SPRING GREENING - TRANSFORMING YOUR YARD INTO AN ECO-CHIC PARADISE
While it may be one of the coldest weeks of the year, we know you're already thinking about Spring. The warm weather and bright days are enough to motivate even the most sluggish to get outside. But be forewarned - just because you're out in the green doesn't mean you're being eco-friendly. Kim Carlson, environmental expert, businesswoman and author offers the following tips to help your green thumb work well with your green lifestyle:
Tips
• The Grass is Greener - When most think of spending time outdoors, the backyard is often top of mind. Taking care of your lawn and garden is the easy way to ensure your surroundings are lush, green and beautiful - but many end up wasting precious water and resources to do so. First thing's first, put the sprinkler away. The average sprinkler system uses four gallons of water a minute. A more efficient route? Water deeply and infrequently so the water reaches a depth of 12 inches. To get the bright green color? Mow your lawn frequently but leave the grass clippings as they act like instant and natural fertilizer.
• Get Active - The warm weather certainly encourages social activities, why not give yours a green twist? Invite over some friends or neighbors to discuss how you can go green together. Serve organic wine and local cheeses to set the low impact tone.
• Grill Master - One of the activities most commonly associated with warm weather and spending time outside is BBQ, but 50% of all grills used are charcoal grills that pollute the air with smoke and chemicals. In addition, the usual charcoal bricks contain chemicals ranging from from borax, to sodium nitrates, to anthracite coal. For a safer and greener twist, try using briquettes made of wood as they generally do not use synthetic materials which give off greenhouse gasses.
• Give Back - When it comes to your garden, don't waste time or money buying expensive fertilizers that often contain chemicals for your plants to grow, create a compost. Kitchen scraps such as vegetable peels, eggshells and rinds can all be included rather than thrown away. Get a bin and put in your yard, begin with a layer of rocks along the bottom and then alternate between brown and green waste. Brown waste is can be anything from woodchips and leaves to coffee filters and newspapers. Spread a layer of soil on top and then add your green layer with scraps like tea bags, weeds, old fruits and vegetables and eggshells. Whenever you need to tend to the yard, this is a quick and easy way to ensure you plants get maximum nutrition and your local waste processing factory gets minimum visits.
For more tips from Kim Carlson or to arrange an interview please contact Catherine Pope of AAM at 212.661.1336 or via email at Catherine@aammanagement.com.