Category: Outdoors

Repel mosquitoes with a fan

8/4/2023

Use a fan outside as a chemical-free way to keep mosquitoes away.

According to the American mosquito control association , mosquitoes are weak fliers and so can be easily kept away from the wind created by a simple box fan in your outdoor seating area. A fan will also disperse the carbon dioxide that you exhale and other odors that mosquitoes use to find their hosts. This is a much better method than using a general spray, which eliminates all insects, pests and beneficial alike, disrupting the ecology not only in your yard but also that of your neighbors.

See another green tip for reducing mosquito populations sustainably.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Apply mulch around your plants and trees

7/28/2023

Bare ground around your plants exposes their roots to excessive dryness, cold and hot temperatures, and compacted, low-nutrient soil.

Applying mulch around your plants and trees helps maintain the health of the plants and soil and cuts back on the need for extra watering and fertilizers. Mulches can be made up of a variety of organic and inorganic material, including leaves, compost mixes, bark, and woodchips. Save a pile of leaves from the fall to use as mulch over the winter and into the next summer. A 2-4 inch layer of mulch helps retain moisture, suppresses growth of weeds, protects roots from extreme temperatures (both winter and summer), adds nutrients as the mulch decomposes, and improves soil structure and drainage. Mulch also houses beneficial micro- and macro-organisms, improving the health of the local ecosystem. Be careful not to apply mulch too deeply and not to touch the trunks of trees: pull mulch several inches back from the base.

For more details, see this article at Treesaregood.com

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Making secret fairy houses is an absorbing outdoor activity for all ages

6/30/2023

Use whatever natural materials are at hand—plants, moss, twigs, cones, and more for this magical experience. Tuck the houses into surprising places like tree roots, branches—anything goes. The size can be super tiny or as large as you want. See some inspiring examples here.

Don’t hide your vegetable garden

6/23/2023

A common mistake seen in gardens is compartmentalization. Kitchen gardens are often hidden away, thought of as an area separate from recreation and play. A better idea is to make a holistic design. Read more here.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Don't despair: setbacks can happen when gardening

4/30/2023

When things have not gone according to plan in your garden, remember you are not alone; no one stops learning in a garden.

Even the most experienced gardener will have failures and feel despairing at times. This is unavoidable in the plant world. Look for the learning opportunity in it or simply move on. There is no rush to get everything right.

Read more here:

--https://www.treehugger.com/tips-for-demoralized-gardeners-7483046?hid=5cca5cc09cf857f7c3ce2406e7447b3b9236437e&did=8939077-20230424&utm_source=treehugger&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=treehugger-daily_newsletter&utm_content=042423&lctg=5cca5cc09cf857f7c3ce2406e7447b3b9236437e

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Pests such as aphids, wasps, slugs, and moles aren’t all bad—they are a crucial part of a garden ecosystem

3/24/2023

It’s important not to become too categorical in our thinking about “pests” or to view these creatures as enemies. It is actually a practical decision to allow for some, in order to maintain a healthy ecosystem in our gardens.

Read more here

--https://www.treehugger.com/why-want-pests-organic-garden-7096295?hid=5cca5cc09cf857f7c3ce2406e7447b3b9236437e&did=8091216-20230125&utm_source=treehugger&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=treehugger-daily_newsletter&utm_content=012523&lctg=5cca5cc09cf857f7c3ce2406e7447b3b9236437e

Photo by Sean O'Donnell

Pressing flowers and plants can be a lovely family tradition that keeps us looking closely at nature. Choose from four easy methods

3/17/2023

Pressing flowers and plants dates back to ancient times as a form of collecting and preserving species. In the 16th century, Japanese artists began incorporating them into artwork. It can be a lovely tradition to do with children, one that keeps them looking closely at nature. Choose from four easy techniques: using a book, a wooden press, ironing, or microwaving.

Read more here:

--https://www.firstdayofhome.com/how-to-press-flowers/

--https://www.wrhs.org/blog/pressed-flowers-history-and-tutorial/

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Time children spend in blue spaces, not just green, effects their well-being

11/25/2022

Hours spent in and around “blue spaces”(coasts, rivers, lakes, etc.) —not just green spaces—have a profound effect on children’s well-being that continues into adulthood, according to a 2022 study in the Journal of Environmental Psychology.

These findings matter more than ever in the digital era. In addition, ongoing exposure to nature—and the inevitable attachment that will form—is crucial for raising future defenders of the natural world.

Read more here:

--https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272494422001219?via%3Dihub

Photo by Susan O'Donnell, Talapus Lake, WA

New brands of toilet paper use recycled paper and bamboo

11/10/2022

The biggest toilet paper brands are destroying Canada’s boreal forest according to a new study by the Natural Resources Defense Council, but many new brands that use recycled paper and bamboo have entered the marketplace.

It’s important to note that all of these sustainable brands make up only a fraction of the market and are nowhere near as widely available as the big brands. Still, consumers can make a difference by choosing more sustainable alternatives, both because it saves trees, but also because it sends a signal to large corporations that there is money to be made selling eco-friendly toilet paper.

Read more here:

--https://www.fastcompany.com/90677480/toilet-paper-really-is-terrible-for-the-planet-heres-what-you-can-do-about-it

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Make your garden more wildlife friendly this fall by simply not cutting back herbaceous perennials

11/3/2022

Herbaceous perennials provide an important winter wildlife habitat for a range of species. Another benefit to leaving them in place until the spring is the slow breakdown of nutrients they will give your soil.

Read more here.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

--https://www.treehugger.com/why-not-cut-back-herbaceous-perennials-fall-6752336?hid=5cca5cc09cf857f7c3ce2406e7447b3b9236437e&did=864153-20221028&utm_campaign=treehugger-daily_newsletter&utm_source=treehugger&utm_medium=email&utm_content=102822&cid=864153&mid=100587181910

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