Tag: eco living

Categories
Eco Tips Lawn & Garden Uncategorized

Low-maintenance, low-water: Herb and flower spiral garden

It is a challenge for gardeners in hot climates to maintain a working food or flower garden without using a ton of water. With water shortages prevalent throughout the south, it is important to consider planning your garden with water conservation in mind. Not only will it help the environment, it will preserve the health of your soil and vitality of your crop.

A common problem with over-head watering is the salt that builds up in the dirt from evaporation. When garden water evaporates, it leaves salts and other trace minerals behind which eventually can have negative consequences for the soil, which was one of the main problems during the great depression and the famous dust bowl .

There are a number of steps you can take to assure that minimal water will be wasted, while getting a maximum yield from your crop whether that is flowers or food.

A great way to conserve water is through the manipulation of the garden plot. To build a low water herb spiral, you’ll want to dig a bowl-shaped hole in the desired location. Pick an area of yard with adequate sunshine for a good portion of the day.

  • Dig the circle down about a foot deep and about three feet in diameter. You’ll want to have enough room for all of the herbs or flowers you plan to sow, making sure to leave at least 6 inches between each plant, also accounting for the width of that plant.
  • Layer about 4″ of gravel on the bottom, building a rock spiral off of that foundation. Fill the remaining structure with good quality potting soil. The gravel will hold the water at the bottom, keeping the soil at a regular moisture level without over-saturating.

This and other techniques can be utilized to conserve water without a bunch of consistent hassle. Just dig the spiral, lay the gravel, do some initial watering sufficient for transplanting, and watch it grow. This low maintenance herb spiral will last a long time, and collect rain water without any help from you. Happy gardening!

Categories
Eco Tips Featured

How to Green Your Easter Baskets

With Easter right around the corner, store shelves are lined with baskets covered in cellophane and packaged with disposable toys and candy galore. If you are looking for something that is a little more environmentally friendly this year check out these tips!

Green Your Easter Basket

Before rushing to the store to buy an Easter basket, why not stop at your local thrift shop? There are always tons of Easter baskets waiting on the shelf ready to go to a good home. When you buy a used Easter basket it helps keep them out of landfills and helps reduce the impact on the environment. There are also things around the house you can use to make an Easter basket (for example you can make a bunny out of a recycled milk jug).

Green Your Easter Grass

The green plastic Easter grass found in a lot of Easter baskets are normally made from petroleum and generates a lot of emission and landfill waste every year. To help reduce your carbon footprint try to reuse the grass you have from last Easter. If you didn’t keep last year’s Easter grass you can line the basket with paper from your shredder (green is the best).  If you don’t have a shredder handy, try the office or a friend as well! When you are done with the paper lining you can put it outside in your compost bin or recycle it!

Green Your Chocolate

Try to buy local chocolate. If you don’t have any local chocolate stores at least try to find the Fair Trade seal of approval on the chocolate goodies. If you are going to buy chocolates, buy in bulk to help reduce the amount of packaging used. Instead of buying all the sweets, make them yourself!

Green Your Goodies

Instead of buying plastic toys that are bound to break and need to be replaced, try and put reusable toys or activities in the Easter basket. Items like puzzles, board games, and playing cards can be reused for years to come. Even better put some gloves, a gardening shovel, and some planting seeds (make sure to check what can be grown in your area this time of year.) We are sure you are going to be planting those seeds early Sunday morning!

Check out our Pinterest page for great Easter ideas!

Categories
Recycling

6 Simple Ways to Get Kids to Recycle

With Earth Day quickly approaching it’s important to start to teach kids how to recycle, now. It normally takes about 21 days to form a new habit, which will leave a little wiggle room in time for Earth Day. Recycling is one of the easiest ways to help reduce your impact on the Earth. It is so important teach children about recycling at an early age so they will develop lifelong habits. Here are some easy tips and tricks to get your children excited to recycle!

Craft Time! Save a large storage box and fill it with old scraps of paper, milk cartons, left over ribbon, etc. Once a month have a craft afternoon and let your children’s creativity take over! You are going to be surprised with what creative and crazy ideas they come up with!

Decorate! Have your children decorate your recycling bins. When the children have a sense of ownership, they will be more inclined to take recycling more serious than before! Also you now have a one of a kind piece of yard artwork, that is sure to brighten up the curb! (If you have a city issued recycling bin be sure to check with your local officials to make sure it’s okay.)

Compost! Create a compost bin with your children. Creating a compost bin will help your children learn the difference between what is biodegradable and what is not. You can also use your compost to start a vegetable garden! Click here for tips on creating a simple compost!

Sing Along! When we were children we were taught life lessons through songs and recycling is not any different! Find a recycling tune and sing it when taking the recycling to the curb. We are a fan of Jack Johnson’s Three R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) from the Curious George’s soundtrack.  Check out the song here.

Sell! Have a garage sale. Make sure to explain the reasoning behind having a garage sale to the children. Be sure to explain that you do not just throw away things. Have your children choose a couple of toys to sell at the garage sale and let them keep the profit.

Donate! After your garage sale or after cleaning out your closets, be sure to donate all unwanted items to your local Goodwill or Salvation Army. Don’t forget to bring the kids along to drop off the donated items. Make sure to stress to them that nothing will be thrown away and every item will have a place to go.

Categories
Featured Gadgets & Gear

Is Your Shower Curtain Safe?

If you’re showering behind a vinyl curtain, especially a new one, best not to inhale too deeply — the plastic contains phthalates and other toxic chemicals that readily evaporate, or “off-gas” into the air. Hot steamy conditions promote the release of phthalates that are not chemically bonded to the polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC), to which they lend that soft but creepy cling. There are many side effects that can occur from PVC plastic shower curtains. Some of these symptoms include: eye irritation, nose and throat discomfort, breathing problems, allergic skin reactions, headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness and nosebleeds.

However there is a solution! When shopping for a new shower curtain make sure to pick up a non-vinyl one. There are so many different solutions on the market. You can buy a cotton, hemp, and PEVA shower curtain. All of these curtains are safe for you and safe for the environment!

A lot of chain stores are now moving toward PVC free shower curtain and liners. Check out your local Bed, Bath, and Beyond or Target stores for chic and safe shower curtain and liners that will help keep you and your family safe.

Categories
Home Decor

Eco-Friendly Furniture Buying Guide

A great way to help save the environment is to buy eco-friendly furniture. If you are not crazy about purchasing recycled, refurbished or reused furniture, try and reuse the already existing accent tables, lamps or rugs you might have. You can give your existing lamps a new life by switching out the lamp shade and giving them a new paint job. Here is some information on eco-friendly furniture.

Recycled.  When we mention recycled furniture we don’t just mean your neighbors old couch (although that’s great as well!) We’re talking about a piece of furniture that has been re-built from other pieces of sturdy furniture. For instance a wood frame from a couch made from wood parts of other couches and door frames, etc. Since most of the wood is recycled from other pieces of furniture it often has an antiquated look to it, a perfect fit for some homes and decors.

Refurbished. Instead of going out and buying brand new furniture, a good idea is to have your old furniture refurbished. Refurbishing helps save you time and money as well as having a new eco-friendly piece of furniture.

Reused. Reused furniture is furniture that has at least one previous owner. By having previously used furniture it helps reduce your cost and cuts down the demand for new furniture. You can find some really good deals on reused furniture. Check out your local thrift stores, antique shops, check craigslist or Freecycle.com before heading to the store to buy a new couch.

If you are in the market for brand new furniture try to look for some of these features and attributes:

Materials. Look for furniture that has been built out of bamboo, hemp and even wood. The wood we’re talking about is correctly harvested wood. Bamboo is one of the best options because it grows back very quickly and is a very strong material and will last for years to come.

Quality. When looking for eco-friendly furniture be sure to look for quality as well as the important attributes such as, budget friendly and fashionable. You might find that perfect bamboo framed couch, but the quality of workmanship is terrible. If you purchase a well-made couch chances are you won’t have to purchase a new one a couple years down the road because of wear and tear (if you get tired of the couch refurbish it!)

Categories
Articles Featured Furnishings

What You Should Know About Green Carpeting

At first glance, eco-friendly carpet may seem too good to be true, saving the Earth and having an eco-friendly home, but it isn’t! Eco-friendly carpeting is a great way to help green your home.

Firstly it is very important to understand the differences between green carpets that are currently on the market. Some carpets are made from post-consumer recycled materials, such as plastic water bottles and soda bottles. This is a good choice because it helps keep those materials out of landfills and it allows the carpeting to be recycled at a much later date. It uses less Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs, leading to a healthier, happier home.

Another option is natural carpets that are made from natural materials. These materials range from wool, seagrass or bamboo. These materials come from resources around the world. On average they have less toxins, are durable, however their prices can be high.

The Pros of Green Carpeting

  • Recycled carpeting helps the environment by keeping waste out of landfills
  • Later on if you choose to replace your recycled carpeting, it can be further recycled unlike traditional carpeting
  • There are fewer VOCs with recycled carpeting, leading to improved air quality in your home and less risk for respiratory problems
  • Natural carpets have lowered in price and due to popularity there are more options to work with
  • Natural carpets are durable and highly stain resistant

The Cons of Green Carpeting

  • Not all recycled carpeting is made with 100% recyclable materials
  • Depending on your location it may be harder to find recyclable carpeting
  • On average natural and recycled carpeting costs more than traditional carpeting since natural carpeting is dependent on its sources and recycled carpeting is a little harder to produce

There are many pros and cons to choosing green carpeting, although most people agree that eco-friendly carpet for the home is the better choice. You will still have to consider your budget and personal preferences when deciding.

Sources: Greenfloors.com (http://www.greenfloors.com/), hgtvremodels.com, (http://www.hgtvremodels.com/interiors/the-benefits-of-recycled-carpet-tiles/index.html)

Categories
Featured Lawn & Garden

7 Steps to Creating a Butterfly Garden

A butterfly garden is a fun way to get you and your children excited about gardening. Not only is a great educational tool (learning about the life cycles) and good for the environment, but it also is a sight for sore eyes. Here is a quick start guide to creating your very own butterfly garden!

1. Research. As with any major project you have to research and make sure a butterfly garden will work in your area. A good way to do this is by simply observing your surrounding areas and watching to see what plants the butterflies are attracted to. Try to select plants native to your area for each growing season.

2. Plan your Garden. Deciding where you want to plant your garden can be a difficult task. Make sure to plant your garden in a sunny spot and keep in mind if the area has some gusty winds as well as hard rain. If your area has those kinds of conditions put up a barrier to help protect your plants (and your hard work)!

3. Choose “Host Plants”.  Note from your research what the caterpillar (larvae) of the local butterflies eat. Host plants are very important when creating your garden because they not only provide a site for the butterfly to lay eggs but are also a food source for the caterpillars. Depending on the type of local butterflies you have will determine the host plants you should plant. Also be prepared for heavy munching on your host plants!

4. Choose “Nectar Plants”. Nectar plants serve as the food source for the butterfly so it is important to choose plants that will bloom throughout the season (especially mid to late summer) because that is when most butterflies are active. Flowers that have multiple florets and produce a lot of nectar are ideal. Some popular plants chosen are the Butterfly Bush and the Butterfly Weed but make sure to do your research to find what works best in your area.

5. Purchase plants or seeds. You can also get these plants and seeds online. Choose robust and healthy plants to give them a good start.

6. Plant. Make sure to keep new plants and seeds watered until plants are well-established or seeds germinate. Keep the weeds at bay, to give the plants a good chance.

7. Observe and enjoy. Watch for female butterflies laying eggs on host plants. Keep good records for yourself so you can know what to change for the next year! Most importantly enjoy!

Some additional notes. Like any other garden your butterfly garden will require some upkeep but keep in mind that butterflies do not like pesticides of any sort. You are going to have to keep away pests naturally, such as letting spiders and wasps do their thing or use insecticidal soaps or plant-based oils. Make sure that you leave some weeds for the caterpillars (some weeds are actually their favorite foods)!  If you are short on space you can also create a butterfly garden solely using container plants.

Sources: tlc.com (http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/butterfly-garden4.htm)

Categories
Green Building Home Design

6 Surprising Benefits of a Green Roof

A green roof or a living roof is the roof of a building that is covered with vegetation (such as grass and flowers) which is planted over a waterproofing membrane. A green roof has many different and intricate layers that all combine to create a living roof. When a rooftop has a garden with potted plants, it not considered a real green rooftop.

Why are roofs going “green?” Believe it or not green roofs significantly help reduce a buildings heating and cooling costs as well as helps with the urban heat island effect. The urban heat island effect is when a metropolitan area is warmer than its rural counterparts due to human activity.  Also green roofs are taking an otherwise unused space and making them environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing. See our list below for some benefits of a living roof and how you can get one for your building!

Some Benefits:

  • With green roofs, water is stored by the membrane and then taken up by the plants from where it is returned to the atmosphere through evaporation.
  • Through the daily dew and evaporation cycle, plants on vertical and horizontal surfaces are able to cool cities during hot summer months and reduce the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect.
  • The plants on green roofs can capture airborne pollutants.
  • Community gardens (e.g. local food production or co-ops)
  • The greater insulation offered by green roofs can reduce the amount of energy needed to moderate the temperature of a building, as roofs are the sight of the greatest heat loss in the winter and the hottest temperatures in the summer.
  • Noise pollution reduction – studies show noise levels in a building can be reduced by as much as 40 decibels

(Facts and benefits taken from greenroofs.org)

Here are some useful websites that you can find out more information and where you can inquire about getting a green rooftop for your building or home!

http://www.greenroofs.org

http://www.greenroofs.com/depot.htm

Categories
Eco Tips Featured

5 Natural Alternatives to at Home Air Fresheners

According to recent studies conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), most store-bought air fresheners contain formaldehyde, petrochemicals, p-dichlorobenzene and aerosol pollutants (these chemicals can cause asthma, watery eyes, respiratory problems and more)! Store-bought air fresheners release pollutants more or less continuously. Upon reading about all those harmful chemicals in air fresheners I immediately started researching natural and eco-friendly ways to freshen my home without risk of potentially putting myself at risk. Here are three ways to leave your home smelling fresh without using harsh chemicals and most of the ingredients can be found in your pantry!

Simmer Spices. You can simmer spices such as whole cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg on the stovetop or place them in a crockpot for all day smell.

Use Essential Oils. Dab a little on a light bulb or a warmer to gently scent a room. You can also combine then with other scents and make one uniquely your own!

Cooking Odors. Eliminate cooking odors by placing a shallow bowl of vinegar nearest the scent. It will help “capture” the scent and rid it of your house!

Create Your Own Potpourri. Create your own potpourri from bulk herbs, flowers, and spices and leave a little in a bowl or place them in sachets. You can use your left over herbs from your herb garden and flowers from your flower garden as well!

Odor Absorbers. Use a neutral odor absorbent such as a box of baking soda in a stinky area (especially in the refrigerator to help capture smells). You can also sprinkle especially smelly spots (such as the garbage can) with a little vinegar and baking soda to help with the smell.

Sources: kimberlysnyder.net, (http://kimberlysnyder.net/blog/2012/03/10/the-danger-of-air-freshener-and-10-alternatives-for-a-great-smelling-home/)

Categories
Eco Tips Featured

6 Eco-Friendly Resolutions To Put Into Practice

As the current year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to assess how we have been running our lives and homes. Most of us can easily take a step back, learn to plan better, and put a few smart practices into place.

Reuse and recycle by donating your stuff. The New Year provides a good opportunity to clean out, simplify and start fresh. Have household items you no longer use? Give them away on Freecycle.org. Have clothes or shoes you don’t wear anymore? Donate the items to a local shelter, drop off at Goodwill or host a clothing swap.

Go dairy free and meat free once a week. Join “Meat Free Mondays” and make a green, animal-friendly, earth-friendly resolution for the coming year. By going meat free, you reduce your carbon footprint, limit cancer risk, reduce the risk of diabetes, help curb obesity and lessen the chances of heart disease.

Grow something. Start small with a pot of basil or thyme on your patio or kitchen windowsill. Plants give off additional oxygen, help clean the air, and bring living energy to a room. Having your own pesticide-free organic herbs to use when cooking isn’t a bad thing either.

Install and use smart power strips. Get in the habit of using smart power strips to turn off TV’s, computers, kitchen appliances, and other electronics completely. You just might notice your electric bill go down.

Replace the standard light bulbs in your home with compact fluorescent ones. Energy-smart bulbs use 70-75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to ten times longer.

Replace your air conditioner filter every 30 to 60 days. A dirty filter will block the airflow and cost you more to run since the unit has to work twice as hard. Have extra filters on hand at all times.