Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW) - Plant Some Food

Welcome to Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)!

Wondering how to live greener? You've come to the right place. Each week we challenge ourselves to try a new task ... or "amp up" something we're already doing. We raise our awareness, learn from each other and develop Eco-friendly skills which will improve our lives and protect our planet. Doing so together gives us power ... the power to Change The World!

If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.

This post contains great information and I encourage you to read through it at your leisure ... however, if you are short on time, you might find the following quick links helpful:

• The #CTWW Gang
• The Honor Society
• My Final Thoughts on Our Last Challenge
• This Week's Challenge

Last week we addressed the plight of the Monarch Butterfly, whose populations are rapidly decreasing due, primarily, to the use of herbicides. I signed a petition asking the EPA to adopt tough new restrictions on weed killers. A few weeks ago, I planted wild flowers; however, I wasn't sure if Milkweed (the Monarch's primary food source and where they lay their eggs) was included in my seed mix so I went on a hunt for them. I found a great site (http://www.livemonarch.org/donation.htm) where one can get seeds for a small donation. I also found a local Asheville store, The Compleat Naturalist, which is giving away free Milkweed seeds ... no purchase necessary, no strings attached, just a firm desire to help our winged friends. I'll be planting a dedicated butterfly garden in the next few days.

The Honor Society are those people who help us spread the "green" word by writing an article about our challenges and/or leaving pertinent comments.

Argentum Vulgaris accepted the challenge and planted Milkweed. Or did he? Find out in Change the World Wednesday – 28th May.

Betsy accepted the challenge and shared this: "I am trying to cultivate milkweek in my yard. Petition SIGNED! Thanks for hosting as always, Small Footprints. I can't help myself from coming over here from Triberr when I see you have a new post up : ) " Thanks, Betsy ... I love that we're Triberr mates!

Alicia joined us and shares a bit about one of my favorite places, "BUTTERFLY TOWN, U.S.A.": "Thanks so much for the link to the petition! I am excited to try Milkweed this year and hoping that it will draw lots of butterflies. This is going to be a fun challenge to see if what we plant will draw them. I also read that daisy's, goldenrod and coneflower are some others that will draw them.I think we will try planting all of these and see how it works out! When we lived in Northern California we meat to go to Pacific Grove to see all of Monarch Butterflies that come there each year and hang out ( literally ) in the Eucalyptus groves They are there from October -February then they continue their migration south. They hang in clusters from the branches to maintain their body temp.Pacific Grove created this sanctuary to preserve the Monarchs but also make available an awesome opportunity to observe these amazing butterflies.If you live anywhere near there you should definitely check it out.Here is a link if anyone would like to read more about this sanctuary. http://www.pacificgrove.org/things-to-do/top-attractions/monarch-butterflies/3 The numbers have been down there also and I believe that it has a lot to do with pesticides and herbicides. We all should be aware of not using these harmful chemicals. There are many organic chemical free options to choose from."

CelloMom stopped by. Here's what she has to say: "Signed! A few years ago, we brought home a monarch chrysalis, attached to - you may guess - a milkweed twig. We watched the magic of the hatching. And after the monarch had flown away, my CelloPlayer carefully collected the seeds, and scattered it all over the yard. It's still coming back. The monarch is also one of the main characters in Barbara Kingsolver's latest novel, "Flight Behavior", which highlights how global warming also affects the monarch's migration. She paints a wonderful - and hilarious - picture of the main characters, improbably named Dellarobia. A great read." Sounds like a great book, CelloMom ... thanks for the recommendation! By the way, if you haven't visited CelloMom recently, head over ... she's got a terrific post on "size creep".

Ann included our CTWW Banner in a post entitled, Living Landscapes Connected Communities - Areca BooksAreca Books. Thanks, Ann!

Deborah joined us and shared this: "Thanks for raising our awareness of this important issue. I am so delighted that you shared #CTWW Monarch Butterflies with us at the Healthy, Happy, Green and Natural Party Blog Hop! We appreciate it!"

Our Twitter friends joined the conversation and shared the following:

From @AndreaPtak
- Change the World Wed. #CTWW Start with simple steps bring your own bags when shopping: http://t.co/RUS5Od4L5G #green #sustainability

From @GiveTreeGifts
- How to Banish Junk Mail from Your (Real World) Mailbox http://t.co/0mUaH5LsD6 #CTWW
- Junk mail scam warning http://t.co/kCZJGK5glD #CTWW
- Students' project mimics Monarch butterflies' paths http://t.co/cW4m6XcnYW #CTWW
- Monarch butterfly decline due to lack of milkweed; wildlife enthusiasts ask for help - http://t.co/TnIg3kJS0y #CTWW
- North Jersey homeowners urged to plant milkweed to save monarch butterflies http://t.co/olRlqbG5va #CTWW
- How to give a hand to Monarch butterflies http://t.co/N9naLgj4ho #CTWW
- Stopping Unsolicited Mail, Phone Calls, and Email http://t.co/vmy7N6x7Go #CTWW
- How to Get Rid of Junk Mail: 22 Steps http://t.co/LY6uEsCPrp #CTWW

From @acuriousgal1
- Hand-pulling weeds, great way to help eliminate herbicides and also good exercise #CTWW #flowers #exercise http://t.co/vtbCM3Xmh8

From @Forests_Ontario
- @acuriousgal1 pulling weeds great way to eliminate herbicides + good exercise #CTWW #flowers #exercise Same with pulling invasive species!

The #CTWW Gang are those folks who tweet our challenges using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're a Twitter member, I recommend following them ... they share great things. Let's meet them:

@12tmimi	@89linz	@a_kiasi
@acuriousgal1	@allnaturalkatie	@andreaptak
@awrobley	@biggreenpen	@bythelakewithme
@ccbstarr	@clctreeservices	@compingcrazzy
@debsmikdav1	@dehelen	@dieselelephants
@dmilly1234	@eco_novice	@ecocountrytable
@ecofriendlyfurn	@ecothrifty	@erbaviva
@factorydpromos	@familybetty	@familyfreshmeal
@flapi777	@foodretro	@forests_ontario
@geekgirlusa	@givetreegifts	@green_vibes
@greenecoswing	@greenglobaltrvl	@greenqueenofmod
@greensoil	@groovygreenlivi	@hashtracking
@herbgir1972	@hismerecry	@imgreenareyou
@izumiokumura	@jnaquins	@jpmozart
@junestoyer	@justanotherhat	@kaitlingarder
@kayelleallen	@kingyo3_dama	@kiser_krafts
@krmbalclothing	@laalicia	@ladyjcmuses
@lee4leeby	@legsetobicoke	@liuwailing
@lovecanal2020	@luckytobeyou	@magnushrm
@marikokoloco	@marizulca	@marjoriemcatee
@michaelinla3	@mirai1201	@momgamerwriter
@mrsstinno	@nauticabrinegar	@ndigallery
@nikidanforth	@nolabelle72	@nonhomogenized
@nutmeg3isme	@pamela_o_plays	@pandatropia
@panthere_la	@pberk	@petception
@prtndurgoodatit	@redpandanetwork	@roihara
@rulesofgreen	@ruralmoms	@s_hentzschel
@sensuouspromos	@sergeimerinov65	@sfcouncil
@shionnomusumeta	@skenja	@sobakasu4
@socialavenues	@spafloating	@superbsolutions
@tammycurry	@tegoory	@theworld4realz
@twicecreations	@vanbordelon	@veggiebeet
@voiceboksmedia	@wadiham101	@wasd12456787
@wellminded	@wencdj	@whywelovegreen
@women4earth	@wowchub1	@xefir_destiny
@yogagirl4776

My Final Thoughts:

At the beginning of the Monarch challenge, I suggested that the loss of these butterflies indicates a larger environmental problem. Monarchs use the same resources as a large number of pollinators. The size of their population reflects, in part, the health of pollinators in general. Our food sources and ecosystems are dependent on healthy pollinator populations. So, preserving Monarchs is more than saving pretty butterflies ... it's about preserving all life on earth, including our own. What if killing one ant would end your life ... would you step on it? Killing pollinators, including the Monarch Butterfly, may end our life. One may say that it isn't that simple and perhaps it isn't. But then again, maybe discontinuing the use of herbicides and pesticides is exactly that simple.

Thanks, everyone! If you wrote an article, I Stumbled, Tweeted, Facebooked and posted it on Google +. You can help spread the "green" word by using the share features located below this post.

This Week's Challenge:

Planting food is fun
for the whole family

In my part of the world, temperatures are rising as spring comes to a close. We're getting a bit of rain on most days making it the perfect time to plant (or finish planting) vegetables.

Autumn is a good time
to plant fruit trees

Our friends on the other side of the world are coming to the end of autumn. Autumn is a great time to plant fruit & nut trees. Their root systems will get a good start during cooler weather and, hopefully, thrive next spring.

So let's plant some food! Here's your challenge ...

This week, plant something edible. Plant in a garden, raised bed, a container, etc. If you don't have space outside, consider herbs or lettuce in a small pot placed in a kitchen window. Try placing some seed potatoes in the ground (dig a small hole and drop them in) ... then sit back and watch them grow. If you're moving into autumn, consider planting a fruit tree or perhaps a nut tree. The idea this week is to plant food.

OR ...

If growing food just isn't going to work for you, please offer other ideas for enjoying local, organic produce.

This is going to be a delicious challenge. Are you with me? I know that you are!


Want an easy way to keep up with our challenges?
Just add the banner below to your blog by
copying the code & pasting it into your site!

<br /> <a href="http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/p/change-world-wednesday-ctww.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="Change The World Wednesday on Reduce Footprints" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJS8XLt55nZPJjkT0QME1YmU2hvd_ASaJDg03fW0NoYBcclCzkgCSbU1czatVGm73bcO3ox4QNXH_JN-pTiGX0iJ3fLX4UMpDHjjmzI_1ftBLn84UNbotteiHJstShUzdjeQwh6xvdc2A/s220/CTWW1Graphic1.jpg"/></a><br />
As always, our mantra ...

WE'RE CHANGING THE WORLD ... ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME!

Friday Film Fest ...

Here are some ideas for growing your own whole foods ... in limited space:











Have a great weekend!

Grow your own whole foods ...

Happy Spring! We are now officially past winter (I can hear the applause). Increasingly the days will be become warmer and we'll see more sunshine. It's the time of year when my thoughts turn to planting a vegetable garden and anticipating whole foods at my finger tips.

Last week we talked a bit about whole foods ... how they are an Eco-friendly alternative to processed foods. Here are a few interesting facts:

• Eating whole foods, preferably organic, results in a lower risk of many types of cancers and chronic diseases, and promotes healthy aging and higher energy levels.
  
  
• Consuming fruits, vegetables and whole grains rich in antioxidants translates into a lower incidence of cataracts.
  
  
• Whole foods contain high levels of minerals and vitamins.
  
  
• They are loaded with antioxidants which protect the body from free radicals (these are the culprits which promote diseases).
  
  
• Plant based whole foods contain Phytoestrogens, a special class of phytonutrients that include isoflavones and lignans. Phytoestrogens have been found to protect against certain cancers, most notably breast cancer.
  
  
• They are loaded with dietary fiber and resistant starches making them essential to intestinal health and help prevent colon cancer.
  
  
• Whole foods contain no artificial ingredients or preservatives.
  
  
• The healing properties of whole foods are non-toxic and inexpensive. For example: apples help reduce cholesterol, bananas strengthen the stomach lining against acid and ulcers, and bell peppers help to fight off colds.

Eating whole foods is definitely healthy! So, how do we get them? We can shop the perimeter of a supermarket or get them at a farmer's market. Or, we can grow them. Growing them has some definite advantages ... read on:

• It's economical ... for the price of a package of seeds (approximately $2.00), you'll get fresh produce throughout the summer. If you share seeds or use ones from previously grown crops ... the price is even less. Imagine ... for the price of one head of lettuce in the market, you can get an entire season of lettuce.
  
  
• It's healthy ... growing your own veggies means you control what goes on them. You get to decide if chemicals touch your food and, hopefully, you'll opt for organic gardening methods such as the use of lady bugs to control aphids and other pests.
  
  
• It's good for the earth ... rather than traveling across country to reach your grocer's shelves and adding to air pollution, your veggies reside just outside your kitchen door. And no processing such as chlorine washes for your veggies ... just pick them, rinse them and eat.
  
  
• It's educational ... children love to garden and watch things grow. Having a garden is a wonderful family activity and one which teaches children about sustainability.
  
  
• It's fun ... we loved digging in the dirt as children and I'm betting that most of us (perhaps secretly) love it as adults.
  
  
• And ... if we compost, we recognize an additional advantage: composting reduces waste. It's a wonderful way to nourish a home garden and it saves landfills and waterways.

This spring, consider growing your own whole foods .. it'll be good for you and the earth!

As always, I would love to hear from you!

Green Gardening Tip - Mulching

It's spring ... and for many of us, that means heading outside to the garden. We start vegetable and herb gardens ... we plant trees, flowers and shrubs. Whatever one plans to grow, spring seems to be the perfect time to get started because, for the most part, temperatures are warm without being too hot and rainfall is adequate for root growth.

Then we move into summer, with long, hot days and little or no rainfall ... and our plants and trees, now well established, begin to require more attention. They require more water, more protection from pests, and more fertilizer. Sure, we can spend every day watering ... we can buy pesticides to control critters ... and we can spend a lot of money on fertilizers. Or, we can use natural materials to handle it all ... we can mulch.

Mulching is simply placing a layer of organic material around plants. You'll notice that I said "organic". There are non-organic mulches on the market such as black plastic, landscape fabric, etc. While these man-made materials might keep weeds out of a garden, they don't do anything to enrich the soil. Organic mulch slowly decomposes providing important nutrients for plants and creating an ideal environment for earthworms and other organisms which help enrich the soil. It also protects the soil from erosion, prevents weed growth, conserves soil moisture, stabilizes soil temperature, reduces compaction, encourages root growth, and keeps any fruits or vegetables, which touch the ground, clean and dry (preventing rot and/or disease). This means less watering, less fertilizing and less chance that destructive critters will harm your plants. Best of all ... it's Eco-friendly.

Organic mulch materials include dry grass clippings (from grass which hasn't been treated with weed killer or other chemicals), broken dry leaves, straw or hay, shredded hardwood, sawdust, pine needles and wood chips. Many of these items are readily available from our own yards. Other sources include local farmers and feed stores ... they often are more than happy to get rid of old hay and straw. If there is a saw mill around, check with them for inexpensive sawdust.

Applying the mulch is easy. Once the plants are established (4-5 inches tall) and the soil is warm, mulch can be applied. First, remove any weeds. Then, water the garden well (or wait until after a rain). Place a layer of mulch around the plants. For most mulches, a 2-4 inch layer is sufficient ... dry leaves (which have been broken up to prevent matting) should be about 6 inches deep. Adding too thick of a layer may smother the plants ... so start with a couple of inches and then, throughout the growing season as the mulch breaks down, add more material to the top.

Once the growing season is over, mulch can be worked into the soil or just left on the surface to decay naturally. Either way, it'll continue to nourish the soil.

Mulch cools, protects and enriches the soil ... and for most of us, is readily available on our property. What once was something to haul away each spring, becomes a beneficial ingredient to successful gardening. Now that's what I call brilliant re-purposing.

As always ... I'd love to hear from you!

Comments of Note

Before we get started with this month's comments, I'd like to offer you one final reminder about Earth Hour. Tomorrow, March 28th, is the big day. I hope that each of you will vote for the earth and turn off your lights for one hour between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm. It's an easy way to be a part of a global demonstration ... and tell world leaders that you care about the earth. Here's a short, two minute video:




OK ... on to this month's Comments of Note:


From Buyer Beware!

ginovieto said...

I really think more people need to be aware of this situation. My sister is the one who got me to purchase reusable recycled bags to go to the grocery store! To not buy water bottles but to purchase a aluminum reusable bottle! All these little things can be a great for the planet if MORE people knew about it! Great blog!

Sinclair said...

Thanks for the info! I prefer cotton/canvas or other natural fiber bags, but I do have a couple made from recycled plastics. I gave up plastic bottles because of the harm to the environment AND the harm to me and my family from the chemicals leeching out into my drinks. Keep up the good research.

From Shining a light on recycling CFLs

Ron said...

Incandescent bulbs are banned here in Canada and because of that most (even small) hardware stores have a take back program. Sinclair, if you're not getting on the band wagon by not using CFL's, would you at least consider using LED's at some point? I'm a huge fan of LED lighting.

In fact, I'm so gung-ho on LED technology that I've even switched all my camera lights to LED standards and they've been a blessing! They last longer during shoots and they never heat up! Anyways, sorry I got a bit off topic, but for those who don't support using CFL's, maybe LED could be an alternative. Studies show that they use less than 1% of energy used by a regular incandescent...which goes a long, long way to reducing our footprint.

Thanks, Footprints for raising this topic!

Ron

From Don't toss it ... yet!

Rebecca Woodhead said...

What great ideas! I'd heard the cork key fob one before and forgotten it. It's so simple. You could turn cereal boxes into an in-tray too - ooh, you could use the paper roll holders to stack them. Cover them in something pretty. Job's a good-un!

Rebecca
http://frombrain2bookshelf.blogspot.com

s engelmohr said...

Another great post. I use my old shoe boxes for everything from storing old papers/pics/mag. to storing electronic cords, etc. I reuse glass jars for dried foods, pens & pencils, change and batteries to be recycled. I do like your idea on tooth paste tubes, wish I had known that when my kids were little and making cup cakes. LOL

eemilla said...

We use our old newspaper to clean mirrors and windows. When I had old panty hose that were exhausted, I would wash them once more then cut the legs into one inch bands which I would use in lieu of rubber bands for my pony tails.

Nina E J said...

These are great ideas! I use empty toilet paper rolls to store my oil paints - I put tape at the end and stuff them with a bit of cloth from broken tshirts or something at they can be used for storage! I have some empty cereal boxes that I don't know what to do with however I think I can use the advice here!
Thanks!

Nana Net said...

Love the ones about the toothpast tubes! Who would of thought to use them for cake decorating! Perect idea!
Now I use the giant size containers of coffee and creamer for my hubby to store his odds and ends from his workshop in. You know screw, bolts and things like that. Plus I use them to keep scraps of paper and pens in too. But of course after I wash them out good!
Keep up those great tips coming to us all! And Happy St. Patricks Day!

From A garden by any other name ...

Marcy said...

In my opinion this is one of the best things Obama has done since becoming president. It sends a great message to the citizens of the US. Plus, Michelle Obama said that her kids are more likely to eat fruits and veggies if they grow and pick them themselves. This is so true! My kids could care less about the veggies I bring home from the market, but they are always intrigued by the ones growing on the porch and more likely to try it. Not to mention, having a garden teaches kids valuable lessons about nature and food.

Cesia said...

I recently learned something new! Apparently most seeds that you purchase from big companies are non-seeding varieties, which means our plants can't reproduce in a natural way. This is, obviously, a greedy (for them) and non-sustainable (for all of us) way to live.

Heirloom seeds are not genetically modified and produce seeds. They also are from traditional (old) varieties.

Here's an article about why Heirloom seeds are important.

I bought some for my square foot garden this year! Now I just need to get my lazy butt around to planting them. :)

- Cesia.

Thank you to these commenters and everyone who left a comment this month ... you add so much to Reduce Footprints.

"See" you on Monday!

A garden by any other name ...

During World War I and II, people in Canada, Germany, The United Kingdom and The United States were asked to plant Victory Gardens. The war effort was top priority in those days and food items such as sugar, coffee, meat, dairy products and canned goods were being rationed "at home" so that the troops would be well fed. Resources of all kinds were commissioned into service. That meant the discontinuation of transporting fresh fruits and vegetables across the country. Victory Gardens, sometimes called War Gardens or Food Gardens for Defense, sprang up to help ease the situation ... to give people fresh food while also boosting their morale. After all, it was considered patriotic to have a Victory Garden ... so, people ate well while doing their part to defeat the enemy. They pulled together and strengthened their communities. It didn't matter whether a family had a large piece of land or lived in an apartment ... they started gardens, shared resources and kept each other going.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, more than 20 million victory gardens were planted in this country. Eleanor Roosevelt had one at the White House. Approximately 9-10 million tons of fruits and vegetables were harvested ... an amount equal to all commercial production of fresh vegetables. It made a huge difference.

Today, with the US in a recession and the world economy suffering, people are once again turning to gardens ... this time coined Recession Gardens. With costs going up and wages going down, people are looking for ways to ease their food budget ... and growing fruits and vegetables is becoming popular once again. Even people who don't have any space for growing things are getting in on the act ... did you know that in the U.S. there are approximately one million community gardens? There's probably one near you.

Those of us trying to live a green life have utilized home gardens for a long time. Whether we have a plot of land or just some containers ... we grow fruits and vegetables. The White House is recognizing the value of locally grown food as well. Mrs. Obama recently started a garden where 55 varieties of vegetables will be grown. And it isn't just for show ... the kitchen staff will use them for the Obama's meals as well as White House dinners.

Whether you call it a Victory Garden, a Recession Garden or, in my case, The Farm (as I affectionately call my apartment patio) ... growing your own produce makes a difference. Here are a few reasons why:

• It's economical ... for the price of a package of seeds (approximately $2.00), you'll get fresh produce throughout the summer. If you share seeds or use ones from previously grown crops ... the price is even less. Imagine ... for the price of one head of lettuce in the market, you can get an entire season of lettuce.
  
• It reduces waste ... composting is a wonderful way to nourish your home garden. And it saves landfills and waterways.
  
• It's healthy ... growing your own veggies means you control what goes on them. You get to decide if chemicals touch your food and, hopefully, you'll opt for organic gardening methods such as the use of lady bugs to control aphids and other pests.
• It's good for the earth ... rather than traveling across country to reach your grocer's shelves and adding to air pollution, your veggies reside just outside your kitchen door. And no processing such as chlorine washes for your veggies ... just pick them, rinse them and eat.
  
• It's educational ... children love to garden and watch things grow. Having a garden is a wonderful family activity and one which teaches children about sustainability.
• It's fun ... we loved digging in the dirt as children and I'm betting that most of us (perhaps secretly) love it as adults.

There is a saying ... "When the going gets tough, the tough get going". Today, things are tough ... not just with the economy but for the environment as well. We can help! So let's get going and plant some fruits and veggies.

A garden by any name ... is a good thing!

As always ... I would love to hear from you!

What Was I Thinking?

Today we have a real treat … a guest author. When I read that our bloggy friend, IB from Idiot’s Stew, is a certified Master Recycler-Composter … well, I just knew that we could all benefit from him. This article lives up to everything I hoped it would be. Using his own experiences, he teaches how it's never too late to start living a green life ... and how easy it is to get started (or in this case, restarted). If you’ve never been over to Idiot’s Stew … you’re missing out. IB is a talented writer who talks about everything. His posts are full of honesty and humor … they make me think, laugh and sometimes bring a tear to my eye. I hope you’ll drop by his site and look around … and while you’re there, drop him a comment. OK … sit back … relax … and enjoy:

What Was I Thinking?

Man, I am really feeling the pressure now. I have committed myself to “guest- authoring” at Reduce Footprints and I realize, 4 days into the process, I have…nothing.

What was I thinking?

I have no right to write a post about “green” living. Oh sure, I am a certified Master Recycler-Composter. I KNOW about composting. I can make a worm bin out of a 20- gallon Rubbermaid tote in 5 minutes. I can separate recyclables quicker than the curb-side collection guy can even get out of his truck yet, sadly, have turned my back on my training and my commitment to living in harmony with nature, for the last 10 years.

It is true. I am not proud.

So here I am, sitting at this keyboard, with a dead-line fast approaching, and I am struggling with my guilt. For a decade, I have possessed the power to affect change for the better, and I have chosen to not. What is worse, I have contributed to the current situation with apathy so great it borders on malicious. I have shunned the environment because I couldn’t be bothered, because I was too busy, because I didn’t want to believe in global-warming, because it wasn’t trendy or cool, and for it, I am a tortured man. It serves me right. Today, I look at the world around me and I see the effects of global- warming on the weather, on food supplies, on people, and I know I can claim at least a part of the responsibility because I have been, “…part of the problem”. My behavior has been deplorable, despicable and unforgivable.

But mother-earth IS forgiving. I believe she loves me and only wants me to live in that state of harmony with her; align myself with her energies and do that which is needed to give back to her rather than live the recent parasitic life I have. And so, I am returning to organic gardening.

It is still cold and wet outside, but I’ll be headed down to the hardware store today to get some supplies. The first thing to do will be to build a 3-compartment compost bin (see plans here). There are plenty of semi-decomposed leaves and other yard debris left over from last fall and my neighbor has a horse, so I can start a compost pile immediately.

After the bin is up and the compost is cooking (see a recipe for compost here) my son and I will build a couple of raised garden beds. By this spring we will have our organic vegetable starts in the ground. We will mulch around them with our compost and fertilize with our worm-castings (how to build your own worm-bin here) and I will finally feel right. I will rest comfortably knowing that I have found my way back home to a balanced relationship with our planet: one that I will never abandon again. Maybe one man’s vegetable garden won’t be enough to reverse the ill-affects of millions living and treating our earth like we are rude house-guests, but it’s a start.

That’s what I’m thinking, anyway.

IB

A big THANK YOU to IB for this post. As always ... I'd love to hear from you!