WARNING.....if you are as creeped out by snakes as I am you may not want to read this!! ( or maybe you do to get some tips from the other readers)
OK so this has nothing really to do with being green I just need HELP!!!
A little back round info on me:
Not much really freaks me out. I can handle most bugs and animals, I don't like the sight of blood but I can get past it ....but put a snake in my line of sight and GAME OVER!! I don't know when this irrational fear appeared or why but it is here and so far I have not been able to shake it. I don not like to see them on TV, in a magazine, in pictures and definitely not in my yard!!!
So far this summer there have been 4 sightings of the slithery little creatures in my yard!!! First there was the " I am just sunning myself on your pretty rocks", Second was " I am going back to my home under your garage", Third was " I am just helping myself to one of the tasty frogs in your decorative pond" and lastly was the " I am on the way to a party and just using your driveway to get there". ( I am assuming the last one was on the way to a party cause it was Saturday night roughly 11pm and I almost stepped on it while on my way to retrieve the mail cause I just got home and where else would a snake be going at 11pm on a Saturday??)
Now I am assuming that the 3 sightings were all the same snake ( I sure hope they are not all different ones) but the last one was a very small snake....a "baby" probably. The first 3 all looked the same...black probably a foot or 2 long the last one I didn't get a real good look at but it was only maybe 4 to 5 inches long.
So here is where I need the HELP! HOW DO I GET RID OF THESE THINGS????
I have used moth balls on several occasions but I am not sure they are working...for obvious reasons! So what else can I do? I know it is not practical to put a rope around my entire yard...but I heard that was a myth ? I am open to ANY and ALL suggestions!!
Usually when I want to know how to fix something I google my problem but every time I look at a website it has pictures of the little creatures thus creeping me out! I would rather not use live traps...that pretty much goes with out saying, I would rather not use any chemicals that will hurt other critters around my house. But right now I am pretty much open to anything!!! Snake charmers, Native American chants to get rid of them, old folk remedies...whatever.....SEND ME YOUR SUGGESTIONS!!!!!!
( I mean nothing could make me look more ridiculous than I did last night while running ..with my knees practically hitting my chest...while flailing my arms and trying not to scream so loud to wake up the neighbors!!)
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Storms...What is the big deal???
Due to recent weather events, Irene, I have decided to take a different turn for this post.
Needless to say the recent hurricane has been a topic of lots of conversation this weekend and I realized many people don't understand what the "big deal was". We all know that weather predicting is not an exact science and sometimes we tend to be skeptical of just how much damage these storms can cause. As a country, or world for that matter, we have not been keeping track of weather for very long.... in the grand scheme of things. Technology has sure helped weather forecasters to be able to predict times, directions and magnitudes of storms, but they still can not predict damage and they will never be able to...why you ask? I am going to try to explain that ...to the best of my ability!
I have heard several newscasters trying to prepare everyone for this recent 100 year storm. Well what is a 100 year storm?? Well it is literally a storm that happens once every 100 years. How do we know it is a 100 year storm? Well....it is a guess at best!! Our weather records are barely 100 years in the making so it is thought that this storm will only happen once every 100 years.
Why do we categorize these storms in this way? Storms are rated by years, for instance 25, 50, 100 and 500 year storms. Now a 25 year storm is suppose to happen every 25 years a 50 year storm every 50 years and so on and so on. Our weather records are pretty good for the last 25 and 50 years but when it gets to 100 years it is sketchy at best!! ( We have no idea if there has ever been a 500 year storm!!)
This rating system is VERY IMPORTANT!!! It is used to determine many things from how to build, where to build and what to build.
One of this biggest concerns with Irene was the amount of rain and water that was going to by forced onto land and how fast that said water will go away. This is called the "peak run-off rate". There is a rather complicated formula that is used to determine this. The mathematics are not all that hard but the factors that go into the formula can be difficult to figure out. This formula takes into account the soil type, where in the US you are located, the slope of the land and how much rain is received in an hour.
This formula is very important and used to determine how to build levees, dams, retaining walls and yes even buildings! We can also determine with this formula how much erosion will take place from the run-off of water.
Now lets all think back to science class when we use to pour water into cylinders filled with different materials like gravel, pebbles and sand...I hope you all did this !!! The cylinders with the gravel filled with water faster, the pebbles a little slower and the sand the slowest....why is this important??? Because this is just like different types of soil...they all have different rates of absorption. So it can be determined how fast the rain and water will be absorbed in different landscapes. Please keep in mind that concrete and blacktop can not absorb water...it just runs off to the lowest level of the landscape.
There have been more examples of storms that hit the east coast in the North Carolina region so it kind of easier to more accurately predicted how the storm will affect that region. BUT, in New york City there has not been many of these types of storms.
SO what is the big deal? Why were there so many warnings and evacuations?
Now we have to think back to history class.....what did our landscape and population look like 100 years ago? VERY different than what it is today!!! There were no high rises buildings, subways, tunnels or mile after mile of concrete!! The population density was also MUCH lower!!
To put it bluntly....there is/was absolutely no way for anyone to predict how a storm like this would affect these cities along the northern Atlantic coast....it has never happened in recent history! Since this storm was weakened as it "stood" over the the North Carolina area the affects on the areas as the storm moved north was much less than expected!
However......the amount of rain still falling in the area is a problem! There has already been a lot of rain in the region for the month which has saturated the ground. So the rain that is now falling has no where to go. So now the biggest risk of this storm is the flooding that is following it. This is when the peak run-off rates come into play again. Most structures are built to withstand 100 year storms. But let me reiterate....100 years ago the landscape looked much different than it does today!! This storm is basically a test for some of the man made dams and levees in the area....let's hope they pass the test!
What is the bottom line??? LISTEN to the storm warnings!!! Weather forecasters and safety officials are doing their best to keep everyone safe. There is no way to precisely predict the affects of these large storms. The only way we can know for sure what is going to happen is to see what happens when the storms go through different areas. Then we can compare the storms and more accurately predict what will happen the next time. Unfortunately we will not know the worst case until it happens!
Remember that old saying " if we do not learn from history we are doomed to repeat it"? It was not so long ago we had to learn the hard way from Katrina....let's not let that happen again!!!
If you were or are in the path of this storm let me know how it has affected you and the area you live in....and please, please stay safe!!!
Needless to say the recent hurricane has been a topic of lots of conversation this weekend and I realized many people don't understand what the "big deal was". We all know that weather predicting is not an exact science and sometimes we tend to be skeptical of just how much damage these storms can cause. As a country, or world for that matter, we have not been keeping track of weather for very long.... in the grand scheme of things. Technology has sure helped weather forecasters to be able to predict times, directions and magnitudes of storms, but they still can not predict damage and they will never be able to...why you ask? I am going to try to explain that ...to the best of my ability!
I have heard several newscasters trying to prepare everyone for this recent 100 year storm. Well what is a 100 year storm?? Well it is literally a storm that happens once every 100 years. How do we know it is a 100 year storm? Well....it is a guess at best!! Our weather records are barely 100 years in the making so it is thought that this storm will only happen once every 100 years.
Why do we categorize these storms in this way? Storms are rated by years, for instance 25, 50, 100 and 500 year storms. Now a 25 year storm is suppose to happen every 25 years a 50 year storm every 50 years and so on and so on. Our weather records are pretty good for the last 25 and 50 years but when it gets to 100 years it is sketchy at best!! ( We have no idea if there has ever been a 500 year storm!!)
This rating system is VERY IMPORTANT!!! It is used to determine many things from how to build, where to build and what to build.
One of this biggest concerns with Irene was the amount of rain and water that was going to by forced onto land and how fast that said water will go away. This is called the "peak run-off rate". There is a rather complicated formula that is used to determine this. The mathematics are not all that hard but the factors that go into the formula can be difficult to figure out. This formula takes into account the soil type, where in the US you are located, the slope of the land and how much rain is received in an hour.
This formula is very important and used to determine how to build levees, dams, retaining walls and yes even buildings! We can also determine with this formula how much erosion will take place from the run-off of water.
Now lets all think back to science class when we use to pour water into cylinders filled with different materials like gravel, pebbles and sand...I hope you all did this !!! The cylinders with the gravel filled with water faster, the pebbles a little slower and the sand the slowest....why is this important??? Because this is just like different types of soil...they all have different rates of absorption. So it can be determined how fast the rain and water will be absorbed in different landscapes. Please keep in mind that concrete and blacktop can not absorb water...it just runs off to the lowest level of the landscape.
There have been more examples of storms that hit the east coast in the North Carolina region so it kind of easier to more accurately predicted how the storm will affect that region. BUT, in New york City there has not been many of these types of storms.
SO what is the big deal? Why were there so many warnings and evacuations?
Now we have to think back to history class.....what did our landscape and population look like 100 years ago? VERY different than what it is today!!! There were no high rises buildings, subways, tunnels or mile after mile of concrete!! The population density was also MUCH lower!!
To put it bluntly....there is/was absolutely no way for anyone to predict how a storm like this would affect these cities along the northern Atlantic coast....it has never happened in recent history! Since this storm was weakened as it "stood" over the the North Carolina area the affects on the areas as the storm moved north was much less than expected!
However......the amount of rain still falling in the area is a problem! There has already been a lot of rain in the region for the month which has saturated the ground. So the rain that is now falling has no where to go. So now the biggest risk of this storm is the flooding that is following it. This is when the peak run-off rates come into play again. Most structures are built to withstand 100 year storms. But let me reiterate....100 years ago the landscape looked much different than it does today!! This storm is basically a test for some of the man made dams and levees in the area....let's hope they pass the test!
What is the bottom line??? LISTEN to the storm warnings!!! Weather forecasters and safety officials are doing their best to keep everyone safe. There is no way to precisely predict the affects of these large storms. The only way we can know for sure what is going to happen is to see what happens when the storms go through different areas. Then we can compare the storms and more accurately predict what will happen the next time. Unfortunately we will not know the worst case until it happens!
Remember that old saying " if we do not learn from history we are doomed to repeat it"? It was not so long ago we had to learn the hard way from Katrina....let's not let that happen again!!!
If you were or are in the path of this storm let me know how it has affected you and the area you live in....and please, please stay safe!!!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
What is Sustainability??? Saving Electricity
So now that I have captured some followers ( hopefully there will be lots more to join soon) I would like to tackle some topics that I find very important ....not only to my life personally but, my community and the world.
We all have heard the media "buzzwords" global warming, going green, sustainable living, alternative energy etc. We have even been bombarded with these terms from both sides of the coin...Pro and Con. So much so that I think people have started to turn a deaf ear!
Disclaimer......I don't think extremes work!!! I am not trying to turn anyone into some tree hugging hippie who must give up their car and ride a bike everywhere, stop shaving legs and arm pits and totally "live off the grid". However I am not condemning those who choose this life style.
My Belief....we can all make small changes in our every day life that can had up to huge savings...not only for our wallets but our communities and the general public at large.
Saving electricity:
If your parents were anything like mine we got in trouble for not turning off the lights...not really because they were thinking about saving electricity but about saving money. I am glad I was brought up this way because it continues to resonate in my life today.....not only do I save money by turning off unnecessary lights...I also think of the consequences from saving some energy. The more energy I save the less coal is burned for my electricity. ( since I live in the south most of our electric comes from coal burning plants)
I have energy efficient light bulbs in everything in my house...granted more expensive than the traditional light bulbs but we would only purchase one pack at a time as our budget allowed.
The thermostat is set at 70 in the summer and 68 in the winter. So we dress accordingly in the house we put on a sweater if chilly or remove something if warm. I absolutely LOVE that time of year when you can throw open the doors and windows and just let the breeze blow through....unfortunately over the course of this year there has not been many days we could do that it seems as if we went straight from having the heat on to having the AC on!
When I go to bed I turn off the TV, cable box and unplug my computer...why have the cable box on while I am asleep???
I try to do laundry and run the dishwasher in the evening after the temps have cooled down, this is also when I do my baking, this is putting less strain on the grid. ( The power company in my area has started charging different rates depending on the time of day you are using electricity....so it costs more to do these things during the day.)
As far as "big" things go we do have energy efficient washer, dryer and refrigerator in the house. I tried to buy and energy efficient range but come to find out they are not rated. I would like to be able to say that my AC unit is up to date and the most energy efficient model but unfortunately that is not in my budget! Ok, Ok, I admit I do not have the best windows either...but during the heat of the day I keep my blinds and curtains closed to keep out the sunlight which in-turn keeps the house cooler. I have ceiling fans in just about every room that help circulate the air.
After reading all this you may be thinking to your self..." why on earth is this lady telling me all this simple stuff??"
Well here is why...... my home is approximately 1100sq ft. My highest electric bill for the year has been $119. And if you have been paying attention to the weather in the southeast you know how hot it has been here this summer!!!
Why does this matter to you, my electric bill doesn't directly affect you? Correct! I mean I am the one who has to pay it every month so why should you care??
Imagine for just a moment that every one would pick just one of these things I have listed above to do, how much electric could we collectively save???
Are we going to be able to solve the world's energy crisis by turning off one light? No, but it has been proven that conservation can do more to help solve the energy crisis than any other form of energy production!!
It may seem as if I am telling you to throw a pebble into the ocean...it won't make a big splash....but it will cause many ripples!!!
Now that I have shared my energy saving tips with you.....let me know what you do to save energy!!
We all have heard the media "buzzwords" global warming, going green, sustainable living, alternative energy etc. We have even been bombarded with these terms from both sides of the coin...Pro and Con. So much so that I think people have started to turn a deaf ear!
Disclaimer......I don't think extremes work!!! I am not trying to turn anyone into some tree hugging hippie who must give up their car and ride a bike everywhere, stop shaving legs and arm pits and totally "live off the grid". However I am not condemning those who choose this life style.
My Belief....we can all make small changes in our every day life that can had up to huge savings...not only for our wallets but our communities and the general public at large.
Saving electricity:
If your parents were anything like mine we got in trouble for not turning off the lights...not really because they were thinking about saving electricity but about saving money. I am glad I was brought up this way because it continues to resonate in my life today.....not only do I save money by turning off unnecessary lights...I also think of the consequences from saving some energy. The more energy I save the less coal is burned for my electricity. ( since I live in the south most of our electric comes from coal burning plants)
I have energy efficient light bulbs in everything in my house...granted more expensive than the traditional light bulbs but we would only purchase one pack at a time as our budget allowed.
The thermostat is set at 70 in the summer and 68 in the winter. So we dress accordingly in the house we put on a sweater if chilly or remove something if warm. I absolutely LOVE that time of year when you can throw open the doors and windows and just let the breeze blow through....unfortunately over the course of this year there has not been many days we could do that it seems as if we went straight from having the heat on to having the AC on!
When I go to bed I turn off the TV, cable box and unplug my computer...why have the cable box on while I am asleep???
I try to do laundry and run the dishwasher in the evening after the temps have cooled down, this is also when I do my baking, this is putting less strain on the grid. ( The power company in my area has started charging different rates depending on the time of day you are using electricity....so it costs more to do these things during the day.)
As far as "big" things go we do have energy efficient washer, dryer and refrigerator in the house. I tried to buy and energy efficient range but come to find out they are not rated. I would like to be able to say that my AC unit is up to date and the most energy efficient model but unfortunately that is not in my budget! Ok, Ok, I admit I do not have the best windows either...but during the heat of the day I keep my blinds and curtains closed to keep out the sunlight which in-turn keeps the house cooler. I have ceiling fans in just about every room that help circulate the air.
After reading all this you may be thinking to your self..." why on earth is this lady telling me all this simple stuff??"
Well here is why...... my home is approximately 1100sq ft. My highest electric bill for the year has been $119. And if you have been paying attention to the weather in the southeast you know how hot it has been here this summer!!!
Why does this matter to you, my electric bill doesn't directly affect you? Correct! I mean I am the one who has to pay it every month so why should you care??
Imagine for just a moment that every one would pick just one of these things I have listed above to do, how much electric could we collectively save???
Are we going to be able to solve the world's energy crisis by turning off one light? No, but it has been proven that conservation can do more to help solve the energy crisis than any other form of energy production!!
It may seem as if I am telling you to throw a pebble into the ocean...it won't make a big splash....but it will cause many ripples!!!
Now that I have shared my energy saving tips with you.....let me know what you do to save energy!!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Summertime Food Ideas
Today I would like to share with you some easy ways to use up all that fresh summer produce that is so widely available right now.
To be perfectly honest with you I don't use many recipes ...I do a lot of trial and error. But, since these ideas are rather simple I know all of you out there will have no problem doing these "recipes"!
Corn
I have spent countless hours watching people shuck ear after ear and inform me that they are going to boil all the flavor right out of the corn! I have an easier solution:
Leave the corn in it's husk, soak in water for at least an hour then just put it on the grill, shuck and all, for 20 minutes. Turning ears once every 5 minutes.
Don't be afraid if the outside is all charred the inside kernels will be steamed to perfection! Just peel and eat.....I think it goes without saying that you have to roll it in butter first! The good thing about this method is that all pesky silt will be burned off while cooking so less muss and fuss!!
Summer Squash and Zucchini
I have often contended with the " I don't like that" phrase ( and I don't have children) when it comes to these summertime treats......until I put them on the grill!
Slice you squashes either lengthwise to in rounds...in rather thick slices.
In a large bowl combine squash, a couple of cap fulls of canola oil ( enough to evenly coat slices) and add your favorite spices. I like to use just salt and pepper or a salt free mix of herbs....if you are growing herbs in your garden this is a perfect time to use them! Then put your prepared slices on the grill. Grill until tender!
Easy Fajitas
Depending on the size of your family you may want to increase or decrease the amounts to suit your needs.
Marinade one package, usually they come in a pack of 3 breasts, of boneless, skinless chicken breast in your favorite fajita seasoning mix. ( following the directions on the package)
Half 2 green peppers removing the stems and seeds
Peel and slice 2 onions into thick rounds
Grill...until veggies are tender and your chicken is thoroughly cooked and no longer pink in the thickest part of the breast.
Slice your chicken and veggies into bite sizes pieces and place in your favorite tortillas with your favorite toppings! ( I like cheese, sour cream and salsa!)
Eggplant
I tried cooking this yummy little veggie several different ways .... I always got the "it is alright" review until....you guessed it I put it on the grill!!
One family favorite is Grilled Eggplant Sandwiches:
Peel and slice, into thick rounds, 1 large eggplant and evenly coat slices with oil.
( now depending on what your family likes, all these topping can be used or you can use what ever your family will like....)
Peel and slice one large onion into thick rounds
Grill eggplant and onion until tender.
Now it is time to make your sandwiches.... I like to use those " new buns" that aren't really buns.....kind of the flat sandwich buns you can find in most grocery stores...what ever variety you like!
Layer the eggplant, onions on the bun......and then use your imagination.....maybe some slices of tomato, the grilled squash from above, a slice of your favorite cheese and what ever condiments you like!
This can be a great meal if you are having guests that are vegetarians!
Skewers:
A great idea when you are having guests is veggie skewers. They can be customized to what ever is on sale and what ever veggies you like!!
If you are using wooden skewers it is a good idea to soak them in water before putting your veggies on them so they don't burn and fall apart on the grill.....trust me I speak from experience!!
For a party I once ( with the help of several people ) skewered whole baby portabella mushrooms, yellow and zucchini squash, onions, green peppers and grape tomatoes. ( the squash and onion were cut into thick triangle shapes by cutting round slices into quarters)
We did individual skewers for each veggie because the cooking time varies. Any spice you like can be sprinkled on after skewering ( is that a word? Well it is now!) and then put them on the grill...until the veggies are tender! Now be aware that the juice inside the tomatoes will be hot so use a little caution before taking a bite!
You can serve the skewers intact or take the veggies off of them before serving.
Please beware.... sometimes parties have those people who will steal the skewers to "make sure they are fit for consumption" before they are served....we like to call these people the party vultures....don't be too hard on these people...they mean well!
I would like to invite all those out there who have read this to share your ideas or recipes in the comment section. I love trying new things and I LOVE TO EAT!!!
To be perfectly honest with you I don't use many recipes ...I do a lot of trial and error. But, since these ideas are rather simple I know all of you out there will have no problem doing these "recipes"!
Corn
I have spent countless hours watching people shuck ear after ear and inform me that they are going to boil all the flavor right out of the corn! I have an easier solution:
Leave the corn in it's husk, soak in water for at least an hour then just put it on the grill, shuck and all, for 20 minutes. Turning ears once every 5 minutes.
Don't be afraid if the outside is all charred the inside kernels will be steamed to perfection! Just peel and eat.....I think it goes without saying that you have to roll it in butter first! The good thing about this method is that all pesky silt will be burned off while cooking so less muss and fuss!!
Summer Squash and Zucchini
I have often contended with the " I don't like that" phrase ( and I don't have children) when it comes to these summertime treats......until I put them on the grill!
Slice you squashes either lengthwise to in rounds...in rather thick slices.
In a large bowl combine squash, a couple of cap fulls of canola oil ( enough to evenly coat slices) and add your favorite spices. I like to use just salt and pepper or a salt free mix of herbs....if you are growing herbs in your garden this is a perfect time to use them! Then put your prepared slices on the grill. Grill until tender!
Easy Fajitas
Depending on the size of your family you may want to increase or decrease the amounts to suit your needs.
Marinade one package, usually they come in a pack of 3 breasts, of boneless, skinless chicken breast in your favorite fajita seasoning mix. ( following the directions on the package)
Half 2 green peppers removing the stems and seeds
Peel and slice 2 onions into thick rounds
Grill...until veggies are tender and your chicken is thoroughly cooked and no longer pink in the thickest part of the breast.
Slice your chicken and veggies into bite sizes pieces and place in your favorite tortillas with your favorite toppings! ( I like cheese, sour cream and salsa!)
Eggplant
I tried cooking this yummy little veggie several different ways .... I always got the "it is alright" review until....you guessed it I put it on the grill!!
One family favorite is Grilled Eggplant Sandwiches:
Peel and slice, into thick rounds, 1 large eggplant and evenly coat slices with oil.
( now depending on what your family likes, all these topping can be used or you can use what ever your family will like....)
Peel and slice one large onion into thick rounds
Grill eggplant and onion until tender.
Now it is time to make your sandwiches.... I like to use those " new buns" that aren't really buns.....kind of the flat sandwich buns you can find in most grocery stores...what ever variety you like!
Layer the eggplant, onions on the bun......and then use your imagination.....maybe some slices of tomato, the grilled squash from above, a slice of your favorite cheese and what ever condiments you like!
This can be a great meal if you are having guests that are vegetarians!
Skewers:
A great idea when you are having guests is veggie skewers. They can be customized to what ever is on sale and what ever veggies you like!!
If you are using wooden skewers it is a good idea to soak them in water before putting your veggies on them so they don't burn and fall apart on the grill.....trust me I speak from experience!!
For a party I once ( with the help of several people ) skewered whole baby portabella mushrooms, yellow and zucchini squash, onions, green peppers and grape tomatoes. ( the squash and onion were cut into thick triangle shapes by cutting round slices into quarters)
We did individual skewers for each veggie because the cooking time varies. Any spice you like can be sprinkled on after skewering ( is that a word? Well it is now!) and then put them on the grill...until the veggies are tender! Now be aware that the juice inside the tomatoes will be hot so use a little caution before taking a bite!
You can serve the skewers intact or take the veggies off of them before serving.
Please beware.... sometimes parties have those people who will steal the skewers to "make sure they are fit for consumption" before they are served....we like to call these people the party vultures....don't be too hard on these people...they mean well!
I would like to invite all those out there who have read this to share your ideas or recipes in the comment section. I love trying new things and I LOVE TO EAT!!!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Self Watering Garden or Flower Bed
Ok, so this is going to take some planning and a little experimenting on your part!
I know you all have been up at 2am watching infomercials and have seen the things you stick in your plants so you don't have to water them everyday....and they are expensive, so what is a cheap gardener, like myself, to do??
( this is where you have to start planning and preparing for next year)
You are going to need any old milk jugs, juice containers....anything gallon size that did not contain any hazardous materials, if you wouldn't drink it don't let your plants drink it!! Rinse these containers well and store them until next spring.
How many you ask? ( here is where the experimenting comes in) I don't know!! The size of your garden or flower bed will determine how many containers you need. I would suggest 1 container every 4 feet.
Fast forward to spring when you look and see all the containers you have saved. ( Hopefully your shed or garage is not bursting at the seams!)
Here is the fun part...you will need a drill, preferably with a 3/32 size drill bit. Drill 5 or 6 holes in the bottom of your containers. Now you have 2 options...you can set the containers on top of the ground every 4 feet or you could dig about 4 inches in to the soil and place the containers in the ground. So plant your plants as regular then every 4 feet place a container in the same row. Also put one at the beginning and end of every row. ( For example if you have an 8 foot row you need one container at the beginning, one 4 feet in and one at the end...so 3 containers)
If you are using the containers for your flower beds that are in regular view and don't want everyone seeing just plain ole plastic containers, then get the kids involved....have them decorate the containers how ever you would like!
After you have placed all the containers where you want them fill them with water.
Here is the "scientific" part. As the soil drys it will pull the water from the containers as needed, kind of like a capillary action but, if the soils is moist the water will remain in the containers!
MAGIC! You now have a Self-watering garden or flower bed.
Well ok so you still have to fill the containers when they need it. For a while you may have to keep a close eye on your containers until you get an idea of how fast the containers empty...which of course will be more or less depending on the temperature and rainfall in your area.
Your containers can be reused year after year or all year round in your flower beds. A little bonus to give you the warm and fuzzys.....you just kept all those plastic containers out of a landfill!! ( I am sure you would have recycled them anyway instead of throwing them away....RIGHT?????)
I know you all have been up at 2am watching infomercials and have seen the things you stick in your plants so you don't have to water them everyday....and they are expensive, so what is a cheap gardener, like myself, to do??
( this is where you have to start planning and preparing for next year)
You are going to need any old milk jugs, juice containers....anything gallon size that did not contain any hazardous materials, if you wouldn't drink it don't let your plants drink it!! Rinse these containers well and store them until next spring.
How many you ask? ( here is where the experimenting comes in) I don't know!! The size of your garden or flower bed will determine how many containers you need. I would suggest 1 container every 4 feet.
Fast forward to spring when you look and see all the containers you have saved. ( Hopefully your shed or garage is not bursting at the seams!)
Here is the fun part...you will need a drill, preferably with a 3/32 size drill bit. Drill 5 or 6 holes in the bottom of your containers. Now you have 2 options...you can set the containers on top of the ground every 4 feet or you could dig about 4 inches in to the soil and place the containers in the ground. So plant your plants as regular then every 4 feet place a container in the same row. Also put one at the beginning and end of every row. ( For example if you have an 8 foot row you need one container at the beginning, one 4 feet in and one at the end...so 3 containers)
If you are using the containers for your flower beds that are in regular view and don't want everyone seeing just plain ole plastic containers, then get the kids involved....have them decorate the containers how ever you would like!
After you have placed all the containers where you want them fill them with water.
Here is the "scientific" part. As the soil drys it will pull the water from the containers as needed, kind of like a capillary action but, if the soils is moist the water will remain in the containers!
MAGIC! You now have a Self-watering garden or flower bed.
Well ok so you still have to fill the containers when they need it. For a while you may have to keep a close eye on your containers until you get an idea of how fast the containers empty...which of course will be more or less depending on the temperature and rainfall in your area.
Your containers can be reused year after year or all year round in your flower beds. A little bonus to give you the warm and fuzzys.....you just kept all those plastic containers out of a landfill!! ( I am sure you would have recycled them anyway instead of throwing them away....RIGHT?????)
Friday, August 19, 2011
Refrigerator Pickles Made Easy and Cheaper Than Store Bought
Have you been the lucky recipient of the bounty of friend’s gardens or just can’t resist buying up all the wonderful cucumbers in season right now? So what do you do with all these cucumbers? After all we can only eat so many cucumber sandwiches! Here is a quick easy recipe for refrigerator pickles:
Ingredients:
5 to 6 large cucumbers, sliced into rounds
1 onion, sliced
4 cups sugar
4 cups white vinegar
1 tsp mustard seed
1 tsp turmeric
Directions:
Ensure you have a one gallon container with a tightly fitting top. Add the sliced cucumbers and onions until it is ¾ of the way full. Then add the rest of your ingredients in no particular order of importance. The last step is to SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE, until all ingredients are well mixed!! Place your container in the refrigerator for 5 days shaking vigorously once each day. On the fifth day, enjoy!! Most people I know cheat and can’t wait for the five days to pass before trying (me included)!
Ingredients:
5 to 6 large cucumbers, sliced into rounds
1 onion, sliced
4 cups sugar
4 cups white vinegar
1 tsp mustard seed
1 tsp turmeric
Directions:
Ensure you have a one gallon container with a tightly fitting top. Add the sliced cucumbers and onions until it is ¾ of the way full. Then add the rest of your ingredients in no particular order of importance. The last step is to SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE, until all ingredients are well mixed!! Place your container in the refrigerator for 5 days shaking vigorously once each day. On the fifth day, enjoy!! Most people I know cheat and can’t wait for the five days to pass before trying (me included)!
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