Thursday, May 28, 2009
Planting
Well, yesterday was a great day for planting. I spent about 6 hours on my knees planting Hot Pink and White Vinca. What a striking contrast and I know that the hours of my hard labor will turn heads for the rest of the summer. But my knees are paying the price. They are sore! I guess there is something to be said about knee pads or kneeling cushions. And all this was done the old fashioned way, with a shovel. So much fun! It was a good day.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Glorious Weekend
This year spring has been slow in arriving..at least here in the North East. Is been chilly and rainy for about a month now. Finally the sign of spring I've been waiting for! A warm, 75 degree, sunshine filled weekend!
Even the sesonal allergies that have me and everyone else in New Jersey sneezing and popping antihistamines can't bring me down.
I've had piles of organic leaf compost and shredded mulch in my driveway since mid-March...today is the day! I can get started on my vegetable garden, clean out my flower beds and make everything look fresh and new again, a much awaited, longed for task.
Even the sesonal allergies that have me and everyone else in New Jersey sneezing and popping antihistamines can't bring me down.
I've had piles of organic leaf compost and shredded mulch in my driveway since mid-March...today is the day! I can get started on my vegetable garden, clean out my flower beds and make everything look fresh and new again, a much awaited, longed for task.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Other People's stuff
Re-using, re-purposing and recycling other people's stuff...it's an amazing feeling. We are always on Craig's List looking for articles we may be able to use and keep out of a landfill. Most recently, we got a free pool! More than having a great pool for our kids to swim in this summer, we kept a huge amount of materials from being thrown into a landfill. We are reusing a huge amount of previously manufactured materials.
Sure, we could have gone out and bought a new above ground pool and built a large wood deck, using all new virgin materials, but at what cost? Manufacturing, transporting and storing all of these materials is a huge contributing factor to the degradation of the environment.
There are literally thousands and thousands of items that still have lots of usefulness left in them, that end up in the garbage, because they are unwanted by their current owner. The old addage, "One man's trash is another man's treasure" has never been so true and important.
I am very grateful to the family that thought enough of the environment to see their unwanted, but still very useable pool and deck, go to a family who would recycle it and enjoy it for years to come.
Just about anything can be re-used, re-purposed or recycled from one person to another. Cars, clothes, toys, furniture, decorations, plants, the list can go on and on. We believe it is important for our future to reuse and recycle whenever possible, it's a gratifying feeling to make something new again. Try it!
Sure, we could have gone out and bought a new above ground pool and built a large wood deck, using all new virgin materials, but at what cost? Manufacturing, transporting and storing all of these materials is a huge contributing factor to the degradation of the environment.
There are literally thousands and thousands of items that still have lots of usefulness left in them, that end up in the garbage, because they are unwanted by their current owner. The old addage, "One man's trash is another man's treasure" has never been so true and important.
I am very grateful to the family that thought enough of the environment to see their unwanted, but still very useable pool and deck, go to a family who would recycle it and enjoy it for years to come.
Just about anything can be re-used, re-purposed or recycled from one person to another. Cars, clothes, toys, furniture, decorations, plants, the list can go on and on. We believe it is important for our future to reuse and recycle whenever possible, it's a gratifying feeling to make something new again. Try it!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
QUICK FACTS ON PLASTIC POLLUTION
A plastic milk jug takes 1 million years to decompose.
A plastic cup can take 50 – 80 years to decompose.
Recycled plastic can be used to make things like trash cans, park benches, playground equipment, decks and kayaks.
A plastic soda bottle begins to decompose in 700 years.
Americans use 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour.
Plastic bags and other plastic garbage thrown into the ocean kill as many as 1 million sea creatures every year.
Recycling plastic saves twice as much energy as burning it in an incinerator.
If plastic bottles are thrown into incinerators they release toxic gases.
Today, Americans generate 10.5 million tons of plastic waste a year, but recycle only 1 or 2 % of it.
An estimated 14 billion pounds of trash, much of it plastic, is dumped into the world's oceans every year.
The worldwide fishing industry dumps an estimated 150,000 tons of plastic into the ocean each year, including packaging, plastic nets, lines and buoys.
About 1,200 plastic soft drink and salad dressing bottles could carpet the average living room.
It takes 1,050 milk jugs make a six foot plastic lumber park bench.
Every year we make enough plastic film to shrink wrap the state of Texas.
NEARLY EVERY PIECE OF PLASTIC EVER MADE STILL EXISTS TODAY!
A plastic cup can take 50 – 80 years to decompose.
Recycled plastic can be used to make things like trash cans, park benches, playground equipment, decks and kayaks.
A plastic soda bottle begins to decompose in 700 years.
Americans use 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour.
Plastic bags and other plastic garbage thrown into the ocean kill as many as 1 million sea creatures every year.
Recycling plastic saves twice as much energy as burning it in an incinerator.
If plastic bottles are thrown into incinerators they release toxic gases.
Today, Americans generate 10.5 million tons of plastic waste a year, but recycle only 1 or 2 % of it.
An estimated 14 billion pounds of trash, much of it plastic, is dumped into the world's oceans every year.
The worldwide fishing industry dumps an estimated 150,000 tons of plastic into the ocean each year, including packaging, plastic nets, lines and buoys.
About 1,200 plastic soft drink and salad dressing bottles could carpet the average living room.
It takes 1,050 milk jugs make a six foot plastic lumber park bench.
Every year we make enough plastic film to shrink wrap the state of Texas.
NEARLY EVERY PIECE OF PLASTIC EVER MADE STILL EXISTS TODAY!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Made in "Green" China
Today, more than ever, our products are manufactured in China. It's cheap. Even companies that are pushing "GREEN" products are having them manufactured in China. That seems like a giant oxymoron to me.
China is a polluted country because of all the manufacturing. Everyday more pollution is produced in China than anywhere else in the world. Waterways are polluted, in some cities residents have to wear masks just to leave the house. People are getting cancer at alarming rates. How can anything made there be green?
Companies that manufacture "GREEN" products also want to save a buck. They use recycled or recyclable materials in items such as composters, pots and planters, wall paper, etc. and have them made in China. But are they being manufactured in an environmentally friendly way? Some products say, "maufactured under our strictest guidelines". What is that supposed to mean? A broad statement that is supposed to make us feel good about the product we are buying, but doesn't really mean crap.
Products that are made from recycled or recyclable materials are a good thing and automatically will reduce our footprint when we purchase them and not items made from virgin materials. I wouldn't mind buying eco-friendly products made in China, if I knew they were really being manufactured in a responsible way. Chinese manufacturing plants do not have the best track records for being safe and environmentally responsible.
We as a whole, (Americans and Chinese) are suffering the effects of poor manufacturing safety standards and guidelines in China. The chinese are suffering ill health and disease, poor working conditions and low pay. We Americans are suffering from a poor economy, lack of jobs, lead poisoning in our children and the list goes on and on.
We need to choose our products wisely, think about what they are made of, where they were made, how they were made and... do we really need them? We are a society of "Must Haves". We Americans have lots of stuff. Lots. Lots of stuff goes to waste, in our basements, garages, and landfills.
We as a people have the power to change how things are made. Buy responsibly. If we don't buy products made irresponibly from virgin materials made in China, there will be no need to make them anymore. If we start buying responsibly made products made in America (and other countries), the manufacturers will be forced to make changes.
CHANGE IS GOOD! I do believe Ghandi said it best,
"YOU MUST BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE"
WE CAN DO IT!
China is a polluted country because of all the manufacturing. Everyday more pollution is produced in China than anywhere else in the world. Waterways are polluted, in some cities residents have to wear masks just to leave the house. People are getting cancer at alarming rates. How can anything made there be green?
Companies that manufacture "GREEN" products also want to save a buck. They use recycled or recyclable materials in items such as composters, pots and planters, wall paper, etc. and have them made in China. But are they being manufactured in an environmentally friendly way? Some products say, "maufactured under our strictest guidelines". What is that supposed to mean? A broad statement that is supposed to make us feel good about the product we are buying, but doesn't really mean crap.
Products that are made from recycled or recyclable materials are a good thing and automatically will reduce our footprint when we purchase them and not items made from virgin materials. I wouldn't mind buying eco-friendly products made in China, if I knew they were really being manufactured in a responsible way. Chinese manufacturing plants do not have the best track records for being safe and environmentally responsible.
We as a whole, (Americans and Chinese) are suffering the effects of poor manufacturing safety standards and guidelines in China. The chinese are suffering ill health and disease, poor working conditions and low pay. We Americans are suffering from a poor economy, lack of jobs, lead poisoning in our children and the list goes on and on.
We need to choose our products wisely, think about what they are made of, where they were made, how they were made and... do we really need them? We are a society of "Must Haves". We Americans have lots of stuff. Lots. Lots of stuff goes to waste, in our basements, garages, and landfills.
We as a people have the power to change how things are made. Buy responsibly. If we don't buy products made irresponibly from virgin materials made in China, there will be no need to make them anymore. If we start buying responsibly made products made in America (and other countries), the manufacturers will be forced to make changes.
CHANGE IS GOOD! I do believe Ghandi said it best,
"YOU MUST BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE"
WE CAN DO IT!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Green Shopping
The way we shop is changing. It used to be that if you needed something, you'd just hop in the car and go get it. Those days are changing, born out of necessity. The way we shop is changing because the way we are thinking is changing.
Our environment for the first time in history is on our minds. Our crumbled economy and volatile fuel prices are on our minds. All of these things affect the way we shop.
Consumers are consolidating their shopping trips to save on fuel. They are doing without extra niceties to save money. Time is also a huge factor in our very busy lives.
So... what ARE consumers doing to maximize their shopping dollars?
They are shopping on the internet! No big surprise. Internet shopping has been gaining momentum for years now. Shopping on the internet can save you time, money and the environment. Let me explain.
Time - shopping from the comfort of your own home when it is convenient for you. The internet stores are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can order your groceries online at 2am and pick them up the following day, already bagged for you! How great is that!? You can order just about anything online in just a few minutes and have it shipped right to your door.
Money - The internet is famous for it's competitive pricing. They have entire sites focused on finding you the best prices. (Priceline, Amazon) There are also coupon sites. These sites are becoming very popular. Sites like www.couponselect.net offer coupon codes, deals and printable coupons. Simply go on the site and do a search for whatever it is you need. You can find coupon codes for extra discounts or free shipping. The competition on the internet is fierce and the companies know it, so they offer incentives all the time to buy their products...all you have to do is know where to find them.
Environment - This one's got you scratching your head, right? The environment is impacted every time we turn our ignition switch. What most people fail to realize it that fossil fuels are one of the leading causes of Global Warming. When we drive our individual cars everywhere we need to go, we are contributing to global warming. We may think that one car and one person doesn't have that much of an effect, but add a few million individuals and the effects are huge and catastrophic. We are being forced to stop thinking in that ME mentality and begin to think WE. So how does this affect our shopping habits? If we consolidate our shopping trips together, we save on fuel. If we order our products over the internet and have them shipped, we personally use no fuel. The shipping companies do, however, they are shipping and moving many, many packages across the nation in an efficient manner, thereby saving on fuel. Believe it or not, these simple shifts in the way we shop will have a huge impact on our environment.
Shoppers are also thinking about what they buy. Is it made in America? Fair trade made? or made in China? Does the company outsource its jobs? Is it made of first generation plastic or recycled milk jugs? Shopping on the internet gives you choices. You can find environmentally friendly products more easily on the internet than anywhere. You can also find unique and beautiful hand crafted items from talented artists all over the world.
The internet is the largest shopping mall in the world, and it's right at your fingertips. So what are you waiting for? Save time, save money, save the environment and have more available to you than you've ever thought possible! Enjoy!
Our environment for the first time in history is on our minds. Our crumbled economy and volatile fuel prices are on our minds. All of these things affect the way we shop.
Consumers are consolidating their shopping trips to save on fuel. They are doing without extra niceties to save money. Time is also a huge factor in our very busy lives.
So... what ARE consumers doing to maximize their shopping dollars?
They are shopping on the internet! No big surprise. Internet shopping has been gaining momentum for years now. Shopping on the internet can save you time, money and the environment. Let me explain.
Time - shopping from the comfort of your own home when it is convenient for you. The internet stores are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can order your groceries online at 2am and pick them up the following day, already bagged for you! How great is that!? You can order just about anything online in just a few minutes and have it shipped right to your door.
Money - The internet is famous for it's competitive pricing. They have entire sites focused on finding you the best prices. (Priceline, Amazon) There are also coupon sites. These sites are becoming very popular. Sites like www.couponselect.net offer coupon codes, deals and printable coupons. Simply go on the site and do a search for whatever it is you need. You can find coupon codes for extra discounts or free shipping. The competition on the internet is fierce and the companies know it, so they offer incentives all the time to buy their products...all you have to do is know where to find them.
Environment - This one's got you scratching your head, right? The environment is impacted every time we turn our ignition switch. What most people fail to realize it that fossil fuels are one of the leading causes of Global Warming. When we drive our individual cars everywhere we need to go, we are contributing to global warming. We may think that one car and one person doesn't have that much of an effect, but add a few million individuals and the effects are huge and catastrophic. We are being forced to stop thinking in that ME mentality and begin to think WE. So how does this affect our shopping habits? If we consolidate our shopping trips together, we save on fuel. If we order our products over the internet and have them shipped, we personally use no fuel. The shipping companies do, however, they are shipping and moving many, many packages across the nation in an efficient manner, thereby saving on fuel. Believe it or not, these simple shifts in the way we shop will have a huge impact on our environment.
Shoppers are also thinking about what they buy. Is it made in America? Fair trade made? or made in China? Does the company outsource its jobs? Is it made of first generation plastic or recycled milk jugs? Shopping on the internet gives you choices. You can find environmentally friendly products more easily on the internet than anywhere. You can also find unique and beautiful hand crafted items from talented artists all over the world.
The internet is the largest shopping mall in the world, and it's right at your fingertips. So what are you waiting for? Save time, save money, save the environment and have more available to you than you've ever thought possible! Enjoy!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Indoor Gardening Basics
For many parts of the country, indoor gardening is about all we can do for the next several months. Indoor gardening can be fun and keeps your hands in the dirt.
Most of us think of the common houseplants such as Spiders, Pothos, and Philodendron. There are many, many types of beautiful and colorful plants for indoor gardens. For example, herbs can be grown indoors in the off season providing you have a sunny window to grow them in. Bromeliads also make great houseplants. Many Bromeliads are colorful, low maintenance and when they bloom, they bloom for a long period of time.
Ferns are a little more difficult to keep going indoors when the heat is on. Unless you have a good humidifier or mist them often, Ferns tend to dry and brown easily. A good spot in the house for a Fern is the bathroom. They love the extra moisture.
Whatever houseplants you do have in your home, they all need attention. A good water soluble organic fertilizer monthly will help to keep your indoor plants healthy and looking their best.
All plants have different watering needs. Plants can just as eaily be killed by over watering as under watering. Keeping a regular watering schedule is usually not a good idea. The best way to determine whether your plant needs watering is by checking the soil. If the first top 2 inches of soil is dry it needs to be watered. There are two basic ways to water your plants. If you water from the top, water until it drains out the bottom of the pot. You can also water from the bottom. Fill the saucer with water and allow the plant to absorb the water. The plant will have enough water when the surface of the soil is moist. Either way do not allow your plants to stand in a pot of water continuously. Don't wait for your plants to wilt between watering. This will put and keep the plant in a stressed condition and they will not perform well, not to mention look terrible.
A great way to keep your plants watered properly is to use plant minders. They are decorative or utilitarian stakes that push down into the soil that have a reservoir for water. This will release the water as the plant needs it. These plant minders are also great for when you are away from home for extended periods of time.
Pruning your houseplants from time to time may also be necessary. Any dead or dry, brown leaves should be removed. This will help to keep the plant healthy.
If you have an insect infestation on your plants, There are a few things you can do. Try a solution of soapy water sprayed on the foliage. This will control many pests. You may have to repeat if necessary. There are also chemical insect controls specifically for houseplants to eradicate those tough pests. There are sprays (I recommend you use them outside) and there are systemic granules you sprinkle on the soil and water in. The chemical is released into the soil and taken up by the roots. If your houseplants have been outside in the summer it is always good practice to treat them before you bring them in to their winter home.
Whatever type of houseplants you have, proper care is essential. If you are not sure how to care for a specific plant, the plant tag that came with the plant is a good place to start. For more detailed information or if you are not sure what type of plant you have, a good book or a search on the internet will give you all the information you need to be a successful Indoor Gardener.
Most of us think of the common houseplants such as Spiders, Pothos, and Philodendron. There are many, many types of beautiful and colorful plants for indoor gardens. For example, herbs can be grown indoors in the off season providing you have a sunny window to grow them in. Bromeliads also make great houseplants. Many Bromeliads are colorful, low maintenance and when they bloom, they bloom for a long period of time.
Ferns are a little more difficult to keep going indoors when the heat is on. Unless you have a good humidifier or mist them often, Ferns tend to dry and brown easily. A good spot in the house for a Fern is the bathroom. They love the extra moisture.
Whatever houseplants you do have in your home, they all need attention. A good water soluble organic fertilizer monthly will help to keep your indoor plants healthy and looking their best.
All plants have different watering needs. Plants can just as eaily be killed by over watering as under watering. Keeping a regular watering schedule is usually not a good idea. The best way to determine whether your plant needs watering is by checking the soil. If the first top 2 inches of soil is dry it needs to be watered. There are two basic ways to water your plants. If you water from the top, water until it drains out the bottom of the pot. You can also water from the bottom. Fill the saucer with water and allow the plant to absorb the water. The plant will have enough water when the surface of the soil is moist. Either way do not allow your plants to stand in a pot of water continuously. Don't wait for your plants to wilt between watering. This will put and keep the plant in a stressed condition and they will not perform well, not to mention look terrible.
A great way to keep your plants watered properly is to use plant minders. They are decorative or utilitarian stakes that push down into the soil that have a reservoir for water. This will release the water as the plant needs it. These plant minders are also great for when you are away from home for extended periods of time.
Pruning your houseplants from time to time may also be necessary. Any dead or dry, brown leaves should be removed. This will help to keep the plant healthy.
If you have an insect infestation on your plants, There are a few things you can do. Try a solution of soapy water sprayed on the foliage. This will control many pests. You may have to repeat if necessary. There are also chemical insect controls specifically for houseplants to eradicate those tough pests. There are sprays (I recommend you use them outside) and there are systemic granules you sprinkle on the soil and water in. The chemical is released into the soil and taken up by the roots. If your houseplants have been outside in the summer it is always good practice to treat them before you bring them in to their winter home.
Whatever type of houseplants you have, proper care is essential. If you are not sure how to care for a specific plant, the plant tag that came with the plant is a good place to start. For more detailed information or if you are not sure what type of plant you have, a good book or a search on the internet will give you all the information you need to be a successful Indoor Gardener.
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