Showing posts with label EARTH DAY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label EARTH DAY. Show all posts

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Happy Earth Day!


Did you know Earth day began as a counter culture movement in 1970?  On April 22, 1970, approximately 20 Million Americans took to the streets from coast to coast,  to demonstrate and raise awareness about water, air pollution, wildlife extinction and the ravages of pesticides. It is 47 years later and we still are plagued by the same problematic issues.  Without getting too political (I really showed considerable restraint on that most unpleasant topic!), Earth Day today included the March for Science. I really hope for the sake of our planet and future generations we can continue to move forward...not back.

As for my part, I wasn't able to attend any marches but made a minor financial contribution to an agency of my choice. For more information on the various affiliated organizations and ways to help click on the attached link.

http://www.earthday.org/campaigns/

I also did my part to plant some trees. And I am pretty excited about the trees! (More on that later). 


We can all do something.

Unplug electronics and turn off lights not in use
Combine trips to reduce fossil fuel consumption
Use re-usable shopping bags
Buy local
Plant a garden and garden organically
Plant a tree (or five!)
Plant flowers for the bees
Landscape with native plants and xeriscape to limit water consumption
Avoid pesticides
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose

Each small part can educate, advocate and promote change for a healthy environment and sustainable living. Be kind to Mother Earth, she is the only one we have


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Sunday, April 22, 2012

Sown and Harvest #9

Welcome to my Sunday post dedicated to all things garden, landscape, and plant related.


Earth Day is on SundayApril 22, 2012! Happy Earth day!

Guess who got a composter? Yup this gal! My daughter bought it for me. I guess she got tired of my "Someday, maybe I will buy one. Or someday, maybe I will build one..." Whatever her reason, I am very excited to have it.
Um, what?

Oh yay, picture instructions and no words!
Ok not so bad. snap, snap
 
 
Bottom piece snapped in place last. It was kinda awkward
 
That's better
Hmmm, where to put this? About 20 feet from the garden. This will get 6-8 hrs of sun per day. Nice and hot to bake everything.
Weed block cloth and on top of an old pallet will ensure plenty of air circulation
I think I will plant some fountain grass  or put up a privacy panel because it looks kind of ugly sitting in the middle of the field.

Now, how do I start it?

Build up layers of material  that balance of carbon and nitrogen . 

Carbon material is dry, brown, woody plant material, straw, dried leaves, torn/ shredded newspaper, dry lawn clippings, sawdust, corncobs and stalks.

Nitrogen material is fresh, green, living plant material, fresh lawn clippings, green leaves, fruit and vegetable scraps, old potting soil (disease/ pest free) HERBIVORE animal manure/ guano (cow, pig, horse, chicken, sheep,
 goats, rabbit, Guinea Pig,  bats, and ducks), CLEAN eggshells, tea bags and coffee grounds.


  • Food with meat, dairy or oils
  • NO Pet feces (dog, cat or bird)
  • Diseased plants
  • Weeds gone to seed
  • Ash from charcoal or coal

Just say no. While many materials can be composted, there are some items that you should keep out of your home compost pile. Excluding foods with meat, dairy or oils will minimize odors and keep your pile from attracting scavengers like dogs and raccoons. Since compost is generally used for a soil amendment, you want to keep it free of plant diseases and unhealthy bacteria.

Add moisture and turn every 5 to 7 days. Turning as you add new layers. I am debating whether or not to add an innoculant to get it started...


I set up a couple of old coffee cans to collect kitchen scraps and can take them out every couple of days. These will work until I can get a nice ceramic kitchen composter. And I have separate (clean) garbage can that I only put weeds in. It is one of the dark green/black  plastic 35 gallon kind. I put the weeds in there, it sits in the sun and bakes the heck outta whatever is in there. Once I am sure everything in nice and crispy. I won't add to the composter but we do dump it in the woods near the creek bed. And I gotta tell ya' that is some of the best soil. It is so dark and rich it looks like a spoonful of chocolate cake!

Maybe next on the list is getting a worm compost station?