Live Earth Friendly and See How Deeply Connected to Nature You Become.
Don’t miss an opportunity to experiment with eco-friendly methods, learn new ideas, and create a deeper connection to nature.
What’s best for nature is typically best for everyone. I use to have a person chemically spray my property monthly for little pests. Not anymore! Every Saturday morning I walked my property spraying weed killer on the weeds. I thought I was being a good citizen and neighbor.
Then an “Aha” moment came. I had learned something new.
I learned that many of the weeds I’m spraying with poison are nutritious and delicious food. I also learned that pesticide is harmful to me, others, and the environment.
Guilt set in as I realized I poison food that voluntarily grows in my yard for FREE. Food that is probably more nutritious than what I buy at the store.
I vowed to stop spraying and began to learn about the weeds growing in my garden. I stopped the monthly genocide on the bugs in my yard too and began to learn about their contribution to the garden and soil. I began to learn how to naturally keep pests away and encourage good bugs to stay.
After gaining more wisdom, I began to spot treasures in my yard. Treasures that brought joy and appreciation.
The good man is the friend of all living things.” — Gandhi
The wisdom and skills gained while living earth-friendly are priceless.
Here are some of the new practices I’ve adopted.
I pull weeds instead of spraying them. The weeds I pull go into my compost pile. I have a garden where I use the compost.
Before I started my own compost pile, I use to purchase compost. Now I make it with weeds, food scraps, and chicken manure. The quality is better than store-bought.
I save money and pulling weeds gives me a bit of exercise. I exercise my brain by pulling left-handed instead of right-handed.
Learning the potential uses of each weed is rewarding. I’ve learned which are medicinal plants, which go in salads, and which make a great pesto or smoothie.
I’ve learned there are far more resources around me than I had realized. I’m now making garden fences with tree branches and turning leaves into compost.
I’ve learned what plants repel garden pests.
I’ve learned how to use plants to make housecleaners, hair dye, makeup, and hairspray. It gives me the choice of making my own or purchasing at the store.
I know I feel richer as a person because my skills and wisdom have increased in an area that matters. I save money on food and gain the ability to save money if I choose to.
Earth-friendly living isn’t easy.
Practicing eco-friendly skills isn’t easy. Try small simple steps. It takes time to change and adopt new habits.
I’m still uncomfortable about eating some of the plant volunteers I find. I’m careful.
I observe the plants throughout the season, study them, and learn about the many ways to use them. I try them. Some sit well with me and some don’t.
Learn what works for you.
I’ve found some favorites in my yard: Wood Sorrel, Mallow plants, Nettle, and Purslane. There are more I’m still investigating. It’s a slow process for me.
“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” ― Mahatma Gandhi
Gardening mindfully isn’t the only way to be Earth-friendly.
I’ve been exploring the ideas of reducing, reusing, and recycling. It is fun to create useful ways to reuse an item instead of throwing it away.
It’s becoming a fun, creative, and challenging endeavor.
I’ve learned how to reuse pizza boxes as portable tables, computer lap gear, craft containers, and stands for art projects.
Pizza boxes painted and glued together make a great window shade.
Shredded bills and paper become paper mache crafts or mixed with cement to make papercrete bricks. You can also make paper clay with it.
Cardboard boxes can be used under bricks to keep weeds away. It does help some, but weeds do grow through the cardboard within a year.
Cardboard boxes can be turned into many useful projects: shelves, decorative boxes, and a base for a paper mache project.
Paper can be rolled into tubes and used to create many different projects. I’ve made shelves, window shades, baskets, and toys.
Summary
Use Earth-friendly methods for gardening. It’s best for you and the environment.
There is wisdom and skills gained by learning more about the plants that volunteer to grow on your property.
Earth-friendly living isn’t easy. Learn what works for you. Start simple.
Other ways to be Earth-friendly include recycling and finding new ways to use something instead of throwing it away.
If you are interested in natural healing techniques, gardening, crafting, Autism strategies, and nature; you have come to the right place.
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