Janet’s Green Planet

Fall is Time for Free Compost in NYC

It’s that time again!  The NYC Department of Sanitation Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling is having it’s Fall 2008 Compost Givebacks. Bring a shovel and sturdy containers to get free compost. 

The NYC Compost Project will sell discounted compost bins at these events for $20.00, so you can make your own compost (see my article on composting or go to www.nyccompost.org.).  

Compost is that rich earthy material that looks and feels like soil.  I call it black gold.  It’s great for your flower and vegetable garden.  Just add some compost and watch your garden thrive.  Compost improves soil quality, increases plant growth, and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, and watering.

The Givebacks for NYC will be:

On Staten Island, go to Fresh Kills Composting Site at West Service Rd., near Exit 7 of Rt. 440 Saturday and Sunday, October 18^th & 19^th from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM rain or shine.  

In the Bronx, Soundview Composting Site at Randall Ave. near intersection with Rosedale Ave., close to the Bruckner Expressway, Saturday and Sunday October 4^th and 5^th from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Free your home and your mind from clutter.

“A house is just a pile of stuff with a cover on it. You can see that when you’re taking off in an airplane. You look down; you see everybody’s got a little pile of stuff. All the little piles of stuff. And when you leave your house, you gotta lock it up. Wouldn’t want somebody to come by and take some of your stuff. They always take the good stuff. They never bother with that crap you’re saving. All they want is the shiny stuff. That’s what your house is, a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get…more stuff!” George Carlin

Some of us have too much stuff. Stuff we don’t know what to do with. Stuff we haven’t used in years and probably won’t for more years. We need to find a place for that stuff other than the landfill. Some of that stuff may be useful to someone else. You know the wise old saying; one man’s junk is another man’s treasure? Now you can help the environment, remove clutter from your home, your mind, and give someone in need something you no longer need. It’s good feng shui and it’s a win/win situation.

You know that treadmill you were so enthusiastic about when you first brought it home? Now it holds your clothing, right? What about the exercise bike, bread maker, or the electric keyboard you bought your kid twenty years ago hoping it would give them some musical aptitude? These things would still be taking up space in my home if I hadn’t decided to give them away. Yard sales may be a good idea for you, but for me, too much trouble. When I need to get rid of my excess stuff I head over to the local Alzheimer’s Association thrift shop. I hold this non-profit organization dear to my heart in memory of my Mom. All profits from the thrift shop help families/caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease. Maybe there is a local thrift shop in your neighborhood worth looking into.

Another option is Freecycle. Freecycle is an online community for people to post stuff and get stuff, for free. Freecycle matches people who have things they need to get rid of with people who can use them. By using what we already have on this earth, we reduce consumerism, manufacture fewer goods, and lessen the environmental impact. Freecycle enables us to get rid of stuff that we no longer need and promote community involvement in the process. Visit http://freecycle.org/

www.Craigslist.com Local classifieds and forums for more than 500 cities in over 50 countries worldwide - community moderated, and largely free.

Whether you post an ad in the newspaper, or on e-bay, trade it, or give it away, you will be doing your part in recycling. You will sleep better now that you have reduced clutter in your home. But please, don’t go out and get more stuff!

Xeriscape

Xeriscape is landscaping that conserves water and protects the environment. Lawns and gardens account for over 50% of the water used in a suburban household. You can reduce the water you use on your lawn by xeriscaping. The concept is based on using native plants adapted to your region’s soil and climate in your lawn or in place of a lawn. Using native plants eliminates the need for chemical supplements, which in turn protects the environment. Sufficient nutrients are provided by healthy organic soil. Landscape architects, nurserymen, and your local county extension can help you decide which plants to choose. I have listed below plants selected for our region (New York State).

Begin with a sketch of your front/back yard. Plan out your landscape design by including what you already have and what you will add. Take into consideration your budget, appearance and water requirements.

Use mulch in flower and shrub beds to prevent water loss, keep plants cool, and keep the weeds to a minimum.

Xeriscaping will cause a domino effect because it -

• reduces water consumption
• may reduce or eliminate mowing your lawn entirely
• save time and energy you spend on lawn maintenance
• reduce air and noise pollution caused by mowers
• create less yard waste
• offer a familiar and varied habitat for local wildlife

In New York State, Cornell University recommends the following plants for their compatibility. They were chosen for their ability to thrive in tough conditions, and for their potential to add beauty and diversity to any landscape.

Yarrow, Butterfly Weed, Flowering Quince, Wand Flower, Heliopsis, Siberian Iris, Red Hot Poker, Arborvitae, Bee Balm, Black-eyed Susan, Stonecrop, Goldenrod, Lamb’s ears, Blue-mist shrub.

For more information on xeriscaping:

Rainy day’s are more fun when you have a rainbarrell

Here is what you will need to make a Rain Barrel

• A barrel about 55 gallons and made of heavy duty plastic. It should be clean and have a removable cover.
• A ¾” hose bib spigot. These have male threads at one end to screw into the barrel and at the other to attach a standard size hose.
• A ¾” galvanized locknut, a rubber washer with a 1″ inner diameter, Teflon tape, and silicone.
• Flexible drain (to connect the drain to the barrel).

For the overflow valve:

• A ¾” brass or plastic overflow valve which, like the spigot, has male threads on either end with the outer end able to connect with the female end of a hose.
• Locknut, rubber washer, Teflon tape, and silicone.

Tools for the job:

• Drill
• 1″ hole saw or drill bit
• Utility knife
• Needle nose pliers or wrench
• Vegetable oil and cloth
• Mesh screen for top filter

Instructions:

• Clean your barrel with soapy water and rinse well.
• Drill a 1″ hole with your hole saw or drill bit, just off the bottom of the container for the spigot assembly. This hole should be as low as possible on the barrel to make is easier to connect to a hose.
• Drill a 1″ hole an inch or so below the rim for your overflow valve assembly. This hole can go anywhere around the barrel.
• Place silicone on a 3/4 inch nipple. Using a 3/4 inch galvanized metal nipple and some locking pliers, thread nipple into the barrel. Place some silicone on the thread.
• The barrel should be placed on top of cinder block one or two high. This will allow the water to flow out of the barrel easier. This also makes it easier to place a watering can below it or attach a hose to the spigot.
• Once you know the height of the barrel with the cinder block under it, you may cut your downspout.
• Now connect the flexible drain to the barrel and your downspout.
• Slide a hose onto the hose adapter at the top of the barrel to direct the overflow water away from your house.

We painted our rain barrel to match this siding of our home. We first primed with a spray paint and then applied two coats of color. Take a look in my gallery for pictures of our rain barrel.

Now when it rains you will be anxious to reuse this rain water that has collected in your rain barrel. You can attach a soaker hose to water your garden or just put your watering pail under the spigot to water your indoor/outdoor plants. Use this water to wash your car, barbecue, outdoor patio furniture, etc. You will notice a savings on your water bill and be happier when it rains!