Get Green this Spring in the Garden

BUFORD, Ga. - April 1, 2013 - PRLog -- This spring, while you’re preparing your garden for summer is a great time to start a few environmentally friendly projects around the yard to reduce trash, reuse water and recycle.

Start a compost pile

T he great thing about composting is that it reduces food waste that goes in the garbage can and creates nutrient rich fertilizer for potted plants or placing in flower beds. To begin your first compost pile just remember you want to add two parts brown to one part green. That could be leaves and pine straw (brown) and grass clippings or kitchen waste (green).

Keep these items wet and aerated and you have a compost pile! The clippings and waste will decompose more rapidly and you will have a great addition to soil, whether in potted plants or a garden, that is nutrient and mineral rich. Click here for more in depth instructions from The University of Florida’s composting center.

Make sure you stay away from adding meat or dairy products to your compost pile, you may attract unwanted guests in your backyard otherwise.

Here are a few green and brown items that are great for composting:

     Green

Grass clippings
Coffee grounds
Egg shells
Animal manure
Plant trimmings

     Brown

pine straw
newspaper
cardboard
dryer lint
fall leaves

Build an easy rain barrel

Rain barrels have become popular in recent years, especially
in areas that have felt the effects of a drought. A rain barrel can be easily attached to a down spout of a gutter to save those precious drops of water that your plants will need.

One thing to always keep in mind when choosing plants for your yard is to always choose plants, shrubs and flowers that are native to your area, that way they are used to the climate and rain in the region.

Rain barrels can be purchased online or your local hardware store for a variety of prices but to create your own with these items.

You will need a 55 gallon barrel, these can be
purchased or picked up at a variety of
places including a local food distributor or check Craigslist, as well.
Downspout adaptor
1 inch washer
3/4” brass hose bib

3/4″MHT x 3/4″MIP x 1/2″MP Brass Adapter
3/4″ Black Iron 90 Degree Elbow

More exact instructions on assembly can be found here. (http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-rain-barrel-1/)

We would love to hear from you, if you have any great green gardening tips, please comment and share!