Dear readers,

The end of summer is the perfect time to start planning and preparing projects to get us through the upcoming winter.  I have been reading about a number of inspirational projects the last few weeks.  Here is a sampling:

DIY School Supplies

One of my favorite things about school was putting the brown paper grocery bag on all my schoolbooks – I could then decorate it any way I wanted.  Why not go DIY with all your needed school supplies?  Reuse binders, bring in a reusble snack bag, and more.  Crafting a Green World has some more ideas…

Sheets into Tanks

One of our favorite blogs, New England through Yummy Mommy’s Eyes, recently featured a great project on how to take bed sheets and transform them into comfortable tank tops.  This is a great idea for those vintage patterned sheets you often find!  The tank looks super comfortable and is perfect for hot weather.

Dreamcatchers

Apron Thrift Girl shared a beautiful dreamcatcher her daughter made using an old embroidery hoop, yarn and odds and ends.  This is a great project for kids and adults and allows you use anything you have around the house.  Imagine how nice these will look in your windows all winter!

Toothpaste Caddy

I LOVE THIS PROJECT!  Crafting a Green World featured this very easy project.  It is a great way to reuse old toothpaste tubes.  Though the project calls for Colgate tubes, use any tubes you have around the house.

Each May, communities around the world celebrate Green Commute Week, which is a time to advocate for alternative transportation – walking, biking, taking the bus/train, and carpooling.  As the weather starts to get warm, it is a great opportunity to challenge ourselves – why not make a pledge to carpool or take the bus once a week?  Not only will these small steps reduce our carbon emissions, it also offers a great opportunity for exercise and connection to our communities.

If you are in Maine, check out the Commute Another Way Week website.  It has lots of information on how to commute green, participating employers, and how to get free prizes!

For New Hampshire folks, check out PATH-NH (Program for Alternative Transporation and Health), which is based in Concord.  They are hosting a great week of activities, including a ride with Governor John Lynch this Friday!  Check out the great events happening every day, including bike safety classes, group bike rides, walk to work day, carpooling events, and more.  There are also several businesses in downtown Concord who are offering up free coffee and discounts.  For other statewide opportunities, please the NH Department of Transportation.

Vermont is celebrating “Way to go Vermont” and has a great website listing statewide green commuting events.  There are events happening across the state, as well as countless opportunities to learn more about safe alternative transportation options.

Have a great week of walking, biking, busing, and carpooling!

We have a great post lined up today.  Before I share the article on container gardening written by Curtis Hamilton here at Goodwill, I wanted to share a few links on creative container options.

Tin Can Planters

Garden Pot Pick-Me-Up

15 Creative Container Ideas from Planet Green (Discovery)

Container Gardening: Tips for the Beginning Gardener

Container gardening is a great alternative to the traditional garden, especially if you do not have the space or time to maintain a garden.  You can grow flowers, veggies, or a mix of both.  Some types of flowers and herbs are a natural pest/animal deterrent, which will give your veggies an edge on making it to your table.  For example, planting nasturtium near radishes and any plants in the cabbage family  helps to ward off aphids and squash bugs.  Golden Harvest Organics lists suggestions on companion planting.

Container gardening is pretty simple: all you need is a sunny spot (not too hot), containers, and soil.  Get creative with the containers you use – just avoid woods that have been treated, stained, or painted.  All of these have the possibility of leaching chemicals into the soil.  Five gallon plastic buckets are probably the easiest and most common; these are perfect for tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers, or peas.  The deep bucket will give a good weight to offset the height and weight of these plants.  Old wooden bushel barrels are a good choice and will give your garden a more rustic look.  If you kid has outgrown the old Radio Flyer wagon, use it to plant lettuce. Old sinks will also add some character to your yard.  Whatever your choice of container, make sure it has holes in the bottom to drain off any excess water.

Next, you will need decent soil to give your plants a good start.  I recommend using potting soil for container gardening.  Avoid digging up soil from you yard, as it will contain seeds from grass or other weeds.  The idea of container gardening is to give you the most reward in plants with the least amount of work, so you don’t want to spend your time weeding.

The articles I have read recommend a mixture of organic potting soil mixed with peat moss, 2/3 soil to 1/3 moss.  Another article added that compost mixed in will replace the need for any fertilizer.

So give it a try and have fun in your new “garden.”

Dear readers,

It has been gorgeous outside these last few days.  As I prepare to plant my leeks, peas, kale, and chard this weekend, I thought it was an excellent time to share some of the thrifty gardening projects I have been reading the last few months.  I have been reading a LOT, so look for more gardening posts in the upcoming months.  Today’s post features some ideas for creative garden stakes.

Turn Vinyl Blinds into Plant Markers!

Do you have a set of old blinds hanging around?  Don’t throw them away!  Crafting a Green World shared this great idea: cut them up and they make fantastic, durable garden markers.  Easy as pie!

Chalk it up!

Design*Sponge featured a great project on how to make chalk garden stakes – they might not be practical for your outdoor garden (hi rain!), but they are great for indoor container gardens and a great project for kids.

Fancy Garden Markers

If you are looking for a gift for a gardening friend, these ceramic markers are very sweet and would work well for container gardens or potted herbs.

Dear friends in New Hampshire,

Goodwill is hosting Portsmouth Green Drinks on Thursday, March 18 (tomorrow!) at Two Ceres Street Restaurant in Portsmouth.

Help us celebrate the one year anniversary of ReConnect, Goodwill’s computer recycling program.  Yours truly, and Bob Frederick, Goodwill’s Operations Manager, will also be sharing information on some of our other accomplishments and sustainability initiatives, as well as upcoming events in the Seacoast area.

Green Drinks is a great way to network and meet new people and businesses involved with sustainability.  Come join the conversation!

We hope to see you there!