Project: Green Living

So, you have your reusable shopping bags now, you’re headed to the market in your fancy new hybrid car and you and the kids are wearing organic cotton t-shirts that you washed in organic, biodegradable laundry detergent in your high efficiency washing machine. Are you missing anything Ms. Green? Well, that depends on whether or not you’re buying as much locally grown foods as you can.

It’s fantastic that you’ve made some changes, especially the choice to ditch the plastic and paper and use reusable bags, but you can go one step further quite simply and begin to purchase food from stores that bring in locally grown products.

Here’s five good reasons why you should:

1. Less fuel for transportation and cost cutting by eliminating the middle man.

2. Locally grown is usually organic which has less negative environmental impact than conventional farming.

3. You are supporting local business, which stimulates your direct economy

4. You are taking away from the large conventional farmers and contributing to the small farmers.

5. Your produce will be far fresher which translates to healthier, tastier food and a reduction of spoilage.

It’s really great to do our part in helping the planet. It’s unfortunate that it took us so long to realize the harm that we are causing on our planet, but thankfully people are taking steps in the right direction. When you made the simple decision to switch from plastic bags to reusable shopping bags, you contributed to saving sea turtles, whales, birds, and other marine life as well as reduced your city’s money spent on dealing with excessive plastic bags. It’s estimated that it costs city governments as much as seventeen cents per bag to clean up the bags that litter our streets and suburbs.

When we do our part to help the planet, we benefit so much more! Visit your local markets that support local farming as well as farmer’s markets. It’s a great green change!

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Flowers, whether fresh flowers or silk flower are lovely, beautiful and symbolic. Nothing can be effective as flowers to convey an emotional message, each and every flower represents one or the other emotion. But the biggest complaint of many fresh flower lovers is that their fresh floral bouquet and flower arrangements bearing exquisite floral design just don’t seem to last very long.

If you want to make your flower arrangements, floral bouquet, or even wedding flowers and wedding flower bouquet bearing an impressive floral design to last for days or even a week longer, there are a variety of ways to prolong their life span. There are a few simple steps on how to properly care for flowers to provide you the pleasure of them lasting so much longer.

Make certain that your water and vase for the floral arrangement are clean before use. It is advised that you clean your vases using hydrogen peroxide. The vase should also be in proportion to the size and amount of flowers you will be using for the flower arrangement.

Once the stems of flowers have been cut, you have removed their life support system, so the flowers should be placed in the container with water as soon as possible. You should use lukewarm water in your vase because lukewarm water has lower oxygen levels that will help the stem to intake water and will in turn prompt the flowers to open faster. There is also a need to use a flower preservative or floral food in the water because it helps develop the buds to open and it could kill harmful bugs and dirt.

The stems of the flowers should be cut at an angle under water to expose fresh flower stem. Cutting them at an angle will give them more surface area to absorb nutrients through. Cutting the stems under water is important because it prevents air from getting into the veins in the stem of the flower, an air bubble in the stem would prevent the flower from getting water and nutrients.

Make certain that only the flower’s stem is under water. Do not allow leaves to be under the water level since that could cause them to rot. Also, never overcrowd the flowers; you should allow enough air to circulate between each flower.

Avoid putting the flowers in direct sunlight, over television sets, radiators or any other heat producing objects that will rob the flowers off its moisture. Also, remove dead leaves promptly to keep them from contaminating the water. The water should be changed at least every other day, every day if possible and it is also a good idea to re-cut the flower stems but remember to once again cut them at an angle and under water.

The next time you buy flowers for your home in your local flower shop or online flower delivery services or receive flowers from someone, always take a couple of minutes a day to care for them to easily double or even triple the life of your flowers. You can also visit the florist in your area and local flower shops so that you’ll be provided will additional information on how to care for the specific flower type.

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The equipment you use in your composting will help make or break your pursuits of building your compost. If you are really bent on making the most of your composting goals, a good familiarization of the tools that will help you achieve your goals is very much appropriate. The tools will not necessarily be in the form of objects, because there are also elements of place and space that are in play when it comes to obtaining the optimum performance of your compost.

Getting to Know Your Composting Equipment
The site of your composting activity is the primary consideration and one of the best tools you need to master before you do any composting activity. The place must be free from obstruction and well capable of obtaining the right temperature needed for your composting. Aside from this, you also need to be thoroughly familiar with the site which you chose for composting. In addition, you also need to be able to access the site frequently as composting requires a lot of monitoring on a frequent basis.

Compost Bin

Your compost bin must serve the functions of the particular type of composting you intend to have. If you are up for the industrial level of composting, you may need more than one compost bin to satisfy your objectives. This compost bin needs to be cleaned every once in a while, and must be of the right size depending on the amount of materials you are to put.

Be sure that you are able to manage the compost bin you choose, and for beginners, it is often recommended to start small and then branch out once you get the hang of it or at least get comfortable with what you are working on.

Thermometer

Composting requires you to maintain a specific temperature. So a thermometer may come in handy for you as you do your daily rounds of inspection on your compost pit. You need to make sure that the thermometer is properly calibrated. Some shops also sell thermometer that is tailored to suit the needs of compost owners, so you can also check these out. The specifically tailored thermometers may prove to give a better advantage for you. More on Composting Equipment.

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Unlike the aging body, you do not need the elixir of youth to be able to ensure that your compost heap is at its glorious best, thriving and able to function well on your soil. Few people are attracted with passivity of all forms, especially in compost, which is supposed to be a hot pot of activity for yielding greatest returns in the environment and farm land business people.

The good thing about composting is that you can easily keep it dynamic with consistency and a host of other techniques that are tried and tested by many a composting enthusiast or advocate.

Dynamic Composting Tips and Tricks
Primarily, the basic thing to keep or maintain for a compost heap to be active is balance of ingredients. If you have too much of a single component, your compost may eventually die down. Remember that a compost is inherently comprised of numerous organic matter, and to keep it in top condition means that you must also maintain the variety of materials you put in your compost heap.

Over time, some ingredients in the compost heap may dominate over the others, so make it a point to replenish your compost bin and have it checked frequently.

Select the right bin or container

The right bin will also lead you to the right lively nature of dynamic composting. If you put in your materials well but placed it in an unsuitable container, the compost will become passive over time. Find the right fit for your compost heap and then ensure that the container itself is well-maintained, free of holes or other infestations that may affect your compost heap’s growth.

Dampen and don’t soak

Soaking is primary evil to your compost. Have the right amount of moisture, but do not drown the compost heap to the point that it won’t be of any vital impact to your soil. Make sure that you are able to draw out more humus than water from your compost heap so that you will be paid back well for your hard labor in building your compost heap.

Bacteria needs air

Aeration is the other partner of ample moisture in your compost heap. If you provide your compost heap with enough air, the bacteria that produces humus will thrive and will help exceed your expectations of compost heap performance. If you are really hell-bent on keeping your compost heap dynamic, make sure that you have enough air, but not too much that it will over-expose the pile and defeat the purpose of creating a good compost heap. More about Composting Tips and Tricks.

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Girl baby bedding: princesses and fairies. Baby boy bedding: space explorers. Wait - aren’t you forgetting something? You need to choose your baby bedding carefully, because it’s more than just a decoration.

You can’t be sure if your new baby is going to be allergic to anything or not. So choose the bedding material first and then worry about your nursery’s theme. If it’s good, the infant bedding should list some vital facts - namely, cover fabric, fill material, fill power (higher is better), and thread count (again, higher is better). The first thing you might consider is the warmth of the bedding, especially if you’re having a winter baby, but it should also be lightweight and breathable. The Internet provides most of the information we need, and this includes the construction materials of baby bedding.

To reduce the chances of sensitivities, try fabrics like wool, cotton, or down. There are several problems with synthetic fabrics, the first being that they usually do not breathe. They may also “off-gas” (release fumes) as they age. If you have chosen a set like the Max 4 piece crib set, that is composed of cotton and polyester (but mostly cotton), then you can continue looking or accept the small risk.

I love wool blankets - I think they are the softest, most comfortable blankets, especially for babies. You will probably want a blanket that is backed with cotton flannel. Smaller blankets are perfect for swaddling; larger ones are just right for car trips and naptime.

Down comforters can be a great choice - they have a natural filler that is both lightweight and warm at the same time. Babies and messes go together like jam and peanut butter, so be sure to get one that can be washed in the machine. In order to be sure that your down comforter has the least chance of causing allergies, you want one that has the highest cleanliness rating. Filler material is checked for cleanliness using two tests: oxygen and turbidity. A lower number is preferred for the oxygen test, and it should go no higher than 10 (the government standard). The turbidity test has an upper limit of about 550, with lower numbers meaning less cleanliness.

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Composting has become an increasingly popular way of dealing with organic items and using them for beneficial recycling purposes instead of just turning them into more waste. In addition to effective recycling, composting also provides excellent material that can be used as potting soil or as a soil additive for an organic garden.

Compost bins provide a good way to get started with your own composting project, which even people with small spaces can utilize.

compost pile
There are a number of different types of composters on the market to meet a variety of needs and situations. Bins for composting can be built from materials that you already have around the backyard, or they can be purchased from garden supply stores, especially those that specialize in organic gardening. In some municipalities, the recycling centers provide bins free or at a reduced cost to encourage people to recycle their yard waste themselves.

Of the different compost heap available, some are known as holding units. These low maintenance bins are a very good option when space for a home composting project is limited, such as those who live in apartments or homeowners who simply don’t have much room. With holding units, the compost pile is not turned. This means the composting process is slower because of the lack of exposure to air, so you should expect to wait anywhere from six months to two years before your waste products have fully decomposed.

kitchen waste
Portable bins are another common type of bins and they are very similar to the holding units but they are able to be taken apart, moved and rebuilt. Different types of materials can by used and mixed with this kind of bin. Many types of plastic portable units are available on the market to purchase or they can be constructed out of wood and wire fencing.

One of the best types of bins is the variety called turning unit composters. These are specifically designed to facilitate easy turning of the compost pile which helps to aerate the heap.

Turning units will produce fully decomposed material in a shorter amount of time because the composting process is accelerated by the improved aeration, allowing the bacteria to better do its job in the decomposition process. In addition, people like turning units because there are less odor problems because of the improved ventilation.

Turning unit composting bins can either be a set of bins or they can be a device that easily rotates or tumbles such as a barrel or a ball-type of unit. The drawback is that turning units generally cost most, are harder to build and require more space.

The organic materials to be composted also need to be collected separately until enough has been gathered to fill the unit to the correct level and once it is full and the composting process begins, new materials cannot be added.

composting
Simple heaps are an alternative for people who do not want o purchase or build composter bins. Turning a compost heap is always optional, but it should be kept in mind that the process of composts is accelerated when the waste material is turned at least a couple times a month.

You will want to locate your compost bins according to the functional needs of your family and also taking into consideration the aesthetics of the area. You should not place your compost pile near an area that you frequently use for entertaining, even if you have it screened with fencing or plants. It should be located where it gets plenty of air circulation, in a partially shady spot and near the garden area if possible.

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September can be a question mark when making landscape and gardening plans. In Southern California, summer can easily extend into September or the month can bring cooler temperatures. Still, there is much to do and plant in the garden during early fall, say experts at Agromin, a Camarillo-based manufacturer of premium soil products.

Lawn Care: In September and October, lawns are still growing.. Mow weekly. For cool season grass such as Kentucky bluegrass and fescues, now is the time to fertilize as they grow rapidly in fall. Also, consider aerification (coring) with an aerator that can be rented at equipment rental shops. Coring allows for better water and nutrition penetration.

Plant Trees: The best time to plant trees is when they are dormant–in fall or early spring. To reduce transplant shock, dig a hole for planting at least three times the size of the plant’s root ball is wide, but only as deep as its roots. Don’t plant the tree too low in the ground to allow for some settling. Firmly pack the soil around the tree to eliminate air pockets. To keep in moisture, Cover the soil with mulch and help moderate extreme soil temperatures. The mulch should be one to two inches away from the tree trunk.

Blooms for Autumn: Warm Septembers allow gardeners to plant flowers for fall blooms. These include snap dragons, chrysanthemums, sweet peas and asters. Also, plant bulbs such as crocuses and autumn daffodils.

Add to Your Vegetable Garden: Some vegetables can still be planted in fall for a winter or early spring harvest. These vegetables include carrots, peas, fava beans, kale, leeks, beets, brussel sprouts, broccoli, radish, carrots, celery and winter Zucchini.

For more planting and gardening tips, go to http://blog.godfreys-gardens.co.uk

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Studies show that more than adults, children are extremely vulnerable to chemicals used in foods. They tend to eat more pesticides then adults because they are inclined to eat more in ratio of their body weight. Children are usually picky about what they like to eat and favor some foods over others which results in a higher level of accumulation of one particular type of pesticide. They bear the full brunt of its harmful effects in the absence of fully developed detoxification system the chemicals keep collecting in their small bodies. It is argued that the main cause of pesticide related cancer is the toxins accumulated during childhood.

There is no denying the superiority of organically grown food over conventionally grown. It does not only taste much better but it’s also better for the environment and our health. Parents are becoming more aware of the benefits of organic products vs. synthetic and since they want what’s best for their children, and have started turning towards the former. Food children prefer like peanut butter and ketchup has also starting to be made organically by some manufacturers.

It’s not only food habits that have changed. Products like shampoos and soaps used by children have also started coming with 100% organic labels. These products are used regularly and are absorbed by the skin in some cases. If made with harsh chemicals they can wreak havoc with a child’s sensitive hair and skin.
Parents must ensure that not only should they feed their children organic, but also teach them its importance so they can make healthy choices.

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Organic gardening is generally considered to be any method of gardening that does not utilize any chemicals or pesticides to maintain the garden. One can practice organic gardening in a vegetable or flower garden – or in any other area in which someone is trying to grow things.

There are many reasons that people want to practice organic gardening. Many people like the idea of wholesome, fresh vegetables that don’t have any form of chemical, possibly poisonous residue on them. Many people like to have plants which will attract a variety of small wildlife, such as butterflies and bees. Many people have small children or pets and don’t want to take the chance that the chemicals frequently used in non-organic gardening could hurt their children or pets.

Organic gardening is not “simple gardening”. Effort is needed to have successful gardens in most situations and this is no exception. One needs to plan the garden before starting it. It is necessary to consider what kind of garden one wants, where it will be kept, how it will be organized and if companion plants are to be included.

Organic gardening needs compost. Compost is a mixture of topsoil and a variety of organic matter such as leaves, vegetable refuse, manure air and water. This mixture needs to be turned or mixed frequently, so there needs to be room to work with the developing compost. Once the compost is ready, it is used as the basic medium into which the plants or seeds are placed. Generally, the compost is created before the garden is planted.

The location of the garden is important. Does the area get a lot of sun? Will it be high enough so that it won’t be frequently flooded in major rain storms? Will it need any protection if the weather suddenly turns too chilly? Is there easy access to the garden? The location of the plants in the garden must also be considered.

Companion plants are plants that have some kind of natural chemical that repels a variety of insects or diseases. Garlic, for example, planted near roses tends to repel the aphids that frequently attack roses. Oregano is thought to repel the cucumber beetle. Some plants can help repel nematodes. If planned well, it is possible for a gardener to be able to have a flower garden in the exact same spot as a vegetable garden. The geographic location of the garden – is it in Alaska, Nevada, Florida or elsewhere? – will need to be considered when deciding what to plant in an organic gardening.

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