GraniteCrete: the natural path
December 3, 2008
I’m a big sucker for pavers. The Old World look that they give, the geometry…yet, here is another green alternative to concrete that I have fallen in love with: GraniteCrete. Whether you’re in need of a new driveway, landscape path, or even a patio area, consider using the organic feel of GraniteCrete.
One of the reasons that I love pavers is because of their porous nature. GraniteCrete is also porous, allowing water to naturally seep into the ground and preventing unnecessary runoff to drains and sewers. Oil and other chemicals on our driveways can be broken down naturally by the bacteria in our soil before reaching our water table. Keeping our groundwater clean is important for the root systems of our trees. GraniteCrete will also reduce the affects of flash flooding, and lessen the urban heat-island effect. Runoff can cause erosion to the land and your landscape over time.
With all of that said, GraniteCrete has been installed in residences as well as harsher settings such as the California coastline (which, amazingly enough, did not require Read more
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Is it real green grass, or NewGrass? Consider a synthetic lawn.
August 24, 2008
Several weeks ago, I was walking Magneson Loop (neighborhood street near my home), and the green grass of a charming little bungalow caught my eye. The lawn was perfectly groomed as if cut by artists with scissors.
After further close inspection, I determined that the lawn was actually synthetic grass! While GetWithGreen hears of these products often from manufacturers, this was my first real life experience with this type of eco-friendly product, and from a distance greater than two feet I could not tell the difference between this artificial sod and traditional sod.
According to the Association of Artificial & Synthetic Grass Installers, homeowners installing artificial lawns reap the following benefits:
- Goes where no natural lawn dares to and thrives under almost any condition
- Low maintenance just keep it clean with a blower
- No need for watering, No need for mowing
- Never trim, edge, aerate, seed, thatch, or feed the lawn again!
- Thrives in full sun or shade
- Won’t stain, fights fading & discoloration Read more
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LANDSCAPING: Smart irrigation technologies for your yard
July 20, 2008
Soil moisture sensors and weather-based irrigation controllers (such as our favorite Cyber-Rain) allow for much more efficient watering of your landscape. But, did you know that there are certified professionals Nationally who can help you optimize your landscape watering with these technologies to save both your pocketbook AND the environment!?It is true, there are designers, contractors, and auditors across the US, who have been certified under the EPA’s WaterSense program for their expertise in building landscaping systems that make efficient use of water. The WaterSense program offers a list of these landscape experts, and the criteria by which they were certified. Clicking on the following link will take you to EPA’s list of WaterSence certified professions.
According to the EPA, homeowners could reduce irrigation water use by 15%, or 9,000 gallons annually, by designing landscape irrigation systems using certified professionals. That is just about equivalent to leaving your hose running nonstop for nearly a day!
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SAVING WATER: What does the WaterSense label mean to your remodel?
June 6, 2008
Using water-efficient products we can save both our environment and money. WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is making it easy for all of us homeowners to find and select water-efficient products.On average, WaterSense labeled product use 20% more efficient than similar products that are not. To achieve a WaterSense label, a manufacturer must get their product certified against a specification from WaterSense.
WaterSense Labeled Home Products
Bathroom Sink Faucets -If every household installed a WaterSense labeled faucet or aerator we could save more than 60 billion gallons of water annually. By installing a WaterSense labeled faucet an average home will save 500 gallons each year - and this reduced demand of water requires less heating, which saves even more energy and money!Here are the bathroom faucets and aerators you can find with WaterSense Labels:
- Delta (Lahara model)
- Moen (Banbury, Caldwell, FINA, Lindley, Muirfield, Rothbury models and more)
- Price Pfister (Ashfield, Falsetto, Hanover, Langston, SKYE, Vega, Virtue models)
- NEOPERL Aerators
Toilets -Inefficient toilets are responsible for much of the water wasted in American homes today. Replacing these toilets could save nearly 2 billion gallons annually. GetWithGreen.com covered the best of the best WaterSense toilets late last year. The ones we provided pricing for were high-efficiency toilets (HETs). Here is the WaterSense list:
- American Standard (Cadet, FloWise models)
- Caroma (Adelaide, Bondi, Brisbane, Read more
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LANDSCAPING: Rain Bird sprinkler contest gives you a green yard makeover
May 12, 2008
Rain Bird Corporation announced today that they have opened registration to win a $10,000 backyard makeover in their Why is it Always Greener contest. One grand prize winner will receive a gift card to the home retailer of their choice, and a first prize winner will receive a $500 gift card. The sweepstakes only requires you to fill out their form electronically and submit. GetWithGreen.com thinks this could be a great way to get in on transforming your backyard to a greener solution — using products like automatic sprinkler shut-off sensors.The deadline for entries is midnight on August 31, 2008. Winners will be announced in October 2008.
Additionally, the Rain Bird team is still accepting nominations for its Intelligent Use of Water Award. This award is open to homeowners (and organizations) whose Read more
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LANDSCAPING: CYBER-RAIN IMPROVES, AND THE RIGHT REBATE MAKES IT FREE
April 18, 2008
Cyber-Rain’s wireless sprinkler control system was recognized by GetWithGreen.com as the Best Green Home Remodeling Product for 2007, and the Cyber-Rain team continues to have tricks up their sleeve to improve the product for all of us.This week GetWithGreen.com caught up with Greg Nagy Cyber-Rain’s Director of Business Operations. Greg discussed upcoming upgrades that will soon expand the functionality of the new XCI systems, as well as upgrade your existing Cyber-Rain XCI system! In the coming months you will be able to securely access your Cyber-Rain from Read more
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DECKING: Dark colors are in, and Trex Brasilia is now available in Espresso
March 22, 2008
Dark woods are in indoors, and this week Trex announced a new color to their Brasilia outdoor decking product: Espresso.Trex Brasilia(R) decking and railing takes its design inspiration from the exotic look of tropical hardwoods. Building upon positive consumer response to this collection, Trex introduced a new color and a new fastening system to the Trex Brasilia collection at the 2008 International Builders’ Show (IBS).
Already available in Burnished Amber and Cayenne colors, Trex is debuting Brasilia in new Espresso, which resembles the dark brown hardwood look that is in style
throughout all home living categories - including furniture and flooring. This deep and warm color offers minimal fading over time, which allows Espresso to maintain its richness. Like the existing Trex Brasilia color options, Espresso features subtle shading and Read more
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Landscaping: First Eco-Friendly Grass Seed Announced
March 5, 2008
Yesterday, Pennington Seed unveiled ‘Smart Seed’, which they claim is the first environmentally-friendly grass seed. The seeds are coated with their ‘MYCO Advantage’, an exclusive blend of beneficial, all-natural root organisms that contribute to plant growth. The additional nutrients have been shown to result in denser and deeper root systems helping to achieve a thick, healthy, more drought resistant lawn.According to Pennington, the average lawn requires 10,000 gallons of water in addition to what is provided by rainfall each year. By planting a new lawn or over seeding an existing lawn with Smart Seed, homeowners can conserve up to 3,000 gallons of water per year, so they can conserve water and save money.
Smart Seed is available in Tall Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Rye and Bermudagrass seed blends, as well as Sun and Shade, Fescue/Bluegrass and Dense Shade seed mixtures.
Have you or someone you know tried ‘Smart Seed’? Are you aware of similar grass offerings? We’d love to hear from you. Leave us a comment to share your experience.
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LANDSCAPING: How do you preserve your existing landscape when you remodel?
March 1, 2008
Look out! During your remodel your existing landscaping could be in for a beating! Construction workers, Bobcats, piles of lumber, nails, gravel, etc. You can imagine, or maybe you already know what I am talking about. Well there are precautions you can take to reduce the damage to your wallet, to your trees and plants, and to limit the impact on the environment overall for the energy it takes to replace them!
Here are a few things you can do to preserve:
- Agree with your contractor before the project starts that your landscaping is important.
- Install temporary fencing around roots, and trees.
- Don’t allow materials to be stacked under trees, as the weight can damage roots systems.
- Watch for washing of wheelbarrows in planted areas, as the lime in the mix can create harmful pH levels.
- Schedule waterings on weekends, or when workers are gone so they are not walking through wet soil.
There are many more ideas in Tom Dominguez’s recent article: Tips for your landscape during construction projects.
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LANDSCAPING: Carter Oosterhouse from DIY talks recycled rubber
February 14, 2008
The DIY Network and Carter Oosterhouse from Inside Job talks eco-friendly landscaping mulch in the form of recycled rubber tires in this video.
As we covered late last month, approximately one tire is discarded per person per year. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports 290 million scrap tires were generated in 2003. GetWithGreen.com believes that you should definitely take a look at mulch that repurposes this rubber waste.
Related Articles on GetWithGreen:
- Ground cover & playground material solves a waste problem
- Eco-friendly backyard playground equipment
- Weed herbicide product that is eco-friendly
- 10 Steps to a Better and Eco-Friendly Lawn
- Don?t Use Chemicals, Try this Weedblocker Print This Post
