EarthBox vs Square Foot Gardening, and the Winner Is?

When you compare EarthBoxes vs Square Foot Gardening you have to take into consideration what you are looking to get out of gardening and how much space you have. With Square Foot Gardening you need more space but you also get a more traditional gardening feel - you get to play in more dirt and maybe pull a few weeds (although if done right you won't really have that many weeds to contend with - Square Foot Gardening really is a rock solid method)

What I like about EarthBoxes and what you'll like as well is the ease with which you keep the plants watered - just fill the reservoir with water when needed and the plants do all the work - they just grow.

Last spring I had planted basil in my square foot garden (well I skimped a bit so it is more like my rectangle foot garden but the concept is the same) and they finally decided to grow at the end of the season so I had to bring them indoors - at which point they took off like a green thumbed rocket - why? I put them in a pot that has one of those easy fill reservoir bottoms - just add water when needed and the plants do all the work. That is the beauty of the Earthbox - whether you find a manual on how to make your own earthbox or you find a great EarthBox sale online I think you'll love your results. Plus you can use them indoors so if you live "up norte" like we do you can grow your favorite vegetables and herbs all year long!

Square Foot Gardening miniaturized with an EarthBox

If you aren't the do-it-your-self type or don't think you'll have the time to make a homemade earthbox there are always sales on Amazon for the EarthBox Garden Kit (Model number RB-EB-TRC-PBB although that isn't really a number and what in the heck do all those extra letters stand for? Really Boss Earth Box Terra-cotta Peanut Butter and Banana I think) At the time of this posting the EarthBox was on sale for 29% off list price - and is the hottest selling container gardening product - the word is out on how easy to use the EarthBox is. (if you are in doubt just check out the great earthbox reviews - you'll love 'em too)

Enjoy your earthbox or square foot gardening this year - and let me know whacha growin' I'll stop by for supper when it's ready. And while you are in the mood for garden goodies check out our post on the Square Foot Gardening Cookbook.

Default Bestselling Price: low to high Price: high to low Alphabetical: A to Z Alphabetical: Z to A

EarthBox 1010002 Garden Kit, Terra Cotta List Price: $69.99 Sale Price: $32.25 You save: $37.74 (54%)   Eligible for free shipping!

EarthBox 1010135 Garden Veneer, White List Price: $129.99 Sale Price: $84.87 You save: $45.12 (35%)   Eligible for free shipping!

This Post on the Earthbox vs Square Foot Gardening Shared on Real Food Wednesday

EarthBox VS Square Foot Gardening – And the Winner Is? is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

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).

If this doesn't work I don't know what will, but I'll keep you updated. So far I really like my Worm Factory worm composting bin. It was simple to set up and didn't require any tools-although I did make it a little easier on myself by using a screwdriver to ease the 2 bolts into place. The directions and pictures in the 16 page booklet were very helpful and actually interesting to read. I learned that citrus and some types of plants should not be added to the compost pile as they can harm the worms. Oh, and I learned that there are over 7,000 types of worms, but the kind you want to use in your composting worm farm are called red wigglers, also known as Eisenia fetida. They weigh next to nothing and they recommend you start with half a pound (500 red wigglers.) Amazon has worms for sale, but I did a search on Craigslist and found a local seller of composting worms. I decided to start out small and just bought 5 dozen (60 worms) because he was charging $1.50/dozen and I didn't see the point in going broke when red wigglers are supposed to reproduce quickly, doubling in number every three months. They are organic worms...I guess that implies there are other worms that are not organic? I'll see how it goes and I can always buy more worms later if needed. Otherwise, a pound of red composting worms on amazon was around $30.

I think it's also great that this worm composter is designed to direct the worms to migrate upwards toward the new food sources. Because worm composting worms climb to the top of the bin your composted material on the bottom is ready to be added to your garden - you don't have to worry about throwing all your worms out or having to sort them out first.

I also learned other helpful tips about freezing food scraps, microwaving, or chopping into small pieces to speed their decomposition. The composting worms do best between 60-80 degrees, so inside the apartment should be pretty comfortable. Pretty much everything I needed to get started with worm composting, including coir brick and shredded filling were included in the purchase price. You'll just need red wiggler worms, about a cup of compost or soil, and a few food scraps to get started.
Other product features of the worm factory include:

• Made with post-consumer recycled plastic, Dimensions 16-inch x 16-inch x 13-inch
• Built in "worm tea" collector tray and spigot for easy draining
• Year Round Production
• Odor Free Operation
• Expandable up to 7 trays (You can buy an extra tray for around $10 on Amazon)

Do you have any worm composting wisdom or experiences to share?
We would love to hear from you! Good luck and happy composting!

Indoor Worm Composting in Small Spaces with the Worm Factory is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

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 dog waste 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 recycled dog collars!)

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 Installation and Use 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.

Doggie Dooley 3000 – My Eco Dog’s Poop Doesn’t Stink is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

After all the excitement of gift opening is done what do we do with all that used wrapping paper? Well in the spirit of eco-friendliness and originality I have come up with a few fun ideas for re-using wrapping paper - even better than composting the biodegradable wrapping paper - trust me...

1. Make a huge wrapping paper pile and have everyone jump in it while singing Silent Night, at which point the crotchety neighbor next door calls the police to have you arrested. Good family fun - everyone gets matching black fingerprint fingers.

2. Shred it all up punch holes in your walls and stuff it full - the added insulation will make your home more energy efficient. Plus the process of punching holes in the walls makes for a lively stress reliever perfect for family get togethers.

3. Make three ten foot balls of used wrapping paper and roll it around your back yard until you set the world record for largest snow man. Use the temporary fame and status to educate the world on the merits of reusing gift wrap.

4. Gather all your neighbors and have everyone spread their shiny reflective foil wrapping paper out across all the streets and roof tops - then connect them to The Grid where it will provide enough energy to power everyone's christmas lights for 3 years - not to mention allow Santa to fly his new eco-friendly XL3000 Turbo Electric Sleigh back to the North Pole.

5. Ball up each piece of wrapping paper and have a family gift wrap fight. It doesn't serve an eco-friendly purpose but it sure is fun to pepper uncle Dave with his own gift wrap - a little pay back for giving you socks for Christmas... again.

6. Incinerate it making sure to collect the toxic fumes and ash in large insulated balloons that will float up into the atmosphere where the heat and pressure will cause an unexpected chemical reaction which releases oxygen and absorbs enough of the carbon emissions in the world to end global warming. (Hey it's my blog I can make stuff up if I want)

6 1/2. Sort all the paper into piles - Re-use, Recycle and Compost. Yes it is boring and that's what everyone else tells you to do but at least you aren't getting arrested, punching holes in your walls, getting frostbite while setting a world record, illegally paving city streets, getting an eye poked out with flying gift wrap, or playing with toxic fumes and ash.

If you have more fun ideas for what to do with your used wrapping paper leave a comment below. Have fun this holiday season and have a blast with your gift wrap!

6 1/2 Things to Do With Used Wrapping Paper is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

The idea behind Earth Friendly Goodies started as a place for us to review eco-friendly products (originally eco-cool handbags and backpacks - be sure to check out our store link for these reviews) along with links to stores that sell these fun friendly products. Simple right?

Well not long after putting together a few reviews we started reading some eco-conscious blogs to see what all the other eco-geeks were doing. And do you know what? We were bitten by the blog monster - you know the one, the one that lurks within great blogs that pulls you in and won't let you go for hours.

So after we finally distracted the blog monster with a piece of our organic chocolate chip Clif Bar, we followed that inspiration and decided to dip our toes into the blogging pool to see just what might bite.

While the design of the Earth Friendly Goodies blog is still a work in progress, we just couldn't wait any longer to get started. Every day we find some eco-cool product that demands to be shared with everyone so why wait any longer? In fact just testing out the 'ol video feature here led me to find this little treasure: A compostable chip bag from SunChips coming in 2010 - give 'er a peep, and have a mighty fine day!

And Let the Earth Friendly Goodies Begin is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies