Blooms Magazine

ISSUE 1

MARTHA STEWART'S

SMALL SPACE

GARDENING TIPS

ZERO WASTE HOMES WITH

BEA JOHNSON

DIY COMPOSTING: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

2 |

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

Contents

6

Martha Stewart’s Small Space Gardening Tips

10 Bea Johnson:

Zero Waste Home 14 Why Gardening Clubs

Are So Good For You 17

Plastic Not So Fantastic

22 How Your Garden Can Play

A Part In Reducing Waste At Home 25 DIY Composting:

What You Need To Know 27 Ann Marie Hendry’s 5 Easy Recycling

Hacks For Your Garden 31 Environmental Instagrammers

To Inspire You

Advertising Enquiries:

READ PUBLISHING Published By:

READ PUBLISHING Distributed By:

READ PUBLISHING Designed By:

READ PUBLISHING

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or services by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by READ PUBLISHING. Links outside of this publication are provided for user convenience and do not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favouring by READ PUBLISHING. The publisher or any of the editors, writers or contributors will not accept responsibility or liability for the correctness of information or opinions expressed in the publication. All material submitted is at the owners risk and while every care will be taken the publisher does not accept liability for loss or damage.

No person, organization or party can copy or re-produce the content on this site and or magazine or any part of this publication without a written consent from the editors’ panel and the author if the content, as applicable.

The publisher, authors and contributors reserve their rights with regards to copyright of their work.

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

| 3

Contributors

B EA JO H N SON

Bea Johnson and her family produce a mere pint of trash per year since 2008. Dubbed “The Mother of the Zero Waste lifestyle movement” by CNN, Bea has been featured on TV shows and in publications all over the world. She shatters misconceptions, proving that zero waste can not only be stylish, but also lead to significant health benefits, and time and money savings. With her simple 5R methodology and blog turned bestselling book (Zero Waste Home, translated in 26 languages, #1 on Amazon waste cat.), Bea initiated a global movement. She has inspired not only hundreds of thousands of people to adopt wastefree living, open unpackaged shops, conceive reusable products, and launch organizations, but also large corporations to offer alternatives Photo credit: Jacqui J to single-use. As the leading spokesperson for the zero waste lifestyle, she has completed 19 international speaking tours and given English, French, and Spanish talks in 60+ countries on 6 continents. Her clients include Google, Amazon, Starbucks, IKEA, TEDx, the European Parliament and the United Nations. She is a Grand Prize winner of The Green Awards and the founder of Bulk Finder, a web-based app with 46K+ bulk locations in 160+ countries. She is a French native who currently lives in Mill Valley, California. @ZeroWasteHome @zerowastehome zerowastehome.com A NN M A R IE H E N D RY, GrowVeg.com

GrowVeg.com

Ann Marie Hendry studied horticulture then went on to work as a gardener before becoming part of the GrowVeg.com.au team. As well as writing for and editing the website, she enjoys helping gardeners get the most from the GrowVeg Garden Planner. Gardening makes Ann Marie hungry, so she loves growing beetroot, leeks, gooseberries, and just about anything else she can eat!

GrowVeg.com.au is the world’s most popular websites for planning and growing a successful edible garden. With expert advice tailored to specific growing regions in Australia, the GrowVeg Garden Planner helps you work out what to plant where for maximum success and even sends emails when it’s time to sow or plant. @GrowVeg GrowVeg.com

4 |

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

Editor In Chief SH AR ON

Welcome to Blooms Magazine Issue 3!

When we choose to preserve and protect our resources, to make as little negative impact on the earth as possible, to nurture the planet as well as those around us, we choose the path of sustainability. Sustainable gardening is one of the most important and effective sustainability practices that we can follow. In this issue, we focus on how you can make a difference to the planet, simply by being aware of your gardening practices.

Dubbed “The Mother of the Zero Waste lifestyle movement” by CNN, Bea Johnson shows us that zero waste can not only be stylish, but also lead to significant health benefits, and time and money savings. Read her article on page ******** to learn all about what you can do at home and with your garden to create a zero waste home.

Get to know more about lifestyle icon, Martha Stewart and her latest book, which is solely dedicated to flowers, Martha’s Flowers: A Practical Guide to Growing, Gathering, and

COOP E R

Enjoying. Her tips for gardening in a small space will help you make the most of your little garden.

There are loads more gardening tips and advice on becoming a more sustainable gardener inside, including: • Ann Marie Hendry’s 5 Easy Recycling Hacks For Your Garden • DIY Composting: What You Need To Know • Why Gardening Clubs Are So Good For You • How Your Garden Can Play A Part In Reducing Waste At Home As you can see, this issue is filled with information to bring awareness of our environment and the beauty of nature. Our contribution to our community and ourselves today will make a better tomorrow, educate our children and benefit our planet.

Thanks for taking the time to read!

n o r a h S

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

| 5

Martha Stewart’s

Small Space Gardening Tips

Martha Stewart is an ultimate household name. The lifestyle icon has spent decades teaching her global audience to cook, decorate, and entertain with her television shows, magazines, and books (90 titles to be exact). Her latest endeavor includes Martha’s Flowers: A Practical Guide to Growing, Gathering, and Enjoying; a beautifully photographed book dedicated to the art of gardening and floral arrangements.

While the book is her 90th title, it’s Stewart’s first book solely dedicated to flowers. It’s divided by season, with individual sections for flowers that grow best at each time of the year. Readers are able to enjoy a combination of personal stories and tips on planting, caring for, gathering, and arranging flora.

Stewart acquired an interest in the art of gardening as a child, from her father and his well-groomed backyard plots. Her first solo project was a modest garden in front of her home in Berkshire. But when a front yard wasn’t large enough to appease her ever growing collection, Stewart expanded to two acres for her second garden. That garden was quickly filled, and she expanded to 45 acres for her fourth garden and 150 for her seventh.

Located at her Cantitoe Farm property in Katonah, New York, Stewart explains “there is no lack of flowers at the farm for arranging and enjoying, and no shortage of incredible opportunities to plant more of everything.

6 |

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

| 7

Flipping through the pages of Martha’s Flowers, you’ll see enchanting photos of Stewart’s many gardens at Cantitoe Farm. The photos are so beautiful you’ll imagine lying in the 3,000 daffodils, the breeze while walking through the pergolas lined with climbing clematis flowers, and the delicate smell from the hundreds of antique roses.

8 |

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

Unfortunately, most of us aren’t blessed with 150 acres of gardening space. But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the blissful essence of flowers, trees, and other beautiful blooms in our own spaces—large or otherwise. As long as you have a sunny windowsill, patio, or balcony, you can cultivate a beautiful garden.

require in ground planting. Even window boxes measuring two feet long are spacious enough to grow all sorts of herbs like basil, oregano, and rosemary.

GARDEN POT BASICS

No garden plot? No problem. If you have a patio that gets adequate sunlight, you have everything you need to grow a range of plants and edibles. Keep in mind large plants, like cucumbers and tomatoes, require large pots (two feet in diameter or more.) Smaller pots are great for peppers, greens, and herbs.

Mixing the two varieties will not only add greenery and other organic color, mixing pot sizes and materials will add a visual interest to your patio.

C O N S I D E R D WA R F VA R I E T I E S

This is an especially helpful tip when growing vegetables. Plant breeders are constantly introducing vegetables that take up less space, like the tiny Diamant cucumber.

GO WITH A THEME

Martha’s gardens are beautifully designed and arranged. Your patio or window box gardens can be just as appealing if you incorporate a theme or design. You could choose a color theme or planting by category.

If a large outdoor garden can’t be a reality for you, you will surely benefit from Martha Stewart's small space gardening tips.

WINDOW BOXES

When space is limited, think containers.

Window boxes are great because they don’t

Stewart suggests combining frequently used herbs or thematic plantings—like Asian herbs (garlic chives, Thai basil, lemongrass), tea herbs (mint, lemon balm, chamomile), or Italian herbs (basil, oregano, rosemary.)

PICK PRETTY PLANTS

While planting edible plants you love is enticing, planting for the sake of being pretty is completely acceptable as well. “Variegated herbs, such as two-tone mint, make a strong visual impression when mixed with solid-color plants,” according the Stewart’s website. b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

| 9

Zero Waste BEA JO H NS O N Bea Johnson’s family home is perched atop a steep San Franciscan hill, surrounded by flourishing oak trees that house squirrels, birds, and fluttery butterflies. With the flora and the fauna, she lives there with her husband, Scott, two sons, and a tiny dog. What doesn’t reside in or around her home is trash.

Bea is the goddess of garbage-free living.

After spending time in a quiet suburban neighborhood, she missed the big city lifestyle that included being within walking distance to the grocery store, restaurants, and other amenities. In 2006, Bea and her family moved from their cul-de-sac into a downtown home with only the bare necessities. But after a while, and with 80% of their belongings in storage, she began realizing they didn’t need that “stuff.” What she discovered is that with less “stuff,” you have more time to do what’s important like spending time more time with friends and family, hikes, and picnics.

Home

Without the temptation of excess material belongings, there was more time to read books and watch documentaries about environmentalism and zero waste. She described feeling sad for her children and the future their generation was leaving for them: “It made my husband and I sad to think about the future we were leaving for our children, and that gave us the motivation to change our ways.” And a lifestyle shift began. It started small with watching water and electric consumption and has now transformed to a single pint of trash annually…and a global phenomenon.

With a wildly successful blog and book that’s now been translated to 26 languages, Bea has been helping people all over the world adopt a zero waste lifestyle to better the planet, simplify their lives, and generally live happier.

But the zero waste lifestyle isn’t limited to inside of the home; the same principles and disciplines can be used in your garden and outdoor spaces as well. We’ve

10 |

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

B E A’S 5 Rs TO Z E R O WA S T E :

Adopting a zero waste lifestyle requires a willingness to change, the dedication to do so, patience, and a lot of trial and error, according to Bea. However, she insists that using her 5R advantages, the process will go a lot smoother.

The key is to use them in a very particular order.

1. REFUSE the things you don’t need. Don’t feel guilty for declining things that will ultimately create clutter and waste in your home. “In this consumerist society, we are the targets of many promotional and free goods. Every time we accept them, we are not only creating a demand to produce more but also once we accept these things, they create clutter and become a trash problem,” explains Bea. 2. REDUCE the things you actually need and let go of the things you don’t.

Major decluttering can be daunting and intimidating but is important when trying to adopt a zero waste lifestyle. The more stuff you have, the more trash, recycling, and waste you have, explains Bea. 3. REUSE what you can. Swap disposables for reusables, like cloth bags and compostable dish rags instead of single use plastic bags and paper towels.

4. RECYCLE only what you can’t refuse, reduce, or reuse.

5. ROT means…well…rot. You can compost a lot of everything else including food, nails, hair, and even floor sweepings.

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

| 11

12 |

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

5 S I M P L E WAY S T O M A I N TA I N A Z E R O WASTE GARDEN

1 | COMPOST Composting transforms kitchen and garden waste, and other small amounts of paper and cardboard, into nutrient rich food for your garden. It’s easy to make and easy to use.

look for your own freebies. Oftentimes, plants you’re searching for are the plants someone else is trying to get rid of.

For more tips on zero waste living, check out the Zero Waste Home blog and pick up the book!

2 | ORGANIC INSECTICIDE To repel garden pests, a natural solution of Castile soap and water is all you need. White vinegar works on weeds.

3 | PICK PLANTS THAT DON’T REQUIRE WATER Seems a little odd, doesn’t it? But natives thrive in their native habitats, meaning they become accustomed to the soil and rain patterns once planted. However, don’t go overboard with the natives. Just because they’re native to your area doesn’t mean they’ll get along with your particular soil or environment. Do a little research on your yard’s climate and find the plants that will thrive there.

4 | RETURN PLASTIC POTS Nurseries will take back plastic pots. After you bring home your plants, return the containers to the store so they can be reused.

5 | GIVE FREELY…AND SEEK YOUR OWN FREEBIES Give plants and other garden tools away for free. If you dig something up post a notice on Craigslist or another community marketplace as “FREE” and leave it on the curb in a pot.

“Someone will always come by,” says Bea. Likewise, if you have garden tools, pots, or other garden accessories you aren’t using, pass it along for free. And don’t be shy to

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

| 13

WHY GARDENING CLUBS ARE SO GOOD FOR YOU 14 |

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

There are so many benefits to gardening.

Because plants take in carbon dioxide and put out oxygen, they are key to our wellbeing.

Gardening can provide emotional solace for individuals going through a healing process, sense stimulation for the hearing or visually impaired and plenty of benefits to the rest of us, such as: • • • • • •

Homegrown self-esteem A sense of accomplishment Heart health Reduces stress You'll sleep better Improved hand strength

more. As a member you can suggest speakers you would like to see. Usually the only cost to hear the monthly speakers is a minimal membership fee which is paid annually. A gardening club can stimulate your knowledge and love of gardening with educational meetings, conferences, correspondence, and publications.

SOCIAL

The benefits of being social are endless.

Joining a club gives you plenty of opportunities to make new friends with similar interests to yours and share gardening tips, trade plants or help out at plant sales. Making new connections as an adult can be difficult and gardening clubs are the perfect way to meet people with common interests if you are new to an area.

COMMUNITY

• Family health (if you garden together or eat what you grow) • Growing vegetables for financial health Why not take these benefits one step further and join a gardening club? There are so many extra benefits to becoming a part of your local gardening community.

E D U C AT I O N

If you love to learn, gardening clubs usually have monthly speakers on various topics from roses to small space gardening and so much

Many garden clubs are involved in helping out in the community. You may get involved in a project that beautifies your neighbourhood or benefits others in some way, which can be a wonderful way to give back a little or to stay connected to those who live around you. Connected communities are thriving communities.

I N S P I R AT I O N

Surrounding yourself with people who may challenge your learning curve and teach you a thing or two is only going to help expand your own gardening skills. Jamie Myers of the Ballarat Cactus And Succulent Society was impressed at the level of experience amongst her group. “I met with the most amazing group of dedicated cacti and succulent lovers, whose passions and expertise far exceeded my own. I have been inspired to push my gardening to a whole new level,” she said. b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

| 15

PERKS

On becoming a member of a club, you may be able to try the latest gardening supplies and different gardening tools and accessories to review them to the rest of the club. Imagine knowing before you buy a gardening tool whether it is worth your money or if it will spend the rest of your life in your gardening closet.

So, if you have some spare time and love nothing more than immersing in the garden community, why not join a garden club (or, several clubs!) and expand your interest and knowledge even further.

Gardening is often a life-long joy and passion, but even those of us who have been gardening since we were mere nippers have much to gain by becoming a member of, or, even starting a garden club in our local area. If you are a novice gardener, you will find the support of fellow gardeners most useful!

16 |

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

Plastic Not

So

Fantastic

HOW TO GARDEN MORE SUSTAINABLY Now that autumn is here and the weather is starting to cool down a bit, most gardeners are able to spend more time in their gardens.

Autumn is a good time to plant bulbs and transplant greenery, as well as spread mulch around, fertilise, do some pruning, and get pots in order.

As you go about these tasks, you might want to think about how you can be more of a greener green thumb, and use natural, ecofriendly products in your garden. Many people are keen to practise sustainability in various areas of their lives these days, and your yard is a great place to have a positive impact.

In particular, plastic is one of the worst items that gardeners have to contend with.

Millions of plastic pots end up landfill each year, where they sit for decades, not breaking down. Or, plastic gets into rivers, streams and oceans where it harms marine life and other animals. Thankfully, some nurseries now use biodegradable pots which are made from natural fibres or cornstarch, but this is still only a small percentage.

If you want to do your part for the environment and tread more lightly on the earth in your gardening work, read on for some tips.

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

| 17

CHEMICALS Another big issue in gardening is the use of chemicals. Most of the fertilisers, weed killers and other garden products on the market today are laden with chemicals which are very harmful to the environment. The chemicals affect insects, bugs and other animals in a negative way and also end up getting into waterways and causing problems for marine life and oceans.

PLASTIC POTS As mentioned above, plastic pots end up in landfill because they are not exactly attractive, so aren’t something people want to put on display. This reduces their ability to be used repeatedly.

To make a better choice then, buy from nurseries which use biodegradable pots, or choose other more eco-friendly pot options.

Bamboo is considered a sustainable material, for example, because it is such a fast-growing plant. Bamboo also looks very attractive and suits all types of décor. You may also be able to find pots made from recycled materials, or from peat, which is both biodegradable and compostable.

In addition, talk to your local nursery to see if they’ll take plastic pots back from you and re-use them. This at least means the plastic items aren’t limited to single use. Plus, consider propagating your own plants from seeds in your yard or from friends and family members, so you don’t have to purchase so many plants from nurseries. This will not only reduce the number of plastic pots you attain, but also save you money.

18 |

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

It is possible to reduce your use of chemicals in the garden though. When it comes to fertilising, compost can be your best friend.

Create a compost heap and you will reduce the amount of garbage that goes into your bin, since kitchen scraps, paper, grass clippings, leaves and more make for excellent compost.

Plus, compost is a wonderful free, organic fertiliser that plants love.

Another idea is to look for organic, more natural sprays, available in many nurseries and home depot stores now. You can also make up your own concoctions from natural ingredients.

Other options include placing barriers around your plants to ward off intruders, rather than using chemical pest control sprays.

Furthermore, encourage helpful insect-eating bugs to come into your gardens, so that they get rid of the nasties for you.

Ladybugs and lacewings eat aphids, for example, and are typically enticed into yards by marigolds, sunflowers and candytuft. Birds also eat many plant-destroying creatures, such as garden slugs, snails, grubs and caterpillars, so entice them in with birdfeeders, water fountains and nesting boxes.

To reduce the need for chemical-laden weed control, use mulch in your gardens, as this helps to smother and inhibit weeds. It also works to prevent new seeds from germinating.

Mowing often keeps weeds under control too, plus there are certain types of weeds you can pull out by hand.

W AT E R U S A G E Of course, if you want to live more sustainably, you also need to think about how much water you consume. To cut back in this area, reduce the amount of (often thirsty) lawn you have, and plant easy-care ground-covers or lay stones or eco-friendly paving products. Opt for drought-resistant trees, shrubs and flowers, too, which don’t need much water.

When you do water your lawn and gardens, complete the job in the mornings or evenings when there is less sun and the temperature is cooler. This will mean less water evaporates, so more is actually absorbed into the soil.

Consider collecting water from showers and your laundry to use in your garden too, so and install rainwater tanks so you can harvest water when it rains.

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

| 19

How Your Garden Can P lay A Part In Reducing Waste At Home The idea of living more sustainably has been a concept growing in popularity more and more over the last two decades. There has been a particular focus on finding ways to cut back on household waste. This has a lot to do with how many goods end up in landfill.

According to www.TheWorldCounts. com, we throw out more than 50 tons of household waste every second, a number that’s believed to going to almost double by 2030.

If you’re keen to find ways to reduce your consumption, you’ve probably read about tips for reducing waste inside your home. However, keep in mind that you can also consider your outdoor spaces. There are numerous ways your garden can play a part in reducing waste at home today.

22 |

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

CARE FOR YOUR TOOLS

Many keen gardeners end up with a garden shed or garage filled with a variety of garden tools because they are an obvious gift idea from friends and family or they are buying new items regularly. All adds up to a lot of potential wastage.

Be kinder to the planet by looking after the tools you own, so they last longer. Store them properly out of the weather and maintain them (e.g., with oil or sharpeners, etc.) each season.

Choose metal and wood products over plastic as these are not only more sustainable but also more robust.

If you need to use a tool you don’t currently own for a one-off or rare gardening task, ask your friends, neighbours, and family members if they have one you can borrow.

Alternatively, rent one from a local provider or, if you really feel the need to own the product, check out garage sales and online shopping sites for second-hand options. Plus, if you’ve accumulated multiple tools of the same type, donate the surplus to someone you know who’s in need, or to a local organisation that will put the items to good use, rather than bin them.

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

| 23

“Remember that you can dig up and then divide many perennial plants into multiple plantings.”

GROW YOUR OWN PRODUCE

Most households throw out vast amounts of food each year. If this is an issue you struggle with, it pays to grow your own produce. There are numerous fruits, vegetables, and herbs you can grow without too much trouble, so don’t feel you need to be an incredible gardener to try. Similarly, many plants don’t need a significant amount of space so even a small backyard will do. Many plants even thrive in pots, too.

Once you start growing produce, go out to your garden each day to pick what you need.

You won’t have to buy such large quantities from stores and throw out goods that go bad before you’ve had time to consume them.

Plus, by growing your own, you’ll reduce waste related to packaging. Most commercially-sold products come packaged in at least some type of plastic, which is not good as plastic doesn’t break down and harms many animal species.

24 |

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

BUY FEWER PLANTS

Another tip is to buy fewer plants. It might be tempted to keep buying new greenery when you spot it in the shops, but the truth is that your garden is probably already filled with enough. Remember that you can dig up and then divide many perennial plants into multiple plantings. You can also trade cuttings and bulbs with other keen gardeners in your circle. Swap with others for varieties you don’t already have, so everyone wins.

Furthermore, by not buying so many new plants, you won’t be contributing to the number of plastic pots that fill up garbage dumps each year. If you do need to get a plant fix, at least try to recycle the containers if you can. Some nurseries allow customers to return pots now, too, plus you can repurpose containers by planting seedlings in them.

Some other ways you can live more sustainably when it comes to your garden are: • Use small shards of broken crockery in your plant pots to act as a drainage system, or as a deterrent against pests (the sharp edges help to keep soft-bellied creatures away from plants).

• Collect and utilise grey water, such as the water from your washing up or showers, for use on your garden or lawn.

• Create a compost heap from kitchen and other household scraps, and use this compost as fertiliser for your garden.

• Use mulch, such as leaves, grass clippings, newspaper, spare bark chips, and other bits and pieces on your garden. This not only reuses the aforementioned items but also reduces the watering needs for your plants, thus conserving water.

DIY Composting: What You Need to Know

Composting is a beneficial activity to start, no matter whether you live in a house on a huge block or in a small apartment.

Composting reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfill, since you can put a wide variety of organic materials in your compost heap. Plus, with food scraps, yard waste, and other items breaking down this way, instead of in your bin and garbage dump, compost creates fewer methane gasses.

The other big plus from composting is that once the material has broken down, you’ll have fresh, rich fertiliser available to use on your garden. If you’ve never created or maintained a compost heap before, don’t stress; there are numerous simple yet effective steps you can follow today.

FIND A CONTAINER

For starters, source an adequate container to house your compost in. If you have a backyard, look for a large bin

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

| 25

(lidded if you’re afraid of smells) which is roughly a metre in diameter and comes up to around your waist. You can recycle a large garbage bin or buy a specific compost bin at a nursery, hardware store, home depot or department store. Sometimes, you can even find secondhand options at garage sales, or buy something made locally at farmers’ or handicraft markets.

It’s wise to protect your bin with some type of fencing, too. This is required if you have a dog or other pet who’s likely to try to get into the container (composted, fermented scraps can make dogs incredibly sick), or if there are native creatures in your area who might also be attracted to the smell of the bin.

If you live in an apartment, purchase a smaller, specially-designed compost bin made for compact spaces. If you want a DIY option, get a large box or ceramic container and poke holes in the lid and base. This step creates ventilation and allows moisture to drain out.

Place a tray underneath to catch the runoff.

Compost bins kept inside need to be lined with biodegradable bags to protect the container and to give you a way to easily remove and store the compost once it has broken down and is ready to be used. Alternatively, line your bin with strips of old newspapers or other paper. Since worms, which help the organic material to break down, won’t be present in an internal bin, you’ll have to buy some. Also, purchase a small amount of soil. Pour this over the paper or into the biodegradable bag you use to line your bin, and then drop in the worms on top.

INSERT SCRAPS

The next step is to “feed” your compost bin with scraps from your household. There is a long list of acceptable items, and it probably

26 |

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

includes more than you think. For example, on top of throwing in fruit and vegetable scraps and peels, you can add paper, tea, tea bags, coffee grounds and filters, eggshells, leaves, cut flowers, wood shavings, matches, pet hair, and even a thin layer of grass clippings at a time.

To keep your compost healthy, aim to include equal amounts of “green” waste with “brown” waste. “Green” waste is moist matter such as produce from your kitchen, while “brown” waste covers things like paper, dry leaves, and wood shavings. The two types of materials work well together when balanced. Green materials supply nitrogen to the compost, which is required to create new soil, while brown materials are rich in carbon. This chemical compound feeds the organisms that break scraps down.

Two other ingredients your compost needs are oxygen and moisture. Holes in your compost are there to let air in so the pile doesn’t rot and smell. You need to sprinkle the heap with water every so often to give it more moisture and help things break down.

Keep in mind that there are some household items you don’t want to put in your compost heap. For example, leave out meat, bones, dairy, animal waste, fats, oils, and plastic.

Also, be careful not to add any disease or insect-ridden plants to your piles as these can contaminate the heap and make the material unusable.

Over a few weeks, you should start to find that at least some of your compost ingredients are turning into soil. If possible, turn the mixture over every couple of weeks to mix it up and speed up the process.

5 GrowVeg.com

Easy Recycling Hacks for Your Garden

By Ann Marie Hendry, GrowVeg.com Recycling isn’t just great for the environment, it will help you save your hard-earned dollars for the things that really matter. Try out these easy, fun recycling projects that will help keep your garden in top condition.

1 . P L A N T P O T W AT E R RESERVOIR Watering directly onto the soil surface can be wasteful. Water can easily run off or evaporate before it has a chance to percolate down to where plants need it. A nifty way around this is to use a watering reservoir.

Sink an old plastic plant pot into the soil next to your plant. Water into it, and the water will be delivered directly to your plant’s roots, where it can be absorbed by the plant quickly and efficiently. Watering in this way also encourages roots to reach deeper into the soil in search of moisture instead of exploring near the surface, where they’re more likely to dry out between waterings.

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

| 27

2. PLASTIC BOTTLE MINI GREENHOUSE Tender young seedlings are sensitive to cool temperatures and drying winds. Fortunately, it’s easy to protect them by using the humble plastic bottle as a mini greenhouse.

Cut off the bottom of a bottle, then place the top over your seedling. Push the bottle into the soil a little so it won’t blow away, or insert a cane through the open neck if you live in a really windy spot. It can heat up quickly inside a mini greenhouse, so remove the lid for ventilation on warmer days.

(This tip is really a two-for-one. Take the bottom part of the bottle that you cut off and punch holes in it for drainage. Fill it with potting compost and use it for sowing seeds.)

3 . T O I L E T PA P E R T U B E POTS Take some empty toilet paper tubes, fill them with potting compost then sow your seeds into the top. This works particularly well with plants like peas that don’t transplant well.

Make sure to place them in a container so they don’t fall over.

When you’re ready to plant, just pop the whole thing into the ground. Too easy!

4 . PA L L E T C O M P O S T B I N Dead plant matter and kitchen scraps can simply be piled on the ground and left to rot down into compost, but an unstructured heap like this can become untidy. Compost bins tend to be expensive and made from nonrecycled plastic, so for a more environmentally friendly way to enclose your compost heap try making a compost bin out of old pallets.

Pallets are cheap (often free) and making a compost bin out of them is easy to do. You 28 |

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

need three or four pallets to make a compost bin. Make sure they are safe to use for this purpose – they should display the IPPC or EPAL logo, as well as the letters HT, which indicate that they have been heat-treated, not chemically treated.

Arrange your pallets in a square formation, with the corners butting up against each other.

You can use just three pallets if you wish to leave the front open, which makes loading and unloading the bin easier, or four if you’d prefer to completely contain it.

GrowVeg.com

Use wooden posts or lengths of rebar hammered into the ground at both ends of each pallet to hold it steady. You can also use wire to join the corners.

GrowVeg.com

5. HOMEMADE SHADECLOTH Old sheets, table cloths, towels, rugs, scraps of worn-out clothing - almost any kind of fabric can be used to make temporary shade cloth to protect plants from fierce summer sun.

Use clothes pegs to suspend your shade cloth on bamboo canes or other supports. That way they can easily be moved or removed as and when required.

GrowVeg.com provides apps for planning a productive garden with a 7-day free trial available.

GrowVeg.com

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

| 29

30 |

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

Environmental Instagrammers To Inspire You Saving the environment is something we should all be conscious of in our daily lives. There are plenty of ways to incorporate being greener in everything we do, but if you need a little inspiration to do your part, check out these environmental Instagrammers.

1. Zero Waste Home @zerowastehome

Bea Johnson is the founder of zero waste homes. She uses her platform of over 200,000 followers to spread help the message about pollution and waste. Using her own lifestyle to promote living with minimal waste, recycling properly and reusing or re-purposing as much as possible, Bea encourages others to get greener.

2. Trash is for Tossers @trashisfortossers

Founder of Trash is for Tossers, Laura Singer, promotes how to safely recycle and throw out rubbish to effectively reduce the amount of excess waste and pollution we accumulate in our own households. She posts inspiring pictures for her followers to spread her message and inspire change.

3. Beth Terry @bethterry

Living a waste-free lifestyle, Beth Terry travels the world sharing her knowledge and experiences of pollution affecting different countries. She posts day-to-day life updates, shares advice and spreads awareness of how pollution affects different places around the world.

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

| 31

4. Litter Less @litterless

Litter Less is all about simple and tidy living. This page is filled with tips and tricks for minimal waste lifestyles, as well as easy-to-make storage ideas for food and drink, which significantly cut back on daily waste.

5. Zero Waste Nerd @zerowastenerd

Megean Weldon is the founder of Zero Waste Nerd. Her Instagram page is filled with advice and helpful tips on living a zero waste life. She tackles food storage and minimizing what we throw away for recycling and general waste. Megean offers evidence and research about contributing the huge overload of waste and how to mitigate this ongoing problem.

6, One Million Women @1millionwomen

One Million Women is all about sustaining a busy lifestyle and creating little waste on a budget. Check this page out for plenty of life hacks about sustainability and how to reuse products, especially if you travel a lot and have to watch your dollars.

7. Rocket Science @rocket_science

Anita Vandyke is the founder of Rocket Science. She has a goal to help ensure living a waste-free life can be accomplished by anyone. She is a rocket scientist and a future M.D. who is striving to live a life with as little to no impact on the earth. She posts about car-free days or more sustainable meals to help improve the amount of impact we have by our day-to-day actions.

8. Never Pay Retail @nevereverpayretail

Never Pay Retail is run by Australian editor Hannah Klose. Her goal is to spread awareness about the benefits of op shopping and second-hand clothes shopping and posts about her success in finding awesome clothes from op shops. She inspires her followers to consider reusing old clothes and turning them into something new and shows us how she thrifts her entire wardrobe.

32 |

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

9. Eco Warrior Princess @ecowarriorprincess

Eco Warrior Princess is striving to make a difference to the environment via social media. They post daily news, which helps influence followers to be more aware of their own human footprint. This page discusses sustainability, climate change, politics and pollution. The posts are not for the feint-hearted; prepare to read the confronting truth about what is happening to our planet.

10. Made Out Of What @madeoutofwhat

Made Out Of What is all about art, but not just any regular art. The artist uses waste and rubbish to create beautiful pieces, which educate and spread awareness about pollution. Check out their mesmerizing pieces which all have a message to share about the impact pollution is having on our earth.

11. Worn Wear @wornwear

Worn Wear reuses old materials and clothes to create new and effective winter wear. The creators were inspired by Patagonia an outdoor company and wanted to recreate a recycled brand that helped families in need.

12. Pallet and Crate @palletandcrate

Pallet and Crate have a goal to help families DIY their living spaces with junkyard rubbish and turn it into safe, usable furniture. They specialize in pallets and crates and can help turn them into couches, bed frames and even tables. They are always posting new inspiration and help educate their followers about recycling their waste.

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

| 33

Do You Have A Story To Share With Us? WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU….

Do you have a story you think our readers could learn from?

Or Would you like to become a Blooms contributor?

34 |

b l o o m s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

d n a s u t Visi share your story now