The new year has arrived and I've been considering my options for the upcoming semester at school. Currently I'm signed up for genetics, evolution, applied & industrial microbiology and statistics. Alternatively, I could take genetics during the summer semester and take soil biology in the place of genetics this spring. Being interested in the role of microorganisms at the root-soil boundary, something like soil biology has the potential to be really interesting for a person like myself. Wanting to know more about what the course might entail, I decided to check the course description. Unfortunately the description didn't tell me anything beyond what could have been safely assumed from the name "soil biology."

Course Description:
"Ecology of soil microorganisms and fauna and their roles in soil organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling"

In a similar vein, the database on the campus bookstore's website doesn't have the course listed. Perhaps the instructor forgoes using a textbook altogether and instead discusses primary literature. That possibility notwithstanding, I spent some time browsing textbooks written about the field of soil biology. One that I found is The Biology of Soil by Richard Bardgett. For those interested in having a look, there's a free preview available through Google books for the text. Something else notable that I came across while searching  is that a Kindle Version of the textbook is available for around $50 US. While the Kindle version isn't likely to appeal to that many students, it's great to see somebody pursuing an electronic format for textbooks.

Without digressing into a five-thousand word essay about how long overdue electronic textbooks are, I will refer anyone who is interested in learning more about what soil biology is to the Wikipedia article and the reference links therein. Once the soil biology course begins I will drop in some periodic updates about its progress. During the meantime I will see about posting some new hydroponic gardening articles. Happy new years everyone!

Sooner or later, as with any hobby, you begin acquiring tools that make your favorite pastimes more enjoyable and productive. Scuba divers might buy a sophisticated dive watch, foodies could invest in quality culinary knives and an audiophile might be meticulous in his or her choice of an amplifier. Hydroponic gardening is no different and it definitely helps when your equipment suits your personal needs. For this review will be looking at the Bluelab truncheon nutrient meter with an eye for ease of use, quality and performance.