Sweetgrass Garden Grants

When using compost made of fish carcasses, which is more effective? Compost made of fresh water fish carcasses or compost made of salt water fish carcasses? Sweetgrass Garden had previously conducted a study to see which compost was more effective. After this study, which included wild caught fish provided by a local commercial fisherman, Sweetgrass Garden has concluded that fresh water fish compost and salt water fish compost do not have much of a difference. Although the fish live in different environments, the fish still have similar biological qualities. A concern for some who witnessed this study was that salt water fish are more available to be made into compost than fresh water fish. However, this was found to not be true. Fish carcasses can, in fact, be found in the inlands among the fresh water. The results of this study can expand the possibilities for people to use either salt water or fresh water fish carcasses in their compost. Using fish carcasses along with pluff mud is an inexpensive and natural alternative to something that people could buy at the store to help their crops grow.

Hugelkultur

Hugelkultur is the process of laying down large logs or other structures to create a raised bed for growing. We then fill the bed with a layer of rotting wood, twigs, and branches. On top of this layer we add fine soil. As time passes and the wood continues to rot it creates more and more nutrient rich soil to grow our organic foods. These beds are able to hold much more water than regular soil, benefiting our crops tremendously. Hugelkultur beds can continue to create a nutrient rich bed for over 20 years.