Now is a great time to get into the habit of watering efficiently in your garden.

A simple way to water garden plants more efficiently is to use a soaker hose. Rather than spray water up into the air, it delivers water directly to the ground. It’s slow, of course, but you lose much less water to evaporation. You turn the water on a very low setting, so even though it takes more time to water the plants you’re using less water. Just set a timer so you don’t forget what you’re doing.

Another step you may be able to take is to catch rain water. Some states have very strict rules about rain water capture, so you have to do research to ensure that your rain barrel system is legal. But if you can legally capture the water, it’s a wonderful way to keep watering your garden.

It’s also a good idea to look at garden plants that are right for the climate in your area. You don’t want a garden that needs tons of water if you live in an area that is prone to droughts or water restrictions. Know the planting zone you live in and pay attention to that when you buy seeds and plants. And don’t ignore any local issues that may make it wise to be still more cautious with your garden.

Mulching the soil around your plants also allows you to water less. The mulch will help slow evaporation, so once again you can save water.

If you’re planting a food garden, there’s only so much you can do about water use. There aren’t many people who can successfully plan a xeriscape vegetable garden. You’re probably going to need to use water to get a good harvest.

But if it’s more decorative, take a good look at native plants. Look at drought resistant plants if you live where that’s likely to be a problem. Really think about what’s going into your soil.

This kind of planning is a help in decreasing how much water you use for the more decorative parts of your garden. Plants whose water needs are more in line with what comes naturally to the area will thrive with much less effort on your part. You can find beautiful native plants in most areas.

Don’t give up entirely on gardening if you have the space just because you want to save water. Gardening is a wonderful way to keep in touch with nature and to help children to really appreciate nature. You can maintain a lovely garden and be wise in your water use.

Stephanie Foster blogs at http://www.greensahm.com/ about raising an eco friendly family. Learn about the benefits of gardening with your kids at her site.

Author: Stephanie Foster
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Digital TV, HDTV, Satellite TV

You see, conserving water is not only great for the environment, it’s also a big money saver and one where relatively small (and painless) changes can have huge impacts on your wallet!

Perhaps this sounds like a great idea to you (after all, why wouldn’t it?) but you may be less sure how to make it happen. In order to avoid overwhelm, I suggest you begin your conservation efforts outside, since many experts agree that landscaping accounts for more than 50% of a typical homeowner’s water usage.

Next, use the following six tips to help guide you; while there are many more, these are among my favorites because they’re all trouble-free, very affordable (or free) and they’ll save you loads of money.

1. Use gutters, grates, and channel drains to collect storm water. Then redirect it to capture apparatus like rain barrels, catch basins, and cisterns. This is a great way to have plenty of clean, fresh water for your plants, flowers, and grass. And you can also use it to wash off your deck or patio and give your auto a good cleaning.

2. Avoid watering your plants, flower, and grass during the hottest part of the day (10 am – 4 pm). Rather, water them in the early morning or wait until evening. This will cut back on the amount of water wasted due to evaporation.

3. Fix leaking hoses, sprinkler heads, and outside faucets fast. This is one of the easiest ways to save lots and lots of water 24/7, so take the time (5-10 minutes) to continually – and regularly – check to make sure nothing’s dripping.

4. Stop spraying and start sweeping. Trade in your hose for a broom and sweep away dead leaves, sticks, dirt, and other outdoorsy “stuff.” It does a perfectly acceptable job and it’s a “kinder” way to treat your wooden furniture. And if you need a little more “elbow grease” use household cleaners like Windex to help you get up those tougher spots.

5. Purchase a smart water controller. Water controllers are one of the most valuable outdoor gadgets around (what’s more they’re inexpensive little gems and you can buy them at places like Home Depot). They’re similar to traditional automatic “set-it-and-forget-it” sprinkler systems – only better. Why? Because they have internal sensors that collect soil and atmospheric information (real time) and virtual (web-based) weather data, which are used to automate and optimize watering schedules. These calculations are performed daily and also ensure that the exact right amount of water needed is delivered to your plants. And that means your plants won’t die of thirst or drown.

6. Rain sensors = Good Sense. Rain sensors often work hand-in-hand with water controllers (they’re sold separately or along with the controllers) in that they can add another “dimension” to your water-saving efforts (and they’re also very inexpensive and can even be wired to existing irrigation systems).

Here’s why… Rain sensors contain disks that enlarge when they come contact with moisture. When this happens a negative wire is tripped, and this stops the pump relay’s operation, and prevents the system from functioning; that is, until the disk dries out (which is close to the same drying rate as soil.) These are also readily available at places like Home Depot or you can order them on the Internet. If possible, however, I suggest that you check them out in person. This way you can discuss options with someone knowledgeable and get the one that best suits your needs (it’s also easier to exchange them if needed).

As I said earlier, these are just a few of the many ways you can help lessen the demand for fresh water (it starts one person at a time) and thereby, help yourself, your community, and the world. As a result, you’ll feel better, save money, and still enjoy a beautiful yard. So, why wait another minute, when there’s never been a better day to start? I promise, it will be one of the best decisions you ever made.

Tiffany Guerra, BA, MS, is an environmentalist, strategic marketing manager, and a freelance writer. Tiffany is passionate about helping people reduce their carbon footprints using practical, affordable, and uncomplicated methods. As such, she regularly contributes articles on topics such as the benefits of green spaces, the conservation of water, and more, to her company’s website ( http://www.NDSPro.com ) and other online publications. If you’d like to learn more about ways to use landscaping to conserve water, add value to your home, and save money visit: http://www.ndspro.com/articles/library/7-money-saving-ways-to-conserve-water-outside-and-be-kinder-to-mother-earth/.

Author: Tiffany Guerra
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Programmable Multi-cooker

This is what distinguishes fake green from real green. Real green doesn’t leave a deficit of resources. It doesn’t create big holes in the earth or deplete resources. It doesn’t create big piles of inorganic matter or fill big pits with toxic junk. If you’re really concerned about living in harmony with your home, the earth, here are five things you can do that are truly earth-friendly; that will have a positive or neutral impact on your environment. There are many more, but this is a start.

Eliminate all commercially made toiletries regardless of how “natural” they purport to be. Before you look at the ingredients (if they’re even listed) look at the packaging. Is it plastic? (Plastic is made from petroleum.) Is it plastic in a slick glossy box? (Plastic coated paper can’t be recycled.) Literally every toiletry in your bathroom can be replaced with four simple items:

Deodorant Stone: This white slightly translucent “stone” is made of mineral salts – that’s it. You wet it and rub it on. It will literally last you a decade or more and it works. It will not keep you from perspiring – you’re supposed to perspire – but it will keep offensive odors at bay. If you want a scent, a drop of an essential oil is enough to scent both underarms.

Food-grade hydrogen peroxide or baking soda: These are substitutes for toothpaste and tooth whiteners. Food-grade hydrogen peroxide may be hard to come by depending on where you live. It’s a 35% concentration, so it has to be diluted – preferably with filtered water or rainwater. (More on that later.) The 3% hydrogen peroxide you find in the drug store is NOT suitable since most of it is contaminated with mercury. Diluted 35% hydrogen peroxide also makes an excellent mouthwash and tooth whitener. In the absence of 35% h.p., baking soda is also a viable option. And it comes in a recyclable biodegradable paper box with no plastic coating.

News flash: Offensive body odor, cavities, and bad breath are not the results of aluminum chlorhydrate, fluoride, or minty mouthwash deficiencies. They are all the result of an acid pH caused by a diet of over-cooked, over-processed foods. Want to smell good and clean up your mouth? Then clean up your diet. If you eat garbage, you’re going to smell like garbage, no matter how many toxic chemical-laden products you use.

Homemade soap: Making soap is easy and fun. If you use the cold process and rebatch it, you can make bar soap, soft soap, dish and laundry soap, and shampoo from the same recipe. Many people like the natural scent of homemade soap, but if you prefer something more foofy, a little essential oil goes a long way. (Essential oils are packaged in glass, which can be recycled or reused. They also last a long time because a little goes a long way.)

Extra virgin coconut oil: This can replace moisturizer, hair conditioner, and foot crmes. If you don’t like the smell of coconut, use expeller pressed. It has a neutral scent. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, the same as breast milk, and absorbs completely into hair and skin without blocking pours. It is also high in omega 3 fatty acids and helps repair sun damage. Now granted – if you’re living in a country where coconut is not a native plant, there is some fossil fuel consumption required to get it to you. However, a little goes a long way. Buy it in glass jars if possible (less petroleum consumption.) For skin and hair moisturizing, put about 1/8 tsp. in the palm of your hand and rub your hands together. Massage it into your face and neck and wipe the rest off in your hair, working it through to the ends. Adjust the amount for thickness and length of hair. Done right, it takes care of the frizzies and fly-aways and makes even sun-damaged hair feel soft. Don’t worry if you get a little too much on – it will absorb and interestingly won’t stay greasy looking. It can be worn under make-up, but it should be given time to absorb. It takes about hour. Massage about 1/8 tsp. or less into your feet to prevent heal cracking and athlete’s foot. Coconut oil has anti-fungal properties.

Just say NO to drugs. Remember that old campaign? What ever happened to that? Now pharmaceuticals are the most abused drugs in the US, outstripping street drugs, and TV commercials have replaced shady street corner drug pushers. We even insist that the government pay for our habit and they’re happy to oblige. What’s wrong with this picture?

Prescription drugs are a serious environmental hazard to water and soil. (Plus, they come in PLASTIC bottles – more petroleum.) Municipal water supplies do not and cannot filter them out. Imagine the outrageous combinations of pharmaceuticals, especially psychotropic drugs, which come through your tap and flow into surface and ground water. Drug pollution doesn’t just come from flushing outdated pills down the toilet. Drugs are prescribed assuming that you will pass up to 60% of them through your body without using or absorbing them. That means every drug user is flushing pharmaceuticals down their toilet, not just the surviving relatives of the granny who dies with 20 prescriptions in her medicine cabinet.

There is no disease known to man that is the result of a drug deficiency. There are no drugs that cure – they only treat. And your body doesn’t know the difference between a legal and an illegal drug. Think about that.

There are natural alternatives to every discomfort and most of those alternatives start with what you eat and drink. There is a plethora of information out there if you’re truly motivated to live earth-friendly and healthy to boot. You can’t live green and use drugs. It’s as simple as that.

Collect rainwater: Depending on where you live, rainwater is a relatively clean source of good water and if you set up a passive system, once it’s in place, the water is free. In urban areas with a lot of air pollution, this may not be a good alternative, but barring that, mechanically filtered rainwater is drinkable and certainly suitable for watering your…

Organic garden! Number four: grow your own food. Again, there is abundant information about growing food just about anywhere you live, from the average suburban lot to container gardening on an apartment balcony. You will be amazed at how much better food you grow yourself tastes, not to mention the satisfaction of realizing you can take care of yourself. In addition to that, organic gardening makes extensive use of a fifth way to be green….

Composting: Your kitchen scraps, non-coated paper, and even dryer lint can all be composted either in a collection bin or worm bin. Red wiggler worms make excellent composters and there are kits available that make worm composting easy and convenient even in limited spaces. There is no odor problem associated with them. Increasingly, offices are even using them in their lunchrooms.

These truly green tips are, let’s face it, not contributors to the economic recovery. In fact, if you continue down the path of truly living green, you will cut your consumption of marketed goods in significant ways. And less consumption, while good for the earth, is not good for an economy based on the unlimited growth of spending. On the bright side though, given that the whole system is foundational on a fiat currency and is destined to collapse anyway, regardless of whether or not you continue to over-spend and pollute, at least you’ll have some survival skills. While all around you panic, you’ll be fed, healthy, and clean. Now that’s sustainability!

Author: Vincent DiAngelo
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Canada duty tariff

I am very lucky to live in a part of North America where water is inexpensive and plentiful. Not only am I the exception to the rule, it won’t always be that way. Indeed, there are parts of the planet where clean, safe drinking water is almost impossible to find.

Conservation is more important than you know. Clean water is being taken faster than the earth can replace it, and even in water rich areas like mine, we have to be very careful. Newer technologies and more aggressive techniques at saving water and water reclimation are being worked on – but in the meantime we can all save water.

Here are five easy and simple ways you can do you part and conserve water around your home – ever bit counts.

Buy a Rain Barrel

Your grass, flowers and plants do not need disinfected drinking water like you and your pets do. The water that comes from your tap is expensive to make and distribute but the water that comes from the sky is free. Purchase a rain barrel from your local hardware store and collect the free stuff for your lawn and garden. You’ll save thousands of liters of water a year!

Fix Those Leaks!

Is your tap dripping away? Is your toilet tank running all the time? These things add up. Dripping taps can waste up to a liter of water every hour – that’s enough to fill your bathtub in one week. That is a lot of water going nowhere. Fix the leaks to save water and money.

Brushing Your Teeth Takes Less Water Than You Think.

It is beyond me why anyone would leave the tap running while brushing their teeth – but everybody does it. It’s a very human thing to do. Leaving your tap on for two minutes while you brush can waste almost 10 liters of water. That’s 20 bottles of water every time you brush your teeth! Turn the water off after you wet the brush and back on to rinse – that’s all you need. Be aware, and save water!

Use a Broom, Not a Hose

My father is the guilty party here. He uses the hose to wash leaves and sand from his driveway. He uses enough water to fill a bathtub every time he does it. Try a broom instead. It’s just as effective and saves a ton of water – not to mention helping you some good exercise!

Low Flow Everywhere

Most newer taps come with water saving aerators on them. They use much less water but keep the pressure so it feels like enough water. If you have an older sink, go to the hardware store and purchase low flow aerators. They are only a few dollars a piece but can cut your water consumption from the taps in half. Low flow toilets work well to save water, using only 1/3 of the water that the older models do. If you are not going to replace a toilet any time soon, try putting a brick in the toilet tank. That will reduce the water per flush but not the power of the flush – the water level is just as high so gravity can carry it down with just as much power. Finally, look for shower heads that advertise low flow/high pressure, and you will be on your way to saving water and your water bill.

These five methods are by no means exhaustive, but by following these simple techniques you can do your part for water conservation and spend less money on your bills.

Mike Mandell works at a water treatment facility in Canada. As well, he runs a website providing free information and advice about drinking water, water treatment, pumps and equipment, and anything else to do with water. Visit him at http://www.truthofwater.com

Author: Mike Mandell
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Humorous photo captions

Throughout the ages water has symbolized the very essence of life. We have looked upon water as a means to cleanliness and mercy; using it in holy rituals, rights of passage and rebirth. From our earliest accounts of civilization, we have built up settlements around large sources of water because water is the life source of the community. However, with the introduction of modern technology in our society, and a seemingly unending supply of free flowing water from the taps throughout our homes and businesses, we seem to have we lost our respect for this most precious treasure and see it as being something owed to us more then the wonderful gift that it is.

The true value of water is often not fully realized until it has been removed from our lives. Therefore it is important for us to find new ways to re-connect ourselves with this vital treasure giving it the respect that it so richly deserves.

We can start by observing how we consume our water. – Think about how much you use, and how much you waste. Keep in mind that there are people in this world that live on as little as three liters of water per day or less. Compare that to the amount you use on a daily basis. By consciously becoming aware of how we consume, we can become better and more educated consumers.

We need to drink more water. – While conserving water is important, you do need to drink it to survive and drink plenty of it. Your body can handle going without food for several weeks; however you can not go without water for more than a few days. Keeping yourself well hydrated helps your body to eliminate wastes and toxins from your system, it also helps convert food into energy, moistens oxygen for breathing and promotes healthy skin. If your energy starts to falter towards the end of an afternoon, drinking a full glass of water will help to restore it quickly.

Watch what you put down your drains. – While the most obvious things you don’t want to put down your drain are toxic chemicals, many people do not realize that fragrances may also pose a threat to our water supply. More than 80 percent of all fragrances made today come from synthetic compounds derived from petrochemicals. Fragrances can be found in everything from shampoos and shower gels to things like dish soaps and laundry detergents. While most of the materials that make up the fragrances may be removed by wastewater treatments; up to 10 percent are possibly non-biodegradable and continue on in our waters. As an example, a recent study has shown that synthetic musk’s have been showing up in animal tissues, blood plasma and even breast milk.

Take a bath. – While showers are typically preferred over baths as baths tend to use up more water; bathing can be a very therapeutic experience and a wonderful way to appreciate one of the many benefits of water. Bathing is especially healing if you add essential oils and sea salts, for example those from the Dead Sea that are rich in minerals. Hydrotherapy, which is basically “therapy through water”, is often recommended for aliments like muscle pain, arthritis, insomnia, migraines, psoriasis, and other skin disorders. From biblical healings in the Dead Sea to Roman bath houses, therapy through water has long been a respected healing practice. The simple sensation of being immersed in water alone can be a very renewing and uplifting experience that connects you to the life force of the water that flows within.

Find natural sources of water. – One of the best ways to re-connect ourselves with water is to find a natural source. Weather you live near the ocean, in the mountains, on the plains or in the desert, where there is life, you will find water. Observe everything that surrounds this natural source, from plant life to critters, or to fish and birds. See what a wonderful gift of nourishment this liquid treasure is to the life that depends on its very existence.

By becoming more aware of how we use water, and allowing ourselves to get a little closer to its natural source, we can gain a new appreciation and respect for how vital this precious element it is to our very existence. We will also come to understand that even the slightest changes that we make in our life can protect this gift for others.

Author: Deborah Abdulla
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Make PCB Assembly

For starters, people should reduce their usage of water by taking shorter showers, which will decrease their water and electric bills. Also, installing inexpensive low-flow shower heads and toilets will decrease water and electric bills. Furthermore, a faucet aerator, on all faucets in the household, is inexpensive. These gadgets will reduce electric and water bills. But the water pressure will remain high.

Conserve water by using xeric gardens. Plants in xeric gardens are native to the area and do not require much water. In order to water them, it is recommended to use gray water. This gray water is the water from the kitchen, bathrooms, sinks, showers, tubs, laundry, washing machines, and dishwasher. Only biodegradable soaps are used in order to create this gray water. Recycle this gray water by watering gardens, plants, and lawn.

Use the machine washer/dryer and dishwasher after seven in the afternoon when energy consumption is lower. Wash most of your clothes in cold water because hot weather uses up a lot of energy. When drying clothes, only place big and thick pieces, like towels, sheets, jeans, sweats, blankets, robes and pajamas in the dryer with dryer balls in order to reduce the length of drying. Try to lay out smaller pieces of clothing as well as the delicate and gentle garments to air dry. Recycle the gray water from the washing machine and dishwasher for watering the plants. Do not flush the toilet too many times during the daytime in order to decrease water bill.

As people learn to reduce their water usage, they should also take appropriate measures to religiously practice the three Rs on a daily and ongoing basis. The three Rs include reducing, recycling and reusing so that valuable natural resources do not become scarce. Important products that need to be recycled include aluminum, steel and tin cans, glass bottles and jars, and paper and plastic products.

Old electronics should be recycled since they contain lead and mercury, which can taint the soil and water. Thereby, poisoning drinking water as well as vegetation. Car fluids, parts, batteries and accessories as well as auto bodies and tires should be recycled.

Recycling old compost to create your own fertilizer will assist in the growth of nutrient-enriched plants and garden. Furthermore, be sure to buy merchandise in bulk or large boxes to save on packaging. Such bulk shopping can be found in warehouse stores, such as Costco.

Other products to watch out for when recycling include using Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and petrochemicals. Cotton and linen products do not emit VOCs in the air; and thereby, improving air quality. Organic cotton is a lot better because it does not use up petrochemicals. Also, using cleaning products that do not have harsh chemicals and that are not scented will recycle better. Do not use foam products, such as cups, bowls, plates, and clamshell boxes, because they use up petrochemicals and they do not recycle well.

Therefore, the secret to saving water requires reducing your water usage, recycling products, and reusing old products. But people need to remember that some products give out harsh chemicals, such as lead, mercury, petrochemicals, and VOCs, and can contaminate drinking water. To be safe, they should not buy such products that are scented or have chemicals. As people practice the three Rs, their water and electric bills start to decrease, their environment is cleaner, and they are saving the planet in the process.

Amelia Yap is a mother who is very conscious about global warming and the future or our environment. She has made it her mission to educate others to go green, reduce their carbon foot print, and help save our environment.
You can download her FREE report, “Simple Ways to Go Green and See Green” to see how easy it is to go green and save money along the way.

Author: Amelia Yap
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Digital Camera News

But the benefit to conserving water isn’t just saving water. There’s many benefits to it over and above that.

The biggest one is electricity. Many don’t know just how heavy water really is. In order to pump water to your house, a city uses a whopping 10% of all electricity used! Using less water, fixing leaks, putting in low flow shower heads and faucets, these things don’t just save water, they save electricity too.

Less water means less fossil fuels. If you use less water, you use less electricity, which means fossil fuel generating plants burn less fossil fuel which means less carbon emissions.

Less electricity used also means less energy required to dig the fossil fuels out of the ground, too.

So what are some tips to save water, there bye using less electricity and less fossil fuels?

RAIN BARRELS – Using rain barrels in your backyard to collect water and use it to water your plants and grass. This method uses 0 electricity and produces 0 carbon emissions. Thousands of gallons a year are used for your yard. If everyone collected rain water, it would be like taking thousands of cars off the road every year.

FIX LEAKS – Taps dripping? Outside faucet won’t quite turn off? A dripping tap can fill a bathtub in less than a week. Fix the drip, save the water, consume less energy.

SHORT SHOWERS – Taking a short shower is especially hard for a teenager, but you as a parent must educate your children. They will be around when you are gone and they must understand the concept of saving – because in the future there will be less, not more.

LOW FLOW DEVICES – Low flow showerheads, tap aerators and toilet dams are cheap and will save you hundreds of dollars in water consumption, as well as saving electricity.

FLUSH THE TOILET – only when you need to. It might be a bit gross, but this is only mental. This technique is recommended for urine only!

By taking steps to conserve water, you are conserving energy and adding less carbon to the atmosphere. Doing your part has never been easier.

Mike Mandell works at a water treatment facility in Canada. As well, he runs a website providing free information and advice about drinking water, water treatment, pumps and equipment, and anything else to do with water. Visit him at http://www.truthofwater.com

Author: Mike Mandell
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Advice on AdSense

We all know what we need to do – just go out and water the plants regularly, maybe once or twice a day when it is hot, but therein lies the problem, life just gets in the way.

We have all heard about irrigation, but isn’t it complicated? Hundreds of little bits, a need for an outside tap, an unsightly hosepipe and a huge water bill?

There is an easier way.

The WaterWand irrigation kit uses sunshine to power your irrigation – no wires, no dangerous electricity/water mixes.

It uses rainwater from your water barrel. No hosepipe bans, no nasty surprises in your water bill.

The WaterWand solar pump is completely automatic. It waters every 3 hours through the day, whether you are there or not. It waters slowly, with drip or seep hose irrigation, so that water goes exactly where you want it. Water has time to soak in rather than run off. Compost or soil does not have time to dry out. It waters more when it is sunny and your plants need extra.

Soluble fertiliser (about a quarter normal strength) can be added to your water barrel so your plants get fed as they are watered. They grow and flower better.

But most important of all the WaterWand is so simple to set up that almost anyone can do it with tools that almost everyone has.

How to do it

Position pump

The solar irrigation pump needs to be positioned so that it is facing in the sunniest direction and is not shaded. If your water barrel is in a shady position it is okay to position the pump some distance away. Ideally the pump should be just a little higher than the high water mark in the rain barrel, but if needs be can be up to 6′ (2m) higher. It can be hung from a nail, hook or similar.

Dripper irrigation

Follow the link at the bottom to see a schematic.

Start with the most distant pot or basket from the pump. Screw a drip nozzle into the delivery tube. Screw it right in or it will leak. Put a stake onto the tube about an inch (3cm) back from the dripper. Stake into your pot or basket so it drips near the middle. Route the tube back to the next container, concealing it as you go and if necessary clipping into place. When you have got back to where the irrigation needs to branch, cut the tube. It’s safest to use scissors. Screw another dripper in the end and hold in the desired position over the pot/basket, then follow the tube back to where it needs to connect to the first piece. Cut the tube. Screw a tee into the first piece of tube, then screw the second piece of tube to the tee. When you have done this attach the stake and fix in position. Repeat until all your pots or baskets are connected up.

If your plants are grouped connect up the plants in each group, then connect the groups using sub mains. (the tube is all the same – a sub main is simply a tube leading to a group of drippers.

You should have one open end left on your tube – take this back to the WaterWand pump. Cut the tube clean and square (a sharp knife is needed) leaving enough slack so that when connected it will not be bent sideways or pull against the pump connection. Push it onto the connector marked O.

Now drill a hole in the top edge of your water barrel – above the high water mark but low enough for the lid to fit on. You can drill the hole in the lid but this will make lid removal more awkward.

Thread tube through the hole and push the filter on the end. Adjust the tube so the filter hangs 5 -10cm above the bottom of the barrel as in schematic. Take the other end back to the pump and fit in the same manner as the outlet tube.

Pump operation

A new pump may run for some time when it is first turned on. Ideally water should be directed back to the barrel until it stops for the first time. Then turn the pump to maximum and connect to the outlet tube. The pump will start up at 3 hour intervals from when it is first turned on. If it applies too much water, turn it down. Repeat until you are happy with the application rate. Remember as plants grow the pump may need to be turned up.

How much water is the right amount?

Hanging baskets should drip a little after the afternoon watering. Pots should also drain a little. You should be monitoring the driest basket or pot. As long as containers are free draining, excess water will escape.

Where to use it

Anywhere under the sun that needs automatic watering and maybe feeding too.

Care and maintenance

Ensure your water barrel and water are clean before you start watering.

Clean the solar panel with a damp cloth if it gets dirty.

Change the battery annually, especially before you go away.

Ensure your water barrel is full before you go away.

Keep the WaterWand pump inside during the winter, away from severe frost.

Do check regularly that the water application rate is correct.

Limitations

The pump is designed for small-scale use.

5 – 6 large hanging baskets

20 10 litre pots

Maximum height above water barrel 15′ (4.5m). It will pump higher, but you get less water.

Normal flow rate 130ml/min. 50m of tubing will reduce this by about 10%. Keep tube lengths as short as practical.

George H Evans has been a gardener for all his life and a professional horticulturalist for most of it. Since August 2008 he has been developing solar irrigation kits specifically for small scale garden projects.

Author: George H Evans
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Duty on LCD/Plasma TV

With the advent of the latest technology, and if you have some spare cash, then there are many items that are more enviromentally friendly.

Take flat screen TV’s that use a third of the electricity of the old ones and I recently installed a heat exchanger that uses heat from the air to heat my house, saving two thirds of the electricity, like air conditioning in reverse!

While this eco friendly stuff is good, one of the best is a home water filtration unit and eco friendly bottles.

In the US alone we throw away over 60,000,000 plastic bottles each and every day! This unnecessarily fills up our already full landfills with more toxic waste, contributing to the poor state of the environment.

With over 2000 toxic chemicals in our drinking water including herbicides pesticides and prescription drugs, a water purifier makes sense, especially when combined with eco friendly bottles.

Even without home filtration you will be healthier as plastic bottles will leach out harmful chemicals into the contents if left for any period of time, and for that reason you shouldn’t leave liquids stored in plastic containers.

Instead of buying bottled water that is no better than the tap variety, you can bottle your own at home and take with. The best are made of glass or stainless steel and are BPA free so no chemicals can leach into your water.

In my humble opinion, these bottles are among the very best of the eco friendly stuff as they reduce the burden on the environment, last for years and keep you healthy.

If we can change just a few small habits, like bottling our own water, then we can have a significant impact on improving the health of not only our planet, but our health too.

Visit my website today if you would like to learn more about the types of eco friendly water bottles that I personally recommend and use.

Discover the best eco friendly water bottles today.

Ray Hamilton is a dedicated advocate and researcher of the incredible benefits of safe, clean healthy filtered water. Discover which products Ray recommends after extensive research.

Author: Raymond Hamilton
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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If you can believe it, around 60,000,000 plastic bottles are used and discarded every single day in the US, adding to the already overflowing landfills full of toxic waste.

The sad fact is that the answer to, are plastic water bottles eco friendly is no. Only a few these days are as it costs more to manufacture them and therefore it lowers the company’s profits.

In addition, bottled water is no better for you than the tap variety, both being full of hundreds of toxic chemicals and often coming from the same source, yet costs anywhere from $2 – $4 a gallon for the privilege!

There are a few exceptional eco friendly plastic water bottles to be found, with the best being made of glass or a special stainless steel. You should ensure they are BPA free which means they will not leach out any chemicals into your water.

The best stainless steel ones have no chemical lining or plastic caps as these can still present an opportunity from chemicals to get into the contents. This is the problem that affects many of us today when we use ordinary plastic bottles.

The long term health effects are not fully known but it is not safe to leave any liquids sitting in your fridge or cupboards in a plastic container as the risks are too high and you are contributing to the landfill problems too.

The ultimate way to go is to install a home filtration system to remove all the harmful contaminants that exist in our supplies today and bottle your own healthy water for your trips out!

I always used to buy drinks out, especially for the kids and invariably in plastic bottles but now use glass bottles at home and chill them in the fridge ready to go out with.

It’s just simple and small changes to our habits that we need to do in order to become more earth friendly and promote our health as well. I hope I have helped to answer the question are plastic water bottles eco friendly and that you will try to only use eco friendly glass or stainless steel containers for the future.

Visit my website today if you would like to learn more about the types of eco friendly glass water bottles that I personally recommend and use.

Discover the best eco friendly water bottles today.

Ray Hamilton is a dedicated advocate and researcher of the incredible benefits of safe, clean healthy filtered water. Discover which products Ray recommends after extensive research.

Author: Raymond Hamilton
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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