns to Mars to recreate compost and soil on Mars (we can). But I neglected…

Compost centipedes deposited from horse manure. But they LOVE the moist environment in a martian bed.

The Parterre Herbal Garden Microclimate

Why a parterre garden? It’s equal part microclimate and ecology and space for tender herbs. Plus it looks really nice.

The Parterre Herbal Garden Microclimate
High summer lushness

Foodist: Butter Bean and Broccolini Salad

Butter Bean and Broccolini Salad Recipe: Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper1 lb. Broccolini, cooked and trimmed3 tbsp. olive oil1 tsp. lemon zest2 tablespoons juice2 tbsp. capers, drained and chopped2 tbsp. honey mustard1/2 red pepper flakes1 (15.5-ounce) can small…

Delicious and super fresh Butter Bean and Broccolini Salad

What an Ecosystem Looks Like

What An Ecosystem Looks Like At Mezzacello we do not city garden. City water is used for cooking, sewage, and RARELY for watering delicate plants in the height of summer. Even then we collect rainwater and use that when we…