You Don't Pocket Mulch?
Earth Day is upon us and that means, for a brief time, every johnny-come-lately information outlet from the largest media conglomerate to Genevieve's nursery school is spouting green propaganda. It's not that I disagree with much of the sentiment it's more the fact that this interest only lasts about 10 days. Genevieve, on the other hand, is fully steeped in our own household's propaganda and has the self-righteousness zealotry that only a four year-old can muster. Everything she does is the only right and sane way to do things; anything else is crap.
This week her educators spent time discussing recycling and other various green topics. Genevieve took it all in with quiet reserve until the teacher had the audacity to discuss home gardening. Her teacher told the class that it isn't necessary to throw out eggshells. They could be crushed up and put in your garden as a natural fertilizer.
The thought that someone might consider throwing away eggshells or that merely putting eggshells into your garden was the most one need do was too much for my pint-sized Michael Pollan. Much like Popeye, she'd had all-she-can-stands and she-can't-stands-no-more. With a look of condescension and dismay, that sadly I'm sure could only have been learned from me, she expounded on the proper way to deal with home food waste.
"Well, you know, that isn't what you should be doing. You should be putting all your kitchen waste into your composter; you put in eggshells, vegetable peels, banana skins." she drawled matter-of-factly. Surely every home must have a composter, right? "Then, after it is full, you've got dirt. You take this dirt and spread it into your garden. It helps the plants grow." Cut her some slack; she's only four; don't expect her to be well versed in the linguistic nuances between dirt and soil. Frankly, I'm amazed that she's picked up on the full process.
Her teacher related this story to Carrie and said, "Whatever you're teaching her at home is certainly sinking in." I'm sure what she really meant is: you've been brainwashing this kid with some crazy hippie rhetoric; I'll be glad when she stops contaminating the minds of these normal children.
This week her educators spent time discussing recycling and other various green topics. Genevieve took it all in with quiet reserve until the teacher had the audacity to discuss home gardening. Her teacher told the class that it isn't necessary to throw out eggshells. They could be crushed up and put in your garden as a natural fertilizer.
The thought that someone might consider throwing away eggshells or that merely putting eggshells into your garden was the most one need do was too much for my pint-sized Michael Pollan. Much like Popeye, she'd had all-she-can-stands and she-can't-stands-no-more. With a look of condescension and dismay, that sadly I'm sure could only have been learned from me, she expounded on the proper way to deal with home food waste.
"Well, you know, that isn't what you should be doing. You should be putting all your kitchen waste into your composter; you put in eggshells, vegetable peels, banana skins." she drawled matter-of-factly. Surely every home must have a composter, right? "Then, after it is full, you've got dirt. You take this dirt and spread it into your garden. It helps the plants grow." Cut her some slack; she's only four; don't expect her to be well versed in the linguistic nuances between dirt and soil. Frankly, I'm amazed that she's picked up on the full process.
Her teacher related this story to Carrie and said, "Whatever you're teaching her at home is certainly sinking in." I'm sure what she really meant is: you've been brainwashing this kid with some crazy hippie rhetoric; I'll be glad when she stops contaminating the minds of these normal children.
posted by daniel @ 6:18 AM
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