Gail Nash's Blog

From an earlier posting, you would have read that our vegetable garden this year was all in pots.  I could easily use only organic soils, compost, fertilizer and bug removal.  Early on, I observed the leaves of my tomato plants being so large, so green and free from insects.  Out of 14 plants, I think I saw about 5 very small worms, that I just picked off the plants.  My fertilizers were epsom salts, bone meal and a little bit of fish emulsion.  We have never had such beautiful plants loaded with blooms and fruit!  (Tomatoes are a type of fruit!)
In today's Houston Chronicle (8/8/10), Urban Harvest has confirmed my observations and expanded the subject to encourage me to include plants in the garden that encourage bugs that eat other pests and discourage disease.  Sounds like a great plan to me!
I made a mistake and planted Cilantro this past spring--won't do that again.  Urban Harvest suggests planting Cilantro and when it flowers, it will attract adult-beneficial insects.  Other options are dill, mint, and Italian flat-leafed parsley.  (My parsley is going to seed now.  I'll need to start over soon, because it does so well in the winter months.)  These plants are called "pest magnets", because when blooming, they attract tiny stingless wasps that lay eggs in the pests, killing them. 
Check out the very informative website for Urban Harvest at www.urbanharvest.org.
How do you control pests in your garden and home?

When putting your home on the market, it's critical to attract buyers, so that they want to come see the inside of your home.  Having a "car stopping" front door is a big step toward making that happen.  

Johnnie Chuoke, the Happy Handyman, owns a hardware store in San Antonio, and wrote an article in a local paper last week that tells you how to transform your front door yourself.  "People will just drive off if the front of the home doen't just grab them.  And the front door can be the most exciting way to make an impression of new buyers." 

First you need to prepare the door by removing the old paint or varnish.  He suggests Soy Gel, a safe remover that is 100% biodegradable.  It's made of 100% soy beans, grown in America.  Apply it to a small area of the door and see how long it takes to remove the paint; then you know how long it will take to do the whole door.  When it's ready to be removed, just use a plastic scraper to scoop off the paint or varnish.  After you have removed the gel, take off the residue with water and a rag or scrub pad.  Let the surface dry.  Now, you think he's going to tell you to sand the door, but with this product, it's not necessary!

The paint he recommends is a Coronado Paint product called Rust Scat Enamel, and it comes in semi-gloss or a high gloss.  It's an oil base paint that is a great primer in itself, so you are priming in your final color and then apply a finish coat.  One quart should do it!  You should use a synthetic bristle brush for the painting. 

He says this kind of paint is good for metal doors and even concrete floors.  His products are available at www.acmelumber.com.

Get that front door ready for the market, and don't forget to make sure the surrounding area looks great, too.  You know that while agents are opening the door, the buyers are standing on the porch looking at every detail of the entry! 

Do you have a picture of your unique front door that you would like to share?

While I was in Seattle a couple of weeks ago, I went to Theo Chocolate for a tour.  This is a company that is commited to being green, organic and fair trade certified.  And with the exception of the confections, their chocolate is also kosher.  Why not?  This is the only chocolate factory of this kind in the U.S.! 
Most people realize that organic implies the trees are not treated with pesticides and chemical fertilizers, but do you know what is involved in a Fair Trade Certification?  One thing is a commitment to excellence as well as to the families who grow and harvest the cacao.  The children get adequate nutrition and acess to healthcare and education, and therefore have a chance for great opportunities in life.  The farmers have an opportunity to improve their technology and growing techniques in order to grow their business.
Theo also runs the business in a green way.  The factory was installed in an existing building.  Their roaster was made in 1930 and still works perfectly.  Using green energy sources to power the factory, using sustainable packaging and printing methods, and educating those on their tours regarding social and environmental accountability presents a great example to other businesses and their customers for supporting green living!
And by the way, the chocolate taste is incredible! 
Check out their website and product line at www.theochocolate.com to learn more about this great company and find out where you can buy and experience the chocolate.
Do you know about a green business that is so thorough in its commitment? 

James Dulley, Energy and Home Improvement Expert writes:

Click here to see a descriptive illustration showing several designs of instantaneous water heaters.

Q: We run out of hot water many mornings. I know a tankless water heater costs more to install than a standard one, but will a small tankless model really provide enough hot water for endless showers? - Lynn E.

A: A gas or electric tankless water heater can not only provide enough hot water for 20 consecutive showers in the morning, but it does this more efficiently than a standard tank-type water heater. An average-size family should notice $50 to $100 annual savings on its utility bills.

Some tankless water heaters can cost twice as much as a standard water heater, but the savings will pay back the higher cost. Since there is no tank to rust out, tankless water heaters have a very long life. They can also be repaired when a part wears out as opposed to a standard one which must be replaced every 10 or 15 years when the tank rusts out and leaks.

A lower-cost option is to install just a tiny point-of-use tankless water heater in the water pipe at the main shower or bathroom faucet. The electric ones are easiest to install in a bathroom. Some models operate on standard 110 volts, but the more powerful models use 220 volts. Some have digital controls that monitor the temperature up to 120 times per second.

Unlike older tankless water heaters, new ones with solid-state controls maintain a steady hot water temperature. This is accomplished by using variable gas burners or multiple-step electric heating elements which vary the heat output depending on how much hot water is being used at the time.

It is important to understand how a tankless water heater works to determine if one is your best choice. When someone opens a hot water faucet, the tankless water heater senses this and starts the gas burner or the electric heating elements. This heats the water as it flows through.

Gas models provide the greatest amount of hot water, up to six gallons per minute (gpm). If you try to simultaneously take three showers, run the clothes washer and dishwasher, you may exceed the instantaneous hot water output of the tankless water heater so the water temperature may drop.

The majority of the utility bills savings with a tankless model results from the elimination of the big tank of hot water and its losses. During summer, the heat loss through a standard water heater tank wall is a double cost because it makes your air conditioner run harder to cool your house.

Tankless water heaters (even powerful whole-house models) take up little space (about two cubic feet) and are often mounted on a wall or in a closet. Many of the gas models are direct-vent designs which do not require a chimney. They are ideal for switching from electric to gas (propane) heat.

Instant Download Update Bulletin No. 678 - buyer's guide of 16 manufacturers (60 models) of gas and electric instantaneous water heaters showing model names/numbers, voltage required, hot water flow rates at various temperatures for comparison, features including controls, sizes, sizing flow rate chart and illustrations of unique models.

If you have a tankless water heater, please feel free to comment on how well you like it, and why you bought it.

Spring Cleaning the Healthy, Green Way!

This is great information that gives you permission to throw out the old cleaning products (take them to a toxic waste collection point) and begin to use products already in your pantry!  I've been using 1/2 vinegar/water solution and newspapers to clean windows for the last couple of years and it is just amazing how well it works!
Here are more hints, courtesy of Belinda Large, MDI Mortgage Bankers:

Safe Spring Cleaning for Your Home and Family

Many parts of the country are already warming up to spring...and that means spring cleaning. But have you ever considered what you're using to clean your home...and if it's really safe for your family? The problem with cleaning products is that there is very little regulation and virtually no labeling requirements.

"A lot of cleaning products contain toxic ingredients that aren't properly regulated, disclosed, or in some cases even tested," said Sara Mohs, co-founder of simplyneutral™, a company that promotes sustainable living through non-toxic cleaners.

In fact, most household cleaners are produced using a petroleum-based formula. That's right, petroleum! In addition, they typically include chemicals, fragrances, and dyes that can be irritating to your eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.

In light of last week's Poison Prevention Week, here's a list of natural alternatives that work great and are probably already in your pantry:

Baking soda - We all know that baking soda absorbs odors, especially in refrigerators, but did you know it's also a simple and effective cleaner? Just mix baking soda with warm water for an inexpensive cleaner comparable to commercial "abrasive" cleaners.

Vinegar - White vinegar is actually a deodorizer and a disinfectant...making it a great all-purpose cleaner. Avoid using vinegar solutions on marble or grout, but it's perfect for all of the other surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom.

Lemon juice - Use lemon juice on hard-water stains, soap scum, even rust stains in the shower, tub, and toilet. Mix lemon juice with salt to remove stubborn stains from coffee pots. Or you can mix lemon juice with baking soda for a softer, paste-like cleaning solution. Add a little to olive oil for an effective wood polish. Blend it with water to make a potent air freshener.

Cornstarch - Cornstarch makes an effective glass and surface cleaner. Plus, you can combine 2 tbsp of cornstarch with 3/4 cup of baking soda for an inexpensive carpet freshener.

Borax - Also known as sodium borate, borax is best known as a hard-water laundry soap, but it also cleans wallpaper, painted walls, and other painted surfaces.

In addition to these natural ingredients, there are also a number of non-toxic cleaners that can be bought in stores. But make sure you consider a couple of points before making your purchase.

First, read the label carefully. "Although a cleaner may contain natural ingredients, it may also include dyes, fragrances, or synthetic preservatives," Mohs said. "For example, if the label says fragrances are added, it may contain up to 150 synthetic chemicals."

Second, you may want to take a quick look at the company itself to see if it is serious about producing natural cleaners that are safe for your family, your home, and the environment.

Let me know what works for you!

 

This article from The Houston Chronicle will inspire you to plan and plant a spring vegetable garden this year.  Check out the article for information on scheduling, varieties that do well here, and what you can expect.  Good luck!!
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/gardening/features/6871773.html