Thursday, June 30, 2011

Composter

It finally arrived!  After putting together one composter with a broken piece, only to find out the whole bottom was missing.  Dammit.






But thank you, CNS Stores, for sending out a replacement composter so quickly!








 I got it all put together!


They say 2/3 brown (leaves, twigs, paper) to 1/3 green (grass clippings, food waste)









And it's BEAUTIFUL!









Some hints to remember if you decide you want to compost (less waste in landfills and makes super soil!):

  1. Gather all grass clippings and green yard waste but be sure to mix with the "brown" materials like leaves and shredded paper to add carbon. You will need both, but if you only add grass clippings your pile will compact and start to stink.
  2. Do not compost meats or pet droppings. Stick with food scraps and yard waste only.
  3. Avoid all pesticides and/or herbicide treated material.
  4. If you add weeds to your pile make sure your pile is good and hot. It should be steaming hot, not just warm otherwise it may not kill the seeds.
  5. Turn your pile as often as you can. Each time you turn it will speed up the process.
  6. Keep your compost damp but not wet. As you add material to your pile make sure that each layer is moist as it is added. During the summer your pile will dry out and the composting process will slow down.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Save the Bees!

I've asked for a Bee house for my birthday.  If you didn't know, we're losing the bees!  SERIOUSLY!  In some areas the bee population has declined up to 85% and nobody knows why ... ooohhhhh spoooookkyy ... So plant flowers to attract bees!  I am noticing a lot of my plants have bees going to them, and I am SO EXCITED!  Here is a picture of a nice fat juicy bee sucking on my rhododendrum.  GO BEES!









FYI:  33% of the food we eat depends on pollination from bees 




For more info:
Colony Collapse Disorder
Discovery News: Bees Decline
Huffington Post
   (this one is for Sony because she loves HP!)
National Geographic