There are as many composting systems as there are gardeners out there! From small space to large farms, gardeners have all sorts of creative ways to compost their waste. Which system is right for you? Here are some questions to ask yourself before starting your compost project, and a list of some of the more common systems. This should help you determine what the best system is for your situation.

How much do you compost?

Do you have a lot of acreage? Do you mow and rake a large area and end up with a lot of lawn waste? Or do you basically want a system to compost kitchen scraps? Consider how much waste you generate before deciding on a system.

How big an area do you want to enrich with compost?

Whether you have a small garden, an indoor garden, or multiple, large gardens, they all need compost. Take a moment to calculate how much area you are going to be enriching with compost before beginning, so you don’t end up with too much or too little compost (although your neighbors may appreciate any extra you have!).  

Here are some of the compost systems available:

1. Pile it up
The least complicated compost system is simply a pile on the ground in a location that receives a balance of sun and shade. Simply start with yard clippings and add kitchen scraps, and use a pitchfork or shovel to keep it heaped so that it will decompose. This kind of compost will need to be turned by hand. The open pile system may be a problem in certain cities or neighborhoods, so check with your local zoning officials to find out if this kind of system is allowed.

2. An open bin
Also a fairly simple method, an open bin can be constructed with wood and wire netting. This is a good way to use scrap wood such as old packing pallets. Such a bin can have a slatted wood bottom, or simply sit on the ground surrounded by the wood and wire structure. You don’t even need wood scraps; an open bin can consist of a cross section of perforated metal sheeting, or an upright, cylindrical loop of wire. Again, this is a potentially problematic system for those who live in cities or suburbs with close neighbors.

3. A closed compost bin
These look like large, plastic barrels, and that is essentially what they are. Most municipalities accept this kind of composting system, and your local waste management authority should have information about where to obtain such a bin. In fact, some waste management authorities have such bins available for sale. There are quite of few styles and varieties of commercial bins available, including some that can be turned from the outside. Generally speaking, those offered by municipalities are less expensive that those sold at garden centers or online.

4. A worm bin
This is a method of compost that can be done indoors in a garage or basement. Sometimes called vermicomposting, a worm bin uses the natural habits of worms to break down kitchen and yard waste into usable compost. You can purchase a worm bin or make your own – just be sure it is waterproof, has air holes and is opaque (worms like it dark).

Keep Going Green!
Lynne

What do solar panels, windmills, cars, cell phones, cordless tools , and lawn tractors have in common?

One thing:  RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES.

So let me ask you this…

How would you like to extend the life of your batteries by 50% to 80%… and keep them as good as new for years and years… with almost zero effort?

It’s simple – with a process called “battery reconditioning”

Yes it is true. You can greatly extend the life of all your batteries.  However, you can actually grow a full blown business from these methods or just working on the weekends making a little extra cash.  You can even learn where and how to get “dead” batteries for free and “revive” them using a this very simple process!

Visit the website below – it will give you crucial information that can save you thousands of dollars when building your solar or wind power battery bank! (Explains the best ways to get deep cycle batteries for free!)

It’s simple – with a process called “battery reconditioning”

My husband Jay and I already use this process on all of our batteries. We have a lot of “toys” including motorcycles, tractors, cars, battery operated tools and such. But we’ve also decided that this process is so simple that we are going to start accumulating, reconditioning and selling them for big profit. If you collect these for FREE, spend a small amount of time reconditioning them, then sell them for profit you can make pretty good money in your spare time.

So once again I’m showing you that it is both good to do smart things to help the environment and make money at the same time. Making money by going green. This is a good way to make some extra cash in these hard cash flow times.

As usual, I only promote items that my husband and I use ourselves. If we try something and it doesn’t work, we don’t waste your time. Think of use as your personal guinea pigs on green products.

Keep Going Green!
Lynne

It’s easy to forget just how cold it can get in the wintertime. If it gets cold enough in your area for water to freeze outside, then it can freeze your water pipes inside – especially those pipes in close proximity to outside walls. The damage that can be incurred from burst water pipes can be as catastrophic and devastating as a fire, and just as expensive and difficult to fix. Even if pipes do not burst from freezing, it can bend them (especially copper pipes), making them more susceptible to breakage and in need of replacement. Replacing pipes can be quite expensive.

Pipes that are insulated also retain heat much better, keeping the water in them hot for a longer period of time. That will save you some money on your electric bill (since your hot water heater won’t have to work as hard).

Padding and insulating your pipes before really cold weather sets in is a fairly easy and inexpensive way to save yourself a lot of time, money, and headache. There are several ways to do this.

1. Newspaper

This is a good way to re-use all the old newspapers you have lying around. Wrap several layers around your pipes and secure with duct tape. Newspaper absorbs moisture, too, which can be an added benefit – pipes with condensation clinging to them may be more likely to freeze, and stagnant moisture creates mold.

2. Foam Sleeves

These inexpensive, foam tubes can be purchased from most hardware stores. They have a slit cut along their length, and you simply slip the tube over your pipes. You will need to cut the sleeves to the appropriate lengths. No tape is required.

3. Heating Tape

Heating tape, or heat cable, is a spongey, adhesive tape that contains wires inside its plastic casing. After the heating tape is applied around the pipes, it is plugged into a power source and the wires heat up. When you apply it, be sure each wrap overlaps the previous one by approximately 1/2 inch.

4. Wool

Don’t cut up your old sweaters for this project – you will need to buy wool specially woven for pipe insulation. Made from pressure-rolled woolen fibers and hairs, wool is a natural and effective way to pad your pipes. Wrap your pipes with the wool material and secure with duct tape.

It may seem like a lot of trouble to pad your pipes, especially when the weather is still warm and pleasant. But the old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is especially true regarding pipe insulation. Preventing frozen pipes is only an “ounce” of trouble compared with the many “pounds” (and pounding headaches) required to repair a home damaged by water. 

Keep Going Green!
Lynne

Typical oven cleaners contain multiple chemicals, some of which are quite dangerous, such as sodium hydroxide (commonly known as caustic soda or lye). According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, oven cleaners containing this dangerous chemical can cause burns if they come in contact with skin, and inhalation of them can cause respiratory irritation. And anytime such a cleaner is used, sodium hydroxide and other chemicals get into the environment.

Also, most commercial oven cleaners come in aerosol cans. Environmentalists have been concerned for some time about the ozone depletion caused by pressurized spray cans. Thankfully, there are more eco-friendly ways to clean the tough grease and build-up that ovens can accumulate.

1. Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate)

Always a favorite for natural cleaning, baking soda can be used for oven cleaning as well. Simply spray the inside of your oven with water, then sprinkle baking soda onto the wet surfaces. Leave it overnight, and in the morning, wipe away the grime. You may have to do some scrubbing (steel wool is effective), but most of the dirt will cling to the baking soda.

2. Washing Soda (sodium carbonate)

Not to be confused with baking soda, washing soda can be found in most stores that sell laundry detergent. Mix one part washing soda with four parts baking soda; add enough water to make a paste, and spread it inside your oven. Leave it overnight, then wipe your oven down the next day. Be sure to rinse.

3. Commercial cleaners that are environmentally friendly

More and more cleaners are becoming available for purchase that do not have the unhealthy chemicals and fumes of traditional oven cleaners. Look for ones that are not packaged in aerosol cans. They may cost a bit more, but with your family’s health and the planet to protect, it is a worthy investment.

4. Borax

This is another product found in the laundry detergent aisle. It is typically used in addition to detergent as a “boost” for laundry. But it can also be used in oven cleaning. Mix the following into a spray bottle: two tablespoons liquid soap, 2 teaspoons borax, and 1-2 cups warm water. Spray this on the inside of your oven, then leave it for a few hours and wipe off.

Don’t forget the microwave. A paste made from just baking soda and water has been known to clean dried-on mess from a chili explosion! Simply mix baking soda with water and apply to the inside of your microwave. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight; then wipe out with a soft cloth. You don’t want to use scrubbers like steel wool in the microwave.

There are a lot of elaborate substances available to clean your oven effectively. But simple, household items can work nicely, and be eco-friendly.

Keep Going Green!
Lynne

If you’re serious about becoming more eco-friendly and living a greener life, then one of the things you may want to check out is your carbon footprint. Your carbon footprint, as defined by carbonfootprint.com is “a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment.”  It is specific to the amount of greenhouse gases your day to day activities create. Here’s how to measure your carbon footprint.

Primary and Secondary Footprints

While your carbon footprint is a measurement of all greenhouse gases you produce, there are actually two measurements you can take a look at.

Your primary footprint – This is a measure of your emissions based on your direct usage. For example, if you drive your car to the grocery store, you’re using fuel and having a direct impact on the greenhouse gasses you’re emitting. You have control over your primary footprint – you could walk or ride your bike to the store or make one trip a week rather than two or three.

Your secondary footprint – is a measure of the indirect CO2 emissions from the products you use. For example, if you buy produce grown locally that will have fewer emissions than produce that was grown halfway around the globe and transported to your local market.

Calculating Your Carbon Footprint

There are several online tools you can use to calculate your carbon footprint. As you work your way through these tools they’ll ask questions like:
* How many people are in your family?
* What type of home do you live in?
* What state do you live in?
* How many bedrooms do you have?
* How much do you spend on electricity each month?
* How much do you spend on gas each month?
* How much do you drive and what kind of car?
* How often do you fly?
* How often do you eat organic food?
* How often do you eat meat?
* Do you recycle?
* Do you compost?

Your Results

Your results will be given in tons as in tons of carbon dioxide emitted each year. To provide some insight, the United States annual average is 110 tons per year for a four person household. The global average for the same four person household is 22 tons per year. As you can see, the US emits a lot of greenhouse gases!

Reducing Your Carbon Footprint

A lot of what you can do to reduce your primary and secondary emissions are things you’re already familiar with:
* Carpool
* Walk when you can instead of driving
* Cut back on your home heating and cooling bill
* Turn off lights and electronics when you’re not using them
* Use cold water to wash things instead of hot
* Buy energy star appliances
* Buy local produce
* Recycle
* Travel less

Consider making it a goal, once you know your carbon footprint, to reduce it. Hitting the global average is surely a significant goal if you’re like the average US household! 

Keep Going Green!
Lynne

New Year’s resolutions are made with good intentions but they are usually broken before February. One way to keep from breaking your resolutions is to involve others in them. Elicit your family’s help and come up with a list of resolutions that everyone can participate in. Here are some suggestions for green resolutions that will change your lifestyle for the better.

1. Eat organic food

You may already be doing this. But if not, this is a relatively easy eco-conscious resolution. Your can buy organic food, which will in turn make you healthier. You could combine this with commitments to eat out less often, or to buy locally grown, seasonal food whenever possible.
 
2. Creative recycling

You probably already recycle your plastic, glass, metal, and paper items by taking them to the recycling center or having them picked up. There is another way to re-use “disposable” items – make things out of them. You could commit yourself to a twice-monthly creative project that involves making something out of recyclable materials. There are entire magazines dedicated to this, so it should not be difficult to find ideas.   

3. Commit to less waste

Get the kids on board with this one. You might commit to using stainless steel, using refillable water bottles instead of disposable plastic ones, or packing your child’s lunch in a reusable bag.

4. Resolve to lower your carbon emissions

This could take the form of walking to more destinations, carpooling with friends, taking public transportation, or simply staying home a bit more. This can be integrated into a resolution to spend more time with your family – instead of going out, you could have a family game night. You’ll save fuel and spend more time with your family.

5. Eco-friendly cleaning for a less toxic New Year

Properly dispose of the chemical cleaners you use to clean your house and opt for home-made, simple cleaning recipes. Baking soda and vinegar can be used in various to clean just about anything. This will change the way your family does things, but isn’t that the point?

It can be difficult to stick with your New Year’s resolutions. But with the whole family participating, it can be an enjoyable experience that actually changes your lifestyle for the better.

Keep Going Green!
Lynne

If you take a shower, you use a lot less water than taking a bath, but showers can still use substantial amounts of water. If the weather is cold, a long, hot shower feels great, and if you have teenagers living in your house, long showers can be daily occurrences! There is a way to cut water usage without cutting time in the shower or at the sink, through – low-flow faucets.

Low-flow faucets use “restrictors” to lessen the flow of water, and they also aerate the water. Basically, they work by replacing water with air. Low-flow faucets distribute the water efficiently and evenly over your hands or body so that it feels like more water is being used. In other words, low-flow faucets distribute less water over a greater area. 

Some sources say you can save $100 a year using low-flow faucets, and that you can cut your water usage by half at the site of installation. This is because you save:

1. Electricity or gas
Your hot water heater will not have to work so hard to heat water if you are using less. Therefore, you save energy.

2. Sewer fees
If you are part of a municipal water system, your sewer fees go up when your water usage does.

3. Water bill
Obviously, the less water you use, the less you pay per month.

You can replace your sink and shower faucets with low-flow ones for very little – such faucets start at only $15-$20. And this is a great DIY project for the average homeowner, so you won’t have to pay for professional installation. There are also online tutorials to help.

Here are some things to keep in mind if you want to replace your existing faucets with low-flow ones.

* Check the gallons per minute (gpm) on your existing faucets
The average water flow for a shower is between 2.5-5 gpm. Low-flow faucets can use a little as .5 gpm, although the average is between 1 and 1.5 gpm. Remember, low-flow faucets mix air in with the water so you will not notice a difference in water pressure. (Low-flow does not equal “trickle.”)

* Check your existing sink faucet aerators
You may not have to replace your entire sink faucet – just replacing the existing aerator with a low-flow one may do the trick. At about $3, this is a very affordable way to decrease your water usage.

Saving water is also a consideration for those who are concerned about the environment. Less water usage means less energy usage as noted above, and water is the most precious resource on our planet. Saving as much as possible makes sense, both for your budget and the earth.

Keep Going Green!
Lynne

There are various items that come under the heading of “sealing product,” but what binds them all together is the fact that they contain some sort of adhesive. Whether it’s tape or liquid glue, sealing products are used in industry and in the home on a regular basis. Carpeted homes have adhesive under the carpets; when you mail a package, you seal it with package tape; when your break something you glue it back together using super glue; etc.

Depending on your line of work and the layout of your home, you may be exposing yourself and your family to all sorts of toxic elements inherent in adhesives. Also, many adhesive products such as package tape are made from non-biodegradable plastic. Let’s take a look at some of the eco-friendly types of sealing products, and why they are better for your health and the environment than chemical adhesives.

- Package tape
Using brown paper tape rather than plastic package tape is better for the environment. It can be recycled or made from recycled paper, and it is as strong as its plastic counterpart.

- Carpet glue
There are significant health concerns surrounding the “off gassing” of carpet glue. Individuals with chemical sensitivities and allergies may find that they suffer attacks even when the carpet is “clean” because of the odorless fumes. In fact, carpet glue is implicated in “sick building syndrome,” an odd mix of symptoms that some people experience in office buildings or even in their own homes due to chemicals used in the construction of the building. There are eco-friendly alternatives to carpet glue, thankfully. Some homeowners simply tack their carpeting down without using adhesives at all.

- Glue
Wood glues, epoxies, and other adhesives can contain a significant amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are implicated in health problems that range from kidney and liver damage to cancer. However, there are water-based glues now on the market that contain very low amounts of VOCs, and some adhesives that contain no VOCs at all.

We all want our homes to be safe. Usually, that entails making sure the windows and doors are closed and locked, or that our alarm systems are set. But there are other ways to ensure our family’s safety, too, and that is by making informed decisions about eco-friendly products and conventional ones.

Keep Going Green!
Lynne

Global warming is defined as an increase in the Earth’s temperature and is caused by a rise in greenhouse gas emissions. There is no doubt that global warming is affecting the planet and forcing every living creature to adapt to a changing climate. So many individuals are wondering what they can do to help stop global warming. Here are some steps that you can take to help stop global warming.

One of the first things that you will want to look at is your vehicle.  Do you need a new car? If so, you might want to examine hybrids, electric or other fuel efficient vehicles. These cars are affordable and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save you money in the long run. Make sure that your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated and check the tire pressure monthly. This will ensure that you get the best gas mileage from your vehicle. It will also reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that your vehicle emits.

You will also need to look at the way you use your vehicle. Do you need to use your car as much as you do? If you use your car to go to work or run errands, can you use public transportation, carpool, walk or bicycle.

One way to stop global warming in your home is to use as little electricity as possible. Make sure that all lights and appliances are turned off when not in use. If you need new appliances make sure that you buy those with Energy Star labels. Energy Star appliances use less electricity which can save you money. Set your water heater to 120 degrees or lower. You can also save money and electricity by putting a hot water heater blanket over the hot water heater. You can also replace your light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.

The above mentioned ways are all easy ways that you can help stop global warming and its affect on the environment. Everyone should do their part to help limit the amount of carbon dioxide that enters the earth’s atmosphere. Every step that you take to help in the fight against global warming, no matter how large or small, will help.

Keep Going Green!
Lynne

I imagine that most of you have already heard about the east coast blizzard by now. It started snowing Friday evening, slowly and then around 6 pm it was really coming down. By Saturday morning we already had 1 1/2 feet of snow and ice. Then just as I finished breakfast and posted on my blog…..Whammoo! Power gone! Single digit temperatures and an all electric home, oh yeh I forgot to mention 4 adoped dogs.

My wife had gone into work night shift at the Pentagon and took extra clothes expecting to have to stay overnight, which turned into three nights. I manned the house and the animals thinking well of myself by installing a small propane fireplace so I could stay at the house and not have to find a place for the animals.

Bordum is a little word that has a major affect on someone who is stuck in a house with no tv, radio or COMPUTER! Very frustrating….but then a bright idea….get the laptop out and hook up the broadband…alas no phone coverage over land line or cell service. Grrrrrr. So obviously I did not make the webinar I was to attend at 1pm. But I did have a lot of time on my hands to practice my singing and guitar. I’m trying to improve so I can play with the big dogs on the porch in Arkansas. Now the dogs were getting bored.

Now finally adjusted to no connectivity, I started to figure out what I wanted to start clearing first, the sidewalk or 100 foot driveway….hmmmmmm I figured the sidewalk was a good choice. It was still snowing at this point, but Sunday Morning was a bright sunshiny day although very cold. The food in the freezer and refrigerator was getting warm, so I used the front porch as the freezer and back room which I built for the hot tub became my refrigerator.  While I was doing this, around 7:30 am a knock came at the door. A young guy wanted to clear my driveway for $40. Of course I said yes. Ok, two more problems solved, time for more bordum.

This was suppose to be a good weekend for me, wife working, a webinar at 1pm, ARCA Race t 4:30pm, and Budwieser Shootout in the evening on Saturday and the Superbowl on Sunday. Oh well, time for reflection and dosing off here and there.

My wife finally got out of the Pentagon parking lot Monday morning and was home by around 6:30 am. She went to bed and I continued to be bored until she got up and started complaining about no power, which I didn’t want to hear about. She gave me direction to go buy dinner and bring it home, so I did and we ate and just as we finished…TA DA! Power restored!

Monday night was a lot of catching up with my business, emails, FACEBOOK, and of course Farmville. I lost my whole crop…oh my.

The bottom line here is that no matter how well you plan, you have to allow for change and be able to role with what is delt you to succeed. While being snowed in with no power I managed to find a way to fix meals (gas grill worked great), stay warm (gas fireplace), keep the food safe (using the natural cold), improved my playing and singing (lots of time to do this that I can’t normally find). My webinar with Kim Roach was recorded, so I can download that this week, the ARCA and Budwieser Shootout will be replayed on SPEED Channel this week, and my team wasn’t in the superbowl but if I want to watch it, the NFL Channel is relaying that.

In reality, I didn’t miss a thing and found time to play with the dogs, and improve my music. While I did lose my crop in Farmville, it is not real and I planted anouther crop last night.

So like my good friend Don “Hoss” Waugh says “Every day is a good day. If you don’t believe it, try skipping one.”

Keep Grinning and Going Green!
Jay