2. Set your mower deck higher: set it at its highest setting (or at lease higher than you do now. Don’t bag..leave the clippings where they fall. You save on fertilizer and your lawn will look better. Clippings don’t cause thatch, fertilizer does.

3. Make your own weed killer: vinegar, salt and dish soap, evidently boiling water kills weeds, and gin dish soap and vinegar. Evidently the vinegar kills the weed, salt keeps it from growing back, and soap sticks to the weed so the first two things can work. Amounts vary from recipe to recipe (or is it a formulation…again I digress) and do not appear to be very important. As the salt sticks around for a bit, you need to wait a little before replanting. [Didn't someone sale fields in the bible or something?]

4. Get your tools at yard sales and use hand tools. Never pay retail. Good tools last forever. Power tools use gas, stink, pollute your yard and the world at large, and leave you smelling like gasoline after you are done. Oh yeah, they are expensive too.

5. Compost. Make your own dirt. Don’t buy a bin, you don’t need one. Dig a hole. Make a pile. If you just pile up everything that was once once alive [and not an animal] that is left over from your kitchen, you will have compost in six to nine months. If you follow the rules and mix your compose and turn it, you can have some super dirt in two to three months.

6. Make your own mulch. Shred your leaves with you lawn mower. Contact a tree service and ask for chipped branches. You may get them for free since you will save the company the dumping fee. Be prepared though, it doesn’t look as nice as bought mulch but it works great on your garden and saves money. You may also consider stones or pebbles, the initial outlay is higher but they don’t have to be replaced. A truck load of local stone costs less than you think.

7. Divide plants, share seedlings, ask you neighbors. Talk to you neighbors and see if they have any plants that need dividing. Join a garden club or plant exchange. Look for sale by garden clubs and botanical gardens.

8. Watering. Get a rain barrel. You don’t need some expensive system. Contact your water department or look for recycled plastic barrels. Use soaker hoses in your beds and garden; you will use much less water. Water deeply once or twice per week. Daily, short watering make for shallow roots and unhealthy plants.

9. Grow Vegetables and Herbs. The saving will take to be realized but you can save a lot of money growing your own food. The savings will only increase over time. Especially if you follow the above tips. See my previous post for a calculator on gardening savings.

10. Cancel your cable and get outside in your yard.

John C. Shelton is a recovering attorney, husband, father of two, and newbie blogger. After 15 years in the wilderness (lawyers, on whole are a cranky lot) he is looking for health, happiness, and satisfaction. He started baking his own bread and gardening somewhat late in life.

DaddyBakesBread [http://www.daddybakesbread.com/?page_id=11] Click it….Click it…you want to click it.

Be sure to check out MY GARDENING BLOG [http://www.gardening.daddybakesbread.com].

Author: John C Shelton
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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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
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We talk about Organic Gardening but I never knew that there was anything else except Organic Gardening. Growing up we didn’t have all the Chemicals that are out now and even if there were we couldn’t afford them anyway. We have always had a Compost Pile and Rabbits as pets. The droppings from the rabbits were either added to the compost pile or added directly into the garden and the garden LOVED IT.

I believe our planting times in Phoenix are like nowhere else in the nation. We basically have 2 planting seasons. They are end of February through May and the end of September through December before the first frost hits. Believe it or not my lettuce lives through our winter months. Many of my vegetables live through the winter in the low desert. In the summer there are plants like Cantaloupe and Watermelon that can handle the heat if you can handle working out there. Pumpkins are started in July for Halloween.

Initially starting my garden took one day and three people. This is what I bought:

1. 6 bags of Compost. Add 5 keep 1 on hand.
2. 5 bags of Blood Meal. Add 3 keep 2 for Fertilizer.
3. 5 Bags of Bone Meal. Add 3 keep 2 for Fertilizer.
4. 2 Bags of Amender.
5. 5 Bags of Manure.
6. 4 cups of Red Wrigglers.
7. 2 Bags of Organic Mulch.

We rotor tilled 4 plots. Two were 8×10, one was 3×5, and one 2×13 against my block wall. We sifted through the dirt, removed as much Bermuda grass as we could. Through the season I dug and removed the roots of any Bermuda grass that sprouted up later as I did weeding.

Next we added Amender. Rotor tilled again to mix in the Amender since our soil is mostly clay. Next we started adding all the rest of the above items and finished with compost topped with 2″ layer of Mulch. I dug some holes along the way and added the Earth worms in the soil to increase soil fertility. We finished with a good watering and let that set overnight.

The next day I planted. You can buy inexpensive plants or even hook up with other gardener’s who have a seed exchange. When you buy seeds from the store take the planting information on the back with a grain of salt as I have found most of the instructions apply to the rest of the nation and not us. I plant Sunflowers all throughout the garden to help with shade as well as wildflowers to help bring in the bees for pollination.

Watering: I would suggest before starting your garden to install underground irrigation. This can be a drip system which is not too costly and very time saving for you as you do not have to stand out there and water. This will also save you on your water bill. You need to water slowly and deep. You could also use soaker hoses above ground before planting and plant close to the soaker hoses. I did not install underground irrigation before planting and now regret it but hey, I will get there. A good idea also is harvesting rainwater. I’ll get that Rain Barrel going some day but for the moment I run out of the house with 5 Gallon Buckets and put them next to the house where the rain falls heavy off the roof. There’s nothing better than a good rain for your plants.

I keep some items on had all the time. Some of them are: organic mulch to retain moisture, compost for fertilizer, bone meal for phosphorus, blood meal for nitrogen, epsom salts – magnesium sulfate: my tomatoes and peppers do well adding this, garden grade diatomaceous earth for bugs on plants: you need to be careful adding this it will also kill the good bugs, bat guano for fertilizer, and fish emulsion for fertilizer. I am always adding coffee grounds to the soil as well.

My garden is at the point right now that when planting season starts I never know what is going to come up. I just sit and scratch my head trying to identify what is germinating not because I didn’t label what I planted but because plants just seem to come up on their own. One of my gardens now has a mulberry tree in the middle of and I didn’t plant it. I let it stay because it really helps with shade. It is as tall as the house now.

I am just touching the tip of the Iceberg here. I am by no means an expert gardener just someone who really likes to garden. I have not spent much time out there this summer due to the heat but come September I’ll be out there.. for hours. This is just an idea to get your garden started. The possibilities are endless. I use the planting calendar as a guide and go for it. I have to give the credit to all the resources below and Google for all my internet searches. They gave me the strength to take the football and run with it. My philosophy is why buy it when you can grow it.

Below is a list of resources I used just to name a few:
The Garden Guy – Extreme Gardening, How To Grow Organic In The Hostile Desert by Dave Owens. I use this book ALL THE TIME. http://www.gardenguy.com/
The Phoenix Permaculture Guild – http://www.phoenixpermaculture.org/ Great resource for Southwest Gardening. They also have a Desert Planting and Harvesting Calendar on this site.

Author: Laura Rairigh
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Healing food: natural way to cure cancer

Similar to Greening Your Garden, the basics of lawn care starts with your soil. If you haven’t had a soil sample taken in the past 5 years, this is where you need to start. Many local Garden Centers carry soil kits. The do-it-yourself kits will provide you with a bare minimum of information. You should really send a soil sample away to a lab for an “organic” analysis. An organic analysis will tell you exactly how much of each “amendment” you need to add to your soil to bring it up to par. A “regular” soil analysis tends to include only the PH level and the three main nutrient levels you can correct with fertilizers – nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Ideally, you should take your soil sample in the spring.

PH of Soil

Most grasses like a ph level of 6.5 which is slightly acidic. A ph of 7.0 is neutral. Dandelions on the other hand, like soil with a ph level of 7.5, slightly alkaline. Thus a proper ph level will support the growth of your grass and at the same time retard the growth of dandelions. Dolomitic lime is used to increase the alkalinity of the soil, where magnesium and calcium are also needed. Hi-cal lime increases the alkalinity where the soil has adequate magnesium. Flowers Of Sulphur is used to increase the acidity of the soil.

Organic Fertilizers

Fertilizers list the percentage of Nitrogen, Phosphorous & Potassium on the bag, such as 7-7-7. Soil also requires other macro-nutrients including sulphur, calcium and magnesium and trace elements such as iron, boron and zinc.

Organic Nitrogen Sources:

Canola seed meal: (6-2-1) maximum of 5 kilograms/10 sq meters (10lb/100 sq ft). Lasts 5 months.

Fish meal: (10.5-6-0) max 2.5 kg/10 sq mtr (5lb/100 sq ft). Lasts 6-8 months.

Blood meal: (12.5-1-3) max 1.5kg/10 sq mtr (3lb/100 sq ft). Lasts 4 months.

Organic Phosphorous Sources:

Bone meal: (3-20-0) plus 20-30% calcium. Max 2.5 kg/10 sq mtr ( 5lb/100 sq ft). Lasts more than 12 months.

SingleSuperPhosphate: (0-20-0) plus 20% calcium & 12% sulphur. Max 2.5kg/10 sq mtr (5lb/100 sq ft). Starts to release in 2-3 months.

Organic Potassium Sources:

Kelp meal: (1-0-1.2) plus 33% trace minerals. Max 0.5kg/10 sq mtr (1lb/100 sq ft). Lasts 6-12 months.

Wood ashes: (0-0-1 to 0-0-10) Raises PH level also. Max 1 kg/10 sq mtr (2lb/100 sq ft). Lasts more than 12 months.

Compost – that old black magic

All soils benefit from nutrient rich applications of compost at any time. Compost from rotted organic matter is the best all round soil conditioner. It improves drainage, provides plant nutrients and provides beneficial micro-organisms. Apply any time of the year and often.

Watering

Most people water their lawns too much. Lawns need about one inch of water per week. If you haven’t received enough rain in the past week to make up a full inch then you can add your own rain water from your rain barrels. One deep watering is much better then short spurts of water. Soaking the soil once a week will encourage deep root growth which will withstand the dry periods better.

Water early in the morning before it gets to hot and the water evaporates. Don’t water at dusk as this leaves the grass wet at night which can encourage disease.

Cutting

Don’t cut your grass shorter than 3 inches. Longer grass crowds out the weeds and can withstand pest attacks better. Leave nitrogen rich grass clippings on the lawn to feed it.

Aeration

A major cause of weed problems is compact soil. The compact soil stresses and kills the roots of your grasses, allowing weeds to move in and take their place. Aerating the soil allows oxygen to penetrate and restores proper drainage. Most lawns should be aerated at least twice a year, once early in the spring and once in the fall.

After the spring aeration, top-dress with screen compost and pest-resistant grass seed. Immediately after aerating in the fall, apply organic fertilizers as needed. A mid-season aeration is recommended for lawns with heavy thatch.

Use an aerator that leaves a “plug” of dirt on your lawn. By removing some of the soil you are sure to get air and water down into the soil. Aerators that just use “spines” to make a hole could compact your ground further and the holes can quickly fill back in.

De-thatching

Thatch is a dense layer of dead grass stems and roots compacted on the surface of the soil. It is resistant to decay. A thick layer of thatch tends to prevent water from soaking into the soil.

Thatch, thicker than a half inch encourages insects and disease. De-thatch in the FALL. If you discover in the spring that you have a thick layer of thatch, aerate and wait for fall. De-thatching will create some stress for your lawn. It will help if you add a layer of compost afterwards.

Insects

Ants

Ants are attracted to nutritionally poor, dry soils, low in organic matter. Generally, if you increase the organic matter in your soil by top-dressing with compost, your soil will retain more moisture and the ant problem will take care of itself. You can apply sand, borax or bone meal to the mounds also.

Chinch Bugs

Chinch bugs like lots of thatch, dry grass roots and soil low in nitrogen. Aerate in spring and summer and de-thatch in fall. If you have hordes of chinch bugs and they are killing patches of your lawn, put a capful of dishwashing soap in a sprinkling can filled with water and drench the problem area. Then lay a piece of white flannel over the problem area. The chinch bugs will cling to the flannel as they try to escape the soap. In 15 to 20 minutes, vacuum the flannel or rinse in a bucket of insecticidal soap. Sounds crazy but it works.

Sod Webworm Moths

If you notice small whitish moths darting about, you likely have sod webworms. Best action is to aerate and top-dress with endophytic grass and de-thatch in the fall. If you need more help that this, you can try introducing beneficial nematodes as a “natural” control.

White Grubs

These grubs are soft and white, with a C-shaped body. They can be from a quarter inch to 3 inches long. And they can cause patches of your lawn to turn brown and die. The best defense is a dense healthy lawn. De-thatch, aerate and keep surface moisture to a minimum by watering deeply and infrequently.

Milky Spore Disease – a naturally occurring bacterium will control white grubs for years once well established in your soil. You can also try introducing beneficial nematodes.

Beneficial Nematodes

Beneficial nematodes are nature’s way of effectively controlling the larvae stage (white grubs) of the Common Chafer, European Chafer, Japanese Beetle, Asiatic Garden Beetle, Black Vine Weevil, Strawberry Root Weevil, plus May & June Beetles.

They are a safe and sensible way to reduce white grubs infestations and other pest insects while not harming your grass or beneficial insects.

How to apply: normally you just add them to water and spray onto the lawn. Follow the instructions from your supplier. A package of 50 million nematodes will cover 2500 sq. ft. or 250 sq. metres.

Weeds

Most weed problems can be attributed to poor soil conditions. Look after the soil and you also look after the weeks. Aerate, de-thatch, check PH levels, add compost.

Chickweed

This annual plant sends out tangled stems that root rapidly in acidic, moist soil. Check your ph level and adjust for acidity. Hand pull the weeds and your problem will soon disappear.

Clover

All clovers are extremely beneficial to lawns. The fix nitrogen in the soil and are often planted as “green manure”. Clovers attract beneficial nectar feeding insects. Think twice before you decide to do away with this “weed”. If you are determined to get rid of the clover, make a solution of one part vinegar and one part liquid fertilizer (fish fertilizer is best). Squirt the patch of clover with this mixture. The clover and grass will turn brown, but the fertilizer will bring back the grass.

Crabgrass

This is a sign of close mowing and poor aeration. Improve your soil to get rid of the crabgrass and pull by hand.

Creeping Charlie

Creeping charlie likes mostly shady areas. To get rid of it, increase drainage by aerating, de-thatching and adding screened compost. Allow soil to dry in affected areas between watering.

Dandelions

Dandelions attract the parasitic wasp that helps to keep down caterpillar, fly maggot and earwig populations.

You can control dandelions by pulling by hand, checking the ph levels of the soil and mowing the lawn before the dandelions go to seed.

Thistle

Thistle has a deep root that cannot be destroyed easily. It must be dug out completely as any little pieces left in the ground will grow anew. Fill holes with topsoil and sprinkle with ryegrass.

Bruce Knight is editor and a contributing author for the GreenTerraFirma.com website. He is active in alternative energy (solar) and natural alternatives to commercial products. GreenTerraFirma.com contains many additional articles of a similar nature to this. Visit GreenTerraFirma.com – http://greenterrafirma.com

Author: Bruce Knight
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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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
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Use a Push Reel MowerStudies have shown that a single lawn mower produces more air pollution in one hour than a car produces over 1000 miles. Reel mowers don’t emit any air pollution, and many would be surprised how efficient they are. Laser cut blades eliminate a lot of the labor and spotty performance that used to plaque the old fashioned units, and some even offer a bagging accessory. If you need a little more power to get through a larger lawn, then opt for the electric models which are still significantly more eco-friendly than gasoline engines.

Collect Rain Water

Water is a very scarce resource in some areas, especially during the summer season. You can help conserve water and lower your utility bills by investing in a rain barrel. These plastic tubs are placed near the perimeter of your home to collect rain, and many have hose attachments to make it easy to redistribute the water to your plants.

Build a Compost BinCompost bins help you recycle your lawn debris into a fertilizer-rich compound. Some people mistakenly believe that generating compost is a major chore. The truth is that all you have to do is turn the compost every few weeks to ensure it degrades properly. Mother Nature does the rest with a natural supply of heat and moisture. Not only will you make good use of your debris, but you plants will benefit from the rich nutrients that compost returns to the earth.

Use Natural Fertilizers and Pesticides

Synthetic fertilizers contain thousands of chemicals and poisons that negatively affect the organisms that come into contact with them. It is unfortunate that not enough people know about the alternatives to chemical lawn treatments. There are many books available with recipes for natural lawn fertilizers that are not only safe for the environment, but they usually less expensive than retail products. Interestingly enough, many can be made with common items from your local grocery store.

There are many ways to integrate natural lawn care into your lifestyle, and very few of them require much time or effort on your part. Even if you can’t utilize all of the suggestions in this article, it is important to do as much as you can. Every change that you make today could save a small niche of the environment for our children. Visit Natural Lawn Fertilizers for more inspiration on ways to use organic lawn recipes in the maintenance of your yard.

Natural Lawn Fertilizers is the first step for lawn enthusiasts who want to grow a beautiful organic lawn.

Author: Thomas Galley
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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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
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This kind of extra due diligence on behalf of the eco friendly event catering company illustrates a passion for food and the environment that is perhaps slightly absent from other more traditional catering companies that will only give you what your heart desires and will go to any length to procure it. When employing the services of an eco-friendly catering company you, the client, will know that the food that is served up on your guests plates will probably have been in the ground at most two days previous to the event; sometimes even that morning. That freshness will be apparent not only in the food but also in the way that it is served and a good chef will be able to make even the humble turnip into a feast for a king.

If you are planning a outdoor catering event this year then take the time to speak to your local event catering company with regards to their sourcing policy and bear in mind that most foodies who source locally also prefer to source organic too. Happy Eating!

Lettuce and Lovage was formally set up at the beginning of 2009 by Jo Trendall.

Jo is a self-confessed foodie, passionate about hospitality, knowledgeable on old and new world wines and, as a planner has a great eye for detail. Lettuce and Lovage Catering Company is based in Montpelier, Bristol, BS6 and at Folly Farm near Chew Magna, North Somerset (BS39) and caters for weddings, BBQs, corporate events, Hog Roasts, Garden Parties, Buffets and Breakfasts, sandwich lunches and more. We are also contract caterers and will be very happy to discuss your company or school’s requirements.

If you would like to meet up or just have an informal chat on the phone, please feel free to contact Jo Trendall at Lettuce & Lovage any time to arrange an informal chat. Tel: 01179 856 767

Author: Jo Trendall
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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But, once the dog days of summer hit, and the weekly rain showers do not make their way to your new crops, they might begin to look a little worn as they begin to dry out and become parched in the hot sun. Water becomes more important and your responsibility to keep them from dying is more apparent.

Large rain buckets or rain-barrels are easily setup to collect life giving rain water during those times when storms pass through. Harvesting rain is something that every person should be thinking of as they begin their quest to add gardens to their backyards.

Usually the basic question on many minds is “How do I get started and how hard is it to do?” Having a strategy and plan are crucial in creating a sustainable collection, storage and distribution system for your home. These systems can be very elaborate and expensive, but in most cases, keeping it simple is preferable as funds are usually limited.

The 3 basic areas of a rain harvesting system are: Collection, Storage and Distribution. Rain buckets are the large containers that can be designed specifically for the purpose of collecting the rain and can be as simple as vinyl or plastic trash cans. When located near downspouts, these rain buckets can collect water that land on the roof. Since the roof has the largest surface area, it is common practice to place your rain bucket near the house or shed where the downspouts channel the water from the house.

Once you know where you want to locate the rain bucket, the next question often asked is “How do I get the rain into the bucket?” Typically, this is done by cutting off part of the down spout so that the end sits a bit higher than the bucket itself. Cut a hole in the lid and cover the opening with a very thin wire mesh. This mesh will allow the rainwater to enter, but prevent insects such as mosquitoes from nesting in the water.

Cut an 8-10 inch piece of the 1″ PVC pipe. Apply PVC Cement liberally around one end and the female to male hose bib adapter. Twist slightly and let set for about 10 minutes. While this is setting, take your electric drill with a 1″ spade bit and drill a hole about 6 inches from the bottom of the bucket. Insert the 1″ by 8″ PVC pipe with a hose thread exposed. Seal the hole with PVC cement and let set for about 10 minutes to prevent leakage. Once set, you’ll be able to hook up a standard garden hose to the exposed PVC Pipe. The pressure from the amount of water contained inside the rain bucket will allow you to water your plants without much difficulty.

In summary, a large Rain Bucket is an easy way to begin conserving water to provide your garden with essential life giving fluid whenever needed. Since the water had been collected and stored from the previous rainstorms, you will not have to worry about the bill.

A gallon storage container can be used to store just about anything. From a containment drum for capturing rain from your rooftop, to storing food. Multi-gallon containers are versatile for any job.

Author: Robert Owens
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Water your garden with a rain barrel. Hook up a rain barrel to your downspout or attach a fancy copper water catcher and start storing water for those hot summer days. Your barrel will weigh over 400 lbs when full, so ensure you find a level place to store it. One quarter inch of rain will yield 200 gallons of water.

Gather your neighbors and start a community garden to grow your own vegetables. This is a great idea especially for people with limited yard space or apartment dwellers.

Set up a composter and treat your garden to free compost. Fill it up with any non-meat food scraps, vegetable peelings coffee grounds, leaves and grass cuttings. Your plants will love it and you’ll be buying less garbage bags.

Plant a tree. Build your own forest by planting trees and seedlings. They look beautiful, provide shade and habitats for animals and birds. They’ll even do their part to improve air quality by filtering out pollution and boosting oxygen.

Find alternatives to insecticides. Fight garden pests with organic means, such as dish detergent and water. Take some Ivory Liquid detergent mixed with water at a ratio of one to two percent and spray your plants to coat bugs and suffocate them.

Use solar power to light your walkway. Save money on bulbs and electricity with solar powered garden lights. You’ll love the wire-free installation. Where solar isn’t practical switch to low voltage or LED lighting.

When landscaping, focus on using native species of plants to help stop the spread of invasive, non-native vegetation.

Make a habitat. Help support our feathered friends by hanging feeders or bird houses, set up a bird bath and plant shrubs that bear fruit.

Let nature take care of mosquitoes naturally. Build a backyard bat box and let them feast on between 500 to 1,000 mosquitoes per hour. That sure beats spraying bug repellent.

Remember push mowers? They’ve become all the rage as an eco-alternative to gas mowers for cutting your lawn. They save money, mess and you get additional exercise.

Don’t forget the mulch. Adding mulch to your garden in the winter protects your plants from the cold and in the summer months keeps the soil cool, prevents water loss and helps to control weeds.

Reduce, reuse and recycle every chance you get. It may take some time, but just by being aware you will increase your practice of the 3 “R’s”. The next time you go to throw out that old piece of lumber, fencing, or light fixture, stop yourself and take a load to the local reuse store. You may also find that reclaimed lumber fits the bill for your next building project.

Carolyn Capalbo is an expert military relocation specialist and real estate agent serving Northern Virginia real estate. Visit Just4Real.com to find updated market information about areas in Prince William, including Ashburn VA real estate.

Author: Carolyn Capalbo
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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