Backyard Garden

As a child, my family had a garden that had an assortment of vegetables.  I detested  vegetables as a child and had a limited palette.  Corn, potatoes, celery, and carrots were the only acceptable vegetables in my mind.  That has expanded greatly, in no small part, from my wife who is always encouraging me to try new foods.

About ten years ago, I read Fast Food Nation, and I immediately began to change my eating habits.  Since I really don't know what is in or on the foods that I purchase from the grocery store, I began to grow my own foods.  My garden is modest, only about eleven by eleven feet.  I've had substantial luck growing tomatoes, zucchini, chives, beans, broccoli, alpine strawberries, and lettuce over the years.

The garden, though it is small, reduces our carbon footprint since the produce from the garden travels just a few yards to the kitchen.  I also use organic practices so there is no pollution or harm from synthetic herbicides and pesticides.

Most importantly, the food tastes amazing.  My vegetables and herbs are picked when I am ready to eat them, not days or weeks ago.  

If you have never gardened before, check out a book on it from the library or read guides online.  I would start a small garden so that you don't burn yourself out.  It is a hobby that can be as time intensive and rewarding as you want it to be. 

Good luck and if you wish to start soon, there is time for a fall crop of cool weather plants such as radishes or sugar snap peas.

What foods have you had the most success growing?

Building Appreciation for the Natural World

Yesterday, my young kids and I went for a walk to a nearby playground.  What is special about this playground is that it borders a stream that does not have a lot of human influence.  The plants are allowed to go grow naturally and it does not appear to be sprayed.   

After a lot of playing on the swings and slides, we started to return home.  We stopped along the edge of the stream to see if we could spot any fish.  Although we could not, we did see a water bug hopping on the water and several neon blue dragon flies.  (I don't what the names are sadly).  

 Further down the stream, a frog was hopping through the water in a shallow area on the far bank.  When we went to the edge of the stream to get a closer look, the frog had hidden in the grasses.  We could hear its chirping but could not see it. After giving up looking for it, we moved about 50 feet and we encountered a muskrat watching us from the edge of the path.  It of course quickly disappeared as we got too close.

Seeing nature up close instills a sense of the natural world.  When we are in the car, I point out different sights but it doesn't create the same sense of wonder and as being close to nature.  Today they were quite willing to get close to a cicada that we found on the sidewalk.  Who knows what we will find tomorrow?

What are your memories of being close to nature?

Time to Air Out the Laundry

Spring, summer, and autumn offers us a great opportunity to reduce both our carbon dioxide emissions and energy expenses.   As a child, my parents would hang laundry out to dry.  I always loved the fresh smell and feel of the warm laundry when it was brought in.

As an adult, we hang our freshly washed laundry out to dry on everyday that is rain free.  We reduce the wear and tear on our dryer.  Additionally, we are increasing our energy efficiency by not heating a portion of our house while simultaneously running the air conditioner.  

If you don't have a clothes line, you can purchase collapsable hanging racks.  We use three drying racks for each full load of laundry.  They are compact enough that I can fit three on our back porch.  The downside of the drying racks is that it takes clothes longer to dry than from using a clothesline.


What do you like about line drying your clothes?

Living Simply

I've been thinking of the common theme of my actions concerning our environment and it really comes down to living simply.   Living simply can be done quite easily and with many benefits.  While I'd love to do some of the high tech, green endeavors such as placing solar panels on my roof at this point, that is not something I can do.

What I can do is live simply.  Living simply means I don't need to buy the latest and greatest thing.  My wardrobe has old clothes that are in good shape.  I live in a small home, although not a microhome.    Rather than going shopping, I go for a walk with my family.

Living simply means you consume less, save more money, and most importantly, enjoy life, not things.

Farmers Markets

Are you looking for additional ways to lower your carbon footprint?  Try going to your local farmers market.  Generally, the food is grown closer than the majority of supermarket produce.  That means less fuel is consumed bringing the food to your kitchen table.  Additionally, the food is more likely to be harvested when it is fully ripened and not picked prematurely.

It has been my experience that produce from the farmers market is often more expensive than the grocery store.  I remind myself that these tend to be small oprations and that by shopping locally, I am keeping money in my local and regional economies.  I'm helping my neighbors.

If you don't have a farmers market in your area, petition your local government to start one.

What is the most unique food you have purchased from a farmers market?  I recently purchased kohlrabi which I had never had before.

Welcome Back Grass

Currently, much of the U.S. is experiencing drought conditions. Last month, we had so little rain that the grass at my home began to turn brown. Well, the shady areas still had some green. And the weeds seemed to have no problem with the lack of rain. I even broke down and used a sprinkler to water my two birch trees that were shedding leaves.

As of now, we have had plenty of rain within the last two weeks. The yard is mostly green again. Which brings me to my point, that grass does not need as much water as is commonly believed. According to All About Lawns, one inch of water per week is a general rule to go by.

From my experience, grass that has turned brown will recover on its own once you have sufficient rain. Why waste water irrigating and consequently have to mow your lawn more frequently.

How long can you resist the urge to irrigate your lawn?

Pulling Water Out of Thin Air

If it's dry outside but humid in your basement or bathroom, then you can use a dehumidifier to lower the humidity levels. The dehumidifier essentially cools the air in a small space. By lowering the temperature, the water vapor condenses in water droplets, thereby lowering the humidity level in a room. You can see the same occur when you have an ice cold drink outside on a hot day. When your dehumidifier's tank is full, take the tank out and water some of your plants. While this another way to reduce the amount of tap water used on irrigation, do not use your dehumidifier in rooms with open windows. The humidity levels inside will not decrease by much since you will have more water vapor coming indoors from the outside air. Do you have other ways to reduce the water used on irrigation? Feel free to share. I'd love to try them out.

Washing Fruits and Vegetables

If you are like me, your rain barrel has spent a good part of the summer being bone dry. A simple way to gather water for your plants is to place a large bowl in your sink when you wash produce. When you finish, simply take the bowl out and water one of your thirsty plants. While you won't be able to water all of your plants this way,you will save an equal amount of tap water from being used for irrigation.

Road Salt Alternatives

Let it snow! Let it snow!  Overnight we had a light dusting of snow.  Not even enough to cover the pavement.  But the traffic reports were laden with accidents and spin outs due to the snow.  Did everyone forget how to drive in snow, even a little bit of it?  And now, streets are coated with road salt.  

Most drivers in the colder states know the effects salt can have on your automobile.  But did you know it is also toxic for plants, marine life, and animals.  In fact, pets that digest salt deicers suffer health problems.  The Romans and other ancient civilizations would make an enemy’s fields uninhabitable for plant life by salting it.  And here we coat our streets, driveways, and sidewalks with it.  

If you want to protect your little space in the world and also avoid falling on your back, purchase or make an alternative deicer or substance that provides traction.  For example, sugar lowers the freezing point of water and sand provides traction.  

Have you used any ecologically friendly deicers?  

Authentic Foods

This morning I heard a news report on NPR about authentic foods.  It sounds as if authentic foods are organic and artisan foods.  Personally I think it is great that there is a movement away from processed foods.  The next time you are in the market, try purchasing an authentic food.  While they may be more costly than a similar processed food, authentic foods will most likely have a smaller impact on the environment, be better for you, and have a natural taste.

What authentic foods do you recommend?