These wood planters are heavy enough to stay in one place during most extreme weather and won’t blow away like plastic, chip like concrete, crack like pottery or rust like metal planters eventually will.  These wonderful planters can be treated and sealed to maintain their natural look and beauty or painted or stained to match your chosen décor.  This gives you the flexibility to use them in just about any outdoor or indoor living space where you want to enjoy your favorite plant and blooms.  I love the versatility of these planters and the fact that they are all natural.  Go green!

Though my aunt could raise Cain with her neighbor she believes this is a good drill for hard times. She washes clothes and dishes by hand, keeps water outside for livestock and other wild creatures in the area, keeps their house a balmy 85 degrees and has a great outlook on life in general. They use the windmill on the property and she laughs about the “new” wind energy since windmills have been used for years to pump water. The last thing she said to me was the younger generation might learn a thing or two if they would just ask some old coots what worked in their day; after all, before modern technology, they still lived well.

It is funny how so many things that were used back in the day (a long time ago) are coming full circle and becoming all the rage again.  One of those things is the lowly rain barrel.  Rain Barrels used to be used for one thing and one thing only; capturing water today to be used somewhere else in the future.  There were issues with them that included attracting bugs were also overcome by using the water sooner rather than later for watering crops and gardens.

Today’s rain barrels are more sophisticated and have solved the problems of the past.  They capture clean water to use for your potted plants and garden as well as help reduce runoff.  This is a great way to reduce the amount of fertilizers and pesticides that wash into our rivers, lakes and streams.  The new barrels have lids that prevent the stagnant water developing and attracting pests and bacteria as well as having hoses for easily getting the water out of the barrel and onto the plant areas.  It’s just a great way to save on water usage, cost and reduce waste water into the environment.  A win, win, win for everyone!

Funny that I just wrote about Alice Waters and the Slow Food Movement and the advantages of either growing your own food or purchasing your food locally because one of the things she has been very passionate about just happened today.  The White House is planting an organic garden on the grounds.  In fact, Michelle Obama is a proponent of good healthy food sources and she sounds like an Alice Waters believer!

Ms Waters has written many a letter to the powers that be at the White House for many years now with no takers.  She won’t have to say that anymore.  I am so pleased that something so close to Alice’s heart has come to fruition. Bravo Ms. Obama, may you lead the way for a better way to have food; Alice Waters as well as many of us will be right there by your side with shovels in one hand and seeds in the other!

This past week 60 Minutes did a segment on Alice Waters, who is lovingly called the mother of the Slow Food Movement.  As important as that is and as wonderful the movement is she continues on with a drive a spirit to teach and educate children on the value of good food.  It was impressive to see her hands on approach to developing a place where kids can not only plant and grow organic food but a place where they can learn how to turn this food into great meals!

If every community would start the process of teaching kids the valuable lessons behind preparing and planting their own food source, harvesting that source and turning it into great meals, we will insure our country’s survival. This is not to come across as a doom and gloom thing just as a way to make sure we can sustain ourselves no matter what comes our way.  That old Boy Scout Motto “Always be prepared!” rings true.

So what’s all the hoopla about this green living?  Is it really worth the investment that the government is expected to put into it or is it another Y2K fiasco?  Well, let’s look at what we know about green living.

The first thing is about using energy, water and other resources efficiently.  That alone would make it worth it in the long run with energy getting more and more expensive and water harder to come by.  Add to that the improved health that is estimated to accompany the reduction in waste, pollution and other damage to our environment and we find that living green has some wonderful advantages and side effects.

Living and working green will also reduce operating expenses by using less energy and water and increasing productivity.  Though critics estimate that building and renovating according to green standards will costs 12 to 15% more than traditional building, the real estimates are only 5% more and the cost benefit increases as energy prices rise.  Don’t get fooled by gas prices going back down as this has happen several times in the past.  We are now learning from our experiences and moving forward as a green nation.

I recently found a website that, though not gardening specific, is a great resource for anyone who is following the global environmental issues of the day.  You can get a feel about the challenges of the global shortage of water, what is happening in regard to climate and energy around the world as well as what is happening in agriculture, food and sustainability. However, it goes further and explores the solutions to these growing challenges, which is great!

There is also a wonderful community of bloggers that are both well versed in the issues and fun to read.  Planet 2025 is well thought out giving perspectives and an actionable plan for individuals as well as small and large businesses.  This is good news for those who believe in being good stewards whether that be in the backyard or in the world.

This is a great time to start planning your garden for 2009.  One of the best ways to start is to look up the plants that you would like to add to your existing garden and flowerbeds.  Make a list of everything you want to add along with a place to do a little research to make sure that they will do well in your area.  If you’re not sure what will work in your area, contact the nearest Universities Agriculture Department and get their input as to what is the best plants to use that are native to your area.

Another great thing to start thinking about is composting.  If you are not currently doing a compost pile or own a composter, now is the time to do it.  You can create a great nutrient rich compound for your garden and pots right at your own home with all the biodegradable scraps thrown out by your family.  This is good for you and good to keep these same scraps out of the landfills; a win-win situation.

One of the things we don’t often think about this time of year is what gardens we have available in our communities.  One of the best places to go and check to see what community gardens are available in your community is to go to the ACGA (American Community Garden Association) website.

You will be able to read about what a community garden is and, if you don’t have one, how to start one.  Once you see how community gardens work you will be won over at how wonderful they can be.  Please check out the ACGA and make plans to contact and visit the community garden in your area and if you can, please donate to this fantastic cause.

There is a great tradition in our house to make Christmas not only white, but green.  From using recycled wrapping paper to eating fresh foods we do what we can during this time of year to make sure we take care of the earth as well as each other.

With this in mind, I want to wish everyone a wonderful Holiday Season and may you have the Best Green Christmas Ever!