Green Dumpsters Anyone?

We are nearing the end of our kitchen renovation and trying to be as environmentally friendly as possible.  I was able to sell much of my old kitchen components on Craig's List, but we were amazed that our contractor still managed to fill an entire dumpster with debris despite my hovering and pulling out what recyclables I could.  Mary stopped by for a visit and told me about green dumpsters.  What is a green dumpster, you say? Well, a traditional dumpster goes directly to the landfill, while about 75-85% of the contents of the green dumpster gets recycled. The green dumpsters also cost less.
Two weeks ago, she visited Cardella Waste, in North Bergen, a facility that recycles building waste. The trucks dump their loads, and the waste is separated into metals, plastic, concrete, wood, glass and sheetrock. They service large and small projects and have over 60 years experience in waste removal. They can contribute to LEED certification as well.
So, spread the word to your friends and mention the League of Women Voters if you contact Cardella’s. With the benefits of recycling and lower cost, who wouldn’t want a “green” dumpster?

More on Battling Bugs

Last week's entry on emergency bug sprays was a response to my own bug crisis.  Although I mentioned that overcrowding was stressing my usually garden-hardy Black-Eyed Susans, what we really need to talk about is that the best way to control pests is to maintain an organic garden with plenty of native plants.  By using organic methods such as composting, using natural fertilizers and minerals, protecting beneficial insects by eliminating the use of broadly-applied pesticides, reducing pavement, corralling rain run-off, changing cultural attitudes toward lawns or just planting better adapted varieties of garden plants CAN break the cycle of chemical dependence that we've all become accustomed to. I was surprised to learn that bare soil in full sunlight is 25-35 degrees warmer than nearby soil under mulch or plant cover.  Can large expanses of manicured lawn be that much cooler?

     Bonnie sent me a link to this National Geographic Green Guide which suggests that "plant-based pest control comes from the beneficial bugs and insect-eating animals the plants attract. These pest-eaters include some birds (bluebirds, chickadees and hummingbirds are a few), bats, lizards, ladybugs, praying mantises, dragonflies, spiders, green lacewings, hoverflies, parasitic wasps and predatory mites. They will flock to a healthy, balanced ecosystem to fight the bug battle for you. Choose a varied mix of plants, with edibles alongside flowering plants like clovers, marigolds, and members of the mustard, sunflower, celery and carrot family, whose nectar helps feed beneficial bugs and birds. Keep these plants healthy year-round if you can, so beneficial insects have supplementary food and dependable shelter as they control bugs throughout the year."  The NJ Audubon Society lists a dozen "must-haves" for a backyard habitat and Organic Gardening has suggestions for a wildlife garden (however, we should definitely skip the "treat" section with our local bear problem!)

BUGS!!

     Things had been going so well in the garden.  I've been focusing my attention on the big picture--thinking about the hardscaping and landscaping that would give me the bones I need to start moving the overgrown clumps of perennials left by the previous owner.  All that overcrowding really stresses the plants and, this week, I've had some major infestations of aphids and (I think) flea beetles.  Naturally, I'm looking for organic pest control methods to wage war on these nasties.  The aphids are easy to get rid of with a strong blast of water.  My preferred method, however, is soaking the area with a spray of soapy water.  I always mix it on the fly so I don't have exact measurements.  You can see the dead aphids on the picture above--no live green aphids were to be found two days later.

     The flea beetles are trickier to get rid of since they love the crowded conditions and undisturbed soil.  If you look closely, you can see the telltale tiny holes they leave.  The good news is that they are most harmful on tender young transplants and my established clumps of Black-eyed Susans should survive.  Organic Gardening gives a very thorough explanation of their lifecycle and ways to limit their damage.  I've also found a few blister beetles which are black and yellow, much like the cucumber beetle and they make bigger holes.  This month's Organic Gardening Magazine gives a recipe for an all-purpose spray which, they say, works on a multitude of pests, including slugs and Japanese beetles:  

Chop 1 garlic bulb and 1 small onion in a blender.  Add 1 teaspoon powdered cayenne pepper and 1 quart water.  Steep for 1 hour, then strain through cheesecloth.  Add 1 Tablespoon liquid dish soap so the spray sticks to the plant leaves.  Mix well.  Spray the mixture on both sides of the leaves.  Store remaining spray in a labeled jar in the fridge. Note:  certain plants are very sensitive to soaps and can develop leaf burn.  Always test on a leaf or two the day before spraying the whole plant.