Home Depots Leaf Bags and their Eco-Terrible Tips

Im seeing lots of leaf bags in my neighborhood, like this collection from just one neighbors yard. Though I was happy to see theyre made of paper (which is required by my town), a closer look revealed that these bags come with a message about lawn care a message thats really, really bad for nearby bodies of water, especially the Chesapeake Bay.

The really, really bad part being, of course: The healthiest lawns are fed 4 to 5 times a year. Contrary to what any authoritative, environmentally conscious source recommends, including the University of Maryland, which follows the now-standard best practice of recommending lawn fertilization ONLY in the fall (in order to prevent run-off of excess nutrients and also over-stimulation of top growth which just leads to extra mowing).

What makes this even more galling are the little credibility-builders elsewhere on the bag. Eco-options my ass!

I followed the tip on the bag and visited Vigoro.com for more tips and learned that its apparently Home Depots in-house brand, so the responsibility for this horrible advice is clearly theirs. (Not to mention that HD also chose to plaster it all over their bags.) The website does indeed recommend that their super-charged chemical lawn fertilizer be applied any time during the growing season. And signage in HDs garden department backs it up with posters like these:

Yes, even SUMMER is a fine and dandy time to apply high-test fertilizer to your lawn. A practice that probably no authoritative, noncommercial source has ever recommended.

On Home Depots gardening blog, I discovered that their Lawn Care 101 is far better: Fertilizing once in the spring and once again in the fall should be sufficient. It even warns against overfertilization, though only because it can harm the lawn. No mention of it harming waterways but hey, its an improvement over the stores much more prominent advice.

Just as Bad as Scotts

Readers may have noticed multiple rants on this blog against Scotts for telling people to fertilize their lawns far too often and with highly polluting products but wow, Home Depot is definitely in the same league. Is there anything we can do to tell them to at least stop lying to the public about what healthy, eco-options are?

Maybe their partner in all things outdoors Martha Stewart herself could get their ear on this important subject.

In 2013, it's lights out for the 75-watt incandescent

Let's use the occasion of the shortest day of the year to say so long to another energy-wasting incandescent lightbulb. Federal law mandates that 75-watt bulbs can no longer be made in the U.S. or imported as of January 1, although retailers can sell remaining stock. Fortunately, in Consumer Reports lightbulb tests we found an LED that uses only 17 watts but is as bright as a 75-watt bulb.

Most screw-in bulbs have to use at least 27 percent less energy by 2014 as part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The phase-out started last January with 100-watt bulbs and now 75-watt lightbulbs will fade away. If you're looking for replacements consider the Philips AmbientLED (model 17W 75W A21 Soft White 418400). Using 17 watts, it instantly brightens and casts a nice warm light—it scored an impressive 99 out of 100 after 3,000 hours of testing. This dimmable LED can be used in lamps and ceiling fixtures.

Philips claims these LEDs will last 25,000 hours, or nearly 23 years when used 3 hours a day. If that sounds awfully long, it is. An incandescent typically lasts about 1,000 hours. But at $40 this LED takes about 4.5 years to pay for itself. However, our lightbulb tests found you can save about $160 in electricity and replacement bulbs over its lifetime, compared to 75-watt bulbs. Our lightbulb Ratings include dozens of CFLs and LEDs, so take a look, and be sure to check online for rebates from manufacturers and your utility for Energy Star-qualified bulbs.

Tazetta time

If all goes as planned, this room (above) will soon be filled with these (below, sorry for the fuzzy pic). Erlicheer is my tazetta of choiceeach stem produces a small bouquet of mildly scented white flowers.

As Ive posted before, the commonly sold Ziva has become synonymous with paperwhites (narcissus tazetta cultivars) and, for many, has created the impression that all these flowers have a strong and (to many) unpleasant scent. And that they all have single white flowers. Its kind of nutslike assuming all roses look and smell the same. Unfortunately, Ive never seen any other kind of tazetta other than Ziva in the big box stores. It seems like more people would buy more bulbs if they knew there were better choicesdoesnt it?

Beautiful and Cozy Design With Rusty Pipes As Odd Elements Of Dcor

Minsk, Belarus is the home for this exquisite, impeccable decorated loft, where ( a particular and unusual type of) coziness and colours create a beautiful story. Really welcoming and different, the apartment is a strange mix of wood, bricks and concrete, with a gorgeous fireplace, occupying the central part of the room. The place is full of contrasts, from steampunk elements to cozy chalet-like details, sprinkled all over the house.  The emerald-green couch adds a spot of colour to this strange mix of urban-industrial décor and Christmas coziness. Floor to ceiling windows let the light flood the interior and offer gorgeous wide views over the courtyard. The loft has been designed by the Russian,  Uglyanitsa Alexander.

There’s a pleasant asymmetry going on: the ceiling is higher in the living room and lower in the rest of the house. The loft-like structure provides some extra privacy to the office, which was strategically placed, at the first floor. The brick walls, the metallic staircase and the abudance of concrete, as well as the yellow arrows on the floor and the pipes, offer a unique “rough” experience worth exploring. The interior doesn’t seem univiting at all, but striking and very modern. Really cool and hip, the loft, decorated by the Russian designer,  is really inspiring and fun! How do you see it?

Sustainable and Impressive Looking Home in Costa Rica: The Orizon Residence

We recently received photos and information about a highly modern project, defined by an optimum indoor-outdoor connection. Andrés Serpa designed this tropical home in Playa Grande, Costa Rica located just by Las Baulas Marine National Park. The residence was conceived as a place allowing inhabitants to enjoy the outdoors and natural environment. A sustainable home was built by following traditional construction methods, by utilizing local construction materials and by realizing the huge need to preserve the nature around.

A combination between concrete and Wood really maximized sophistication and simplicity in a single space. The core of the house is the semi covered space with easy access to pool, in which one can enjoy nature, tropical weather and monkeys passing by. In this space, worldly cares can be forgotten and the human spirit is granted the freedom to dream. The Orizon house symbolizes humanity and nature co-existing peacefully. [Photos and information provided via e-mail by Andrés Serpa]

Exquisite Modern Home in Japan Neighboring the Asama Volcano

The scenic region of Asamayama, Japan had a tremendous influence on the residential project developed by the Japanese firm of architecture, Kidosaki Architects Studio. After years of research, the client found the ideal site for his dream home and decided to settle down. Away from the urban jungle, this particularly beautiful retreat focuses on the staggering natural beauty, which has a soothing effect on the human body and mind. The internal space is beautifully blending with the surroundings, creating a cozy and comfortable place, ideal for reading books, relaxing and discovering the inner self.

Reigning over the sea of trees, The House in Asamayama offers spectacular views. A steel structure wraps the dwelling, making it suitable for the steep land. The dialogue between the outdoor and the inhabitable space is made through the wooden coverage. Here, the Japanese culture creates a connection between the man and the environment. For the interior, the architects chose a minimalistic design line. A wall made entirely of glass, oriented towards the mountains engages the viewer into a journey of tranquility. Under the influence of a sober-chic concept, the house exhales comfort, becoming the ultimate environment for relaxation.