Archive for the ‘Post Topics’ Category

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Trees make a big difference in home heating/cooling costs

Monday, May 4th, 2015
Willow shade trees, Bayside Cabins in Bigfork

Willow shade trees, Bayside Cabins in Bigfork

By Catherine Haug, May, 2015, in honor of Arbor Day (Photo, right, by C. Haug)

Here in the green Flathead, we perhaps take our trees for granted, and forget that they provide many other benefits besides beauty. Here’s just a short list:

  • Shade;
  • Windbreak;
  • Carbon sink (store carbon in the ground rather than as particulates and CO2 in the air);
  • Ground water filter;
  • Erosion prevention;
  • Food (as fruit, nuts); and
  • Medicine.

Trees for shade and windbreaks is the topic of this posting. (more…)

Posted in Ecology, Energy, Home & Ranch, Landscaping | No Comments »

Make your own raised-bed flower (or veggie) garden

Monday, April 27th, 2015
Finished Bed topped with garden soil

Finished Bed topped with garden soil

Introduction by Catherine Haug, April 2015; original photo-essay by Francis Pawnee Buckley. See also Cat’s notes, following the photo-essay.

Thanks to Fran W. who shared this photo essay with me; it was written by her blacksmith friend in Idaho who had asked her to ‘share.’

See also related posting: Gathering Summary: Container and Strawbale Gardening, with Mary and James Laud (April 2013)

Raised bed materials needed:

  • 8 each cedar fence boards, 5 ½” wide by 6 feet long
  • 4 each standard 2x4s, 16″ long
  • screws
  • black plastic
  • about 2 bales straw
  • fertilizer (natural preferred)
  • 4 cu. ft. planting/garden soil

(more…)

Posted in Gardening | No Comments »

Recycling plastics may soon be futile

Sunday, March 1st, 2015
BPA-Free Plastics

BPA-Free Plastics

By Catherine Haug, Mar 21, 2015 (Photo, right, from NPR (2)

As a community working towards sustainability, ESPers are, for the most part, avid recyclers. Recycling of many substances just makes sense: glass, paper, and metals. We also put plastic items in the recycle bins, but are they really recycled?

They are certainly sorted and bundled for shipment to recycling companies. But there are very few plastic recycling companies in the US, so most plastics have been shipped to China for recycling. However, China’s new “Green Fence” policy has put a stop to accepting plastic types 3 – 7, as these are the difficult and expensive to recycle. These plastics, which include PVC (#3), LDPE (#4, which includes bags in the produce section), polypropylene (#5), polystyrene (#6), and ‘Other’ (#7) will just go to the local landfills unless American companies step up to the plate. (1)

OR… (more…)

Posted in Ecology, Home & Ranch, Recycle | Comments Closed

Kitchen Hint: Vinegar-based solution for bathroom surfaces

Saturday, February 21st, 2015

By Catherine Haug, Feb 2015

Thanks to K. Britton for this useful hint. See also her related Kitchen Hint for Pet Urine on Carpets.

I started using the Dawn/vinegar combination when my granddaughter informed me that nothing beat window washing like a Dawn-in-dishwater-strength concentration wiped onto windows and wiped off with a janatorial-grade black squeegee.

I also use Dawn-vinegar solution on bathroom surfaces such as the window, show glass and mirror, to remove calcium spots. No rinsing is needed.  Works fabulously!  The good squeegee is important; cheap ones streak.  (more…)

Posted in Home & Ranch, Kitchen Hints | No Comments »

Kitchen Hint for Pet Urine on Carpets

Saturday, February 21st, 2015

By Catherine Haug, Feb 21, 2015

Thanks to K. Britton for this useful hint. See also her Kitchen Hint: Vinegar-based solution for bathroom surfaces.

Dog urine (or cat?) in nice plush carpet?  This works perfectly for me with my synthetic carpet.  I certainly would NOT try it with wool or other natural fibers.

I have a dog with separation anxiety, and had to do this repeatedly.  It has never failed me.  The carpet has survived beautifully.  The commercial stuff I tried is a joke and doesn’t get the urine out of the pad.

It only takes me about 15 minutes, start to finish, and has saved me from having to replace my carpet!

(more…)

Posted in Home & Ranch, Kitchen Hints | No Comments »

Event Notice: Workshop on Gardening with Bob Ford, Feb 28, 2015

Friday, February 20th, 2015
Bigfork/Ferndale Community Garden, 2014

Bigfork/Ferndale Community Garden, 2014

By Cat, Feb 20, 2015 (Photo, right, by Sally Finneran of the Bigfork Eagle, used by permission)

  • What: Workshop on Gardening with Bob Ford, Uber Master Gardener; presented by Bigfork/Ferndale Community Garden
  • When: February 28, 2015, 10 AM
  • Where: St Patrick’s Episcopal Church, corner of Hwy 209 and S. Ferndale (30631 MT Hwy 209), Bigfork MT; see LOCATION MAP. Please enter through the big red doors off the parking lot.
  • Who: Free and open to the public.
  • Contact:  Call Michelle at 871-3509 with any questions

Additional information:

(more…)

Posted in Events: Other, Gardening | No Comments »

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