Living Sustainably

Rain barrels

Rain barrels are a great way to harvest water from the wet spring to water your gardens through the hot summer months.  Rain barrels can be easily hooked up to any downspout and they can be connected in succession to store even more water.  There are many resources online to find out how to manage your rain barrel for algae and overwinter.  Water from rain barrels is not drinkable, nor should it be used to water vegetable gardens. 

Compost bins

Keeping the energy stored up in food waste and lawn and garden clippings is as easy as 1, 2, 3!  1.  build or buy a compost bin 2. fill it with equal portions of green and brown waste (green like leaves, grass, and coffee grounds; brown like dead leaves and branches) and 3. aerate so oxygen gets into your pile to support the bacteria breaking down the waste into compost.  it can take up to 6 months to create healthy compost. Just spread it on your gardens for a power packed nutrient source for your plants!  Don’t compost oils, dairy or meats in your backyard system – send those to the municipal greenwaste system!  Backyard composters don’t get hot enough to decompose oils and meat and they can attract unwanted pests. 

Natural Yard Care

Natural yard care (or “ecoscaping”) is about working with nature to create a yard that is attractive and easy to maintain with a minimum of resources. Consider transforming a high-maintenance lawn into an inviting, drought-tolerant landscape that will become an inspiration for the neighbourhood and an important part of its biodiversity.  Check out the Grow Green Guide for our region.