The Terra Preta twist! ... davidgmills sent me.

[mom person]

I am an aging hippy, earth loving urban gardener with an ancient history of living on a farm and a deep fear :eek2: about the future of life on earth . Terra Preta sure looks like a great idea but it sure is a lot of work .

So far I have tried stomping , pounding :hammer: (four pound sledge) and grinding . One of the best for me has been the latter which davidgmills affectionately dubbed "the Twist" Once I have tromped the lumps to a manageable size (about 1/2 an inch or so) I grind them to dust with a twisting motion with both feet. By the way, don't use your Beirkenstocks, they are too flimsy.:doh: My Neo overshoes with their big surface area seem to work the best for me.

Since I've given up hope that the aliens will come and save us, I think we need to work together :circle: so I am joining this group.

 

:hihi: Thanks to all of you who have started the ball rolling

 

mom person

[Buffy]

Welcome mom person! We do have lots of fun playing in the Terra Preta around here!

 

Have fun!

Buffy

[mom person]

Thanks Buffy!

I have only busted up and dug in two bags of charcoal so far, but I am hooked. The ground already looks better and I am anticipating those juicy tomatoes who are the first recipients.:D

[Tormod]

Welcome aging hippie! :)

[Europa]

Welcome to Hypography Science Forums.

[Michaelangelica]

Welcome mom person! We do have lots of fun playing in the Terra Preta around here!

 

Have fun!

Buffy

Welcome to the Terra preta sand pit!

I see you brung your toys, good boy.

Can I play with your CARbon?

[maikeru]

Our ranks swell! Soon we will be legion!

[mom person]

Thanks for the welcome and sorry that it took me so long to respond. I have been out in the garden pounding, stomping, swisting and smashing the stuffins out of my lumps of charcoal. So far I have pulvarized and dug in four bags and have another thirty waiting to go.

[mom person]

Thanks! I am delighted to have been led to this amazing forum. I have learned so much already.

[mom person]

You can play with my CARbon anytime! If you would like to come over and help me smash up some of the stuff, that would be even better!

[Michaelangelica]

Thanks for the welcome and sorry that it took me so long to respond. I have been out in the garden pounding, stomping, swisting and smashing the stuffins out of my lumps of charcoal. So far I have pulvarized and dug in four bags and have another thirty waiting to go.

You could start a new dance craze!?

 

Just be careful that the neighbors don't certify you for 'therapy'.

[mom person]

I do hope that we WILL be legion. Terra preta is one of the most hopeful ideas that I have heard in a long time and this is truly a case of the more, the merrier.

It will take millions of folks making the stuff to help reverse the damage that we have done to the earth, but the fact that it is possible gives me at least a glimmer of hope.

[mom person]

I have already been deemed as a nutcake by the neighbors for making my own exterior housepaint from scratch. The terra preta obcession is only confirming their suspicions that I am hopeless. It appears that you have also lost a few marbles and that we are both in good company here.

[freeztar]

The Twist sounds messy. I'm assuming you do this on a hard flat surface? What about using a canvas bag to twist on so there's no/little mess and the powder can just be poured out of the bag directly? Anyone tried to control the mess or do you all have black driveways and garages now? :shrug:

[mom person]

So far, I have not been able to break up very much without getting pretty messy, but it is better than when I started.

First reccommendation is WEAR A RESPIRATOR! All the terra preta in the world won't help if you come down with black lung disease.

As for the twist, I have used an old piece of wonder board and put the pieces directly on there.

I have also used my sledge directly on the charcoal that is on top of some pieces of 2x4's fittting snuggly into a cardboard box. The box is on top of a short little wooden bench and the whole contraption fits inside a 55 gal plastic bag.

I think that the best idea would be to make the charcoal of twigs, small branches, weeds, trimmings, etc - stuff that won't need much smashing later. So far I can't figure out how to make such a thing in the city.