EcoMetro

I started thinking about what to write for this month’s article, and the topic of New Year’s resolutions inevitably came up. What better way to put an old saying into practice, “out with the old, in with the new,” than by composting? I’ve been meaning to start composting for a long while now, and always...

“Say, was you ever bit by a dead bee?” -- To Have and Have Not , 1944 It’s just a matter of a few months until things start growing like crazy again and lawn care resumes after a wet winter break. Wait – did I say lawn care ? I meant lawn combat . According to the Lawn Institute in Pleasant Hill, Tenn...

Fruit-bearing trees that are neglected will probably become diseased and produce a meager crop of undersized fruit that is out of reach. I should know. When we bought our house six years ago -- which we chose mainly for its oversized (for close-in Portland) back yard -- we became the proud owners of...

We’re past the solstice and that’s good news to me because short days make me want to hibernate. Don’t get me wrong, there’s something lovely about the sparseness of this season and the rich, earthy color palatte that has nothing to do with showy flowers. We also get a chance to read the outline and...

Last week’s rain created waterfalls in my rock walls and lake sized puddles at the corner of my house which resulted in a stream of water across my laundry room floor. Hunched under a torrential downpour I dug drainage ditches from my new lakes to the front slope – it worked! Within a couple of hours...

When you think about the newest gadgets and activities, like the Wii, iPhone or Halo3, you probably wouldn't add composting and worm bins to the list of hip trends. But somehow, with the rise of the all-encompassing yard waste bin, there's suddenly a larger movement pushing for more families...

Fall is a time when many people are outside, “cleaning up” their yard in preparation for anticipated harsh weather ahead. It’s also the perfect time to plant trees, shrubs, perennials, garlic and ornamental bulbs. When you’re not admiring the gorgeous colors and scents of autumn, get out the rake* and...

There is a corner in our yard devoted to the continual renewal of the soil. It is where worms, bugs, and microorganisms break down food and plants, enriching the surrounding clay with nutrients and organic matter. Before I talk anymore about composting let me back up a few years. A while ago I took the...

Ever since I was a little girl, I've had an almost freakish obsession with compost. In fourth grade, I stuck a candy thermometer in our compost pile after school and diligently recorded the temperature for a science project. (I didn't win any prizes). In college for a horticulture assignment...