Gardening and green living update
On the green front, Kendra put up a clothes line and I've been helping her use it. Clothes come out a little stiffer and sometimes lintier, but it's not so bad. I think we'll have to still dry Sam's work shirts or iron them but otherwise it's all good. I'm hoping to see a change in the power bill too.
I started looking at what trash we do throw away and can't recycle. The largest things in there are the cartons from the soy milk. Waxy paper doesn't recycle. It does however make a good pot for starting plant seeds. We're having a problem that we throw away so little trash that what we do gets stinky (we do eat meat so that's an issue) before the bag is full.
We had to have an exterminator out to poison the mice in the ceiling, but i'm looking at getting some diatomaceous earth to do our bug killing. There's also an organic mosquito block thing to put in the bird baths.
Started using reusable shopping bags when we remember. We're up to about 50% of the time actually bringing them when we shop. :)
So I think I've made it my goal to see how much work it is to have an entirely organic garden (no gas either).
So far? Lots of pulling weeds. Like 3 gallons a day most days. The crap just grows over the grass and then if I don't get it the grass dies and more weeds grow. Pain in the ass.
Also, the neighbor's dandilions are going crazy. And blowing seeds into my yard.
Composting in trash cans is awesome. I figured that the most important thing is to keep the cans full. My first batches I kept moving one can to the next, but when the plant matter had compressed until it was about 1/3 of the can full, it stopped working. It wasn't enough mass to get warm and stay warm overnight. Now I just roll--up to keep all the cans full--taking the most-done part of my second can and using that to keep the first one filled. Most-done of the third can to top off the second. If that makes sense. So far I've used about 20 gallons of finished compost.
Still love the rotary mower. Not recommended for yards with trees though because a very small stick stops the job for about 20 seconds or more to flip it and pick it out and go again. I learned to just mow until I'm tired and then take a break. The slower it goes the harder it is to push.
Lots of stuff came up, but just one of the marigolds and 2-3 of the zinnias. Must start them in pots earlier next year.