Chapter 2

Measuring Airborne CO2

     CO2 is calculated and measured in parts per million - ppm . Country air contains about 300 ppm. City air usually contains about 400 ppm. Most researchers put the ideal level for maximum growth rate at about 1500 ppm, or five times the amount of CO2 found in fresh air.

Inexpensive CO2 Tester  

     The simple inexpensive test kit pictured here is available
from a number of garden supply distributors across the country.
Each glass tube is good for just one test, and costs about $7.50.
This is a small price to pay for the benefits that come from proper
CO2 enhancement, no matter what size the garden.

Using the CO2 Test Kit  

1.
Place the short piece of flexible plastic tubing on the end of the
     plastic syringe.

2.
Carefully snap off each end of the glass tube.
 
3.
 
Push the plunger on the syringe all the way in to clear any
     air.

4.
Draw back the plunger to the 100 cc mark in the air to be
     tested.
 
5.
 
Place the glass tube in the open end of the flexible tubing.
 
6.
 
Push firmly on the plastic plunger and slowly force the air
     through the glass tube. The entire process should take about
     one minute.

7.
Notice the white powder in the tube change color (either red
     or blue depending on the brand).

8.
When all the air in the syringe has been forced through the
     glass tube, the CO2 level is indicated by the top of the colored
     band in the indicator tube.

 

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