clean air

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Do you live in one of the most polluted U.S. states or cities?

March 3, 2009 in Air Quality, Community, Water by Jennifer | No comments

Where you live is as important as your green home. Obviously a green home is important, but it can only go so far; there are better and worse places to set up camp.

First the states… How can you find out how polluted your state is? Many places compile info like this, but if you want to get picky, it’ll take a little searching.

Overall pollution: For a broad look at pollution in your area, check out the following sites…

Air quality: You can check The AirData Web site for access to air pollution data for the entire United States. You can learn about the highest ozone level measured in your state last year, where air pollution monitoring sites are located, sources of air pollution in your town, and more. If you’re looking for indoor air quality check out this EPA site.

Water quality: The USDA has a massive water quality page; good for an overall view of water where you live. If you want fast specifics on water safety in your local area read this post; Earth Friendly Beverages for more info.

If you’re moving at some point, and where is somewhat up to you, AND you’d like to make a smarter, greener choice about where you live read Choose A Green Community.

How much do you know about pollution in your local area?

Early Organic Gardening Planning – Fast Green Gardens

February 16, 2009 in Organic Gardening by Jennifer | No comments

If you’re planning an organic garden for spring, I hope you’ve been gathering ideas for non-toxic, healthy landscaping. If not here are a few eco-garden starter ideas.

Make your own non-toxic weed killer: Mix 1 ounce orange oil and 1 teaspoon liquid soap (I’d use natural) with 1 gallon of 10% white vinegar. Put some in a spray bottle and use it to spot spray weeds that pop up. Shake well before use.

Start collecting egg cartons: Use these for seed starting vs. plastic cups. You can also try composting or biodegradable seed starting pots.

Plan for crop rotation: Crop rotation is important for an organic garden. This keeps soil at a fertile level and inhibits disease and insects. So, if you’ve been planting your lettuce and carrots in the same places year after year, this season, sit down with a notepad and sketch out a new planting plan.

Save your coffee grounds: During the planting season you can sprinkle used organic coffee grounds into the soil to both enrich the soil content and keep pests like slugs and snails away. You can use non-organic, but organic is better due to the rich mineral content.

Get a better bag for leaves and debris: Snag some 100% biodegradable cornstarch-based leaf bags to gather the leaves and other debris from your yard then toss it straight into the compost bin.

Need more organic garden ideas?

Tree Planting Where You Live

October 30, 2008 in Green Your Home, Organic Gardening by Jennifer | 1 comment

We talk a lot about tree planting here. In case you missed it, the following two posts are good places to start reading:

Planting Trees for Your Home and the Planet

Using Environmental Landscaping at Your House

Now, we all know trees are good. Trees can help guard against weather elements, improve air quality, create nice aesthetics, and lots more. However, the wrong tree or a tree planted incorrectly won’t help you or your home all that much – worse, you’ve just wasted a tree seedling or seed. To get the most out of tree planting follow these tips:

Look around your neighborhood and city – which trees thrive best? Which trees are plentiful? Trees that are local to the area almost always work better than imported trees. In fact, if you plant trees from other areas they can even create pollen issues and introduce problems into the local environment.

If possible aim for low maintenance trees. Trees that don’t need much care or water to thrive will usually do well, even if say, you go on an extended vacation.

Plant in the right place. If your goal is energy conservation, plant trees according to American Forests’ recommendations – they have a handy image you can follow (plus more tips).

Consider the canopy. A little seedling may not look like much, but eventually this tree will not only grow up, but out. Do you really need a massive canopy knocking into your home?

Consider the roots. Like the canopy, roots will spread and can even uproot sidewalks and gardens. Check with the right tree in the right place before planting to learn about roots and planting depths.

Learn more:

How to plant a tree

Care for a Tree

Types of trees