Island dog.

As I prepare to say goodbye to Peaks Island (for now, anyway) and move to an apartment on the mainland, I have been thinking about the various pros and cons of this move.  Mostly it’s a con because we don’t actually want to move, but in an effort to look on the bright side, I can certainly recognize the various advantages.  For example, now I’ll be able to stay out past 11pm because I won’t have to worry about missing the last ferry home.  Then again, I’m not sure if that’s good or bad…

One of the biggest changes will be the lack of outdoor space.  No more lawn and garden for me!  For me this is one of the primary negative aspects of this move, but again, trying to stay on the positive side, I have developed a list of pros and cons so that every time I get sad about it, I can force myself to think about the many good things about not having a lawn.

Advantages of Having a Lawn

• Easy dog duty – I enjoy walking the dog… most of the time.  However, it’s really nice to be able to just open the back door and let the beast out, especially when the weather is unpleasant, which tends to happen now and then in Maine.
• Lazy hammock days – Enough said.
• Fresh organic veggies – I will definitely miss having my own little organic vegetable garden.  It wasn’t a raging success last year, but the fresh greens alone were well worth the effort.  I think next year I’ll look into one of the many community gardens in the new neighborhood.
• Wildlife sightings – We don’t have any squirrels or chipmunks on Peaks Island, but we do have about a million birds.  We also have lots of butterflies, deer, slugs, slightly feral cats, snakes, and dogs who have wandered from home (it happens a lot more than you think).
• Compost! – I know it’s a little dorky, but I’m really going to miss composting.  I like returning my organic food waste to the earth and keeping it out of a landfill.  I also like having less stinky trash.  I’m considering some indoor composting options, but I’m really curious about a new Portland business called Resurgam Zero Food Waste.  I think they currently only work with local businesses, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed for residential service some day.

City dog.

Advantages of Not Having Lawn

• Less work for my lazy self – I love the idea of working in the garden or keeping the lawn looking neat and tidy.  But when it comes down to it, I am definitely more interested in enjoying a nice lawn and garden, rather than making it happen.  Not having a lawn means no raking, no mowing, and no weed pulling.  I could get used to that.
• Smaller footprint – I was kind of shocked by the Earth Day footprint calculator I did, but one of the reasons my footprint was larger than expected was because I live in a stand-alone house with a yard.  This consumes a lot more energy than I thought.  Hopefully moving to an apartment will shrink this footprint substantially.  We don’t own a car, and now we won’t have to take the ferry to town, so our fuel consumption will be virtually nothing.  I shop locally, mainly because I walk everywhere, and I am lucky enough to have several small local shops that carry local produce, so my impact as it relates to food consumption is relatively low.  I’ll have to recalculate and compare…

I’m out of ideas… and it’s 5am and I’m clearly experiencing a bout of insomnia (I didn’t just get up, I’m still up).  The next few days will be hectic with movers arriving tomorrow, so the next post might be next week.  Hopefully I’ll find the time for Fill in the Blank Friday!

After reading about the weed-killing lasers being developed by Laser Zentrum Hannover (LZH) and the Biosystems and Horticultural Engineering (BGT) faculty of the Leibniz Universität Hannover, I could not stop thinking about Dr. Evil and his “lasers”. Silliness aside, it’s actually a pretty interesting scientific development. In an effort to find an alternative to herbicides and energy-consuming thermal methods of large-scale weed removal, scientists have developed a laser that targets unwanted plants.

The laser part is cool, but to me the more interesting component is the automation behind it. They have developed algorithms that recognize certain plants and target them for destruction. The laser strength can be adapted based on the plant species and its growth stage. The seedlings are zapped at their growth center and they are destroyed.  Mwahahahahaaaa….

I particularly love this excerpt from the press release:

Current knowledge shows that the best results for large areas can be provided by using autonomous field robots working in a stop-and-go mode.

I can see it now… an army of trained prairie dogs (or field robots, whatever) with lasers strapped to their heads, methodically walking through an organic farm row by row. Let’s make it happen!

Check it out in action:

Exact positioning of the laser beam (highlighted in red for illustration) on weed model plants in a laboratory test stand.

They use GroVert Living Wall Planters to create living walls of any size. You can even combine them to create different designs. It looks as simple as planting some seedlings in their proprietary moisture mat and hanging it up. I think even I can handle this!

I seriously want to try this. One of the challenges I’m facing as I think about indoor container gardening is my enormous dog. He’s pretty good about not getting into forbidden areas, but I have yet to tempt him with a doggie-nose-level plant in the house. Planting herbs and lettuces in a vertical planter could be just the solution I’m looking for!

However, if I was going to fix this lawn bare spot, this is how I would do it:

1. Clear the area.  Get rid of the dead stuff, twigs, rocks, etc.  The new grass needs some room to grow!
2. Get it wet.  This is especially important if the bare spot was caused by dog urine or excess nitrogen from fertilizer.
3. Dig it up.  Loosen the soil to a depth of at least six inches.  Those new grass roots need somewhere to grow, and if the soil is compacted, you’re likely to end up with another bare spot.
4. Mix it up.  Add some nutrient-rich compost to the area and mix it in with the existing soil.  Mmmmmm…. compost…. I’m going to miss our compost bin.  <sniff>
5. Sprinkle seeds.  Spread grass seeds evenly over the entire area, then lightly push them into the soil with the back of a spade or your palm.
6. Protect those seeds.  Add a thin layer of straw or another organic material that will help keep moisture in while still allowing the seedlings to grow.
7. Water regularly.  Keep the area moist until the seedlings have sprouted.  You’ll probably need to water the area a little bit each day.  (However, remember that you don’t need to water the rest of your lawn on a daily basis – review our lawn watering tips for more info).
8. Be gentle.  Grass seedlings are delicate little things.  Keep the area clear of foot traffic (including pets) until the seedlings have fully taken root and are thriving.

If possible, avoid the conditions that caused the lawn bare spot in the first place.  Dog urine on lawns can be damaging, but it is manageable (and even beneficial) if you stay on top of it.  In fact, I have noticed that the area of the lawn that our dog has access to is a richer green, more lush, and grows faster.  You can avoid fertilizer burn by using a natural liquid fertilizer that soaks into the soil, rather than granular products that sit on top of the grass blades.

So, no veggie garden for me this year…. I might try some indoor container gardening – any ideas what plants will work well?  I’m thinking herbs and lettuces, but I’m open to all suggestions!

Anyway, I woke up at 3 am and I just couldn’t fall back asleep. There. I said it. I’m officially old.

I have now been awake for about four hours, and I have to say, I have done about half a day’s work. So, I get to end my day at noon, right?

Before I start fantasizing about the glorious nap I’m going to take later, let’s fill in some blanks. This week’s theme is all about cheerfulness. Clearly I didn’t create these blanks myself this morning…

1.  Something that is very near and dear to my heart is our planet. We are royally screwing it up for future generations. I don’t have kids, nor do I want them, but I still don’t want my legacy to be one of destruction and irresponsibility. I do like other people’s kids and I think we need to lead by example and show them how to be stewards of the planet. Every little thing we do has an impact and I believe it behooves us all to think before we act. Ok, I’ll step off the soapbox now.

2.  Every moment is good cause to celebrate.  Easier said than done, I know.

3.  The most fun I ever had was driving across the country by myself in my ancient Jeep Wagoneer (aka TANK) for several months after college graduation. I hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, slept under the stars in the Colorado sand dunes, the sequoias, and Yosemite, met all sort of fascinating people, and had the time and space to let my mind wander wherever it wanted to go.

4.  True friends are invaluable.

5.  Something that makes me terribly happy is a cold dog nose on my cheek in the morning. Mostly it makes me happy, sometimes it scares the crap out of me.

6.  A good way to spend a sunny day is cultivating an organic lawn and garden. It requires a bit of weed pulling, some mowing, some watering, and perhaps some slug shielding, but it’s worth it to know that your lawn is nontoxic and safe for children and pets. And if you have the space for an organic veggie garden, nothing beats a ripe organic tomato fresh off the vine.

7.  My favorite celebratory food is champagne. That’s food, right? Champagne and cupcakes?

Have a fantastic weekend! It’s supposed to be spectacular weather here, I can’t wait to get outside and enjoy it.

Today we have another guest post from Maire Hunter. This is definitely something I would like to try in the future. The growing season in Maine is short, but a greenhouse would allow me to start seedlings earlier, grow greens later in the season, and enjoy fresh veggies more months in the year.

If you’re like most people with a green thumb, you anxiously await the first signs of spring. Springtime means planting time, giving you the chance to dig your hands into the soil and watch for the first green leaves springing forth from the earth. Now consider the opportunity to grow your favorite plants throughout the year. By building your own greenhouse, you can put your green thumb to use no matter what the season.

Benefits of Building a Greenhouse

1. You can maintain your garden year-round. If you live in an area with harsh winters, frequent storms or howling wind, it may be difficult to maintain a healthy garden. Having a greenhouse in your backyard protects your plants from wild weather, letting you enjoy gardening year-round. Even if you live in a relatively mild climate, a greenhouse’s heaters can extend your growing season and maximize your yield.

2. You can save money. Think about the amount of money you spend on fruits and vegetables in the grocery store. Supermarket produce is relatively expensive and rarely tastes as delicious as fresh, homegrown foods. A greenhouse gives you the ability to enjoy fresh, tasty tomatoes in the dead of winter instead of buying the expensive, mealy alternatives in your grocery store. The amount of money you’ll save on fresh produce will more than pay for the greenhouse you build!

3. You have control over your space. Although it may seem easier to buy a prefab greenhouse from a home improvement store, building your own gives you the flexibility to construct a greenhouse that meets your needs. Perhaps you have an odd-sized backyard or need a large amount of space. Building your own greenhouse allows you to create exactly the structure you need.

Planning Your Greenhouse Structure

Before buying supplies or beginning construction, you need a detailed plan of how you want your greenhouse to look. The simplest, least expensive greenhouse to build has a PVC frame. These domed greenhouses are perfect for growing vegetables, herbs, flowers and other plants. A PVC greenhouse is also relatively small, making it a good choice for those with limited space. All of the materials you need are readily available at your local hardware or home improvement store.

Measure your space before drawing up plans of your greenhouse. A semicircular arched shape, sometimes called a Quonset shape or high tunnel, is a simple greenhouse structure. Plan on your greenhouse being at least 12 feet long and 6 feet wide. Anything smaller than those dimensions will be difficult to keep at a steady temperature.

Building the Greenhouse

A PVC greenhouse needs a solid wood foundation to keep heat in and water out. Check to make sure your foundation is level to ensure a tight seal. Next, construct the foundation frame with treated wood boards. Add stability by placing 4” x 4” anchor posts on each corner of the frame.

Next, build the domed PVC structure, beginning with the central rib running the length of the greenhouse. Use 22” to 24” sections of PVC pipe to add strength, attaching them with four-way connectors (use three-way connectors on each end). If you live in a climate with harsh winters, it is a good idea to reinforce the midrib with steel rebar for additional strength against snow buildup.

After the midrib is complete, insert PVC pipe into the connectors to form the vertical ribs. You’ll need the help of a friend to bend the ribs into a bowed shape. Connect each vertical rib to the foundation using electrical metallic tubing straps. When you have completed the PVC skeleton, attach two diagonal boards in an X shape on one end for additional support. Create a wood frame doorway on the other end.

Enclose your greenhouse with large sheets of UV-resistant clear plastic film, stapling the plastic to the foundation to create a strong seal. Leaving several extra inches of plastic at the bottom allows you to pour soil around the base of your greenhouse, trapping the heat inside. To maintain a steady temperature, install a small gas, oil, or wood heater with a timer. Oil lamps or solar heaters are alternatives that may reduce your energy usage.

Whether you want a steady stream of fresh vegetables throughout the year or simply enjoy growing beautiful flowers to decorate your home in the wintertime, making your own greenhouse is an excellent choice. It only takes a day or two to build a simple PVC greenhouse, but you’ll reap the benefits for many years to come.

Maire digs all things green. She also enjoys writing on the behalf of Sears and their other quality products. 

It might be too late to buy a gift, but you can still offer up your services. I don’t know many moms who wouldn’t appreciate a little help around the lawn and garden. Some ideas for you:

1. Mow the lawn for a year. Everybody loves a break from that chore.
2. Commit to a day of helping in the garden. Weeds are easier to pull when you have some company.
3. Plant a tree for your mom so she can enjoy it for years to come.
4. Start a garden for her so she can enjoy fresh veggies all summer long.
5. Plant a Mother’s Day Garden. This Mother Nature Network article shares a nice story about one.
6. Pull the dandelions from the lawn, then make her some dandelion wine.
7. Teach your mom how to compost. Her lawn and garden will love it and it’s a good first step toward switching to organic.

My condo-living step-mom doesn’t have a lawn or garden, so I made a donation to the Chicago Women in Philanthropy Women’s Leadership Mentoring Program on her behalf. She loved the gesture. [Warning: shameless plug about to happen].  If your mom is into organic lawns and gardens, consider making a donation to the GreenerGreenGrass Indiegogo campaign.

Enjoy the rest of this Mother’s Day! I have a ferry to catch….

Anyway, we love supporting local companies like Green Green Lawn Service.  If you have a company that you think we would like, let us know at info@GreenerGreenGrass.com.

Gabriel and I share the same opinion about gas-powered mowers. He told me:

I started Green Green Lawn Service because I live in an area (around Nashville) where there are a very large number of lawn services, and they all use these gigantic, gas guzzling, zero-turning radius mowers that are like 4 feet wide. They make all kinds of noise, stink up the air, and require large trucks and trailers to pull them all around.

I couldn’t have said it better myself. Green Green Lawn Service started simple. When the company launched it was a one-man show with an electric mower, a trimmer, and a broom. Gabriel still takes these tools to his clients in his 33 mpg Toyota Camry. Right on!

The company has since expanded to include three additional employees. They use a corded electric mower (no need to worry about charging batteries) from Earthwise and will soon be purchasing an electric riding mower so they can tackle larger lawns. The one they are planning to get is the Recharge G2 and I have to say, this thing looks awesome! I think I’ll have to dedicate a future post just to this cool mower.

Green Green Lawn Service is not just more environmentally friendly than the competition, they are also comparably priced, which is pretty cool considering they currently have one electric push mower. When the G2 arrives they’ll be even more competitively priced because they can mow larger lawns and they don’t have to worry about the increasing price of gas.

The service offering currently includes mowing and trimming, but Green Green has big plans to expand to other eco-friendly lawn and landscape services. If you live in the Smyrna or LaVergne areas, I encourage you to check these guys out. Go to www.greengreenlawn.com or call (615)-442-LAWN.

Maybe when you look at it, you’ll get that song in your head, “Somewhere out there, beneath the pale moon light, GreenerGreenGrass is thinking of me, and blogging to me tonight.” Ha! Now you will….

With no further silliness, here are your blanks for today.

1.  My bedtime routine includes watching The Daily Show, then usually falling asleep during The Colbert Report.

2.  I am not looking forward to moving.  The house we rent just went on the market and is expected to sell fast.  We’re hoping to stay on the island, but there are not many year-round rental options available.  So, I may become a city girl again, if you consider Portland, Maine a city.  By the way, this is why I have been such a slacker with the organic lawn and garden journal.  I haven’t planted anything because I don’t think we’ll be here to enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of our labor.  But never fear, dear readers, when we get settled I’ll definitely plant something, even if it’s an indoor container garden.

3.  I can’t stand lawn pesticides and herbicides because they are harmful to the environment and possibly hazardous to your family’s health (both now and in the future).  Plus, I think it’s absurd to use toxic chemicals just to keep a lawn green.  Go organic!

4.  My idea of relaxation would be drowsy reading and napping outside in the hammock (but not today, because it’s raining).

5.  If I had an extra $50 I would get a massage.

6.  The best thing about a bloggy friend is connecting with people who I will probably never meet in person.  Ernie and Nate are two good bloggy buddies of mine and I would like to meet more.  Do you have a blog I should know about?

7.  A recipe I have been dying to try is any one of the several dandelion recipes I have seen lately.  I’m particularly interested in dandelion jelly and dandelion muffins – or maybe dandelion jelly on dandelion muffins!  We certainly have plenty of them growing… and they’re organic!  For more cool dandelion recipes (like dandelion cordial or wine) check out Punk Domestics, they have some fabulous ideas.

Aaahhh… Isn’t is glorious?  The full press release is below, feel free to distribute if you have press contacts.

For Release May 4, 2012

GreenerGreenGrass Launches Indiegogo Campaign

GreenerGreenGrass Raises Funds for Retail Launch of Natural Lawn Products

PEAKS ISLAND, ME — May 4, 2012 — GreenerGreenGrass, seller of all-natural liquid fertilizers and soil amendments, has launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise funds for retail expansion.  The company, which has been selling natural lawn products online since 2008, is responding to increased demand from both retailers and consumers who want to see the product line in local lawn and garden stores.  Indiegogo’s crowd sourcing platform allows small businesses like GreenerGreenGrass to raise funds for specific projects through donations from individuals.  The goal of this 90-day campaign is to generate $10,000 in donations to print new labels that are retail compliant.  Donors are rewarded with prizes based on their donation amount.

Adrienne Stauffer of GreenerGreenGrass comments, “We constantly get calls and emails from customers who want to buy our products from local garden stores, and in the past year we have received a number of similar inquiries from retailers and distributors. We have completely re-branded the product line with an innovative look that will stand out on retail shelves, now we just need some capital so we can pull the trigger.  Indiegogo is the perfect solution for GreenerGreenGrass because our customers and supporters are so passionate about our mission to provide natural lawn products that are safe for children, pets, and the planet.”  GreenerGreenGrass also views retail expansion as a way to reduce their carbon footprint.  Stauffer adds, “Shipping a pallet or container of liquid fertilizer to one distribution center is much more energy efficient than shipping thousands of bottles to individuals.  Selling in retail markets will help us reduce our impact on the environment, which is the whole point of the company.”

GreenerGreenGrass products are currently available for purchase through GreenerGreenGrass.com, Amazon.com, Buy.com, eBay, Ecobold, and several other online retail outlets.  Donations to the Indiegogo campaign can be made at http://www.indiegogo.com/greenergreengrass.
Founded in 2008, GreenerGreenGrass is dedicated to providing natural and organic lawn and garden products that are safe for children, pets, and the planet.

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For more information on GreenerGreenGrass:
http://www.GreenerGreenGrass.com

For more information about the Indigogo campaign:
http://www.indiegogo.com/greenergreengrass