Composting is a great way to make dirt naturally and is an unseen but essential practice in organic gardening. Even while trying to garden in an environmentally-friendly manner, it is often easy to be lured into buying the latest must-have tool. For two years I have been using a plastic bin provided by my county after I took a class on composting. The bin was sufficient, but I found it hard to use because it was small and I couldn’t easily turn the pile without removing the entire bin. In the last six months, I was not able to get anything out because the contents were compacted and there was little aeration. After looking into various options I decided I wanted a multiple bin system. Although I really wanted three bins, space limitations and the disproportionate size of the bin to my yard made me select a two bin system. This would allow two bins to make compost in varying stages at a time, or one working bin and a second to hold finished compost.
While at first we had thought we’d build our own, the reality of building a bin and purchasing the materials and cedar wood we had decided on was that we’d spend almost as much as if we bought a bin ready to assemble. I searched online and found a bin made by Master Garden Products that met most of my requirements. I was happy to find a statement on their website declaring “Trees are selectively harvested, with no clear cutting, and more trees are planted than we harvest.“ The two bins measured 36x36x36 each, and the separating wall between the two bins was removable as were the fronts, to provide easy access. This seemed perfect!
When the bin arrived I was immediately impressed with the quality and look of the panels. However I noticed one thing was missing …read more »
As I was working in my vegetable garden the other day, I found a new “friend.”
His name is George, and he is a juvenile black rat snake.
He was hiding under our gutter downspout, and after a quick meet and greet with the girls, he was returned to back to where we found him.
Black rat snakes are native to Maryland. They are harmless snakes and actually help to control the rodent population. If you find a snake skin around the yard or in your house, the chances are it is from a black rat snake. While George may not look like a typical solid black black rat snake, it is because he is still young. As he gets older his color will darken and the pattern will become less distinct.
I love reading and am always happy when I find a new “green” book to read. Such is the case with the book I just finished only moments ago, Confessions of an Eco-Sinner: Tracking Down the Sources of My Stuff. I found the book fascinating. Science journalist Fred Pearce traveled all over the world to see where his possessions came from, and where they went once they were thrown away or recycled.
The author not only looks into where his goods come from, but also what journey they take to travel to him (or his local market). He discovers the environmental and social impact of many common foods including his fair-trade coffee, green beans, prawns (shrimp), palm oil, and spices. He also followed the probable journey of the gold used to make his wedding ring. Other journeys in the first five parts of the book included discovering if his fair-trade socks were really fair, where his jeans were made and who made them, the route cotton takes from growth to manufacture to store, and where metals are mined, recycled and manufactured into products.
A sixth part of the book looks at waste produced and where it goes to be disposed of or recycled; believe or not this section also involved world travel and the conclusion that third world countries are much better at recycling then the Western world. Finally, the last section investigates common concerns such as the desertification of Africa, climate change and reducing carbon emission, and finally overpopulation.
One of the things I loved best about this book was that it found answers (or at least information) that I wanted to know, but had neither the time nor means to investigate. I have always wondered how clothes really were made and why they are usually made overseas (beyond the lower cost of labor). I found out about cities and towns over the world that specialize in the manufacture and recycling of certain products. This book gave me more information about why recycling is important, why we should “close the loop” and what the environmental reprocussions of obtaining virgin materials are to the surrounding country and the world.
At first I was afraid that this book would be very depressing and full of doom and gloom. However, there were many uplifting stories as well, full of innovation and hope. I would recommend this book to anyone who cares about the impact of their buying decisions on not only the environment but also on people around the world.
Product Review of Bubble Goddess Bath Company’s Mint Intention Lip Balm
Winter is a hard time of year for people with dry skin. I’m always on the lookout for natural products to keep my skin moisturized. One part of your body that is particularly hard to cover up outside in the cold is your lips. Mine are often chapped, even when I try to keep hydrated. This is why I was extremely happy to receive a package in the mail a few weeks ago.
The package contained a number of products made by a natural company called Bubble Goddess Bath Company. I was contacted by a company consultant who offered to send me some samples to try. One of the first things I tried was the lip balm – called Mint Intention Lip Balm – and I loved it! It had a fresh mint scent that didn’t burn when I applied it, and it felt smooth.
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Winter has started because we had our first snow today! I love winter and especially snow because it is equally fun to go outside to play in it and stay inside warm and cozy. The first snow almost always requires outdoors playtime as the flakes fall and the snow piles up. Snow provides a great way to have “green” play. Beyond outerwear, nothing is needed. Coats, hats gloves and mittens can be passed down or recycled from one kid to another since most children seem to grow out of them before they wear them out. Sleds are nice but optional. They are easily made (cardboard, plastic signs and other odds n’ ends work great) or obtained at a thrift shop or freecycle. Snowballs, forts and snowmen are very natural, and are returned to the Earth at the end of their life.
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