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Summer is quickly approaching and we are going out into our yards to mow the grass, plant our gardens, shape our trees and bushes, rake the leaves, and mulch. What a better way to be one with nature. I thought I would take some time to tell you a few interesting tid-bits of information.

After you mow the lawn and are left with that thick layer of grass instead of raking it up and throwing it out, pile it into a big heap and start a compost mountain. Throw your leaf piles into this mountain and sticks and any other yard debris. After pruning your bushes and trees throw the remnants into the compost pile. Turn the contents of this pile every week or so to mix the ingredients which will ultimately turn into great soil for your garden!

You can also use the cut grass and leaves to put around your trees and bushes as mulch. This is a great economical way to protect your trees and bushes and provide nourishment to them. It doesn’t look half bad either.

We just finished planting our garden and are waiting for the fruits of our labor to grow. The bugs are coming out of the cracks and crevices to eat away at our veggies and herbs and we must protect our plants with an environmentally sound product. One such product is Diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth is fossilized remains of diatoms which is a type of algae. This insecticide is non-toxic and will not harm the environment. You can pick up a bag at your local Lowe’s Home Improvement store. It is a bit pricey however you do not need to use much of it. Spray your plants with a mixture of soap and water and sprinkle the powder over your plants. Repeat these steps each week and/or after a heavy rain.

What about those pesky weeds that continue to pop up even after you have taken the time to put down the weed cover? Vinegar works well and/or a mixture of red pepper seeds and water. The capsaicin in the peppers kills the weeds. Spray generously on the weeds.

This time of year is a great time to go outside to take care of your yards and gardens just remember to always think of alternative ways to use the waste you create! Have a great summer!