Gardening. My livelihood, exercise, psychological wellbeing, and yes, my obsession. From learning to garden alongside my parents in Los Angeles to teaching horticulture in Kitsap today, my gardening style and philosophy have taken many forms. My first job in the business was at an independent nursery in San Diego whose owners also had a landscape […]
eco-friendly
Posted inBlog, Gardeners Corner
Give Second Life to Old Plant Pots
Now that the gardening season is in full swing, after a productive planting session, do you find yourself with an abundance of extra plant pots? Whatever you do, don’t throw them in your recycling bin! Plant pots are often too dirty to recycle, and are made of a low-value resin that is not accepted in […]
Posted inFeatured, Home
Ceiling Fans — Not Just for Summer Anymore
Unlike a chandelier or a stunning kitchen tile backsplash, ceiling fans go mostly overlooked by visitors and occupants of a home. Although fans can be decorative, their primary purpose is utilitarian, hence they are rarely noticed until they are needed or wanted. Ceiling fans can be useful in bedrooms, living rooms, family rooms, home offices, […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
Are Your Spring Cleaning Products Safe?
Do you know what ingredients are in the cleaning products you buy? Probably not, as there are no federal governmental regulations requiring companies to disclose their contents. But harsh chemicals can take their toll on the indoor air quality of your home, are harmful to the environment and may irritate eyes and skin. How can […]
Posted inFeatured, Garden
How to Build a Green Roof Birdhouse
Buildings with a “living roof” are all the rage with the current focus on ecologically minded construction techniques. Originally European and historically planted with turf grasses, green roofs are popular worldwide for reducing pollution and runoff and improving insulation, among other environmental benefits. They are commonly seen in commercial construction but now you, too, can […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
Waste Less This Holiday Season
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Americans dispose of 25 percent more trash than normal in the time frame between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. To put that in perspective, that’s an additional 1 million tons of garbage nationally. The holidays present plenty of obvious opportunities to create more garbage — wrapping paper, […]
Posted inHome
Herbal Housekeeping
Clean your home with the power of herbs. Whether you choose to use fewer chemicals in your home or want to be eco-friendly and avoid toxins, you can use many common herbs from your garden for cleansing and antiseptic qualities. In history, numerous herbal recipes are recorded for use in household cleaning. Utilized as a […]