Dealing with weeds in the garden

It just keeps raining here in Vermont. At least it's gotten warmer! My warm season crops of tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumber, and squash are just starting to put on some growth. With the warmth and rain comes the weeds. My solution has always been to weed early and often. Get out there after a rain and scratch the surface of the soil with your hoe. this will scalp the weeds before they just gigantic and hard to remove.

After weeding, then mulch. I like using straw, but any organic material such as pine straw, hay, straw, untreated grass clippings will do. Lay down about a 2- to 4-inch thick layer of mulch. This will keep future weeds away and eventually the material breaks down into compost for the garden. I like using cardboard in the pathways and covering it with straw. The cardboard is slow to breakdown and weeds don't tend to grow on top.

Finally, don't forget to eat your weeds! lamb's quarters, pigweeds, and dandelions have delicious and nutritious leaves. Add young leaves to salads or sautee them in a stir fry. Yummm!

-Charlie - Lawn & Garden

Give Some Room New Life With Old Paint

You just finished painting the living room walls that oatmeal color you had dreamed about and the trim a Sienna clay (with low or no VOC paint of course). It looks fabulous.

Although you thought you calculated the amount of paint you needed, it appears you have extra. Of course you save some for touch ups but what do you do with the majority of it that is left over?

Absolutely don't dump it. Don't even recycle it; renew it!

The local waste collection agencies will take it, but why not put it to better use?

Get inspired and creative like the folks at The Paint Exchange, a renewing paint company outside of Boston. The firm collects latex-based paint from residents, contractors and their own decorating business. They sort the colors that they think will work well together, usually matching up finishes as well– i.e. flat with flat. Then they strain the interior latex paints by pulling the paint through screens to filter out the impurities. The re-blended paints are mixed together to create new, unique colors. They put on fresh packaging and resell it at half the price of new paint. Other companies are doing this in Vermont and Oregon and perhaps in your community too.

If not, grab the paint that is left over from a recent painting project or just sitting around in your garage or attic and try it out yourself. Need a new paint brush for the job? Try these paint brushes made from bamboo to feel even better about your renewed painting project. This eco-friendly idea makes a lot of sense since the EPA released a study estimating that about 10% of the house paint purchased each year in the U.S.— about 65 to 69 million gallons — is ultimately discarded. They say that leftover paint is the largest volume material collected by most household hazardous waste collection programs and represents a high cost for local governments.

For those of you who aren't that crafty, or don't need to paint at the moment, you can feel good about donating clean, well labeled left over paint to a local charity such as a school, house of worship, community center or a Habitat for Humanity chapter.

You will have more space in your garage or attic, reduce the demands on the planet's natural resources, and give some room new life with old paint.

Tread Lighter with re purposed paint,
-Phyllis, Green Expert

Gray Water

Many of you have heard of whitewater (river rafting) or Blackwater (military contractor) but have you heard of gray water? Gray water is the term used to describe used household water, everything except water from the toilet. Gray water from the tub, kitchen sink, and laundry can be collected and used to water plants, shrubs, and trees.  Water from these sources may account for 50-80% of residential “wastewater.” NPR reported that Californians are increasingly turning to gray water systems and other water conservation measures as the state faces drought-induced water restrictions.

Household gray water will contain some contaminants, so the experts recommend using common sense. Don't store gray water for longer than 24 hours, don't handle it more than necessary. The contaminants typically include soap residue, food waste, detergents, etc. Some soaps and detergents contain chemicals that may damage plants in high concentrations, such as sodium, chlorine, or boron.

Sodium and other compounds will build up in the soil of potted plants, so it is best to avoid using gray water on them. Outdoor gardens or trees should be OK, but knowledgeable sources recommend overwatering to avoid the build-up of sodium salts. Frequent bleach or Borax users should not use their laundry gray water on plants.

If you're not a gardener or you want to try something a little different, take a look at WaterSaver Technologies Aqus system, which collects water from the bathroom sink, disinfects it, and uses it to fill the toilet tank (via TreeHugger).

-Chris, Green Expert

Phosphorus, Zero In The Middle

Good lawn maintenance is an effective way to prevent weeds from growing in your yard.  A good maintenance program includes appropriate watering and addition of fertilizer.  I discussed my use of corn gluten for both weed control and nutrient addition (fertilizer).  I also add compost to my yard as I produce it in my compost bin.  Most people I know use manufactured fertilizer purchased from the hardware store.

If you buy your fertilizer by the bag, keep on eye on the three numbers on the label.  The numbers represent the content of three main nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).  Each is necessary for plant growth but excess will run off into nearby lakes and streams.  Excess nutrients will lead to algal blooms and poor water quality, including “dead zones” without enough oxygen for aquatic life.

What can you do?  Take a soil sample to determine if you lawn has any nutrient deficiencies.  Most lawn care companies offer the service or you can do it yourself.  Most lawns have sufficient phorphorus.  If that’s you, only buy lawn fertilizer without phorphorus, labeled with a middle number equal to zero (e.g., 5-0-5).  Some states, including Minnesota, ban application of fertilizer with phosphorus unless certain criteria are met. 

-Chris, Green Expert

The BBQ season is here

Wondering how to grill with less of a carbon footprint? Well you should.

A new study from the Environmental Impact Assessment Review researched the environmental impact of both charcoal and propane grills.

The result is that charcoal grilling's footprint is almost three times as large as that for propane (gas) grills. Propane, a fossil fuel, is better for the environment than charcoal, a biofuel. Thus, a gas grill is the better eco choice.

Why you ask? Propane is dramatically more energy efficient than charcoal both in the way it is produced and its cooking efficiency. The result is also due to the fact that users can control how much CO2 is released by using the on/off switch, which charcoal grills can not. Finally, the fact that charcoal grills require fire lighters was another factor in the research. Fire lighters have their own CO2 footprint. To learn more about the report go here.

If you have a charcoal grill and can't replace it in the near future, choose eco-friendlier (and tastier) ways to light it. Stay away from lighter fluid which is full of chemicals that emit into the air, not to mention your food. Instead use a charcoal starter or a starter wand.

When it comes to the actual charcoal, opt for lump charcoal harvested from a sustainable managed forests or pillow-shaped briquettes made without coal dust or unhealthy additives. You will be letting off fewer greenhouse gases and soot emissions, as well as being responsible for less deforestation, and have healthier food. Look for charcoal brands with the Forest Stewardship Council or Rainforest Alliance SmartWood certification logo.

Oh, and also consider adding more veggies and less meats to your BBQ menu.

Treading Lighter over the BBQ,
-Phyllis, Green Expert

Moving, Eco Style

My friends are moving and it got me thinking about what an overwhelming task it is, not to mention the amount of waste and CO₂ that gets produced.

I have moved many times myself and I realize the list of things to get done is endless. However, considering the planet during this momentous occasion isn't as hard as it sounds.

Instead of buying and using brand new materials, opt for your own, family, friend's, neighbor's, local store's left over boxes, bubble wrap, and other materials. If you didn't plan ahead or just can’t get your hands on used boxes these guys supply them inexpensively. Some friends have bought and sold used moving boxes on craigslist and others have used these cool, zero waste containers made entirely from post consumer recycled trash mined from local landfills.

Another eco friendly packing material is biodegradable packing peanuts.

For delicate items try packing them up with reusable materials you have around your home such as old plastic shopping bags and newspaper.

Find a good home for things you won't use in your new home via donation centers, Craigslist, composting, recycling, freecycle, tag sales, etc. Avoiding the land fill is a top priority when moving.

For those doing a big move, consider using a green moving company. These folks really thought of everything from using recyclable, reusable boxes and packing materials to fueling their moving trucks on bio diesel. The traditional diesel fuel, as you probably know, emits harmful toxins. Luckily there are firms all over the US that are doing eco moves so do a bit of research to find one close to you. In California try these folks or in NY try this moving company.

Tread Lighter while moving,
-Phyllis, Green Expert

Corn & Yard Weeds

There are fewer and fewer yellow dandelion blooms in my yard, giving me a little extra time each day. I don't like to spray pesticides and herbicides on my lawn. My kids and dog will track that stuff into the house and everywhere else. I also don't want to completely concede my lawn to the weeds, so I spend my spring pulling and beheading dandelions to reduce their presence in my yard (or at least prevent new growth).

I also applied corn gluten to my yard in the spring. Corn gluten meal is an output of the corn milling process and is used in animal feed. It does not kill existing perennial plants (like dandelions, hence the need for pulling). It does prevent seeds from germinating and growing new plants. The corn gluten will prevent grass seed growth, so don't apply it if you're planning to grow new grass in bare spots.

Most references suggest application of 20 pounds of corn gluten per 1000 square feet of lawn. The corn gluten should be applied in spring (late April/early May or whenever plants are beginning to grow) and late summer, to catch any annuals that start growing in the fall.

Corn gluten is non-toxic and also adds nitrogen, an essential element, to the lawn, reducing the need to add synthetic fertilizer. It can get stinky a couple days after application but is safe for kids and animals. I'd love to provide a glowing testimonial for everyone but my use has been pretty sporadic. I'll add it to my yard again this fall and let you know if things look better next year. Anyone else have any experience, good or bad?

-Chris, Green Expert

Right To Dry?

Phyllis recently encouraged you to consider a clothesline instead of your dryer. The New York Times Green Inc. blog comprehensively covered the benefits of clothesline use and the associated “right-to-dry” movement.

Green Inc. reported that clothesline use might save the average family more than $80 per year in energy costs (and wear and tear on clothes). My family's expenses may fall on the high end of that estimate. Our dryer typically runs for a good part of the weekend.

I occasionally use the railings on our deck for drying laundry, but we have a few good spots in our backyard for a proper clothesline. The enthusiasts at Project Laundry List have a variety of clothesline models for indoor or outdoor use. The Hills Rotary 400 looks like it would work for us and could be packed away for Midwestern winters. The $260 price is not insignificant, though.

Green Inc. also detailed the various states and Canadian provinces passing or considering “right-to-dry” laws. Colorado and others states have passed legislation precluding homeowner associations and local governments from prohibiting residential clotheslines. I think this is good public policy but understand homeowner concern about spending their weekends sitting on the porch, watching their neighbor's tighty-whities flapping in the breeze.

-Chris, Green Expert

Let The Green Games Begin!

Some communities in my area are encouraging competitions amongst themselves to empower folks to push themselves further on energy efficiency living. Since U.S. households emit 50% of all U.S. carbon and 12% of the worlds' carbon, this stimulus is not a bad idea.

If your community is not part of the rally yet, try Carbon Rally's virtual contest or simply compare your energy usage to those around the country with this ENERGY STAR® Home Energy Yard Stick. Either way you are helping the planet! Both Carbon Rally and the ENERGY STAR® Home Energy Yardstick provide recommendations on improving energy efficiency in your home.

The town vs. town competition in my community is going strong. The folks are taking it pretty seriously as if it were two Spanish soccer teams playing against one another. They use a home power meter to go through their home and see where the hidden energy pulls are. These devices are actually on loan at my town library and recycling facility so check in your community too. I am on the list for this device so stay tuned to see how I measure up.

One gentleman in this competition had an interesting anecdote. He said his son convinced him to get rid of his old refrigerator and get a new ENERGY STAR® refrigerator like this one here. The cost of the refrigerator was $600 but since he lowered his energy bills by $30 a month with the new energy efficient fridge, he paid for it in only two years!

Another competitor mentioned that to lower her energy consumption she now cooks on a burner that fits the pan (i.e. no need to put a 4 inch pan on a 6 inch burner).

They are all using power cords with on/off capabilities to decrease the phantom load and lessen their energy consumption.

A lot of energy efficiency comes from behavior modification but some demand cash outlay. If you need tax incentives to make this all happen, try these websites here and/or here. Plus, state to state there are loads of other resources for home energy savings.

I think these competitions are a great way to tackle a tough job we have ahead of us. Don't mean to be the barer of bad news but a new government study of global warming predicts by the year 2100, Cape Canaveral and the Everglades, two Florida landmarks, could be completely submerged.

We can’t take that lightly.

Let the green games begin,
-Phyllis, Green Expert

SAVE $$$. Cut Down Summer Energy Bills

I recently went to a seminar that gave tips on cutting down summer energy bills. I thought I would share some of my new found insight with all of you.

Since 78 degrees with a fan feels like 74 without one, they recommend using a fan. But turn it off if no one is in the room. If you use air conditioning, know that for every degree you increase your AC, you gain 3 percent savings on cooling costs. They also suggested only using AC when you are at home.

If you use a dehumidifier, choose an Energy Star one and set it to 60% relatively humidity. At this level it will run less but maintain a healthy level so that no mold or dust mites appear.

Walking is another good summer option in many parts of the US. Walking 3/4 of a mile is equivalent to powering an efficient home for over 3 hours. Did you notice Google maps also gives directions if you are walking or taking public transport too? That’s cool.

Then of course there is the lawn. Are you ready for this one? Mowing the lawn with a gas powered mower is equivalent to driving a car 100 miles. Ouch! Did you read about the people powered push mowers or Chris' electric mower?

Its summer, fresh food is growing locally and more abundantly so eat lower on the food chain (i.e. more fruits and vegetables than meat). Even Stonyfield Yogurt is changing the feed they give their cows to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Take advantage of Mother Nature and use a clothesline. One family I met recently agreed to use a clothesline for everything but towels. Ah yes I agree, unless you need to exfoliate, crunchy towels are a bit uncomfortable. Here are two options for smaller spaces one here and one here plus one for hanging.

Finally, they suggested air drying dishes which means using the 'no heat dry' option on the dishwasher. On that note, make sure the dishwasher and washing machine are full and use the shortest cycle possible all year round.

Tread Lighter all summer long,
-Phyllis, Green Expert