Cardboard Gardens

A word many people usually associate with gardening is expensive! And they are right. Big, elaborate gardens can really add up. Pathways, ponds, fountains, seating areas. They can all add up pretty fast. But, you do not need to have all the bells and whistles to have a functioning garden. In fact, the most effective and productive gardens are often the simplest of designs.

It is so easy to get carried away and spend so much money on gardens. But, there is an alternative. Many experienced gardeners are turning to cardboard boxes for their newest designs.

That’s right, these cardboard boxes make a very good foundation for any garden bed. You really just need to spread flattened boxes under all of your dirt and compost for the next season. The plus side is you do not even need to wait. You can throw the boxes down, add soil on top, and get to planting that very day.

Cardboard is decomposable. This means eventually the cardboard will break down over time and just become a part of the soil. This won’t happen for a few years so it is still a good idea to lay the cardboard down and expect it to last a few growing seasons. You can spend way less than expensive liners and essentially get the same result with the added benefit of more compost in the long run!

Another added cost that most people forget about is nutrients for the soil. You could go to the gardening store and pick up pot soil to mix into your garden soil, or you could make your own. Many gardeners are switching to making their own compost because it saves them so much money. Compost is made up of kitchen scraps you would have just thrown away anyways. Keep these scraps in a bin and use them later for food for your plants! The circle of life.

To compost effectively you need a ratio of 25 brown matter to 1 green matter. This means you need way more paper, leaves, sticks, and cardboard than you do compost scraps. The layer of cardboard is now serving multiple purposes. Whether you have a compost pile or a bin, cardboard is perfect brown material. Break it down into small pieces and mix it in with your compost.

Gardening does not have to be expensive. Use what you have at home! Use what you would normally throw away-kitchen scraps and boxes.c

What to consider when packing liquids for a move?

When planning on a new move it can sometimes be a stressful situation and it could sometimes be an issue on getting things organized in a certain way that could take away from the stress. When many find themselves in those stressful moments they turn to moving companies to help plan and execute that perfect plan for their move. Going into a move requires planning and a detailed outline from start to finish. It puts a plan on how things should be moved and what items are to be packed away.

Moving companies deal with many types of items that need to be packaged daily. Some huge, some tiny, yet they all must be managed in a comparable process and with a similar level of care. Whether the package is in a small wooden container or a vast cardboard box, the care still must be the same. Even though the packages are dealt with in the same manner of care, all items are not made equal, some require more care and others need less. While moving companies manage fluids with equal care as other packages, some group them into various categories that require different strategies in there handling. Some are grouped as aerosols, expanding fluids, for example, creams or paste, food and beverages. If moving companies opt out of certain services that are not provided through there company, they will make the customer aware of their policies regarding packages.

Moving truck companies may offer a list of prohibited liquids that they deem too be risky and may disapprove of the handling, including but not limited to such items as flammable gases, explosives, and toxic substances like:

• Ammonia
• Bleach
• Aerosol cans
• Paints/varnishes
• Nail polish/remover
• Lighter fluid
• Cleaning solvents
• Fertilizer
• Fire extinguishers
• Oils
• Pesticides

Checking with your designated moving company before you plan on moving, will be the best option in figuring out if the items are permitted.

Some companies may suggest that the customer move those fragile, delicate liquid items themselves if they are moving locally, to ensure the item is safely moved. Nevertheless, when moving across the country it is best that the customer take some precautions before the movers handle their item for the move.

• Use plastic zipper storage bags or bins before storing in cardboard boxes. If by chance a spill occurs in a cardboard box, it will be less of a mess and can prevent the leak from damaging other packages.
• An extra line of protection would be in lining the bins with towels to add an extra layer of protection.
• Tape the lids of the liquid containers, to make sure any openings are tightly sealed.

Moving can add a stress that is not expected when it’s time to execute the process, but many soon find out it’s not as easy as its thought to be. When adding the element of moving liquids, many questions must be answered before assuming they are guaranteed to be moved. Following some pre-move precautions will help in aiding the process and figuring out if it’s a viable option.