Going Green in the Garden

Now, more than ever before, there is a push to go green in the home and in the garden. Going green is something that you can make a commitment to without a lot of extra work or extra time on your part. You will not only make your garden a healthier place to spend time in, you will be cutting down on pollution and giving something back to the Earth. Here are five ways that you can go green in your own garden.

Collect Rain Water
The best water for your plants is rain water and when you purchase a water collection tub or barrel, you will be able to collect the water from Mother Nature to water your garden when dry spells hit. Not only will it save you money on your own water bill, you will be giving your plants the best water they can get, that free of chemicals and treatment that is likely coming out of your faucet. Though that water is best for human consumption, it may not be the best thing to give your plants. You can also add water from cooking, for instance, into this collection barrel as well. Instead of pouring the water you used to boil potatoes down the drain, put it into your collection barrel to water your garden.

Begin to Compost
If you do not yet have a compost pile started, get one started as soon as possible. Not only will you be able to give the plants in the garden the best and most nutrient rich soil as possible, you will be able to recycle your own food scraps. As mentioned above, when cooking potatoes, for instance, put the peels in your compost pile, the water in your rain collection barrel and you are having a sustainable meal.
It is very easy to start a compost pile and since you can add almost all biodegradable substances to the compost pile, you will notice a big difference in the amount of rubbish you are throwing away. What is thrown into the compost bin will soon turn into the richest soil imaginable. Not only will you be doing something great for the Earth, your neighbours will be envious of the beautiful and healthy foliage in your garden.

Choose Green Furnishings
If you want to have a truly “green” garden, you should also have green furniture. No, we don’t mean the colour green, we mean green as in sustainable and renewable materials. For instance, one of the best materials for garden furniture is also one of the most sustainable materials. This material is called “rattan” and is a renewable and abundant resource. Rattan is not wood, like some types of garden furniture, but a vine-like palm. There are many beautiful options available when it comes to rattan garden furniture from full dining sets to gorgeous sofa sets.

Control Weeds with Organic Formulas
All people who have beautifully landscaped gardens will always be fighting the weeds. Though your first thought may be to put harsh chemicals on the areas thick with weeds, there are better ways to do this that are much better for the environment. One of the best ways to keep weeds at bay is to pull them weekly, but this may not be an option for everyone. Another way to control weeds is to layer old newspapers along the ground then cover them with mulch. The newspaper serves a dual purpose of stopping weeds from growing up through the soil and over time, breaking down and fertilising the soil.

Mow More Efficiently
The final suggestion we have to make your garden greener is to switch from a petrol powered mower to a reel mower. You will certainly save a lot of energy by choosing a reel mower, not to mention the money on petrol you will save on top of that. The other great thing about a reel mower is that the clippings that come from the mower will be reabsorbed into the ground and over time, become natural fertiliser.

Author Bio: Robert is a freelance writer for Bridgman who supply Outdoor Furniture.

5 Ways to Protect Your Home from Extreme Weather

Throughout the year of 2011, there were over 2,900 weather records broken across the United States. These changes in weather have taken place because of, and will worsen due to, climate change. No area is safe; extreme weather events were recorded in each of the 50 states.

Experts have shown that over the last 30 years, there has been a direct correlation between climate change, namely global warming, and extreme weather events. These events have caused over a billion dollars in property damage and those costs do not take into account any health care claims made by victims.

Because your chance of experiencing a bout of extreme weather, or even a natural disaster, are better than average, it is more important than ever to make sure your home is protected. There are a myriad of home improvement projects that can help better prepare your home to stand up to weather extremes.

Garage Doors
Garage doors are surprisingly susceptible to high winds and driving rains. If you’re in the market for a new door, make sure you purchase and install one that is designed to withstand extreme weather. If you don’t plan on purchasing a new door, at least brace your current door with a fitted kit.

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Roof
Your roof is often the first defense against high winds, rains, hail, sleet and snow. Have your roof professionally inspected at least once every five years. Nail down any loose shingles or replace damaged portions completely. If your entire roof needs replaced, you can do the job yourself or hire a professional contractor. Make sure you purchase the best roofing materials that you can afford.

Landscaping
Take a good look at your landscaping. Trees and shrubs should be pruned properly and any dead branches should be cleaned up. If you are landscaping a new lawn, be sure to choose trees, shrubs and other plants that are able to tolerate high winds. If you have large trees on your curb lawn, these may be the property of the city. Contact your local administration and inquire about having these trees pruned.

In addition, when you know a storm is going to occur, pick up lawn furniture, store barbecue grills and put away garbage cans and recycling bins. All of these objects can turn into virtual missiles when met with high winds.

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Windows
Because windows are made of glass, it is imperative that you are able to cover them at a moment’s notice, especially if you live in an area of the country that experiences hurricane force winds. Cut plywood pieces to fit your windows and store them where they are readily accessible should you need to use them. This can save you valuable time in a weather emergency.

Sheds
Any outbuilding, or large storage container, on your property should be secured to the ground via a permanent foundation or a strap and anchor system. If a shed is blown over, not only will it be physically damaged but any items you are storing inside may be damaged as well.

Because of global warming and climate change, extreme weather is no longer an event that occurs “somewhere else”. It is important to make your home as safe as possible to prevent physical damage to your structure and potential harm to your family. With these easy home improvement steps, you can be sure that your home is as protected as it can be.

Connie Prescott is a conservation writer who works with NRDC and other organizations to protect our health and environment. Connie feels that company owners should become more aware of the huge positive impact that extreme weather practices can have, both on their net bottom line and on the earth’s healthy future.

Renovate for Comfort or for Resale?

Are you trying to spruce up your home while adding some value to it? Many homeowners have accepted that they will not be able to sell their homes anytime soon, thanks to record high levels of unemployment and equally low home prices. This does not mean that you will never be able to sell your house or condo, though, so while you are contemplating making improvements to your home to make it more comfortable during the time that you live there, make sure that they are also investments that will, at the very least, not reduce the value of your home.

Before you take out of your checkbook and place an order for a Roman tub in your master bathroom or a marble parquet style floor in your kitchen, remember that while your goal is to make your improvement one that adds value to your home, you are unlikely to recover the full cost of the renovations when you sell your home. Your home’s value, as reflected in its sale price, may go up as a result of the work that you put into it, but be prepared to consider the enjoyment that you get out of living in your remodeled home as part of the return on your investment.

Making changes to your home to add trendy or unpopular improvements can actually reduce the value of your property. Although you may find an expanded master bathroom to be luxurious, for example, many potential home buyers will find it odd that a five bedroom home has only one full bathroom instead of the two that it did before your renovation. Items that you may find unique, like purple granite kitchen counter tops, orange marble bathroom floors and other expensive and difficult-to-remove improvements turn into liabilities when you try to sell your home. You can, of course, still move forward with your dream, aqua blue-tiled foyer floor, inlaid with your family’s initials in fuchsia, but do so at your own financial peril.

Some ways that you can enjoy upgrades to your home while making it easier to sell in the future include adding popular features, like granite counter tops in neutral colors and stainless steel appliances. Upgraded appliances, including washing machines and driers in your laundry room, are all great ways to add appeal to your home when you sell it. Similar to the reduced value of brightly colored flooring and counter tops discussed above, you should bypass the aisle of the store offering weirdly colored laundry machines.

Adding space to your home can be a great way to make your current house work for your family until the economic downturn passes while adding increased appeal to home buyers in the future. Of course, it all depends on where you decide to add that space. If you are trying to save money on your renovation by turning your garage into a spare bedroom for relatives who have moved in, you should know that losing a garage can cut your home’s selling price significantly when the time comes to put out the ‘for sale’ sign on the property.

Post by Holly Adams, a writer for CouponCroc.co.uk, visit us for all of the latest discount codes and vouchers on everything from furniture, appliances, and even home insurance.

Vintage Inspired Interiors

An increasing number of home buyers now look for older properties with some original features. Old sash windows that were once ripped out in favor of plastic replacements are now seen as desirable original features. Original doors and cornices are also raved about, and for those home owners and buyers whose properties don’t boast original features, the trend is to do what you can and fake the rest.

Victorian and Edwardian Features

Those people who favor certain aspects of the Victorian and Edwardian eras invest in Victorian doors, which are available from dedicated oak door suppliers.  Even those people who prefer styles from another era tend to favour solid wood doors because they provide a place with an aura of permanence, Some home owners are totally taken with Victorian interiors, which is probably why busy wall paper patterns sell well in some areas, Heavy, drawing room curtains and claw footed baths in the bathroom are other elements of a Victorian style interior.  

People who like clean lines and squared off furniture may opt for a nineteen thirties inspired interior, which is much simpler and in some respects plainer than the Victorian interior.

The Attraction of Art Deco

Since the television series of Agatha Christie’s Poirot became popular in the late nineteen eighties, there has been a surge in the number of people who go for Art Deco styled interiors.

People choose Victorian doors for many different interiors according to oak door suppliers because they tend to fit well into most interiors. If you are looking to give the inside of your home a vintage nineteen thirties look you need clear lines, squared off armchairs and sofas and a certain amount of stainless steel.

Light Your Room Carefully

Lighting is important and thirties interiors often had plain glass bowl table lamps, often supported by a stainless steel female figure. Wall lights were also favoured and again were often a mix of coloured glass and stainless steel. Black and white was a favourite colour scheme broken up by often outlandish, brightly coloured ornaments.

If you are looking for lamps and furnishings from the period it is sometimes possible to pick them up at auction but the style was so unpopular in the sixties that a lot of original pieces were just thrown out.

Get the Forties Look

In recent years there has been a renewed interest in the utilitarian interiors of nineteen forties Britain where furnishings were chosen for their usefulness rather than their looks or style. There were plenty of shortages during and immediately after the Second World War and this applied as much to furniture and soft furnishings as it did to certain types of food.  

If you want to recreate an interior that is reminiscent of the nineteen forties and fifties then overstuffed chairs and sofas and a dark wood dining table are essential. Wall lights and standard lamps are reminiscent of the period and if you can pick up a vintage radiogram you will be well on your way to achieving that kind of look.

This post was written by James Harper on behalf of UK Oak Doors the specialist oak door suppliers who can source Victorian doors as well as doors from other eras to recreate that authentic period look in your own home.

How Green Is Your Home?

We all like to be good to the environment, but some of us are better than others. Being environmentally friendly is often about the most basic decisions that we make in life.

Given that most of us spend a lot of time at home, it’s natural to think that this is area where changes that we make can have a substantial impact. We often want to do better, but aren’t quite sure of the best approaches to take.

Reducing energy use
Most people are aware that our dependence on fossil fuels means that we’re using the planet’s resources at a rapid rate. This is clearly unsustainable. But what can we do to improve the situation? There are a range of basic steps that we can take around the home and many of them are surprisingly inexpensive.

We can, for instance, remember to turn off lights and appliances when we leave a room. We can also avoid over-filling a kettle, since more energy is required to boil a kettle that’s full of water.

There are some less obvious options available to us too. Experts suggest that it takes far more energy and water to have a bath than it does to have a shower.

Choosing to have showers doesn’t involve a massive lifestyle change, but it can really alter the energy usage in your home.

Alternative Energy
The above changes can reduce the use of energy, but many of us would really like to remove our reliance on fossil fuels. This means taking a closer look at renewable sources of energy.

You may think that hydro-electric power, for example, may be an unrealistic option for your home. In many cases, you’ll be right! This doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t find green solutions that are suited to domestic use.

An increasing number of home owners are looking to solar power as a means of reducing their carbon footprint. Solar panels can be installed in many locations and can start generating energy for your home. There are financial benefits here too. With electricity and gas prices set to rise as resources become scarce, there’s a considerable amount of value in generating your own energy.

Depending upon the size and location of your home, wind power may be an alternative option. Small wind turbines are now widely available and can also contribute to producing the energy that you require.

Wasting Less Energy
Most of us also tend to waste a lot of energy. We heat our homes, without paying too much thought to the amount of heat that is being lost. Insulating your home properly is a great way to reduce this heat loss and can also help to keep energy bills low.

Taking an approach that’s kind to the environment doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With a little thought, it’s possible to make some simple changes to the way in which you live.

About the Author- Keith Barrett takes a keen interest in a wide variety of environmental issues. He also writes occasional articles for a number of respected environmental news websites.

Vented Fireplace vs. Gas Fireplace – What you need to Know

One of the most charming cold-weather images is a warm, crackling fire to ward off the chill outside. But, if you’re ever owned a home with a fireplace you know that hauling wood and cleaning ash aren’t quite so endearing. As a compromise, you should consider a clean-burning gas fireplace that will keep your family warm without the mess. When choosing a gas fireplace, one of the main decisions to make is whether to buy one that is vented or unvented. This post explains the pros and cons of each and provides a general idea of how much they cost.

Vented Gas Fireplaces

 

A vented gas fireplace is the most similar to a wood burning fireplace, including the fact that it requires an exhaust system. If there is a fireplace or chimney already in place, either can be used for gas fireplace ventilation. A second option is to install metal ductwork to exhaust combustion by-products.

• Flame is larger and resembles more closely an actual wood fire
• It’s possible to burn wood and specialty vented fireplace products in a fully-vented gas fireplace
• Less chance of generating indoor pollution and no carbon monoxide (CO) detector is required
• Less heat efficient than unvented gas fireplaces
• Because ventilation is required, installation locations are limited
• Generally more expensive to purchase and install

Unvented Gas Fireplaces

 

Unvented, or vent-free, fireplaces do not require an exhaust system, which makes them rather like a free-standing heater.

• Able to be placed virtually anywhere
• More efficient heat source, as generated heat doesn’t escape through ventilation
• Typically cost less to purchase and install
• Less authentic flame than vented gas fireplaces
• Can possibly generate indoor air pollution, requiring you to install a Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector
• Releases water as a byproduct of combustion, which could cause mold or mildew to develop

Gas Fireplace Pricing

 

As noted above, there is a price difference between vented and unvented gas fireplaces, with the former being a bit more expensive.

• You can expect to pay approximately $1,000 to $4,000 for a vented gas fireplace
• Unvented gas fireplaces might cost around $750 to $2,500
• Purchasing a more expensive stove, installing a chimney, or a complex gas line installation could push the total price up significantly.
• After purchasing your unit, you will still need to have it installed by a licensed HVAC. Learn more about how much it costs to install a gas fireplace.

Norah Whittle is a blogger for multiple home improvement publications.

Funding A Home Improvement Project

Despite these turbulent economic times, most people still consider their homes to be their castle and their most viable investments for the future. While the housing market remains stagnant and few people are moving house, home improvements continue to be popular, perhaps now even more so as many people are unable to move up the housing ladder.

There are a number of financing options available to those looking to make home improvements and the variety of choices can become easily confusing. Try looking on moneysupermarket.com for an unbiased comparison the financing options in order to find the best one for you.

Remortgaging

You can fund home improvements by securing a loan against your house, although be aware that you may put your home at risk by doing so. One advantage of this is that you can benefit from lower interest rates.

Remortgaging is a good way of borrowing larger amounts over a longer term and is generally the cheapest way to borrow. Remember, though, that the lender can ultimately repossess your home if you can’t keep up the monthly repayments.

By carrying out home improvements you should also be increasing the value of your home, which will help to increase your equity in it.

Loans and Credit Cards

Another option is to take out a personal loan or use credit cards. However, these come with much higher interest rates compared to remortgaging. One way to cut the cost of borrowing on a credit card is to take out a credit card with a 0% interest introductory offer.

Be careful with your repayments, though, because as soon as the 0% interest period ends you will be charged interest at the current standard rate.

One way to bypass this hurdle is to look for balance-transfer offers but you cannot always be sure of what might be on offer and whether you will be eligible.

An unsecured loan may be a more tempting option as most lenders will offer up to £25,000 of unsecured finance, although it will be at a higher interest rate than a secured loan.

It is often cheaper to borrow larger sums with an unsecured loan, as interest rates can be higher for smaller loans.

Borrowing on a credit card may make you less disciplined about clearing the balance, whereas a fixed-term unsecured loan will ensure that you make regular payments of a predetermined amount to clear the balance in a set time frame.

Conclusion

All forms of finance for home improvement projects have their advantages and disadvantages. The right kind of loan for you will depend on your circumstances. It is worth investigating every option before going ahead but be careful not to commit yourself to something that you cannot afford. In particular, be aware that remortgages and secured loans can put your home at risk of repossession.

This article was contributed by Sam, a UK based financial expert.

Simple and Stylish Tips for Your Home

When you look at the gorgeous homes shown on reality TV shows and in magazines devoted to interior design, it’s easy to make the mistake of thinking that those homes cost an absolute fortune to decorate.  Everything is perfect – from the made to measure blinds to the sleek fitted kitchen, and the carefully matched furniture. 

It is possible to achieve a similar look without spending a lot of money, though.  All it takes is some careful planning and a good eye for what goes together.  Here’s a few tips to help you get started:

Don’t Fear DIY

Buying an entire new fitted kitchen would cost you a fortune – but replacing your existing kitchen’s cupboard doors, handles, and other front-facing parts is a lot cheaper.  It’s also a fairly trivial DIY task.  Why waste money on all-new carpentry when people almost never see the insides of the cupboards anyway?

Invest in Comfort and Storage

If you’re going to spend money, prioritize things that make you more comfortable, and things that make it easier for you to stay clutter free.  Those are the things that will have the biggest impact on your life.  A clutter free home is a stylish home, and you’ll enjoy life more sitting in a comfy sofa.

Let There Be Light

Natural light makes a massive difference to the way a room looks.  Consider getting roman blinds made to measure, and ditching your drab curtains.  Don’t neglect artificial light, though.  Make sure that you have functional lighting near key work benches and seating areas.

In the bedroom, you may want to invest in a set of made to measure blinds that will work as blackout blinds.  These can be invaluable in areas that have a lot of light pollution.  A nice dark bedroom is a good sleeping environment.

Take Care Over Colours

One advantage that show-home makers and specialist designers have is that they buy everything in one go.  They know exactly what supplier to use, and they don’t have to worry about building up a room piecemeal, as those of us on tighter budgets may have to do. This means that they can put together a room where everything matches. 

If you’re re-decorating, try to take photographs of important areas with you when you go shopping – or, better yet, ask for fabric samples and compare them to the stuff in your house before you buy anything.  This will help you to avoid ending up with a home that looks like a patchwork of slightly different shades and textures.

Don’t Stress About Perfection

Never lose sight of the fact that a real home is not a show-room.  One day, someone will spill wine on your carpet, or you will scratch or chip your kitchen counter.  The sooner you realise that it’s no big deal, the better for your sanity.   It’s nice to have a stylish home, but it’s more important to have a home that you can relax and enjoy yourself in.  

Written by Amy Fowler on behalf of Moonshadow Blinds, suppliers of simple yet stylish made to measure blinds including roller and Roman blinds.

6 Cheap and Quick Kitchen Improvements

If you’re looking to increase the value of your home, don’t think you have to dig in to your kid’s college funds just to do some home renovations. Focus on one of the most valuable rooms in the home—the kitchen. Making a few quick and inexpensive changes to the kitchen can result in a substantial jump in home value and benefits the environment by making use of existing features and materials.

1) Slap on Some Paint
Even if the paint in your kitchen is in decent shape, you can transform the room to really make it “pop” just by adding some fresh color. Choose unique colors that will give a prospective home buyer something they won’t find in every other house they’re looking at. Or consider painting an accent wall to give the kitchen even more color. For instance, you could paint three walls in your kitchen a neutral color like tan, then paint one whole wall a country blue or vintage green. Paint is relatively inexpensive and this little renovation can have quite an impact on your home’s value.

2) Fix Your Fixtures
Get rid of old or outdated light fixtures in the kitchen and opt for more contemporary styles. Also, choose lighting that is energy-efficient to further increase the value. While you’re at it, strip the hardware from the cabinets and drawers and replace it with something new and bright to give the room a whole new feel.

3) Create New Cabinets
Cabinets are a big part of any kitchen and likely one of the first things people notice when they walk into the room. Give your cabinets a makeover to add value to your home. While it’s pretty expensive to rip out all the old cabinets and replace them with new, it’s not expensive just to refinish or resurface them, and it’s better for the environment. If you have wood cabinets in the kitchen, strip the finish off, sand them and apply a fresh coat. You could even paint the cabinets a color if you’d like. Alternatively, you could leave the cabinet boxes in place and just replace the doors and drawers with something new and chic. Often times, you can find closeout cabinet doors and drawers for a significantly lower price.

4) Create a Budget-Friendly Backsplash
Adding a backsplash to the kitchen can not only add value, but also charm to your home. Installing a backsplash is a quick do-it-yourself project that can be done for cheap. Again, look for closeout tiles to find something nice, but cheap. Then, all you need is premixed acrylic mastic to stick the tiles to the wall. You can even use peel and stick tiles, if you prefer. Get creative with the pattern and colors of the backsplash to really make that area of the kitchen stand out.

5) Throw Together an Island
Kitchen islands are quite popular these days. If your kitchen doesn’t have one, don’t worry. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on a professionally-installed island. Make one yourself on the cheap! Look around at yard sales and thrift stores to find a rectangular table or chest to use as the base of your island. Don’t worry if it looks a little worn—vintage is “in.” You might need to sand and stain it if it’s wood, but that’s also a cheap fix. Then, head over to your local home improvement store and, once again, check out the closeouts/clearance in the counter top department. Find a piece of counter top that is the size you need to fit over your table or chest. Viola! An instant island. You can even attach wheels to the bottom of the chest or table to make it easy to move around. Don’t worry if it’s not the same pattern as the rest of your counter tops. The good thing about an island is that it stands alone in the room, so it doesn’t have to be exactly like what you have around the rest of the room. Just make sure it goes with the flow of the room to keep things looking neat.

6) Lay a New Floor
The floor is another big selling point in kitchens. If your floor is out dated or worn, consider replacing it to add value to your home. You might think this is a costly project, but it doesn’t have to be. Lay vinyl tiles in the kitchen, which are actually relatively inexpensive in price. Then, skip the labor—which accounts for more than half of the price when dealing with laying a new floor—and install it yourself. Buy inexpensive, peel-and-stick vinyl tiles, which are easy to install. A brand new floor, no matter what type, will surely add value to your home.

Minor and inexpensive kitchen renovations don’t have to break the bank to add value to your home, and can help the environment by making the most of existing materials. Remember, most of the work can be done yourself even if you’re a novice do-it-yourselfer. Browse around online and you’ll find how-to instructions on doing just about any home improvement project you can think. By saving money on labor, you’re also helping to increase your return.

Chris Dixon writes for the Long Eaton Appliance Company, UK based retailers of a fantastic range of Rangemaster range cookers and many other types of kitchen appliances.

3 Ways to Live Green While Living in the City

Everyone has their excuses for not living a more energy efficient lifestyle, but one shouldn’t be because your space is limited from your city-living lifestyle. In fact, living in the city is one of the easiest places to go green because you’ve likely already cut out one of the biggest pollutants: cars. If you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint and live a little on the light side, here are three ways to easily go green while still living in cities.

Go Smaller, go Electric

It doesn’t take much to notice the effect cars have had on the way we get around, but it’s even easier to see how much of a toll their taking on our environment. In cities like Chicago, public transportation is the norm and full-size vehicles are superfluous. While for the most part, you’re able to get anywhere you need to go by walking or even biking, that’s not entirely practical if you’re carrying extra baggage. Road Rat Motors has a good selection of neighborhood electric vehicles including low speed vehicles, street legal golf carts and even commercial vehicles that are eco-friendly and only cost 1-2 cents per mile to operate. Compare that to the 45 cents per mile to operate a full-size car, more if it’s an SUV.

Know your Food

One of the easiest ways to live a greener lifestyle is cutting back on the mass-produced food you eat and starting to grow what you eat. Tomatoes are probably the easiest thing to grow in small spaces, and nothing beats a BLT with fresh tomatoes from your garden. If you’re a gardening newbie The Complete Guide to Growing Tomatoes can teach eve those with black thumbs how to grow tomatoes.

Other easy things to grow in cities are strawberries, mixed greens, herbs and eggplant. Garden Girl TV also has some great tips on gardening in small space.
If you travel a lot of don’t have the time to commit to gardening, or if space is already limited in your 450 square-foot studio apartment even after you tried all of the IKEA tricks, buy locally instead. Even big cities like Chicago have a handful of farmers markets — Insiders tip: Green City Market in Lincoln Park and Logan Square Farmers Market are good ones to check out — and by buying locally, you’re reducing fuel and shipping costs and supporting your local economy.

Start Composting

Think about how much you throw away on a daily basis. Then, take about 40% of that away. On average, that’s about how much garbage can be composted, which will help you cut down on your trash for the week and even give you rich soil for the small garden that you’ve planted. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be living in rural American to start your own compost pile.

Start with one of the big 20-gallon trash cans (or smaller if you’re tight on space), poke some holes in the top, and keep it where it gets some sun to help expedite the composting. When you first start filling, keep a good balance between soil and food so it’s not just all garbage. When you get a good pile, remember to mix it around to keep circulating air. It’ll take a good 4-6 weeks for everything to break down to useable soil. Need to know what you can compost? Planetea.com has a good list

What are some other things you can do to live a green lifestyle in the city?

About the Author- This post was written by Erin Everhart, the Web marketing director for the web design company, 352 Media Group, that specialize in web development, mobile applications and digital marketing.