The 10 Essential Professional Wardrobe Items

No matter what profession, career, and/or vocation one taken to avoid dressing like a tight ass prick every day, there always this one time that one need to dress formally and professionally. Perhaps may it be a first ever job interview, a meeting for bank loan, to secure documentation like passport in a government facility and/or simple formal occasion. There is no escape so it is better to be prepared than to be caught off guard.  

There are 10 simple, basic and versatile, thus making it essential, wardrobe items would ease the anxiety of vexing if one is under or over dress in a professional or formal interview, meeting and/or gathering. It is not recommended to buy everything in haste, this is just a heads up in case one is going window shopping and does not have these certain items. Always give some thought and time in finding the right size, fitting, design and style to suit one’s need, taste and comfort. Do not worry, one can still used these items in casual and informal occasions, all one need is a little imagination. 

10 Essential Items in a Professional Wardrobe

1. White Polo Shirt

A white simple well-fitted polo shirt makes everything look formal and put together, even if it is worn in a casually. Acquire a fabric that match one’s climate, example in tropical climate cotton is the best. It is light, soft and breathable but some wrinkle easily, which would be a setback for the next factor to consider, a fabric that needs no or minimal ironing. There are fabric-combinations like cotton-polyester that nice in a hot climate and wrinkle the leas, take time and effort to find it.

2. Gray Shirt

A gray semi-formal shirt, worn with well-fitted blazer completes the formal look. Neck line, rounded or v-neck, would depends on one’s face shape.  

  

3. Basic Black Dress for females and Well-Fitted Basic Suit for males

A basic black dress or a well-fitted suit alone is suitable in every occasion. With a few accessories it would create a brand new wardrobe hence it is versatile that it can be worn endlessly.

4. Slack

A well-fitted, comfortable black slack provide a formal setting whether it is worn with a white polo shirt or gray shirt with blazer and any combination.

5. Dark Blue Jeans

A clean pair of jeans paired with white polo shirt, or gray shirt, or any shirt with blazer present formality, more so if one act with politeness similar to Keanu Reeve in most recent movie interviews.    

6. Blazer

Invest in a well-fitted black blazer, an item that would make an informal shirt to formal. It is a versatile item would help put together a multitude of combination. Make sure the shoulder fits perfectly.  

7. Basic Flats for females and Loafer or Sneakers for males

Comfortable pair of shoes is useful on active and busy days.  These would receive the most wear invest a comfortable, good quality but not expensive pair.   

8. Leather - Ankle Boots for female and Lace-up Formal Boots for male

This is an additional footwear item for more professional meeting. There are heavy duty utility boots that look like as a formal boots, 

9. Leather Belt 

A solid good quality leather belt is to support slack or jeans. Preferable if it matches with formal shoes in color, material and metal accessories, to project a uniformed, snappy and clean look. 

10. Functional Bag

A light weight, medium size but heavy duty every day bag to place everything you need to survive in one’s work day. A comfortable shoulder strap would be helpful in securing a bag while both hands are needed to complete a task.

Final Thoughts 

These items are not vanity items, that is only be displayed on special occasion, nor a trendy fashion, that is short lived.  Before wasting hard earn cash on trendy fashion, invest on these items first. And since these items are worn and used the most, buy the best quality one can afford for durability and longevity.

For items to be unnoticeable of being used everyday, it is smart to stick with solid neutral or just black palette, and traditional or classical design. To present a clean formal and organized look closely match in color, texture and/or material of items like slack, belt and shoes.

Would like a comprehensively take on this subject? Please share your thoughts and leave comments, questions, reactions, suggestion and corrections below. It would inspire useful additional and comprehensive post. And please don’t forget to follow to help this blog to create better content. Thank you!

As always keep it amazingly simple and pretty. Enjoy!

Prevent Body Pains with Ergonomic

Work Should Not Hurt

There is a recent trend of developing concept concerning work comfort, safety, productivity and efficiency. This concept is called ergonomic, defined as an applied science concern with understanding human abilities and limitations, and utilizes that knowledge in designing and arranging things people use to have the most efficient and safe interaction.  It is also known as biotechnology, human engineering, comfort design, functional design, universal design and system, and human factors [1]. It may pertain to designed product, but also creating system and processes. It accounts human physicality, cognitive ability and social behaviors that may influence work.

Short-Term Cost Saving Benefit

Ergonomic chairs were the first office furniture that gain attention, and provide a spotlight to ergonomics itself. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) based on evidence that ergonomics programs can cut labor costs, increase productivity and decrease employee turnover [2]. In the workplace, goals are to reduce the total economic cost of work-related injuries and illnesses, from workers’ compensation, medical cost, re-training cost of new employees and the likes, and have a result that increases productivity and profitability. Hence, it has been utilized in almost all industries from deploying personal protective equipment, safer equipment, stream lining processes and even safer consumer products.

In the greater population, ergonomic or human factor designs are steadily seeping in as part of marketing strategy to attract safety conscious consumers and environmental advocates. A healthier and safer product is the aim, and the concept has been applied in aviation, automotive manufacturers and similar industries.

The user-friendly and organize system used mainly by industries has seeped through sport, recreations and into homes. Greater number of people is becoming aware of its core advantages on efficiency and preventative measures in safety and overall health.

Long-Term Health Benefit

Significant benefit is as one exerts less physical effort; prevent repetitive strain injuries, results to lower risk of work-related injuries and illnesses, like musculoskeletal disorders. Some of these long-term illnesses and disabilities developed overtime, it may start as acute benign pain, but unknowingly such discomfort becomes a persistent and chronic result to loss of functional capacity. Mental acuity is dull by increasing persistent pain and discomfort. In the end, both physical and mental abilities are affected and disable a person to work productively, efficiently, comfortably and passionately. On the whole, ergonomic goal is to create a short-term benefits of optimize production and safer environment, and long-term health benefit and self-actualization of passion.

Application in the Kitchen

The concepts of ergonomics have been applied in homes especially in the kitchen; a functional kitchen floor plan is a great example. It consider the kitchen work flow with goal to organize the process that would result to less time spent, less effort but the same amount of productivity. An efficient kitchen flow in a small kitchen flow the sink, stove and refrigerator are traditionally placed at the points of a triangle, while in bigger& busier kitchen, work station approach is utilized, in which an ample space or landing area of at least 15 inches is provided around frequently use major appliance of a certain cooking station.

Another ergonomic discovery that answered what is the difference between comfortable-ideal kitchen worktops heights, including sink depth, and a body ache. This also helps erase some prejudices on clumsiness in the kitchen as it could be due to factors [3].  The ideal, comfortable, and efficient height of different countertops or worktops and depth of sink are proportional to the user’s height, as shown in the illustrations below.

Ergonomics optimizes the human anatomy and cognitive reflex and ability in order to create a comfortable, easy to use, efficient and aesthetic product, safe work environment and/or work process, thus it is applicable to any daily activity. This science is still at its infancy in the regulation standard hence take great care in jumping into any products or services that aggressively advertise and claims to apply this concept to their products and/or services. This science has great and noble intentions for human well-being; so always consider its concept, in making things better and safer.

Is this subject matter interesting? Would like to know more, please share your thoughts and leave a comment or questions below. And please don’t forget to follow. If you find this article lacking please feel free to post your reactions, suggestions, and corrections. And maybe follow to help this blog create better content. Thank you!

As always keep it safe, comfortable, efficient and simple. Enjoy!

References

1. Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary (10^th ed.). (1993). Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster.  

2. Jeffress, C.N. (27 October 2000). BEACON Biodynamics and Ergonomics Symposium. University of Connecticut, USA.

3. Valcucine. (n.d.). Height and Depth of Worktops. [Blog Post]. Retrieved from http://www.valcucine.com/en/planning/ergonomics/height-depth/

Vinegar - A Must Have

Vinegar is a familiar and ordinary item in the kitchen, now it becoming a must have household product. It is a sour- tasting liquid, used mostly in cooking as a culinary ingredient and as a condiment, and in pickling as a preservative. Since an advocacy of environmentally safe products, vinegar has become one of the top alternatives and has been at par based on popular demand with commercial cleaning and disinfecting products. 

What is Vinegar?

Vinegar is a sour liquid traditionally produced by fermentation of dilute alcoholic liquids, like wine, cider, or beer. This traditional fermentation process takes place slowly for few months, or even a year, where a natural biological processes of accumulation of a certain bacteria that oxidized ethanol to produce acetic acid. Another, faster method that takes only between 20 hours to three days, is by adding bacterial culture to the preferred liquid to promote fermentation and production of acetic acid.

The most important organic acid in our modern industrial times is acetic acid. It is also the main component of vinegar about 5-20% together with water and other trace chemicals. This organic acid gives vinegar not only its sour taste but also its acidic quality.  Acid is any compound that can easily lose a hydrogen ion, since a hydrogen ion is a simple proton, hence it is also called a proton donors, or sometimes electron. Acids react with bases and alkalis to form neutral compounds called salts. It is said to neutralize bases when they do this, as the common table salt or sodium chloride (NaCl) , formed when hydrochloric acids reacts and neutralized sodium hydroxide to sodium chloride and evaporated water. Vinegar cannot react corrosively that it could melt a penny but it is more acidic than an orange juice. It could melt a chicken’s egg shell in 48 hours but it is less acidic than gastric acid [1].

Types of Vinegar

There are dozens of different types of vinegar depends on the source of liquid. Varieties of vinegars have pH ranging from 2.6 to 6.0. Some may believe that some vinegar is alkaline-like, however and without a doubt vinegars are acids. They are weak acids in which it doesn’t lose it protons easily than strong acids. Here are some types of vinegar, commonly used and a must have in a pantry and/or a cleaning closet, or at least have a try.

1. White Vinegar

Among vinegars the white vinegar is quite unique as it is made of laboratory-produced acetic acid through fermentation of distillated alcohol, then diluted with water; hence the name and known for as “distilled white vinegar” or “distilled vinegar.”  The solution is compost of 5% to8% acetic acid in water and having a pH of 2.4 to 2.6. It is the most acidic among vinegars which makes it a good cleaner. As Dr. Rutala concluded in their study of natural cleaning products, undiluted vinegar is effective against two specific disease-causing microorganisms, which are S. Typhi and E. coli [2]. With its acidity it is a popular alternative for an environmentally safe cleaner and disinfectant. And so it is used in laboratory, and for medicinal and therapeutic reason. As a food ingredient it is commonly used in cooking, baking, and food preservation.

2. Balsamic Vinegar

This is the vinegar that prompted this article, great concern that  there are some cheap balsamic vinegar posing as the much expensive, marked, traditional, aged balsamic vinegar. The original and traditional balsamic vinegar is made from the concentrated juice of white Trebbiano grapes aged from 12 to 25 years, in successive variety of wood barrels, in the provinces of Italy [3]. Moreover, it has no balsam fruit in it. Importantly, it has a “Protected Designation of Origin” status and marked “tradizionale” or “DOC” this is to protect names and quality of regional agricultural products across European Union. This vinegar has a very dark brown, rich, sweet, mellow and complex, and notably aromatic. It usually has a pH of lower than 3, yet its acidic has been masked by the sweetness of other   ingredients. The cheaper non-DOC commercial form, also known as “aceto balsamico di Modena” or balsamic vinegar of Modena, is typically made from concentrated grape juice mixed with a strong vinegar, then coloured and slightly sweetened with caramel and sugar .    

Balsamic vinegar is used as a good quality food ingredient, from a salad dressing to marinades. It is used to add flavor and bring flavors together by using it to finish soups and sauce and braise dishes. It can be reduced to syrup and drizzled over vanilla ice cream or plain crepe. And a vinegar-based cocktails and soda are surely a healthier option.

3. Cider Vinegar 

Also known as apple cider vinegar or ACV is a type of vinegar made from cider or squeezed apple juices. It has a pale to medium amber color, while unpasteurized ACV has a cobweb-like appearance and slightly congealed as it contains cellulose and acetic acid-forming bacteria. It is used as a food ingredient such as a salad dressing, vinaigrettes, marinades and chutneys, as a food preservative in pickling, and as vinegar-based drinks.

4. Cane Vinegar

This type of vinegar is made from sugarcane juice, fermented either by slow or fast method. Well-known variations are from the Philippines, Brazil and India, but the kind of vinegar from the Philippines is the most appealing.  It ranges from dark yellow to golden brown in color. Similar to balsamic and rice vinegar, it has a mellow flavor, and much “fresher” taste compare to distilled white vinegar. It is mostly used as a food ingredient in vinegar-based stock for soup, dressing for raw fish dishes and marinades.  

Other Uses of Vinegar

1.  As cleaner and mild disinfectant:

• clean and disinfect cutting board
• clean, disinfect and neutralize chemicals on vegetable and fruits
• shine dishware and glassware
• clean pots and pans
• de-clog and deodorize drain
• dissolve and clean soap scum and brines or water stains deposit showerheads

2.  As an odor neutralizer:

• remove foul odor from drains, refrigerator, and microwave
• remove foul odor on clothes and  perspiration discoloration
• prevent and remove unpleasant smell produced by bacteria on the skin or body odor
• unmark pet spot

3.  As a fabric  softener:

• soften clothes and brighten colors

This is just a short introduction about vinegar, its different types and different uses.  A more detailed description on how to use vinegar as a cleaner and disinfectant, odor neutralizer and fabric softener will be available in the next cleaning tips blog post. Please watch out for it.

Do you like this article? If you do and want to know more please leave a comment and questions below and don’t forget to follow. If you find this article lacking please feel free to post reactions, suggestions, and corrections. And also follow to help this blog to create better content. Thank you!

As always keep it clean and simple. Enjoy!

References

1. Kinkead, E.B., Sehbai, D.S. & Tunney, C.J. (Eds.). (1972). Modern Century Illustrated Encyclopedia ( Vols. 9). Australia: McGraw-hill Far Eastern Publishers.

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (Last Updated February 2017.). Guidelines for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, 2008.  Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/

3. Italia Regina. (n.d.). History of Balsamic Vinegar. [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://www.italiaregina.it/balsamic-vinegar-aceto-balsamico-del-duca/ 

Effective Way to Clean and Disinfect a Cutting Board

Cleaning and disinfecting kitchen items are important part in food preparation. These food hygiene activities substantially eliminate or reduce disease causing microorganisms and decrease microbial load. A good standard hygiene, especially food hygiene, could reduce infections in the home. It is impossible to eliminate being infected by pathogens, as there are other ways that germs can be transmitted, like human-to-human contact, but other risk factors, like surface-to-human transmission, can be interrupted.

Targeted Hygiene Concept

The “targeted hygiene concept” as described by CDC is identifying situations and areas where risk exists for transmission of pathogens. This simple concept not only  points out to an  effective cleaning and disinfecting method but also efficient work flow, as it provide a reasonable way to identify when disinfection might be appropriate[1].

Advantages

Applying the targeted hygiene concept in the kitchen, clearly cutting boards are on the top of the list as most likely a source of surface-to-human transmission of pathogens, hence a thorough cleaning and regular disinfection is required. Short term gains are having a clean, odourless and flavor free board thus better tasting food. While long term gains directly concludes on financial aspect as it would lengthens the life span of the item, and avoid food poisoning which aids in maintenance of good health.

A crucial part in food preparation, it has been emphasized in a previous blog post to have two cutting boards: one for ready to eat vegetable and fruits, and cooked foods, and another cutting board for uncooked meats and such items. The rationale for such food safety practice is to avoid cross contamination. Also help reduce infections in the home.

Steps in Cleaning and Disinfecting Cutting Board

1. Cleaning. Wash clean cutting board with dish washing soap and warm water. Wet board with water to remove visible and large particles. Lather surfaces with dish washing soap using either a coarse surface sponge or a soft brush, this produce friction to dislodge or remove smaller particles and stains. Rinse.

2. Disinfecting. Disinfect with 3.0% hydrogen peroxide for 15 minutes, once a day preferably at the end of the day. Keep 3.0%hydrogen peroxide in a handy dark-colored spray bottle for kitchen use. Spray the bottled disinfectant into the washed cutting board. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse and hang dry. 

If using other disinfectants and detergents always follow manufacturers’ instructions for proper use, like recommended dilution, material-compatibility, storage; and also its safe use. 

That is how simple and easy to clean and disinfect a cutting board. It is applicable to any type of cutting board materials.

Do you like this article? If you do and want to know more please leave a comment and questions below and don’t forget to follow. If you find this article lacking please feel free to post reactions, suggestions, and corrections. And also follow to help this blog to create better content. Thank you!

As always keep it clean and simple. Enjoy!

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (Last Updated February 2017.). Guidelines for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, 2008.  Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/ 

Rosemary: Under the Tuscan Sun

Tuscan Blue Rosemary

BOTANICAL NAME
Rosmarinus Officinalis

PLANT TYPE

Herb

SUN EXPOSURE

Full Sun; cannot grow in shade

SOIL TYPE

Well-drained Loamy or Sandy soil

SOIL pH

6.6 to 8.5

FUN FACTS            

           

Rosemary is a perennial evergreen scrub. In botany, a perennial means that it lives for more than two years; an evergreen, always green, is a plant that has leaves throughout the year; and a scrub is a plant smaller than a tree, between 6.5 to 20 feet, with woody stems. For rosemary, it is a low growing plant that could grow up to 2-7 feet high by 2-5 feet wide at a medium growth rate [1]. A variety of rosemary plant calle Tuscan blue rosemary could grow up to 7 feet tall by 2 feet wide.

Culinary Uses

The edible parts of rosemary are young shoots, leaves and flowers. It is used in small quantities, either fresh or dried, as a condiment and tea. It is a popular herb used in Mediterranean cuisines. Rosemary is used raw or cooked, finely chopped or in springs, its leaves have a bitter taste and resinous flavor which pairs well with fatty food. It is popularly used in chicken dishes, like in soups and stews with vegetable or roasted and grilled. It is also great stuffing for barbecued fatty fish and common ingredient for dressings used on roasted lamb. Rosemary helps in digestion and stimulates appetite, hence making it a versatile culinary herb.

Medicinal Uses

Rosemary is commonly grown in the herb garden as a domestic remedy. The whole plant is antiseptic, astringent, and anti-inflammatory, as it is rich in volatile oils, flavanoids and phenolic acids (protects from oxidative damage). It is also antispasmodic, highly aromatic, cardiac, carminative (relieves flatulence), cholagogue (promote bile flow from the gall bladder into the duodenum/stomach-assist in digestion), stomachic (assist in digestion and promotes appetite), diaphoretic (induces perspiration), emmenagogue (stimulate menstrual flow), nervine (calms the nerves and allergies), stimulant, rubefacient (increase blood flow-topical application) and tonic. The German Commission E Monographs approved Rosemary as an herbal medicine [2] from its distilled water from flowers, to essential oil distilled from stems and leaves, and from the flowering tops. The distilled water from the flowers is used an eyewash, should not be prescribed for pregnant women since excess it can cause abortion [3,4]. Rosemary is often used in aromatherapy to combat fatigue and nervousness. Its tea is a soothing drink that promotes sleep.

NTS: This blog initially declined to present any medicinal uses of the plants as most are unfounded claim. For safety reason, felt compelled to provide the general proven and unfounded effects with the hopes that reasonable precaution would be taken when utilizing the plants. Moreover, this blog cannot take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plant. Always seek advice from a professional before using for medicinally purpose.

Other Uses

Rosemary essential oil is used in perfumery and soaps for medicinal purpose and other. A rosemary infusion of dried plant (both leaves and flowers) and essential oil are used in shampoos and hair conditioners to treat dandruff and to prevent premature baldness, so they say, maybe dandruff-causing baldness. NTS: 200 kilos of flowering stems could produce one kilo of essential oil.

The leaves are burnt as an incense and fumigant to repel insects. Branches and/or sachet of the leaves are often placed in clothes dresser and cabinets to keep moths away.

In the garden, the growing plant is a good insect repellant. And trimmings could be used as a ground cover, three for one, repels pests, prevents weed growth and conserves soil moisture. Moreover, it may repel certain insects-pests but it is a good bee plant and some varieties attract butterflies. Another garden benefit is-it can be grown as a hedge and used as a border and/or a protective barrier for smaller delicate plant as it is resistant to maritime exposure.  

Polymorphic species that is commonly grown in the ornamental and herb gardens, there are many named varieties. The Tuscan Blue variety has been favored by cooks and chefs [5], while the Corsican Blue is more aromatic, has been commonly used for domestic medicinal remedies, and ornamentation. Traditionally, the plant is a symbol of friendship and loyalty. And a wreath of it would be worn by brides to denote love and fidelity. In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Juliet is presented with rosemary when she dies.

PLANTING

Preparation

A cold frame or greenhouse if in seasonal zones, or a shady corner in tropical zones

Containers

Broken pottery or the likes for drainage

Potting soil mix  

Propagation

By Seed

When to plant:

Preferably in the spring; or for head start, plant indoors 8 to 10 weeeks before the last spring frost

Seed Depth:

Depth not indicated; Sow or plant seed by scattering it on or in the soil

Seed Spacing:

Not indicated           

Row Spacing:

Not indicated           

Days to Sprout:

Germination can be slow

When to transplant:

In the late spring or early summer; when they are large enough to handle and grow

Plant Spacing:

Transplant seedling 2-4 feet apart; or in individual pots

By Cutting

Part to cut:

Half-ripe wood cuttings

When to cut:

In July and August

Length of cutting:

4-7 inches with a heel

Days to root growth:

21 days

CARE AND CULTIVATION

Care Level:

EASY

Watering:

Water the plant evenly throughout the growing season,; or just enough to keep the soil moist, but too much watering could cause root rot.

Growing Notes:

Protect rosemary for the first winter by growing them indoors, under bright light and cool temperatures. Then, transplant outside during late spring. By the next winter protect the plant with heavy mulching in the fall.

Avoid moving the plant after it has been planted in the ground.

Needs full sun and cannot grow in the shade. The plant is tolerant to drought.

Regular trimming or pruning is best carried out after it has flowered; it should be pruned after first bloom to stimulate growth. It is very tolerant to pruning, as it can regenerate from old wood. Tuscan blue can be pruned heavily up to half.

Resistant to maritime exposure but weakens when combined with cold weather. In the case of Tuscan blue rosemary, plant it in a sheltered spot from the wind but receive full sun.

Flower Blooming: 

From March to October, more in June to July; Blossoms range from shades of pink to blue color to white.

Tuscan blue rosemary plants blooms from winter to spring, come back again in summer or autumn. As true to its name, this plant produces deep blue to violet blossoms.

The flowers are hermaphrodite meaning have both male and female organs.

Seed Ripens:

From August to October

Companion plants:

Best with: cabbages, beans, carrots and sage; as it wards off insects and pests such as cabbage moths, bean beetles and carrot flies.

Worst with: potatoes

Pests and Diseases:

Aerial blight

Bacterial leaf spots

Several types of root rot

HARVEST

Days to Harvest [?]:

Anytime; favorably in the morning when the aroma are the strongest

Quantity to Harvest:

In general, harvest up to a third of the rosemary at any one time, allowing the plant to regenerate and replace its growth before taking more.

Rosemary is the most commonly used and the most aromatic culinary herb. And I have chosen to feature the Tuscan Blue [5] variety as it is recommended by Chef John of Food Wishes, whose enthusiasm is the inspiration to properly research and collate information about this plant. Then, simplify it for fast and easy reference in the future. Realizing the culinary usage has medicinal benefits, put me on a frantic mode trying to remember and write down my original chicken recipe, lemon-rosemary steamed chicken, with the hopes to share it with you as the next featured food recipe. It all comes in full circle, thank you Chef John [6].

If you like this article please let me know, comment below, and do not forget to follow. Please feel free to post comments, questions, suggestions and reactions if it is lacking or something. I would like to know what you think. Thank you

As always enjoy gardening! ...then harvesting, cooking and eating!

References

1. Phillips, R., & Foy, N. (1990). Herbs. London, UK: Pan Macmillan.

2. Blumenthal, M., Klein, S., Riggins, C., & Rister, R. (Eds.).  (1998). The Complete German Commission E Monographs, Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines, 1st ed. USA: American Botanical Council.   

3. Chiej, R. (1984). Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. London, UK: MacDonald & Co Ltd.

4. Bown, D. (1995). Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. London, UK: Dorling Kindersley.

5. Baessler, L. ( n.d.). Growing Tuscan Blue Rosemary: How To Care For Tuscan Blue Rosemary Plants. [Blog File]. Retrieved from https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/rosemary/growing-tuscan-blue-rosemary.htm

6. Food Wishes. (2015, June 1). How to Plant a Culinary Herb Garden! DIY Kitchen Garden. [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbYbI-uGEyg

Simple Way to Compost

In most gardens, soil is the foundation. A great garden soil is a healthy one where it is full of life meant it is humus-rich that have an active symbiotic relationship with small animals, worms, insects, and soil bacteria and fungi. The macro and microbial activities create and provides a slow release of nutrients to growing plants. A healthy soil is not only having a substantially water-holding capacity to conserve moisture, but also have good drainage and aeration.

There are many ways to improve the overall structure of soil. One could artificially increase nutrients in the soil by adding chemical fertilizer, but it’s an add-on cost and in the long-term could cause harm to the environment. Another way by improving water-holding capacity through mulching or using dried leaves or coconut husks, these increase moisture and suppress weeds.  A safer and cheaper option yet a high in carbon materials could cause soil microorganisms to use up extra nitrogen to digest it and deprive plants the much needed nutrient.  However, there is the cheapest and most versatile soil additive that every gardener should be using that is called finished compost, also referred as compost.

Compost and Finished Compost

Compost is a pile of organic matter in an aerobic process of decomposing through the work of microorganisms, soil fauna, enzymes and fungi into humus. While finished compost is basically the end-product of composting. It is a form of humus, a decomposed organic matters and pretty looks, feels and smells like rich black earth or soil. And good quality compost helps build that garden’s foundation by giving the soil the humus.

Versatile and Sustainable

Finished compost is a versatile soil additive that improves soil structure as it binds with soil particles into porous granules which allow air and water to move through the soil.  It actively retains moisture, as rich in organic matter or humus, as it holds up to 90 percent of its weight in water, and able to absorb and store nutrients. Since it is stabilized and cured it does not take the much needed nitrogen from the soil, a great soil conditioner. Most importantly, finished compost is a natural fertilizer, as organic matter is a source of food for microorganisms that convert soil nutrients unto a form, a balanced and full spectrum of plants nutrients, which plants absorb more efficiently. These nutrients are gradually release, as plants need them, over a period of months or years. The microorganisms, enzymes, vitamins and natural antibiotic that are present in the compost could help prevent soil pathogens from harming plants.

Environmental Friendly

Composting is the ecological alternative of burning or burying organic waste. It is a recycled and reused organic waste into fertilizer and soil additive. It is a chemical free way to nourish plant and stimulate their defense system and extra strength to grow fast and stay healthy.

Basically Free

Composting is the least costly if you make your own compost is basically free. All you need is space, brown and green organic waste, a little water and time. And let Mother Nature do the rest. But one can hasten the process by providing the best possible environment for the microorganism doing the decomposition by a simple manual labor, no need of special bins, special thermometer, aerator or starter.

Making your own Compost

This is a small scale composting just to show the basic ideas and steps I making your own compost. Here goes.

1. Preparation of containers or area. Using a 13-foot length of 2x4x36-inch welded medium gauge wire fence, tie the ends together to form a hoop with 3-4 feet in diameter. Crisscross branches on the bottom for aeration.  Or just secure an area large enough to make a 4 feet in diameter by 4 feet in height pile.

2. Piling up the compost as high as 3-4 feet. To have an active compost pile, a certain ratio of carbon-rich (brown) to nitrogen-rich (green) organic waste material should be observed and maintained; recommendation varies from 30:1, 25:1 to 20:1. To simplify use about 3 times more “brown” than “green” materials or 3:1 ratio and in alternate layer. That would provide ideal environment for live microorganisms, bacteria and fungi to grow and reproduce feeding in the nitrogen and carbon that is naturally present in organic matters. Please see picture box below for the list of brown and green organic materials.

An excess of brown and not enough green materials, would make a pile years to decompose as there is not enough protein for microbes. While an excess of green and not enough brown, a pile would also decompose slowly, be soggy and smelly, as there is not enough food for the microbes to eat.

All organic matter breaks down eventually, slowly and gradually transforms waste into compost. However, in smaller pieces and more homogenized waste matter could hasten composting. Once accumulate enough organic waste and the desired height of the pile had been reached, stop adding and let it decompose.

3. Composting. Let it sit, in a couple of days, steam will rise, and heat indicates microbial activity from aerobic bacteria decompose the waste materials. The temperature determines what types of microbes are active.   

Bacteria in the Compost

- Psychrophiles - As low as 28 degrees Fahrenheit

As they begin to digest some of the carbon-rich materials, they give off heat, which causes the temperature in the pile to rise.

- Mesophilic bacteria - 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit

They are responsible for the majority of the decomposition work. If the mesophiles have enough carbon, nitrogen, air, and water, they work so hard that they raise the temperature in the pile.

- Thermophilic bacteria - about 100 degrees Fahrenheit

It is these bacteria that can raise the temperature high enough to sterilize the compost and kill disease-causing organisms and weed seeds. Three to five days of 155 degrees Fahrenheit is enough for the thermophiles to do their best work.

                

4. Turning the compost pile every 3- 5 or 7 days, while big piles are turned monthly or when the interior temperature dips below about 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The purpose of turning is to increase oxygen flow for aerobic bacteria (bacteria that needs oxygen) to stimulate chemical process and decay. And to blend undecomposed materials into the center pile to ensure decomposition occurs evenly throughout the pile. Turning speeds the composting process.

     Turn the compost pile by breaking the pile, spread it all out. Check if it is moist, if its dry spray with water, preferably unchlorinated. Moisture is very important for composting process, but too much will drown the microorganism and too little will dehydrate them. Rule of green thumb; keep the pile moist as a well-wrung sponge.

Then pile it back up and mixing it together, and it will start to break down and heat up again, as long as there is still undecomposed material.

5. Composting...is it done yet? More or less, compost pile would stop breaking down in a month to 5 weeks. For big piles the active break down phase takes 6-10 months. Then, no matter how much it is turned, when the pile’s temperature remains constant, steam stop rising, and mushrooms are popping the compost pile is probably ready for curing.

6. Curing. Let the compost pile sit for another month to which the compost is allowed to stabilize. This would allow fungi to continue decomposition process and eliminate phytotoxic substances. And for bigger piles that would be an additional 6-8 months. When the compost pile looks, feels and smells like a dark brown or black rich earthy soil then it is ready for gardening.

7. Screening/Straining the finished compost is optional; it is to removes large objects. This step could be forgone if smaller pieces and more homogenized organic matter had been added to the pile. A screened quality would be best when used in seed germination, growing seedlings and planting root crops.

Composting is easy and environmentally sustainable. Most gardeners would recommend a 2 to 4- inch layer of compost around plants or over the area and till the compost into the soil as deep as 6 to 8 inches. If you cannot make it on your own make sure to buy and use those that don’t incorporate chemical treated materials.

Unfortunately, as this point the post is getting lengthy, thus the other soil additives will be discuss on the next gardening tip blog post. I hope you do not mind regards to the changes, please feel free let me know what you think.

I hope this article provided some additional knowledge and ideas that could help in making your own compost, soil mix and starting a garden. If you like this article, please let me know, leave a comment below and do not forget to follow. If you don’t, I still would like to hear what you think and please post reactions and corrections that could help improve this article or this blog in general. Thank you.

As always enjoy gardening and Mother Nature!

Reference

Praxxus55712. (2012, March 18). How to make GREAT compost fast. [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmVNXY-fmko