My adventures in Worm Composting in a small apartment begin today!

Are you tired of throwing perfectly good food scraps, junk mail, cardboard, and coffee grounds into the trash? I certainly am, but for a long time being wasteful just seemed like one of the unavoidable evils of living in a small apartment and having no yard to speak of. Despite this setback, I’ve been researching different compost options all summer long, hoping to find something that will work anywhere-even a small apartment-without creating offensive odors or taking up large quantities of precious space, or being overly time consuming (hey, I’m a busy girl, I’ve got a life you know!)

Some small scale homemade operations sounded promising-like one website that suggested taking a plastic container, drilling some holes (I don’t own a drill, but maybe I could have bought one…and then learned how to use it…someday….), adding a few dried lawn clippings (never mind that I live in an apartment and don’t have any dried lawn clippings), and found a spot for it outside (did I mention we don’t have a yard?) Although this “do it yourself” compost idea gave me something to feel hopeful about-really it just made me want to keep looking. I wanted something tried and true-something easy-something that wouldn’t take all summer to learn how to do. So my next big idea was to buy a big plastic drum with the little holes for aeration already drilled in. You just roll it over every so often to redistribute the nutrients-I could have bought a huge 55 gallon drum for around $150. This might have worked fine for someone with a yard to roll it around in, but my significant other was quick to point out our small patio had no room for “rolling around.” It was with some difficulty that I had to scratch out yet another good plan (for someone else). No, facing up to facts, what I really needed was something that could go inside…an indoor composter that was pre-made, small, practical, odorless, and not some major eye sore.

Remember grandma’s compost pile–the one that stunk every time she opened it to add a few new food scraps? That’s called anaerobic composting. Anaerobic composting is smelly because that kind of bacteria operates without airflow. That’s not what I wanted. I wanted aerobic composting-it sounds similar, but these air-loving bacteria thankfully can get the job of composting done without the stink. Good air circulation is key. If your compost smells bad, I have it on good authority that you are doing something wrong.
Over the weekend, I finally discovered the composting solution I’ve been searching for – worms. Worm are great, really. Worm castings are full of nutrients that plants just love. They are quiet, well mannered, polite, shy, and they’re hard workers who will work for food, helping to give my food scraps a second life. I found this amazing invention on Amazon and it’s called the Worm Factory. (I got the Worm Factory DS3GT 3-Tray Worm Composter).
…Continue reading Indoor Worm Composting in Small Spaces with the Worm Factory

If you’ve been drooling over new TV technology like I have lately there is lots to be excited about, but if you don’t have enough change left over in the couch crack to swing getting a new 3D HDTV maybe this will light you up… I got a sneak peak at a pretty big deal from Amazon (well okay it was probably sent to everyone who looked at LED TV’s lately but it made me feel special)

For a limited time if you buy a Samsung 6500-Series LED HDTV (either the Samsung UN46C6500 46-Inch or the Samsung UN55C6500 55-Inch) you’ll get a free Blu-ray Player, LinkStick Wireless LAN Adapter, and a guy who will come out and vacuum and dust your living room!

Well, ok maybe not the free dusting/vacuuming but it does come with Enhanced Delivery, a slick option I wasn’t aware of where a representative of the delivery company will bring your TV to any room suitable for testing, unpack it, and ensure that it is working properly to guarantee no damage occurred during transportation. That’s a pretty sweet deal!

Now this may not be on your top list of features in this sweet little magic picture box but the Samsung LED HDTV Exceeds ENERGY STAR Standards. (hey this is an Earth Friendly blog and I had to justify writing about sweet new tech somehow didn’t I? Maybe Samsung will send me a free LED TV so I can give an in-depth review… fingers crossed)

LED HDTV’s are so Energy Efficient they use up to 50% less energy than the latest ENERGY STAR specifications! Not only is it cool to be green these days but it means you are saving money while you stay up all night watching your favorite TV show marathon on your free Blu-ray player.

I didn’t get any moolah from Samsung to toot their horn (I’ll accept a free TV though – doesn’t hurt to try) but if any kind soul buys something from an Amazon link within this site I will eventually make a enough to buy myself an LED HDTV from Samsung – well ok so it would have to be a massive amount of people but it could happen – if you are one of those people thank you kindly.

I have the perfect lush green eco friendly lawn, well at least in my mind I do. And perhaps thanks to Eco-Lawn from Wildflower Farms that lush green grass I envision will become a reality. Oh, did I forget to mention my perfect eco grass lawn needs no watering, fertilizer, bug killer and only needs mowing once a month at most?

As hard as it is to believe that is what Eco-Lawn™ grass seed claims – eco-lawn grass seed produces an extremely drought tolerant, low maintenance lawn. Since the roots of this fine fescue grass blend grow 9-14 inches deep it crowds out any weeds (it is also allelopathic which means the grass exudes a natural herbicide to prevent weeds), and grows deep enough that harmful chemical fertilizers are not needed, plus it is naturally resistant to bugs, grubs and insects! If that doesn’t sounds like the best grass seed ever I don’t know what is.

Actually I had heard similar good things about Zoysia grass seed, but after looking into it further I found out that Zoysia grass doesn’t grow well in cooler climates. Eco-Lawn™ is produced in Canada so as you can imagine if it grows that far north it will thrive in cooler climates. As far as growing in hot climates like Arizona – Wildflower Farms says it grows great, but you’ll need to water it maybe once a week – much less than traditional grass seed.

Reading all the claims and testimonials got me quite excited to try this low maintenance eco-friendly grass seed for myself and thanks to the fine folks at Wildflower Farm I get the chance….
…Continue reading Low Maintenance Eco-Lawn – Best Grass Seed Ever?

Not to get high and mighty about it but little Stitch is an Eco dog – and his poop really doesn’t stink… thanks to the Doggie Dooley

Unlike your little Fido there is nothing cute and cuddly about this post – in fact it stinks, or at least the thought of it does. Actually the Doggie Dooley is fairly odor free if you are using it correctly, but that doesn’t stop the mind from conjuring its own remembrances of your latest dog poop collecting episode.

Just what is the Doggie Dooley? The ‘ol DD works like a small septic tank – just drop in your doggie droppings throw in some all natural Digester Powder (they could have called it something not associated with eating in my opinion) fill ‘er up with water and kapow! Instant pet waste-be-gone. Well not quite instant but the Digester powder uses natural bacteria and enzyme cultures to break down the dog waste so the ground absorbs it – simple clean and neat like magic, and better for the environment since you can say good bye to all the plastic bags. (and keep the money you save buying them to use for fun stuff like organic doggie treats!)

There are a number of Doggie Dooley systems – my favorite and the top dog in Doggie Dooley reviews that I’ve seen is the Doggie Dooley 3000. Since it is a galvanized steel tank it is more durable than the plastic Doggie Dooley 3800, 3500 or 2000 models plus it is cheaper for some reason – you’d think a nice strong galvanized steel would be pricey but it was less expensive last I saw at Amazon.

No matter what your personal preference steel or plastic these tips from Doggie Dooley users will start you off on the right paw…

Doggie Dooley Tips:
-Keep it moist – the enzymes can’t work if the ‘ol pooper is dry.
-Install the Doggie Dooley within reach of your hose – carrying buckets of water may be a good workout but you’ll be wishing for a hose soon enough.
-Buy professional strength septic treatment for much cheaper than the Doggie Dooley Digester
-Don’t widen the hole out to 14″ until you have the 4 foot hole dug
-Don’t leave the lip open while you are playing football in the backyard – 1) footballs and doggie doodie are attracted to each other 2) stepping in a septic tank at a full run isn’t a good idea 3) Doing a face plant in your Doggie Dooley is even less fun than stepping in one

Celebrate Earth Day with a K & N Re-Useable Air Filter -
an easy way to Green Your Car.

With Earth Day 2010 roaring into town this month on April 22nd in case you don’t really pay attention to such things, stores everywhere are gearing up to take advantage of you, err I mean to cash in on your devotion to being green, or to help you in your quest to be green (whether you think you need it or not).

One product that I’m adding to my “must buy” list isn’t as greenly glamorous as a huge solar panel array or even as handy as green household cleaners, but it will make your car breathe a little easier, and your pocket book will feel a lot greener as well – K & N Air Filters.

I know you are thinking buy a green air filter – wow that’s exciting! But K & N Engineering, Inc (“manufacturer of the world’s best air filters” self proclaimed but many will back those claims wholeheartedly) make High Performance air filters that are washable so instead of throwing away your air filter every year you can re-use this one for the life of the car (they even back it with a one million mile warranty). Not only is the K & N air filter environmentally friendly it is far superior to regular air filters.

K & N filters are designed to increase horsepower and acceleration (K & N first developed air filters specifically for the motorcycle racing market) and while they don’t claim a savings on fuel efficiency, after reading the efficiency gains reported by long term users of these air filters that certainly is the case for many – some seeing a 3-5 MPG increase.

A lot of exaggerated claims are made by automotive products claiming to improve gas mileage, which K & N won’t do but they basically say, if you read between the lines “read what others are saying and you’ll most likely get better gas mileage”

After reading the testimonials and reviews for K & N air filters and hearing people with all types of vehicles say they noticed improvements in power, acceleration and fuel efficiency I was sold. Not to mention that K & N recommends cleaning the air filter every 50,000 miles vs the 12,000 miles for replacing a standard air filter (for lazy car owners that is a huge benefit!)

And when you do need to clean your K & N air filter it isn’t a big deal, just remove the air filter, soak it in warm soapy water, let ‘er dry out and lube it up with a K & N Air Filter Cleaning Kit which will only set you back 10 bucks or so and will last several cleanings – more than enough for the life of most cars. The cleaning kit restores air flow efficiency so your filter performs like new.