Green Eco Services

Sustainable Landscaping By EcoLandscape Group

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Reduce Carbon Footprint

I have written quite a few articles on native plants and gardening. Living a a drought  and water rationing state, (California) saving water is a huge prioirty. It drives me crazy when people do not pay attention to their sprinklers on in the rain, water cascading down the street, over-watering and planting of thirsty plants.

As a person who has planted native  plants in my yard, I will tell you it is not easy to do. First  1.)you have to find the plants and or a person that knows about the plants 2.) Plant the plants appropriately in areas so they will grow and look good. 3.) If you have a gardener, you have to tell them how to treat the plants 4.) You have to re-adjust your mind to watering schedules and toxic pesticides. 5.) Get over what you neighbors have planted and what is only available at Home Depot. And I will tell you I have spent countless hours on the Internet, with gardeners and nursuries looking for the right look, the right plants for the right soil and sun conditions in San Diego.

If I had known at the time about Eco Landscape Group , it would have saved hours of work and I would have had a sustainable, eco-friendly yard by now. Eco Landscape Group, started out as 3 friends to refer to each other about residential and commerical landscape design, build , maintenance and horticultural services. Now they have evolved into a group that not only can design a sustainable landscape but help lower carbon footprints and thus reducing environmental impact.

Primarily located in the Northwest, they just added a few members in Jackson Hole, Wy, and are looking for like minded others who are seeking guidance and help in helping their companies achieve a sustainable way of doing business.

The goal ‘To spread our message to locations across the United States offering customers and professionals the first definitive guide to carbon footprint reduction for the American landscape industry’

That is a wonderful goal to achieve and look forward to hearing more about the Eco Landscape Group

San Diego Aquaponics Company Offers Portable and Sustainable Gardening

Want to grow your own garden? Become self-sufficient in your own home. Health is a vital importance in life, and affordability is something we look for in this economy. At Roots and Fins farms, a green business located in San Diego, CA, they grow their own garden using a unique system. This system is designed to save money and live healthy while being self-sufficient by aquaponics.

Aquaponics is the growing of fish along with land plants in a controlled environment. It is a cycle where the water from the fish feed the plants and the plants feed the fish. The advantages of using this aquaponics system is reusing water, fertilize with natural fish emulsion, and reduce cropland requirements. Whether for in home food production or commercial use, this method can be used to produce vegetables, fish, herbs, and flowers.

I find in this economy anything that includes eco-friendly habits and affordability is the way to go. So check it out at rootandfins.com to see what you can grow, how to get started, and learn more about aquaponics.

Submitted By Nicole

Rooftop Farm in Brooklyn, New York

Rooftop Farms atop a warehouse in Brooklyn grow more than 30 varieties of organic fruits and vegetables, including heirloom tomatoes, zucchini, aubergines and green onions. Lisa Goode is the owner of Rooftop Farms. [Lisa Goode, Owner, Rooftop Farms]: “There’s layers of drainage mat and separation fabric — it’s all very technical stuff that the dirt actually just goes right on top of. And then you grow stuff in the dirt. But most importantly, a green roof has great environmental benefits such as storm-water reduction, which is a huge problem in New York City.  There’s cooling for the building and if we can amass enough green roofs, hopefully it will help the heat island issue in New York City too.” The biggest problem with designing green roofs, Goode says, is convincing developers they are a good idea. She says there is a misguided perception that they can damage a building’s roof. The reverse is true, she says. Greenery can protect a roof membrane from the damaging effects of the sun and cold weather. Andy Darrell, Regional Manager of the Environmental Defense Fund, says another benefit of Rooftop Farms is that it lowers the carbon footprint caused by trucks used to transport food into the city. [Andy Darrell, Regional Manager, Environmental Defense Fund]: “About 70 percent of the air cancer risk in the air that we breathe comes from cars and trucks on our streets. So anything we can do to get trucks out of our communities and off of our crowded streets is a good thing.” Rooftop Farms is managed by a team of experienced farmers and volunteers. Neighbors often stop by and local restaurants get daily deliveries of fruits, vegetables and herbs. Ben Flanner, one of the farmers, is the delivery man. Marlow and Sons, a neighborhood eatery, particularly likes the farm’s heirloom tomatoes and mesclun greens. Sean Rembold is its Executive Chef. [Sean Rembold, Executive Chef]: “It is pretty amazing, when even though we can’t get the volume maybe from the rooftop farm, to know that we can get fresh excellent vegetables… I could call right now — call Ben — and he would bicycle over something within the hour. So it’s pretty amazing.” Rooftop Farms is a pilot project. It cost $60,000 to design and build. The project’s goal is to bring down costs and to build more farms like it across New York City.

Save Water and Win New Smart Sprinkler from Rainbird

Rainbird, a manufacturer of water saving sprinklers is offering a contest to win some great prizes from $20 ot $5,000 values. Enter by July 15th. Check it out and sign up!

Optical WebBlog and Business

Reuse Materials in Garden and Landscaping

ourlaughingplace.com

Once again, my neighbors are throwing away golf clubs and golf bags in the trash. It kills me! I have used the golf clubs as stakes in my very small yard. With landfills filling up and cost of landscape materials, why not take your throwaways and reuse them re-creatively in your yard.

Bricks- Found for free in Craiglist- can be used for walkways, borders and stepping stones.

Broken up Cement: Can be used in walk ways, borders, retaining walls, stepping stones. I used broken up cement to fill up a huge hole in my yard.

Old Chairs- Turn into a fountain, use as stools to add dimension in the yard.

Reuse Chairs and Pots

Old Windows-From Robomargo- windows made into greenhouses. Use as a potting shed, a tabletop for an outdoor table, a fence and more.

Robomargo.com

Railroad Ties- My mother used old railroad ties to make a retaining wall and built steps down to a lower yard.

Tree Trunks- I am using 2 tree trunks as stools for other plants and to add dimension and height into my yard. If you just took out a tree- you can slick the trunk up and use as stepping stones as well.

Rocks- I reused my rocks taken from the dirt as a circular border around the yard. Also use to encircle plants to make a moat to help retain water.

Tires- I took a few old tires, and set them on the hill and planted a couple of plants inside. Or see these very different Tire Garden Planters from Wuv’n Acres

Plastic Bottles- an article on how to use plastic bottles to plant Tulips

Re-Think, Re-use. Recycle and Re-create new ways to use old things to add some oomph in your garden.

Green and Clean Blue Pools

Eco-Smart Pools

My sister has wanted a pool for I don’t know how long. She wants to look out at water and to make her backyard a relaxing, serene oasis for her and her family. I on the other hand, always think about cost and maintenance and the effect on the environment. The amount of energy a pool takes is incredible, the water needs to pumped and filtered- and not only that the chemicals!

I just Gotta Tell Ya

• Recent findings have even linked regular swimming in a chlorine pool to the development of asthma in small children
• There are more than 7 Million private swimming pools in America today
• The average private swimming pool uses 18,000- 20,000 gallons of water.
• The typical uncovered pool in Arizona loses 4-6 feet of water per year to evaporation.
• Losing an inch of water a day can add up to 102,000 gallons of lost water per year.
• One pool alone emits three to 10 tons of carbon dioxide each swimming season- which is like not driving your car for a year.
• The annual cost for heating a pool is $2,000 (about the same cost as installing solar)
• An outdoor pool loses 70% of its energy through evaporation; covering the pool when not in use can bring 50%-70% energy savings according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Top 9 Ways to Reduce and Save on Your Pool

1. Check your Pump- pumps are becoming more energy efficient. Look for Applied Research Laboratories stamp, which means it meets US Standards for saving energy.
2. Buy a timer for both the pump and the filter- which will assure they run when you want them too.
3. Fix Leaks- mark the waterline with a grease pencil and check it in 24 hours, to determine if you have a leak.
4. Clean Filters and Pumps for maximum efficiency. Consider installing diatomaceous earth (DE) filters, which only need to be cleaned about 4x per year.
5. Homeowners can greatly reduce the electricity used by their pool by installing a variable-speed pool pump.
6. Reduce the temperature and the number of months you heat your pool
7. Create a windbreak with native plants to help reduce cooling and evaporation. Plants also absorb some carbon dioxide from common chemicals. You can even create a water cleaning system for your pool water using certain flora such as irises, cattails, arrowroot and reeds
8. Use a pool cover- consider a  solar pool cover. Not only are you helping to heat the water, but you’re reducing the need for chemicals and lowering evaporation by up to 95%
9. Green the Chemicals

Putting in a Pool? Consider the below

Solar Powered Pool -Solar energy can lower monthly electric bills by $50 to $100. Payback of 18 to 24 months.

Natural Pools-Forget chemicals all together and put in a ‘natural pool’. These pools use no chlorine and should blend into the landscape- utilize plants to clean. For 23 great ideas go to Green Homes

Natural Pool by GartenART

Salt Pools-Consider switching to salt water. The absence of chemicals means it’s more gentle on the skin, and the salt helps keep the pool naturally clean and algae-free, translating to less money and less maintenance. For more information check out Casual Living.

Where to Find

• Eco Smart Pools- non-salt, non- chlorine and chemical free pools
• Viking Pools- non-porous finish – which means less chemicals are needed because algae is less prone to attach.
• Find Solar- database of Solar professionals endorsed by the US Department of Energy.
• Natural Swimming Pools- self sufficient pools, utilizing plants to clean

Chlorine Replacement

• Nature2- Natural mineral base pool sanitizers free of chemical odors-
• Orenda Technologies
• Floatron Real Goods- kills algae without chemicals- $269

Solar Heating

• Solar Pool Heating Standard Kit-$370.00. Do it Yourself kit that can be installed in the yard or the roof.

Solar Pool Covers

• Solar Sphere Covers - carries conventional solar covers and smaller solar heat attractors that come in multiple shapes in case you don’t wanna spring for a whole cover ($25-$429).
• Leslies Pools-Thermo-Tex Solar Covers – Low-density polyethylene that’s lightweight and easy to handle ($43-$299).
• Speciality Pool Products Solar Blankets - covers made from sealed air bubble material Choose your pool shape and size and it’ll give you three solar cover options in varying thicknesses ($25-$575)

Resources

• Practical Environmentalist

Water Saving Week-Water Saving Nozzle

Adjustable Nozzle- about $18.00

Don’t have a drip system or have a small yard, try this Spray Nozzle that tells you how much water you are using. Just attach it to your garden hose and it measures how much water you are using.

$12.95-Water Saving Nozzle

Composting 101- Easy Tips for Beginners

Why Compost:

• Each American has 1200 pounds of compostable organic waste annually
• Fills Landfills
• Processes of Natural decay lead to the production of methane
• Making and using your own compost- frees you of petroleum derived synthetic fertilzers
• It takes about 2.5 gallons  of gasoline to produce 140 pound bag of fertilizer
• Saves Water- Compost helps to retail moisture, reduce evaporation and prevents water run-off

What to Compost:

• Lawn and yard clippings that are pesticide free
• Food leftovers, eggshells,
• Paper products, including cardboard rolls, tissues, paper towels, coffee filters,
• Pet Fur
• Wood Ash in small amounts

What not to compost

• Animal or meat by-products
• Dairy, grease, lard, oils, fish waster
• Pet Waste

What You Need

1. You don’t actually need a designated bin if you want to make compost; a well-tended, simple pile in your backyard will be sufficient.
2. If that is not possible indoor and outdoor compost bins conceal waste piles odors they may emit and keep animals from rummaging through your food scraps.
3. Compost bin may be kept clean with compostable, starch-based liners

Determine Size

Before you buy, determine what you’ll be composting- food scraps only or lawn and garden clippings as well. The more you compost, the larger the composter should be. Composting leaves and lawn clippings, (3 cubic feet, which will give you enough finished compost to cover 324 sq. ft. with 1 inch)

Determine Material

The most common material for composters and compost bins is plastic. Therefore, look for the highest percentage of recycled content you can find. Avoid those made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which releases carcinogenic dioxin into the atmosphere when it’s manufactured and incinerated.

Ceramic compost pots blend in nicely with your personal decor if you need a small container to gather compostable materials indoors.

Maintenance 

1. Keep a healthy nutrient balance and avoid odors by blending a 2-to-1 ratio of carbon-rich “brown” items such as leaves, twigs and bark with nitrogen-rich “green” items like grass clippings and food wastes.
2. Keep slightly moist, and
3. Keep aerated with rotating compost bins or manually turning about every 2 days. The more frequently the pile is turned the more rapidly materials will decompose 
4. Mix your  native soil from your yard or garden into the mix is essential for introducing native organisms.
5. Compost is “finished” before application, (dark in color, and smell earthy)  
6. Leave unused compost in the pile.

Applying Compost

1. To determine how much compost is needed for lawns and garden beds, multiply the square footage of the area to be treated by the thickness that will be applied.
2. A 3- to 4-inch layer of finished compost can be worked into the tops of garden soil before planting in spring or late fall, or a handful can be transplanted into the hole before planting annuals and perennials.
3. A half-inch of compost can also be applied as a top dressing to lawns in the spring and fall and for shrubs and garden plants several times a year.
4. For a flower bed containing existing perennials, estimate the area that those plants occupy when determining how much compost is needed. If half the area is already covered with plants, you’ll need half as much compost.
5. Mix one part finished compost with two parts soil for a nutritious potting mix for houseplants. When planting seeds, use less compost and more soil to allow roots to take hold firmly.

Resources: EPA- Compost

Community and Urban Gardening

Community Garden- Los Angeles

Since I have just torn up my whole yard to hopefully get rid of the bamboo- I was thinking I should plant a garden instead. Unfortunately where the yard is torn up- is very shady and not a great planting ground for a garden. 

A few of us at our HOA association would love to take some of the ‘greenbelt’ area and make a community garden. That is not going to happen with our current board members, but if you love to garden or want to learn to garden, grow your own food you might consider joining a community garden. 

Community Gardens promote 1.) healthy eating 2.) food security 3.) sustainable and effective use of space 4.) community togetherness 5.) recreational opportunities 6.) community education. 

Find a Community Garden 

• The American Community Garden Association (ACGA) lists community gardens in your area, offers information on how to start a community garden 
•  Urban GardenShare Matches homeowners to gardeners. If you have a patch of brown and you want a gardener- sign up for this great service.  

Local State Community Garden Resources 

• CT Community Gardening- Connecticut 
• Berkeley Community Garden- (CA) committed to organic agriculture access and healthy food for all residents of Berkeley 
• Growing Gardens (Colorado) – manages 7 community gardens in Boulder and Louisville 
• Oakhurst Community Garden- (GA) engages families by organized programs and events that create skills in sustainable living. 
• Atlanta Community Food Bank (GA) 
• Gardening the Community in Springfield Mass- is a youth centered agriculture program in which organic fruites and vegetables are grown on abandoned lots. 
• Community Garden Coaliation- Missouri 
• Oasis NYC-  Online resources about urban Gardens, with all sorts of organizations in NY 
• Vermont Community Garden Network- 
• DC Urban Gardeners offers “resources and networking for a greener Washington D.C.

To Grow Your Own 

• Urban Gardening Help- easy instructions on how to urban garden 
• Urban Garden Casual - Cool tips for gardening in small spaces

Organic Gardening-Vermicomposting

I am out of yard and garden room and need to do something pretty fast with my food scraps. Figure I have 4 choices 1.) Throw away (no!)  2.) Continue to dig holes in yard and stick garbage in (running out of space)  3.) Buy Composter (an option)  4) Try Vermicomposting. - which seems to be the easiest way if you don’t have a large amount of space for composters. 

Vermi-Composting uses earthworms to turn organic materials into high quality compost. It can reduce your garbage by 1/3 and provide excellent organic soil for plants and healthy food. This sounds pretty good, no chemical fertilizers, save money and the environment! 

Where to Buy

1. Worm Eco- (wormeco.com) is offerine a Vericompost kit of $50.00 (out of VA) 
2. Gusanito Worm Farm 3 Tray Garden Compost Bin ($69.95 from Amazon) 
3.  Worm Factory® Composter- Terra Cotta 3 Tray ($77 From Amazon_ 

Resources

• Journey to Forever
• Fact Sheet from California Integrated Waste Management  Also a list of places to get worms
• Vermiculture Manual  Great resource for all things Vermi-Cultural. 

Want to Start Your Own Business?

Try reading Commercial Vermiculture: How to Build a Thriving Business in Redworms