How to effortlessly collect rainwater for your garden this summer

With more and more people choosing to live “off the grid” and be as self-sufficient as possible, rainwater harvesting systems have become increasingly popular. While having such a system professionally installed can prove costly, creating your own DIY system can be inexpensive and easy, and will start saving you money on your monthly water bill right away. You will also have the added bonus of being less reliant on municipal water, which can be a real bonus, especially in times of drought or water restrictions. (RELATED: Find more tips at OffGridLiving.news.)

It’s surprising just how much water you can collect. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation notes that a well set-up rainwater harvesting system can capture as much as 80 percent of the rainwater that falls on your catchment area (generally your roof), though the other 20 percent will be lost to leaks and overflows or even absorption by roof materials.

Getting your rainwater collection system set up requires only five things:

• A catchment area, which will usually be your roof;
• A way to move the water from your roof to your storage tank, which will most likely be a gutter;
• A standard gutter diverter to get the water from the gutter into the tank. Most also filter leaves and other debris from the water before it enters the tank;
• The actual storage tank. An inexpensive, readily available option would be a water tote tank, which can hold up to 275 gallons. Whatever you choose to use, ensure that it has not previously been used to store chemicals or other dangerous compounds; and
• A threaded valve and hose adapter so you can get the water from the tank to your garden. These are readily available at plumbing and hardware stores.

The simple steps to getting your water harvesting system set up are as follows:

1. Connect a simple gutter (downspout) converter to your gutter – you can obtain one online or from a gutter installer.
2. Position your tank beneath the gutter converter, which has twin spouts. The tank will fill with water via the 6” opening found at the top of most water tank totes. When the tank is full, flip the switch and the water will be diverted away from the tank via the second spout.
3. Attach the threaded valve and hose adapter to the 2” opening at the bottom of your tank so that you can connect a standard garden hose to it.

There are some important things to consider when it comes to rainwater harvesting systems.

A wise first step would be to confirm what your state’s legislation is regarding these systems, since rules and restrictions differ from state to state. While certain states encourage the collection of rainwater, with some like Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia even offering tax credits on the purchase of rainwater collection equipment, other states, particularly those out west where water is scarce, have complicated water collection legislation. The National Conference of State Legislatures published a comprehensive list of state rainwater harvesting laws in November 2016, available online.

It should also be noted that the type of material from which your roof is constructed can affect the quality and quantity of water you can collect. Some roof materials, like concrete or clay tiles, wooden shingles or asbestos shingles are very absorbent, which will limit how much water you can collect. Roofing materials may also be contaminated with pesticides or heavy metals, which would make the water collected unsafe for drinking or for watering your fruits and veggies.

You might also want to consider filtering or disinfecting the water in your storage tank, particularly if you plan to drink it.

And finally, it is a good idea to drain and store your storage tanks in a barn or garage in the fall, to prevent them cracking or freezing in winter.

(Photo credit: Old World Garden Farms)

Sources for this article include:

OldWorldGardenFarms.com

CMHC-SCHL.GC.ca

NCSL.org

Make time for thyme: How to grow your own thyme

If you feel like your roast chicken is missing that special something, a pinch of thyme might just do the trick. Now, you could go to your local farmers’ market to purchase a small bundle of thyme… or you could grow it yourself in your very own backyard. Not only is this aromatic, flavorful herb a great addition to any dish, but it’s not that difficult to grow.

Growing your own thyme

According to RodalesOrganicLife.com, there are over 400 varieties of thyme, with those varieties falling under either ornamental thyme or culinary thyme. If you’re growing thyme for kitchen use then the most common and popular types are French or common thyme, lemon thyme, and caraway thyme. Whichever you pick, the best part about these hardy herbs are easy to grow but are slow. Thyme takes anywhere from 14 to 28 days to germinate.

When you purchase an ounce of thyme seeds, you purchase a packet of 170,000 seeds. Those tiny seeds prefer dry soil, lots of sun, and little water and attention. We recommend that you begin seeding indoors in shallow soil, making sure to space them inches apart so they have room to grow. Thyme in small gardens should be placed nine inches apart, while thyme in larger plant beds should be placed 12 to 18 inches apart. Once they’ve taken root you can move them outside for better exposure to the sun.

For best results, harvest your thyme herbs just before they begin to flower. This will allow you to better enjoy their full, potent flavor. To harvest thyme simply clip the stem, one and a half to two inches from the soil, and leave behind the woody growth. After you’ve harvested your thyme place the stems on newspaper sheets or screen and dry them someplace warm and airy. (RELATED: Find more news about growing and using herbs at Herbs.news.)

Thyme can be preserved in a number of ways. You can refrigerate it, freeze it, or preserve it in oil. 

Take note of these extra tips.

• Little to no covering is best for thyme.
• If growing them outdoors isn’t a viable option, then placing them indoors under standard fluorescent lamps will do.
• Mulch is good for controlling weeds.
• Thyme seeds can keep for up to three years, so you don’t need to plant them all at once. You can save the rest for a later date.
• If desired, you can opt to grow your thyme alongside companion plants. Rosemary is a good companion plant if your thyme is being grown inside a container. Tomatoes, eggplants, cabbages, and strawberries are ideal for garden-grown thyme.

Why Thyme?

Now after all this, you might be asking yourself, “Is growing thyme really worth it?”

If your kitchen is your personal domain, then thyme is an invaluable plant. You can use it to give your stews and meats an extra kick. It can be added to butter and even bread. Thyme also pairs quite well with other herbs like oregano and parsley. Really, it’s all up to you on what to do with your homegrown thyme. The best part is that you don’t need to rush to the grocery to buy more once your kitchen runs out of it. You can just step outside into your garden.

If you’re not much of a cook, thyme is still an excellent addition to your home. This simple herb offers a variety of health benefits thanks to its antimicrobial characteristics and antioxidants. Drinking a cup of thyme tea can relieve bad colds or bloating. Adding thyme to your diet allows you enjoy its multitude of vitamins and minerals, including calcium, iron, and vitamin A.

Sources:

RodalesOrganicLife.com

TheKitchn.com

Burpee.com

OurHerbGarden.com

FieldofFlavor.com

NaturalNewsBlogs.com

Top 10 homemade natural herbicides to tackle the weeds in your garden

 In today’s atmosphere of increasing health and environmental awareness, more and more people are turning their back on chemical herbicides. One of the most popular herbicides used today, Monsanto’s Roundup Ready, has been sprayed in gardens, parks, playgrounds, and farmlands for many years. As the debate surrounding the safety of this highly controversial glyphosate-containing herbicide heats up, people are seeking safer and less toxic ways to rid their garden or driveway of unwanted weeds.

Unlike commercial, cancer-causing weed killers, these DIY herbicides will not contaminate your vegetable garden, soil, or groundwater, and they will not harm the wildlife, beneficial pollinators, people, or the ecosystem of your garden. (RELATED: Stay informed about the harmful effects of pesticides at Pesticides.news.)

10 DIY alternatives to Roundup Ready

While it might take a little longer to kill the weeds, all the options mentioned below are effective, cheap, and safe for your family, pets, and the environment. The best way to get rid of weeds is to pull them out by hand, making sure you also dig up the roots. This, however, is very labor-intensive and might take up too much time. Here are ten quicker ways to effectively get rid of garden weeds.

1. Boiling water

One of the easiest ways to get rid of weeds is pouring boiling water over them. Though effective, this method may take a while and will need to be repeated several times a day for the tougher weeds in your yard.

2. Vinegar

Any vinegar will do the trick. You can use it diluted or undiluted, depending on the weed you are trying to kill. Start with a 50 percent dilution and increase or decrease the concentration according to the result.

3. Salt

While it is not recommended to use salt in your vegetable garden or flower beds, as it makes the soil unsuitable for future plant growth, it can do an excellent job on pavement areas or gravel paths. You can use dry salt or mix it with boiling water to enhance the effect.

4. Bleach

Just as salt, bleach can be used diluted or undiluted in areas that have no plants. For a better effect, Healthy and Natural World recommends applying bleach during the hottest part of the day.

5. Baking soda

Sprinkle a decent amount of baking soda over the weeds growing in driveways and sidewalks. Hose them down and repeat several times throughout the day. This remedy is most effective when applied to young weeds.

6. Rubbing alcohol

Add a few tablespoons of rubbing alcohol and water to a spray bottle and spray onto the leaves. The mixture will suck the moisture out of the leaves, thus killing the weeds.

7. Corn gluten meal

This natural herbicide can be found at most garden centers. While this substance does an excellent job at killing weeds before they grow to their full size, there is one caveat to this method. To achieve good results at least 20 pounds of corn gluten meal needs to be applied per 1,000 square feet.

8. Newspaper

While it might not add to the looks of your garden, using several layers of newspaper is an excellent way to get rid of low growing weeds. Due to the lack of sunlight old weeds will die and the growth of new plants is prevented. To improve garden aesthetics, cover the newspapers with a layer of mulch.

9. Ground cover plants

Ground cover plants are an excellent way to keep garden weeds at bay. They compete with the weeds for space, nutrients, and sunlight.

10. Eat them

Also, before you start your extermination round, do some research, many weeds — such as stinging nettles or dandelions — pose strong medicinal properties and are edible. So you might want to change your mind about getting rid of these pesky garden weeds.

Sources:

HealthyAndNaturalWorld.com

TreeHugger.com

How to make survival candles with soy wax

 Compared to regular paraffin candles, soy candles might not seem all that different at first glance. A candle’s a candle, right? The similarities between paraffin candles and soy candles are only surface-deep. There are many reasons why these vegetable oil-derived candles are much better than regular ones. Because they’re made from soybeans, they’re natural and completely renewable. Soy candles also burn longer and cleaner than paraffin ones, producing less black soot once they’ve finished burning. They’re non-toxic as well, unlike paraffin candles which have been shown to release carcinogenic chemicals when melted.

Picture it: you’re enjoying a nice night at home when the power suddenly goes out. You stumble through the darkness to get your box of emergency candles. You light them up them up and wait for the power to come back on. The candles burn quickly and leave soot behind. These store-bought candles will do in a pinch but they could be better. You could do better…and you can by making your own soy candles.

You don’t need anything super fancy to make your own soy candles. You just need a few materials and time. You would need:

• Soy wax flakes
• Containers (Canning jars, normal glasses, and even tin cans will do)
• Tabs and wicks (If you don’t have access to these, rolled cotton is a good alternative)
• Double boiler or two pots
• Optional: wooden spoon
• Optional: scented oils (We recommend lemon and lavender)
• Optional: Aluminum foil

The steps

1. Prepare everything beforehand. Melted wax solidifies quickly, so you’ll want to make sure that you’ve have your jars or cans ready. Place your wicks and tabs inside their containers.
2. Place your double-boiler on the stove. If all you only have two different pots, fill the larger pot with water a third of the way and then insert the smaller pot inside the larger one. Turn on the heat, bring your double boiler (or pots) to a boil, and then add the soy wax flakes.
3. Wait for your soy wax flakes to completely melt. You can stir the melting wax with a wooden spoon to speed up the process. If you want scented candles, this is the time to add the scented oils. Remove the pot from the stove and then stir in your scented oils. For every pound of melted wax, use one ounce of essential oils.
4. Once the soy wax flakes have fully melted, pour them into their containers. Don’t fill the containers up all the way to prevent the wax from spilling out. Leave a one-inch margin between the rim of the container and the wax. If you used rolled cotton wool, be sure to add them after you’ve poured in the wax to prevent the steam from making them soggy. Use aluminum foil to center the cotton wool inside their containers.
5. Cool down your soy candles and wait for them to harden. It’s best to let them sit overnight at room temperature to prevent the soy candles from cracking.

That’s all it takes to make your own soy candles. These are great to have for around your home because they’ll burn for hours at a time. If you’re planning on making soy candles for camping, it’s best to use aluminum cans and keep them unscented for safety purposes. Otherwise, you’re free to make and use them as you wish.

Sources:

CandleScience.com

Household-tips.TheFunTimesGuide.com

NaturalNews.com

AskAPrepper.com