Thursday, January 28, 2010

Earth Day is Every Day


I'm sure you, too, are concerned about environmental issues... after all, most of you that visit here are Gardeners. And those of you that aren't - I'm sure YOU are also very interested in this subject!

Jan of Thanks for 2 Day is offering a giveaway if you leave a comment on how you are actively practicing a greener lifestyle and contributing to protecting our environment. She'd like you to create a post on this subject before March 1, 2010. Click on Jan's name above to view her post.

I have placed a link at the top of my right sidebar that will take you to the US EPA and their post encouraging each of us to "Pick 5" actions that we can now commit to practicing. Within this list, we each may find others that we could also practice or plan to use in the near future. You could click on their logo on my sidebar or click here to visit the Pick 5 site.

Dee at Red Dirt Ramblings has a contest that ends January 31, 2010! She is offering a Fiskars Momentum reel mower to the person that leaves a comment that is voted the top idea in sustaining the environment. Check it out here.

I'm sorry I'm not hosting a give-away. However, I'll briefly tell you about a few of our practices. We have ALWAYS recycled (that's about 40 years). During these past 8 years, after moving to our rural location, we haul everything to about 15 miles to local Waste Management. I've always composted our kitchen scraps, etc. (for the past 30+ years). We water the lawn Rarely (the exception being newly planted grass seed). My exciting Spring Project: Installation of two 55 gallon rain collection barrels!! :-)

It may be shady here - but there's nothing "shady" about THIS subject! :-)

19 comments:

Jan said...

Hi Shady, so glad you were able to participate;-) You do some very important things to show mother earth you love her...that's a LONG way to take your trash--good for you! Rain barrels: I have my fingers crossed that a gift could actually be one...but I'm working on that;-) Thanks for this, and for stopping by quite often while I haven't come by at all. Take good care, Jan

Kate/High Altitude Gardening said...

Every year I try to adopt a new green habit. This year it's pedal vs. drive.

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

Driving 15 miles to recycle is great, many people are too lazy to carry it to their own recycle containers.
I've wanted to try rain barrels and will be really interested to see how you do yours.

bobbie said...

I would love to do rain barrels.
I do try my darndest to recycle everything I can.

I really love your header photo!

troutbirder said...

Right on. I'm making every effort to convert lawn to wildflower gardens

Dee/reddirtramblings said...

Thank you so much for the link love. I hope everyone begins to think about the Earth in a different way. Although Oklahoma is in the middle of an ice storm right now, we'll probably be in a drought this summer. Thanks again.~~Dee

Unknown said...

Nice job spreading the word on this important topic. I think more and more people are getting the message and are thinking about what they can do to make even a small difference.

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Jan, There are tooooo many blogs to visit (and spending too much time on the computer can be counterproductive), and I'm often remiss in not only visiting my usual "haunts" but in discovering new ones.

Best wishes to you and everyone in this continued and renewed interest in our environment.

Way to go, Kate!! I'd have loved to do that myself. :-) Our road is paved and heavily trafficked ... not to mention the 6" shoulders and Steep ditches.

to Catherine and Bobbie,
I've found a nearby (30 mi) source of food-safe barrels that can be easily converted into rain barrels. Perhaps there's a company/factory, etc. nearby you could check for a source?

Thanks troutbirder. This (whether planned or not) seems to be the direction our yard is heading. ha.

Hi Dee, Quite the weather patterns these days. Have you thought about rain barrels? Perhaps they wouldn't completely solve a drought problem, they'd help somewhat in your gardening efforts.

Jodi, Thanks for your encouraging comments. You're absolutely right. If every person does his/her part... :-)

Anonymous said...

Great post. Too bad more people don't follow these suggestions. I think you would enjoy the rain barrels if you did them. We made 3 a couple years ago and our garden seems to love the rain water.

Shady Gardener said...

Chad and Brandy, I may try to pick them up tomorrow, if possible. Just to have them on hand. (am very excited!) :-)

Rose said...

Thanks for all the links, Shady. This is a great idea; I always think that if everybody would commit to just a few more earth-friendly activities it could make a world of difference.

Shady Gardener said...

Absolutely, Rose! Thanks for leaving your comment. :-)

Noelle Johnson said...

I plan to post for earth day as well and am compiling my tips. I absolutely love that you have recycled long before it became the 'thing' to do.

Shady Gardener said...

Noelle, Thanks! I started in college a long time ago! ;-) It's been a concern way before plastic became so commonplace... all for a variety of reasons. 1) The thing to do to keep our country clean, less to the landfills, etc. Then later, 2) Too much biodegradable plastic! And then, 3) Plastic... leaching into our food? Plastic that allows food to spoil over time, even if the container's not been opened? Creating plastic, heating plastic, recycling plastic - toxic fumes?? Yipes!

Oh, my...

Sue Catmint said...

Hi Shady, thanks for such an important post. I think we individuals are doing a lot to help the environment, but I think we also need to keep advocating to governments to do things like tax the big business polluters. Cheers, catmint

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Catmint, Much to think about... Have a great weekend. sg

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...

40 years of recycling? I take off my hat to you!

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Tatyana! (Began in College!) ;-)

Jan said...

Hi Shady, since I've added the rain barrel as a gift, I needed to get the 'instructions' clear so I wouldn't get 'just any old thing' from everybody & their brother! hehe...so, in order to be consistent, would you mind adding the 'badge' to the post or your sidebar? THanks;-) Jan