Hi all,

I have personally been taken aback about where the green movement has gone in the past year. It seems to me that every big box store and major corporation has jumped on the bandwagon, which in many cases is a good thing. However there are those that are doing what is widely known as “green washing,” a practice of framing their products to look green when in reality they may not be.

SO, that has me thinking — What IS the future of green? I have some answers but literally have more questions. So I have decided to hold a series of old fashion salons to discuss it. These salons will be an open forum facilitated by me and perhaps others. For those of you who RSVP I will have a little reading and thinking for you to do prior to attending.

Please note that I am looking to create a happy conversation that builds into a positive future. This is not a place to complain or blame. The sessions will be recorded for transcription as I intend to use this content for future writings, therefore I will ask that you sign a release for me to do so.

* Each session stands on its own so you only need to attend one.

* Seating is limited to 30 people – please RSVP to Courtney@yg2g.com.

I am looking forward to participating in this discussion and hope you can make it.

Greg Peterson
The Urban Farm
The Future of Green?

* July 6 or Aug 3 at
Changing Hands,
6428 S McClintock Dr, Tempe, AZ 85283,
McClintock at Guadalupe
6 pm to 8:30pm

* July 10 or Aug 14 at
Creative Living Fellowship,
6530 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85014
6 pm to 8:30pm

The past two weeks we have been discussing greywater and rainwater use in our yards. Last week author Brad Lancaster gave us the background on his journey to expertise in rainwater harvesting. This week he gives us the specifics on his eight principles for successful rainwater harvesting.

A quick review of last weeks article: On average up to 90% of our household municipal water that goes down the drain is actually greywater ready, we just need to get it to the landscape. Additionally, we can harvest and infiltrate thousands of gallons of rain and runoff into the soil around our home (and, by extension, the community’s watershed) over the course of our annual average rainfall. These two water sources can provide a significant amount of our landscape irrigation needs.

By shifting to living within our greywater and rainwater “budget” we can make a significant impact on our local sustainability and landscapes. As a result, we can enrich the land, create a beautiful home and neighborhood environment – and give back more than we take!

Both of Brad’s books:

Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands Vol. 1

Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond Vol. 2

are available at our YourGuidetoGreen.com online store, as well as the book Create an Oasis with Greywater. Along with our theme of showers from the sky, we’re offering you our Eco-Shower Bundle, which both the kids and your pocketbook will love!

Enjoy the rain and hey, if you enjoy reading these weekly tips and articles please forward them to a friend (use the “Share” box below and click “email”.

You can also get them hooked on our 15 Essentials for Living a Green Lifestyle ”quickie” email series. See the green “Subscribe” box in the column to the right

Technorati Tags: diversion, garden, gardening, greywater, harvesting, rain, rainwater, systems, water

Last week we discussed greywater and some of the methods for utilizing it. If you missed it, here is the link to the tip. Now let’s move on to rainwater harvesting which, from an implementation perspective, is very similar to greywater applications. The biggest difference between the two is the source of water.

Rainwater typically is harvested from a roof and directed via gutters into the ground surrounding the structure. However, any flat hard surface can be designed to direct the water from where it lands to where you want it. As an example, my concrete driveway is slightly sloped to the south and drains the rainwater into the garden bed.

In this week’s article, Brad Lancaster begins the exploration of how we go about installing rainwater harvesting systems. Remember that many of the methods can also be overlaid on greywater systems as well. He also outlines his eight principles to a successful water harvesting system. Here are the first four:

1. Conduct a long, thoughtful observation
2. Begin at the top and work your way down
3. Plan and manage an overflow route
4. Harvest rain as close as possible to where it falls

…and for the rest check out his full article.

Our featured book, Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands Vol. 1, shows you how to select, place, size, construct, and plant your chosen water-harvesting “earthworks”. Along with our theme of showers from the sky, we’re offering you our Eco-Shower Bundle, which both the kids and your pocketbook will love!

Enjoy the rain and, as always, have a great green day! And hey, if you enjoy reading these weekly tips and articles please forward them to a friend. You can also get them hooked on our 15 Essentials for Living a Green Lifestyle ”quickie” email series.

Technorati Tags: diversion, garden, gardening, greywater, harvesting, rain, rainwater, systems, water

This time of the year I get a lot of questions about how to best water our yards. Short of standing with the hose or installing a sprinkler system, what can we do? Two of my favorite solutions are greywater and rain water harvesting. Over the next few weeks we are going to explore these options, starting with greywater.

For the longest time after I went to my first permaculture class in 1991 I understood the notion of water harvesting to be one where I had to collect and store the water in some kind of container. The part that I missed was that a perfect storage container for the water is FREE… it’s the ground around my home. That’s right, don’t build tanks, put gutters in place to put the water in the ground where you need it. Our articles over the next three weeks will share many strategies about just how to do this.

This week’s article, called Greywater Turned Green, explores the many aspects of greywater. But before you go there, here are some quick greywater answers.

• Greywater is the water that goes down your shower, washer and sink (not including the kitchen.)

• Blackwater, which is not usable in our landscape, is the water that goes down the toilet and kitchen sink.

• Don’t ever store greywater, as it begins to smell very quickly.

• Greywater is legal in some states. Check with your local municipality for the regulations in your area.

• To see Arizona’s regulations click here

We also have two fantastic books on the topic. Create an Oasis with Greywater gives you the inside scoop on irrigating with household wash water while relieving septic tank strain and doing it all chemical free! Plus Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands Vol. 1 shows you how to select, place, size, construct, and plant your chosen water-harvesting “earthworks”.Most of all have fun with your greywater. Have a great green day.

Greg

Technorati Tags: blackwater, books, greywater, permaculture, rain water, regulations, resources

Summer is here and most of us are looking forward to our respite from our life.  Our summertime getaway.  As I write this mine is only 31 days away…I started counting down at about 90 days.  Well as you can imagine the travel industry is embracing the green movement with Ecotourism.  This makes perfect sense considering that when we travel, we consume.

And often when we travel we seem to have an “It’s vacation” mentality that usually does not include conserving. From the gasoline we burn to the extra long showers we take in our hotel rooms, to the land we affect in our comings and goings, the impact can be enormous.

In this week’s article we explore the top three areas that make the biggest impact when we are traveling.  We explore tips from turning off your water heater at home (creating a huge savings) to using public transportation and walking on the vacation end.  Oh and my favorite…take a sailing cruise.

To help out with making your vacation even more green, be sure to bring along some stainless steel 32oz. sport bottles that you may fill with water from a safe source. Carry it with our Insulated Bottle Carrier Tote

We even have a stainless steel kid version! And for your infant/toddler, the Foogo 7oz Leak-Proof Sippy Cup is your best bet.

Naturally-derived insect repellants, suntan lotions, and balms, are also easier on your body and the environment. Our Outdoor Adventure Kit and Kids Outdoor Kit are your cost-effective green adventure companions.

Greg

Technorati Tags: bottles, conserving, Ecotourism, gas, impact, stainless steel, summer, transportation, vacation, water heater