Soil Your Undies!
Is your soil healthy?
Here's a BRIEF test you can do!
Healthy soils are hungry.
Did you know that there are billions of microbes – bacteria, fungi, protozoa – in a teaspoon of soil?
These soil microbes need to eat and breath just as humans do.
But what do they eat? Carbon.
Carbon is a common element in all organic compounds – including cotton.
So when 100% cotton underwear is buried in the soil, the worms and other critters see it as food.
Late spring is the best time to take the SOIL YOUR UNDIES Challenge!
Start planning to dig them up 60 days after you buried them.
Carefully dig them up. How much is still intact?
That depends on how healthy and alive your soils are!
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Sign up for our challenge.
We'll share informational updates and also a reminder to dig up your undies!
How Does It Work?
STEP 1: GET UNDIES.
Raid your underwear drawer.
Or start with a brand new pair right off the shelf.
Whatever you choose, just make sure it's 100% cotton.
STEP 2: BURY YOUR SHORTS.
Dig a hole big enough to lay the underwear flat, about 3-4" deep.
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Take a "before" photo, then cover the hole.
Be sure to mark where you buried them with a flag or stick - something that won't move!
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Set a calendar reminder for 60 days. We'll remind you via email if you join our challenge.
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STEP 3: DIG'EM UP.
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Act like an archaeologist! Carefully dig up your undies to reveal what's left and to see how active the critters are in your soil!
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Take a photo and share it with us! (See below.)
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PLANT YOUR UNDIES in late Spring.
The experiment works best when the soils are moist to keep the microbes active.
CONTRIBUTING PARTNERS
The Natural Resources Conservation Service of PA is a service of the US Department of Agriculture. Learn more about soil health and conservation from their wealth of resources. NRCS has supported this initiative with graphic design services and printing.
The Big Favorite is a Pennsylvania undergarment company that advocates for sustainability and textile recycling. They generously donated staff time for the media outreach plan and provided underwear for the Lancaster Water Week activities.
ADDITIONAL PLANNING COMMITTEE PARTNERS
John Dotterer
Paul Dotterer & Sons, Inc
Mill Hall, PA
Jim Harbach
Schrack Farms
Loganton, PA
SHARE YOUR STORY
We can't wait to hear about your experience!
Post your photos on social media and tag #soilyourundies and @pasoilhealth
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You can also send a photo directly and share your experiences.
We hope to collect them and create a map of everyone's involvement!
