By Lynn Ascrizzi To many home gardeners, the common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) may be little more than a weed. But, the tall native wildflower is a first line of defense when it comes to naturally controlling the pesky Japanese beetle. This biennial plant is widely found in meadows, roadsides and neglected areas of the…
There’s nothing like the sun to dry your clean laundry! The sun and breeze on a spring or summer day can dry your clothes in about the same amount of time as an electric dryer can—and it costs you nothing while using the earth’s only limitless source of energy. The heat and friction caused by…
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air in our homes can be many times more polluted than the air outside. Many things can contribute to poor indoor air quality including building materials, mold, radon and household cleaners. Choosing cleaning products made from all natural ingredients is one way to lessen your exposure to environmental…
There is a growing movement in Maine and around the world that utilizes sustainability as the basis for designing landscape and building systems. Permaculture is a design system that was established over thirty years ago and has been growing ever since. One of the central ideas of permaculture is to design landscapes in a way…
According to a study commissioned by NASA, houseplants don’t just make your home look prettier and more welcoming; they also serve to clean the air of common toxins including benzene, carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. Sources of these toxins include oils, paints, plastics, tobacco smoke, foam insulation and pressed wood products such as flooring, cabinets and…
Making a home-cooked meal isn’t just a good way to spend time with friends and family, it’s also a healthy alternative. Quick, store-bought meals often contain processed ingredients that have lost some of their nutritional benefits and contain added sugar, sodium and fats. Cooking at home with whole grains and vegetables lets you decide what…
Baking a loaf of sourdough bread may seem like a delicate scientific process, but it’s really quite simple, and yields healthy rewards. Every sourdough loaf begins with the “starter”: a mixture of flour and water in which wild yeast and good bacteria produce the fermentation that makes your dough rise. As they work together, the…
Environmental certification programs for businesses are a win for everyone involved. Consumers looking for greener product options gain an easy way to sift through the marketing hype and find products that meet their needs. Businesses that pursue certifications receive recognition for their efforts and learn new ways to reduce their environmental impact. And most importantly,…
There’s a local food revolution going on. We’re reversing a decades-old trend of mass produced food trucked in from thousands of miles away in favor of locally produced foods. It’s never been easier (in most of our lifetimes) to access locally grown and produced foods as well as naturally raised meats. There’s more work to…
Instead of purchasing your pet from a pet store or breeder, check out one of southern Maine’s animal shelters or rescue organizations. Good chance you can find the breed or mix you are looking for, and provide a new life to one of the many wonderful pets waiting to be adopted. Check out the following…