Going Green for God.

Numbers 35:34 "Do not defile the land where you live", says the Lord.

 

This Earth that we call home, it is the only physical home we have.  By honoring the earth, we honor God and all that he created.  It is up to us, as stewards of the land, oceans and animals that God created for us, to protect and preserve it, not only for us, but for all future generations.

 

Every month, we will present a series of tips and information that will provide you with simple steps you can take to help you make changes in your daily routine, to help reduce your impact and conserve our natural resources.

 

 

April 2010

 

KEEPING YOUR GARDEN GREEN

 

1.                  Be water wise: Use a broom instead of a hose to clear your driveway.  Know that your lawn only needs .5 to 1.5 inches of water per week, use an empty tuna can to measure when you've reached the limit.

2.                  Protect plants without pesticides: Garlic and cayenne can be used to deter pesky aphids. Coffee and eggshells can be sprinkled around the base of plants to repel ants, snails, and slugs.  Be sure to research any effects organic treatments may have on beneficial insects like ladybugs.

 

3.                  Gardener's Gold: The process of composting will turn your food scraps into nutrient rich soil to fertilize your garden naturally.

 

4.                  Grow your own herbs: Basil, thyme, oregano, sage, and parsley are great herbs for beginning gardeners.  Place your plants in a spot where they'll receive at least five hours of sunlight.  Keep the soil moist and enjoy homegrown herbs all year long.

 

5.                  Get to know your neighbors: Start a community compost pile and invite your neighbors to contribute whatever raw material and hard work they can to the compost pile in your backyard.

6.         Consider your home, garden and environs as part  of  your immediate family and treat them  with  the love and respect that they deserve.

7.         Keep it simple, let some of the marginal areas of small or large acreage go native or wild. This makes less work for us and helps restore depleted habitats for pollinators and small wildlife. There is no shame in, as Jane Austen puts it, "a prettyish kind of little wilderness on one side of your lawn."

 

And mark your calendars for April 22nd - the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.  Visit www.earthday.org to see how you can join the Official 2010 Earth Day campaign with service and advocacy.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/09/conserve_water.php