Environmental S olutions
What’s Inside:
Tips for Keeping Your Home Clean & Green
Pecking Away at Food Waste with Backyard Chickens
Growing Your Own Food, No Garden Required
Habitat Hacks to Support Pollinator Populations
Clean & Organize in an Eco-Friendly Way
BY KATIE SMITH
‘Tis the season to crack the windows, change the air in your home, and give it a nice scrub. Spring cleaning gives a fresh start, and if you’re a homeowner looking to reduce toxins and waste while simplifying your cleaning routine, you’ve come to the right place. You don’t need any harsh chemicals to keep your home fresh and organized. With a few ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry and a few tweaks in your routine, you can create a healthier space that’s better for your family and the earth.
Declutter first
Scrubbing and wiping down surfaces is so much easier with less clutter. Instead of tossing unwanted items in the trash, have a yard sale, sell items on Facebook Marketplace, or donate to thrift shops, shelters, community groups, or a buy-nothing group. If you have closets to clean out or an abundance of kitchen items, host a swapping party with a few friends where everyone brings their unwanted items and you all trade.
Organize your items using what you already own
If you have a collection of glass Mason jars, shoe boxes, or baskets, your best storage solution might already be in your house. Using things you already own to create an organized space, whether it’s a closet, laundry room, or garage, is better for the environment and saves money.
Go digital where you can
A great way to reduce future clutter is to switch to digital bills, calendars, and receipts. If you find you never grab your cookbooks anymore because you’re always finding recipes online, those can be donated and free up lots of space.
Use natural homemade cleaners
All-Purpose Cleaner:
This is great for countertops, bathroom surfaces, tabletops, and appliances. Simply mix together in a spray bottle:
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup warm water
• Lemon peels or lemon essential oil
Window and Mirror Cleaner:
The cornstarch is the secret to a streak-free shine. Mix together in a spray bottle and always shake before using:
Scrub for Sinks, Tubs, & Stovetops:
Mix together baking soda and a small amount of water to make a paste. Rub it on, scrub with a cleaning brush, then rinse. For extra dirty and greasy places like the inside of your stove, sprinkle on the baking soda, spray with vinegar until it fizzes, then let stand for 10-15 minutes and wipe clean with a damp cloth or sponge.
Floor Cleaner:
• 1 gallon of warm water
• ½ cup vinegar
• A few drops of your favorite essential oil
• 1 cup water
• 1 white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Habits That Will Make a Difference
Carpet Cleaner:
Mix water, white vinegar, and a ¼ tsp of salt to bind and lift a stubborn stain. Let sit for a minute, then scrub and vacuum.
Investing in a steam cleaner is a great way to deep clean without using anything else. These machines combine pressure and high heat to lift dirt and sanitize everything from carpets, tile, toys, and curtains.
Swap paper towels for cloth towels or sponges while cleaning.
Purchase washable feather dusters.
Always have a donation box that you can add to so you won’t have to spend hours going through your belongings to de-clutter.
Invest in houseplants instead of using artificial air fresheners or candles. You can also make stovetop potpourri by simmering oranges or lemons on the stovetop with water, cinnamon, and cloves.
Creating a clean, calm space is the goal. With a few changes, you can save time, money, and have a healthier, clean home that doesn’t smell like harsh chemicals.
The Environmental Benefits of Backyard Chickens
BY CRYSTAL SANDS
Keeping a flock of backyard chickens continues to grow in popularity in Maine. Chickens have always been popular in our state, but they became a national trend during the COVID pandemic. Since then, what started as a trend has turned into something more important as egg prices continue to fluctuate. However, many people who keep backyard chickens will be the first to say that if you are keeping a flock only for the eggs, you will be eating very expensive eggs.
Fortunately, chickens are valuable for more than just their eggs. Whether you are considering a backyard flock or just getting started with a few hens, you might be surprised at how beneficial your chickens can be for the environment.
Chickens convert food waste into nutritious food.
One of the biggest benefits of backyard chickens is that they convert food waste from your home into fresh eggs. Chickens are omnivores and can eat nearly all the foods that humans can. The food scraps that would have been put into the waste bin can help feed the flock. Chickens cannot eat moldy or spoiled food, of course, but they are fantastic for gobbling up last night’s leftovers that may otherwise sit in the refrigerator, go bad, and end up in the trash. According to a 2021 study from the United Nations, 17% of all the food we grow is wasted. Growing food requires a lot of resources, so backyard chickens making good use of your food waste are helpful to the environment.
Chickens provide natural pest control, helping you avoid harmful chemical pesticides.
Chickens are great foragers. They scratch, dig, and eat bugs and grubs, providing important natural pest control for your property. Chickens can even help prepare your garden for planting in the spring by eating pests and scratching the soil. Once your garden is planted, chickens may nibble on your crops just like pests do; however, before and after planting each year, they’re great for keeping unwanted pests in check.
Chickens help the environment while providing fresh eggs and natural pest control. – PHOTO BY CRYSTAL SANDS
A well-managed backyard flock is much more efficient than the industrial egg system.
Though it’s meant to boost efficiency, the industrial process is often much less efficient than people think. Backyard chickens are much more efficient and better for the environment than the commercial industry. Eggs reach the table without needing shipping, refrigeration, and transportation. Food transportation is a big part of global emissions, so eating local is an important way to cut down on those emissions. What could be more local than your own backyard? Moreover, chickens at commercial farms are kept for only a short period, but hens can lay eggs for years longer. Commercial egg operations do not take advantage of what a hen can really do.
Chickens provide valuable fertilizer for your garden.
As the price of food continues to rise, more people are planting some kind of vegetable garden in their yard or in raised beds, but fertilizer is also expensive. This is where chickens really shine. Compared with other manures, chicken poop has higher levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It must be composted to be safe, but chicken poop makes prized fertilizer. If you have your own backyard flock, you have access to free fertilizer for your gardens.
In conclusion, a backyard flock is full of benefits. Homegrown, fresh eggs are delicious and healthy, and chickens can bring a lot of joy. Backyard chickens can also have a positive impact on the environment around your home as well as the planet.
If you’ve been considering backyard chickens but thought the only perk was fresh eggs, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension explains the many environmental and practical benefits of a backyard flock, and offers guidance on managing them well.
You can get started at extension.umaine.edu/livestock/poultry/backyard-chickens
PHOTO BY CRYSTAL SANDS
From Container Garden to Plate This Summer
BY SARAH WALKER CARON
There’s something so special about popping a warm, just plucked from the vine, Sungold tomato in your mouth on a sun-drenched day. Or about piling vibrant, freshly harvested greens on the counter for the meal you are about to prepare. Kitchen gardens are what make scenes like this possible.
If you don’t have a lot of room, growing your own food is still possible with container gardening. All you need is sun, a little space for containers, and the right knowledge to make it successful.
Choosing Your Containers
For successful container gardening, you need the right size of container with drainage holes, according to Kate Garland, horticultural professional with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Whiskey barrels and other larger planters with drain holes have an advantage over their smaller counterparts.
“The bigger the container, the better it’s going to be in terms of water management. It will be a lot more forgiving, especially when we get into the hotter summer months,” Garland said.
It’s also essential that the containers are clean, especially if you are reusing ones from previous years, according to Garland. This ensures that any disease or pest issues don’t resurface in your current growing season.
How to Successfully Prepare Containers for Gardening
Next, you need to fill those containers, and what you choose matters a lot.
“The key factor is making sure that you are putting a good substrate in there with good drainage. If it’s too heavy, it can be really detrimental for root growth,” Garland said.
This means that soil directly from your garden is out. It’s likely too compacted, which will inhibit root growth and hold too much water. Instead, look for
substrates that are labeled for container gardens or potting soil. You can also make your own mix with compost, peat moss, and other ingredients to ensure a loose and root-friendly environment.
What Grows Best
When selecting what to grow, pay attention to the amount of direct sunlight your container gardening area receives and choose plants accordingly. Tomatoes, peppers, and other seeded fruits often require full sunlight, at least 8 hours each day. Others like herbs and greens can thrive in low-light settings.
Garland recommends leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and Swiss chard as well as herbs like basil, cilantro, oregano, and mint for low-light settings.
Mistakes to Avoid
With your containers selected, your plants chosen, and everything being watered accordingly, you’re all set, right? Not quite.
Garland warns that you shouldn’t skip fertilizer for your container garden. It’s essential to ensure proper nutrients for your crops. She recommends using a slow-release fertilizer, which should be applied according to package directions.
The second big mistake to avoid is not having a good watering plan.
“It comes down to watering when the substrate dries out. You want to get into the pattern of being able to check your containers every day,” Garland said. On the hottest days, it’s best to check the plants twice. If you have travel planned, make sure you plan for your plants, too.
Enjoying the Harvest
Once your containers are overflowing with fresh herbs and vegetables, it doesn’t take much to turn them into something special. This recipe highlights the bright, just-picked flavors of your garden.
Beet Salad with Mint Vinaigrette and Feta
4 servings
Salad
• 4 large beets, boiled whole
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Mint Vinaigrette
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 scallion; white & light green parts chopped, dark green set aside
• salt and pepper to taste
1. Remove the skin from the cooked beets and slice thinly. This can be done with a sharp knife or a mandolin. Arrange the slices on four plates (one beet per plate).
2. Evenly split the red onions among the plates, arranging on top of the beets. Sprinkle with feta (about 1 tablespoon of crumbled feta per plate).
3. In the bowl of a small food processor or a blender, add the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, mint, honey, and white and light green parts of the scallion. Sprinkle in a pinch or two of salt and pepper. Mix together until the mint is finely chopped.
4. Spoon the vinaigrette over the beet salads, spreading it all around.
5. Thinly slice or snip the dark green parts of the scallion on top of the salads.
6. Serve immediately.
This colorful beet salad, topped with feta and mint vinaigrette, can be made using produce from small-space container gardening.
– PHOTO BY SARAH WALKER CARON
Attracting & Maintaining Pollinators in a Garden
BY BRITTNEY NICKERSON
As the planting season begins, so does the pollination season. Ninety percent of the world’s plants are pollinated by insects and 99% of flowering plants require pollination. Plants need pollination to produce more seeds, develop better fruits, and maintain genetic diversity within the population. Most plants are pollinated by more than one type of insect.
Perhaps the most recognized pollinator is the honey bee, but native bees are even more effective at pollinating, despite being less populous. However, there are still over 270 native bee species in Maine. According to Zac Smith-Hess, an entomologist and educator at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, the second-best pollinators are flies belonging to the Diptera family. Many flies look like bees but can be differentiated by their two wings and large eyes that are often touching. Wasps, ants, moths, butterflies, and beetles are also useful pollinators for certain plants.
Attracting Pollinators
There are a few things gardeners can do to create a garden that attracts and sustains pollinators. Plants that are native to the area are usually better at attracting pollinators, but the most important thing is to have a diversity of plants. Planting flowers close together and having an array of plants that bloom from early spring to late fall will also help.
To know if a garden is being pollinated, Carol Smith from the Garden Club Federation of Maine said, “Bees will be flying around and landing on your flowers. You can also check to see if they have been there by looking for tiny powdery specks on the flower’s stigma or petals, as this is a sign of pollen transfer.”
Protecting & Encouraging
To protect pollinator populations, gardeners should avoid using herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides on their lawn or garden, including using weed-and-feed products. If pesticides are used, they should be used before the first flowers bloom or after the last of the season has passed. Instead of using these products, gardeners might consider supporting local predator populations to combat harmful pest insects. Predator insects such as wasps, spiders, and flies eat many pest insects; for example, ladybugs eat aphids, while assassin bugs and wheel bugs eat soft-bodied pests.
Like all living creatures, pollinators and predators require water and shelter along with food. Shrubby plants and unmowed sections of lawn near gardens can serve as microhabitats. Birdbaths, natural water sources, and even a leaky spigot are useful for all insects, especially dragonflies, which are a natural predator to mosquitos.
The shape of the flower also impacts pollination. Bees, wasps, butterflies, and moths favor flowers that grow in clusters, like hydrangeas, as well as blooms with large petals that provide a landing pad while they feed. Butterflies and moths also enjoy tube-shaped flowers, such as coneflowers. Beetles and ants are less picky than other pollinators but might be more successful in pollinating bowl-shaped flowers, as they pollinate by walking across flowers and dragging the pollen from one flower to the next. Flies are less likely to be affected by flower shape.
As the planting season gets underway, protecting pollinators is essential for healthy crops, gardens, and ecosystems. From bees to flies, these small workers play an outsized role in keeping Maine’s landscapes blooming.
