Boat Dock Garden Update

Yes, I know it’s the dead of winter. But several people have been asking for this post for months in order to see how the project finally came out. In all honesty, I have to say, not bad! As far as the squash on the wagon wheel thing, we got started a bit late. But we did manage to do great with the rosemary, produce a few peppers and enjoy some basil and chives. Not bad for such a late start. This coming spring, we’d like to get some tomatoes started and possibly some strawberries. Hope you enjoy the pictures! The one below is after disassembly, but before soil delivery and planting. To see other pre-project pictures, check out the original boat dock garden post in our going green section.

Photos by Myscha Theriault

The Benefits of Old Fashioned Bandanas

Flickr Photo Credit: My Boy Dodger

These things are a really fun and affordable source of fabric napkins that can be replaced easily and are available in multiple colors. They are also great for picnic lunches, denim curtain tie-backs and pillows. Need something fun to tie up a homemade gift of bread or muffins in? Try a bandana!

Produce Preservation Without Paper Towels

Photo Credit: Wisdom of the Moon

While I’ve known for years that putting a paper towel or two in with bags of lettuce and other produce absorbed extra moisture and prevented early spoilage, I became concerned over the unnecessary use of the paper products. So I started using fabric napkins or old (clean) face cloths to tuck in with the vegetables instead. It works great! When I’m done with them, I just toss them in the laundry with the rest of the towels and cleaning rags.

Apparently, I’m not the only one who realized this because I was doing some internet browsing recently and found a place online that sold fabric inserts for produce storage, as well as sturdy cotton bags for veggie holding alternatives. What a great way to save on paper towels and re-use fabric! Not cheap enough? The picture above is from a blog post on how to make your own fabric produce bags.

Alternative Energy Building Resources

Flickr Photo Credit: Lolly Pop

This will be a rather rough, unedited post. But I’m in the middle of collecting information for when we actually are able to build. We want to include as many green strategies as possible. Here is the research document, pasted as-is from my hard drive. I’ll do my best to make it fancier at a later date. In the mean time, I hope it’s helpful.

http://www.lcs.net/users/pinecrest/text/hydro.htm Hydro - electric power design for flatter running creek beds without a waterfall or 10-20 foot drop. This system creates a “drop” for you and allows the use of hydro – electric power more economically in situations not previously thought possible.

http://www.lcs.net/users/pinecrest/text/design.htm Article on orienting your home upon construction to achieve the greatest amount of passive solar benefit.

http://www.nesea.org/publications/NESun/off_grid.html Article and links about living off the grid.

http://www.wind-power.com/ Alternative energy articles by subject, and links to other resources.

http://www.northcoast.com/~tms/practical.html Articles and books on alternative cheap building and alternative energy.

Book Titles:

Create an Oasis with Greywater, by Art Ludwig / Oasis Design

Builder’s Greywater Guide ( A Code Compliance Companion Book), by Art Ludwig

The Home Water Supply: How to find, filter, store and conserve it, by Stu Campbell.

The Humanure Handbook II, by Joe Jenkins

Onsite Domestic Sewage Disposal,

Grey water research:

http://www.neco.com.au/product.asp?pID=124&cID=54&c=8858 Australian grey water company.

http://oikos.com/library/greywater/branched.html Article and book on branched grey water systems.

http://www.interstateproducts.com/pillow_tanks.htm Grey water storage tanks

http://www.clivusmultrum.com/greywater.html Grey water system company.

http://www.greywater.com/ Another grey water information page.

http://www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook/Greywater.html Grey water resources and information.

http://www.thenaturalhome.com/greywater.html More information and design tips for grey water recycling.

http://greywater.net/ Grey water information site.

http://www.envireau.co.uk/ Rainwater harvesting company / info.

http://www.freerain.co.uk/ Rainwater harvesting site.

http://www.v63.net/acornsystems/pages/rainsava.html  Rain harvesting site

http://www.awwa.org/waterwiser/links/index.cfm?LinkCategoryID=5 Water conservation and harvesting ideas for rainwater.

http://www.greenbuildingstore.co.uk/water-reedbeds.php Online store for water saving devices in your home.

http://www.greenplumbers.com.au/index.php?pageID=107  Green plumbing alternatives.

http://www.rain-barrel.net/ rain harvesting ideas.

http://www.ecologicalhomes.com.au/rainwater_storage.htm eco-home water solutions.

Black water recycling research:

http://www.spiritofmaat.com/archive/apr2/blackh2o.htm Black water recycling article.

http://sustainability.stanford.edu/greendorm/involvement/coursework/mini_reports/3-9-2%20Water%20Recycling.pdf Fairly thorough article on black / grey water recycling.

http://www.weblife.org/humanure/chapter9.html  water recycle article.

Going Green: Giving New Life to Old Fabrics Through Tie-Dye

Flickr Photo Credit: PSD

Children of all ages love tie-dye, and it’s a great way to give new life to old fabrics. Have an old T-shirt with a stain you can’t get rid of? Find some great sheets at the thrift store but your teen thinks they need more punch before being put to use in her room? What about some faded plain colored curtains that need a little pep? These are all great projects for tie-dye. I think using tie-dye for a cabana is a great idea to create a space that is fun, colorful and easy on the budget. Bright colors are fun for summer, and if you aren’t ready to put major bucks into a space but want it to have a little color for the season, this would be something you could do that would solve your problem and win over the kids at the same time. Little girls would have a blast using this idea in their own private play house!

Going Green: A Great Project Idea for an Old CD

Photo Credit: HP.Com

I was researching another topic and ran across this great idea for turning old CD’s into clocks! I think this would be a great idea for children to make as gifts. This link has pictures of different clocks and downloadable art for kids to use if they choose. CD’s aren’t something I’d ever thought about using as a project medium before. This would be a great idea to have kids use in their own rooms and to have several clocks showing different times around the world such as London, Sydney, Bangkok and home. A great way to integrate time telling and geography.

Tackling Garden Ideas Through a Recycled Boat Dock

Today, amidst the rest of the unpacking and settling in hubbub, David tore apart the old boat dock that has been taking up lawn space. It was really not in the condition to keep using, and we are not planning on having a large boat here anyway. The pedal boat and canoe can be launched just fine from shore.

It became apparent that while the wooden sections were tearing off easily, the huge iron base and wheels would pose more of a problem. There was absolutely no way to be able to haul the enormous metal rectangle which appeared to be made out of old railway sections clear to the dump behind our Pathfinder, and even if we could haul something that heavy, it was far too large for our tow-behind utility cart.

Our solution? Trying it out as the framework for a large raised bed, based on the ideas we collected recently on the topic. This will be easier said than done of course, as it will have to be repositioned slowly by the two of us and what we hope will only be round logs from the wood pile. We’ve got it almost where we want it, but the last few feet we’ll need to do by hand. I’m quite certain this process will involve alcohol. We’ll keep you posted.

Also left over were the two enormous metal wheels with multiple spokes. For David to get these off the nearly rusted solid axle took the better part of the day. It involved several broken tools, lots of choice words from both of us, and a fair amount of WD-40. What a job. It had to be done, however, because the double wheel and axle combo did not have a prayer of fitting in the utility cart either. While we may still chuck the individual metal wheels, I’m looking at trying to find a way to use them creatively in the yard. If I can find a way that doesn’t make us look too much like the Clampets, I’ll give it a whirl. In the meantime, here’s what I’m finding for ideas on the web:

• This fun gardening blog describes a cute way to utilize an old wagon wheel. The idea is to simply lay one on its side and use each “pie slice” shaped section to border a different small patch of herbs. Adorable! Unfortunately, we won’t be able to use this idea, because the iron wheels that came off the dock have a bunch of overlapping scrolls and this wheel design won’t work with the sideways herb garden idea. I’m definitely filing this one for future use, though!
• A link and picture of an old wagon wheel used to provide structure to a climbing rose plant. Hmmnnn . . . I wonder if we could modify this idea for our squash and pumpking patch to make the vegetable section of our yard a bit more decorative?
• This one describes hinging one between to very secure posts and using it for a gate.
• Pictures and directions for turning a pair of wheels into a bench, or a single one into a coffee table. Don’t think it will work the particular type of wheels we have, but cute ideas none-the-less.

My friend suggested just leaning them against a couple of random trees and putting some no maintenance flowers in front of them to grow. I think I’m leaning towards either that idea or using them to hold pumpkins, cucumbers, or squash. Will try to take pictures of the raised bed and wheels when we get them settled. I did manage to get a before picture of where David hauled it with the vehicle with the wheels and axle still attached.

Photo Credit: Myscha Theriault

Raised Beds and Square Foot Gardening

Flickr Photo Credit: Sa_Ku_Ra

I’ve been running across references on this for several days now while researching other topics. I figure that means I’m supposed to pay attention. We are also getting ready to disassemble our dock and deck, so I’m thinking that will be a great time to recycle the boards into this type of project.

• An article with pictures and a detailed list of links on square foot and container gardening.
• Quite an inspiring square foot home gardening documentation page.
• Directions for making your own raised bed.
• More raised bed directions. This page has pictures included.

We’ll keep you posted on how we make out!

Recycle Those Plastic Grocery Bags

Flickr Photo Credit: How Can I Recycle This

This is really a no-brainer. Something simple you can do to incorporate more planetary awareness into your life. . . and it won’t cost you a dime. The next time you come home with plastic grocery bags, set them aside. They can have a great second life as liners for smaller trash cans around the house, or in a pinch, creative stuffing for throw pillows until you can set aside the cash for fiber inserts. You can also use them to pick up pet droppings in the park or carry inconvenient items. We’ve also used them on road trips to make sure there’s a central collection point for automobile garbage. Any other ideas out there? Feel free to post!

Going Green and Saving Money

Flickr Photo Credit: Obbino

Yes, it is possible. I know many of the information out there is about high end products you can support the movement with by spending your money on. But there are many things you can do to keep your family budget on track and still help out the planet. Shopping for second-hand goods, making your own simple cleaning products, light composting, etc. Here’s a link to a great article on saving money while going green in your home.