5/22/13

Terra-cotta pots are great for container gardening and are an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic pots. But terra-cotta pots can break easily. Instead of tossing those shards in the trash, use them to improve your garden. Mix the shards in the soil under the eaves of your house, where rainwater can build up on stormy days. It will help with drainage, since terra cotta absorbs water. Plus, you won't see the shards since they are mixed in the soil.

5/21/13

Many of us enjoy the convenience of online shopping. When choosing shipping options, opt to use the U.S. Postal Service whenever possible. By sending items through the USPS, you're using an existing fleet of delivery trucks that go through your neighborhood on a daily basis, which is not always true of express delivery trucks. This helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Plus, the USPS option is often the cheapest, so you save money, too.

5/20/13

Ever wonder what to do with flat, warm, leftover beer? Give your garden a good drink. The natural yeast in beer can help with plant growth. Simply pour the beer into a watering can and add water. Pour the mixture near the base of plants, and when you're done, cultivate the soil a little bit. You can also fill an empty tuna tin with leftover beer to keep slugs away from your garden; they'll crawl in for a drink and drown, unable to get out.