Greener Gardens

Category: Greener Living

  • Compostable Ice Packs Double as Fertilizer – For Real?

    Brandee Gruener

    In a former post I wrote about our family’s decision to subscribe to a produce box that contains grocery store rejects, with the goal of reducing food waste and supporting organizations that feed the hungry. But every week that box contains cold packs that we don’t know what to do with. We can’t store an… Read more

  • Three Invasive Weeds to Remove Now

    Brandee Gruener

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    Kudzu, Japanese stiltgrass and English ivy have invaded woods all over the Southeastern U.S., choking out native plants and reducing forest health and diversity. These plants are also really annoying for homeowners. I find myself sweating and cursing as I yank them out all spring, summer and fall. Controlling invasive plants can be a big… Read more

  • The great mosquito debate

    Brandee Gruener

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    Every spring, a handful of neighbors in our community ask for recommendations on companies that spray to control mosquitoes. And every spring, a vocal group of neighbors begs them not to do it. Mosquito control services for homeowners have proliferated in my area in the past decade. And why not? Who wouldn’t want to spend… Read more

  • The Great Backyard Bird Count begins

    Brandee Gruener

    If you’ve never quite understood the point of bird watching, think again. Here’s your chance to take part in a massive citizen science project underway this weekend, and you only have to commit 15 minutes of your time. More than 100,000 people around the world participate in providing valuable data that helps scientists track the… Read more

  • Signing up to reduce food waste leads to experiments in the kitchen

    Brandee Gruener

    I never have, in my life, bought a plum. They weren’t on the family table when I was growing up. I never felt a hankering for plum pudding. And yet, when I signed up for a weekly delivery by Ungraded Produce, I was faced with the prospect of cooking several. It turns out the mild… Read more

  • Five reusable household items for the garden

    Brandee Gruener

    In 2018, I made a pledge to eliminate single-use plastics from my life. I found it easy to make progress toward that goal, but achieving 100% success was difficult. Unless you grow most of your food, you are bound to come across plastic packaging. And while many plastics are recyclable, using an item one time… Read more