"Greenthumb Growers" September 6, 2009

Journal Entry 2 (prompt: "Record for posterity the steps you completed today. Be sure to define 'control sample' in your own words.)

We will use our control samples to help us eliminate/minimize unintended influences such as researcher bias. Samples one and two will be control samples, samples three through six will all be treated with a different "organic matter boosting additive." Throughout the project, we will be comparing the level of organic matter in samples three through six with those in samples one and two. The comparison will provide concrete evidence of whether or not we are seeing an actual increase in the level of organic matter in our treated and untreated samples.

Photograph of backyard soil samples. Personal photograph by Tricia. Posted on July 3, 2009.

Image source.

Entry One

"Greenthumb Growers" September 5, 2009

Journal Entry 1 (prompt: "Record for posterity the steps you completed today. Please include a reference to the scientific method. Oh, and be sure to define 'organic matter' in your own words.)

Organic matter is matter that comes from a once living source. Organic matter helps to improve the quality of gardening soil because it helps soil retain water and nutrients (it stops runoff that siphons nutrients). Organic matter also helps soil stick together and allows microorganisms to live and feed off of the soil. This process is good for the soil and the plants. Since we are trying to plant a "sustainable garden," grow vegetables and fruits (plants) that provide us with food with minimal upkeep. We would like to make sure that our soil is rich in organic matter.

Our scientific process started there. The question was: What is the most effective way to quickly increase the organic matter of our sustainable garden soil? So, we will be treating several of these samples with "additives" that can increase organic matter in garden soil. However, samples one and two will be our control samples, which means we will not be experiment on either of these samples. Instead, our control samples will be used as the standard of comparison throughout our experiment.