Here are some eye-opening statistics: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, yard trimmings and food waste account for 23 percent of the U.S. waste stream. That means things that break down quite well naturally, like grass clippings and apple cores, are sitting in landfills creating tons of methane gas. Why is that so bad? "Methane is a greenhouse gas that remains in the atmosphere for approximately 9-15 years. Methane is over 20 times more effective in trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (EPA)."

The EPA and many private companies are working on ways to turn methane and other landfill gases into renewable energy. But perhaps the best way to combat these harmful gases is to cut down on what creates them, which is something people can do in their own backyard. Composting is an easy and inexpensive way to help the environment, while improving your own garden.

Composting speeds up the natural process of the decomposition of organic matter by providing the perfect environment for bacteria to break things down. What results is a product that looks like dark, fertile garden soil that is full of nutrients to help plants grow. According the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, decomposing organisms--the bacteria--need four things to survive: nitrogen, carbon, moisture and oxygen. The key to good compost is to balance materials high in nitrogen, like fresh grass clippings, with materials high in carbon, like dried leaves. Ideally, the moisture is provided by rain, but that is a little hard to count on around here. A dousing from the garden hose may be necessary from time to time. Finally, the oxygen comes from turning and mixing the compost pile on a regular basis; the more often the materials are turned, the faster they break down.

Composting can be simple or elaborate, depending on how much yard waste you have, how quickly you want things to decompose and how much time you are willing to put into it. If there is little yard waste and no big need to use the compost for fertilizer, slow composting may be the way to go. This is simply using a small corner of the yard for piling compost materials, or putting them in a bin, and then letting nature takes its course, which may take as long as a year to produce good compost for fertilizer. If you are willing to put a little more effort in, it's possible to produce usable compost every few weeks.

Step one: Create a compost area, either directly on the ground with a layer of wood chips or in a bin. There are many styles of bins available at home improvement or hardware stores, but it is also easy to construct your own out of wire mesh or even using a large container you may have on hand. Make sure the area/container has good drainage, or you'll just end up with a smelly soup.

Step two: Start the pile with the following EPA recommended materials: grass and yard clippings, leaves, house plants, fruits and vegetables, coffee grinds and filters, egg shells, nut shells, dryer and vacuum lint, clean paper, cardboard rolls, cotton and wool rags, sawdust, shredded newspaper, fireplace ashes and hair and fur.

DO NOT use: Diseased/insect infested plants, chemically treated yard trimmings, pet waste, dairy products, meat and fish bones/scraps, oils or lards, coal or charcoal ashes.

Building the pile can be as high tech as alternating nitrogen-rich material with carbon materials or as low tech as putting things in the pile when they accumulate. Keep a small trash can under the kitchen sink for coffee grinds and appropriate food leftovers. Yard waste can be added directly to the pile.

Step 3: Keep the pile moist but not saturated.

Step 4: After the pile has had some time to accumulate, turn it on a regular basis to aid in the composting process. In a few weeks time you will have a nutrient-rich compost that can be added back into garden beds and even at the base of trees. Composting is a small act that has big rewards for gardens and the environment.


Ki went to school in Austin and never left. He works as an agent in the Austin real estate market. His site has a search of Austin homes for sale. His site also has information on Austin Texas real estate along with the neighborhood of West Lake Hills.

With spring just around the corner, many Texans will be getting spring fever and will begin to til the land preparing for a garden. Having a garden is not only fun, it can be handy during hard economic times.

Growing your own vegetables and fruits not only cost less, but they taste much better than what you can buy in the grocery store.

You cannot have a successful garden unless you know when to plant and what to plant. Many gardeners begin planting in late March. The average last frost day in central Texas is March 15. To be safe, most people wait until the end of March to plant.

Not sure what to plant? Here is a list of a few vegetables that can be planted in late March.
* Broccoli.
* Chard
* Collards
* leaf lettuce
* mustard
It is important to follow planting directions when planting vegetables to get the best results.

Here are a few vegetables that can be planted in late March
* cantaloupe (it is important to make little mounds of dirt, plant several seeds at once)
* Corn (when planting corn, do not plant too close together. Planting corn too closely will result in missing kernels and smaller ears)
* Cucumber (make sure you have plenty of space in your garden, cucumbers like space. It is also good if you install a trellis for them to climb when they begin to grow)
* eggplant
* black-eyed peas
* summer squash
* Watermelon (sow watermelon seeds in hills or rows. Sow three to four seeds per hill, spacing the eight to ten feet apart)

Where you plant your garden is just as important as how you plant your garden. Make sure you have plenty of sunshine and water your garden regularly. If you decide to use a pesticide in your garden, try to choose something that is natural and not toxic to the ground. Remember, you will be consuming what you plant and what you fertilize with.

Don't get discouraged if your gardening is limited to insufficient space or poor soil conditions. There is an easy solution this problem. Try planting your vegetables in containers. Any vegetable that can be grown in the grown can most likely be grown in a container.

Just about any container will work. Make sure they are large enough for the type of vegetable you are planting. Tomatoes, eggplants, lettuce and peppers do especially well in containers.

Before you plant in containers, be sure to drill holes in the bottom of the container for drainage. Next, it is best to place a layer of course gravel on the bottom to help with proper drainage. Another great thing about container gardening is you can choose the soil you want to use, unlike ground gardening where you have to use what is available.

No matter where you live or how you choose to plant a garden, have fun and be creative with your projects. Not only are you helping your family and health, but you are also helping the environment!


Ki runs a website on Austin Texas real estate. His website provides a free Austin home search along with a statistics blog on Austin real estate.

The best place to start in making your yard more eco-friendly is to rethink the landscaping. The good news is that spring is just around the corner and rethinking your landscaping at this time means you don't have to sacrifice the attractiveness of your lawn. The first step of rethinking your lawn is to evaluate how much grass you really need. Most people can replace a significant amount of grassy area with border gardens, which can use mulch and compost. Increasing garden areas also reduces the amount of time and gas spent mowing the lawn, which in turn reduces greenhouse emissions. By reducing the amount of grassy areas around your home, you can also decrease the amount of water you use on your lawn. Most homeowners already use too much potable drinking water on their lawns and also over-water planting beds, both of which are unnecessary. Today, irrigation system technology exists that can detect when the yard actually needs water in order to avoid misusing resources.

The next step to greening your yard is doing away with exotic plants that require a great deal of watering. Replace these plants with ones that do not require a lot of water such as trees, shrubs, ground cover or flowers. Once these plants make it through the initial transplant shock and growing season, they won't require frequent watering. Wildflowers are also a great choice for large areas that you don't want to mow or maintain. Wildflowers come in many different mixes that pertain to various soil types or moisture collection. If you must include exotic plants in your landscaping, attempt to group them together in a single area in order to maximize water usage. Also, consider installing a drip irrigation system, which releases slow and small amounts of water directly onto the soil's surface and decreases the amount of water lost to evaporation.

Beyond the simple water requirements, using native plant species in your landscaping has a variety of other benefits. Plants that are native to the area tend to be hardier in the natural climate. These plants also provide a natural habitat and food supply to insects and birds, which not only saves money on bird feed but also gives your garden a Zen feeling. For example, shade trees can provide a wonderful home for birds, the native flowers will product nectar for pollination and the animals will not get sick from pesticide laden plants.

For areas of your lawn that are covered with grass, there are a number of options for maintaining a healthy lawn without applying chemicals. One of the most viable options is to dethatch (remove the woody parts of the grass) or aerate (remove plugs of soild) your lawn. Both options keep your lawn healthy without broadcasting chemicals across the lawn. In order to fertilize your lawn, rely on natural fertilizers such as compost, bone meal and blood meal, all of which are available at garden centers.

Being earth friendly in your garden is one trend that is catching on in all stages of agriculture and horticulture. Whether working around a large farm or a small home, more people are turning their backs to harsh chemicals and resource-depleting treatment methods. As a result of this trend, retailers are stocking their shelves with organic fertilizers, weed control product and other tools that provide environmentally friendly ways to work in your garden.


Ki lives in Austin, Texas. His website has information on Austin Texas real estate. He maintains a free Austin home search on his site as well as a blog covering Austin real estate with recent news and market updates.

On these cold January mornings the warm pursuits of summer seem very far away. It may not be pool weather yet, but January is the perfect month to start gardening. With a little planning now and a small amount of monthly yard maintenance, this summer can yield an enjoyable array of flowers and vegetables.

If gardening sounds like too much work, take a moment to consider the benefits:
-Flower beds are esthetically pleasing and increase curb appeal.
-A small vegetable garden can produce food to be enjoyed by the whole family and reduce the grocery bill.
-Composting can help reduce the amount of trash going to land fills and provide a fun family project.
-Gardening is a relaxing way to get some fresh air and lower stress.

Start by considering which flowers, fruits and vegetable are family favorites, and then do some research into the level of difficulty and climate viability. There is an abundance of gardening resources available at the local library or the Internet. The website of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has a wealth of information about gardening in Central Texas.

Prepare soil by composting, which provides an economical and environmentally friendly fertilizer. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, yard trimmings and food residuals together constitute 24 percent of the U.S. municipal solid waste stream. Composting is not complicated and with a couple of simple steps can easily be incorporated into a weekly routine. Choose a place in the yard away from the house to establish a compost pile. Also keep a bin under the kitchen sink or next to the garbage can for putting in scraps of food (do not include meat or diary products). In a contained area deposit yard trimmings and kitchen scraps, then stir it up about once a week.

In January and February plant broccoli, lettuce, carrots, onions and asparagus in an area near the house that will get sun and be protected from the wind. It is a good idea to add composted soil and continue to fertilize after seeds and bulbs have been planted. Be sure to cover plant beds if temperatures drop below freezing.

Sowing seeds for annual flowers and vegetable can also be done inside in January and February. In small pots with fertilized soil, plant seeds for marigolds, petunias, begonias and impatiens. There is a wide range of tomatoes and peppers to delight any palate. The seedlings should be ready to transplant after the plants have a third true leaf.

The Rose Bowl might be played in January, but February is the month for getting garden roses ready. Container grown roses can be planted this month in well fertilized soil. Prune existing and transplanted rose bushes by removing dead branches and trimming back approximately half of the top growth.

In March and April, green beans, cucumbers, corn, tomatoes and peppers can be planted directly into garden beds. Choose a couple of perennial flowers to be planted that flower at different times than the annuals. Be sure to continue fertilizing soil with compost. Containers can be planted in these spring months as well. Through the end of spring and into the summer, keep beds fertilized monthly and watered weekly.


Ki lives in central Texas and works as an Austin realtor. He maintains a website for buyers of Austin real estate. The site offers a free search of the Austin MLS.

These days a stroll through the Zilker Botanical Gardens could lead to an encounter with a small herd of Bambiraptors, dinosaurs with feathered wings similar to a turkey. The word "raptor" means thief and these little creatures, named after the Disney character, were known to steal the babies of other dinosaurs. The usually sedate gardens are full of all kinds of life-size dinosaurs, like the ferocious cousin to T- Rex, a Daspletosaur, standing at 33 feet tall. The 30 creatures from the DinoLand traveling exhibit will continue to have a temporary residence among the flora and fauna of the Botanical Gardens until November 30, 2008.

The scientifically-accurate exhibit, created by Lost World Studio founder Guy Darrough, is a terrific reason to visit one of Austin's great outdoor venues. The Zilker Botanical Gardens is a non-profit organization established in 1955, with the gardens making a home in Barton Hills since 1962.

It takes an average of eight months for one of the dinosaurs to be created out of wire, foam and wood frames covered with clay, silicone rubber, plastic and fiberglass. The result is an incredibly life-like creature, further enhanced by the outdoor display of plants, nests with eggs and large bones scattered about the exhibits. Little ones can stand in awe of the 30 feet tall Kritosaurus, a gentle plant-eating giant whose name means "Noble Lizard."

As visitors wander from one period of the Mesozoic Era to the next, they will also come across small wooden dinosaurs decorated by local elementary schools. There is the Hip-Hoposaurus complete with gold chain and sunglasses. These clever colorful creatures are a big hit with small children, as they are just their size and close to the trail.

Another attraction is the Zoo of Ferns, representing some of the more than 12,000 species of ferns that exist today. The origins of the fern can be traced back 450 million years, making it a perfect prehistoric companion to the DinoLand exhibit. Put together by members of the Garden Club of Austin known as the Fern Team, this exhibit gives kids an eye-level introduction into the world of ferns.

After seeing all the dinosaurs, visitors should take the time to explore the rest of the gardens, such as the Mabel Davis Rose Garden, Isamu Taniguchil Japanese Garden or the take a walk along the Butterfly Trail. It's worth a visit to the Chrysalis Gift Shop for all things dinosaur. The admission to the DinoLand exhibit is $5 for adults and $3 for children (3-13).

Escapeso Real Estate is a small company located in central Austin. Their site has information on Austin real estate along with providing a map search of the Austin MLS and stats on current mortgage interest rates.

Do you love the beauty and color of flowers but cringe at the thought of the maintenance required for their upkeep? If your colorful blooms have a tendency to turn brown and crunchy from neglect in the hot Austin sun, there may be some flowers made just for you. Flora native or adapted to the Austin area thrive where others perish, resisting drought, pests and other hazards. Just choose your plants wisely and you can have fabulous landscaping for your property with little work.

There are many benefits to growing native plants. In addition to saving on water and fertilizer you save on time by choosing plants that thrive in the unique climate of Austin Texas. Your gardening is also more enjoyable when you are not fighting mother nature in an attempt to grow plants that are not suited to the Texas Climate. It is also nice to help maintain the original ecosystem of your locale by promoting local plants and flowers.

Perennials are an essential part of a vibrant landscape, and a beautiful choice for any Texas flowerbed is Cedar Sage. A shade lover, Cedar Sage has bright red spiky flowers that bloom spring through summer and can bring a pop of color to an otherwise gloomy spot in your yard. Sage comes in several other varieties, too, including Majestic Sage, Mealy Blue Sage and Mexican Sage bush—all of which produce beautiful flowers and require very little water, just like Cedar Sage.

Trailing Lantana is another great choice, especially when used as a ground cover. It is very tolerant of poor conditions, highly drought resistant, and its lavender flowers are very attractive to butterflies.

Purple Cone Flowers, also know as Echinacea, require a little more water than the previous plants, but they are nonetheless exceptional specimens for an Austin garden. These daisy-like flowers are a Texas native and produce violet or white blooms. Preferring sun or partial shade, they can be planted almost anywhere.

Mexican Honeysuckle is another low-water plant. It displays its orange flowers spring to frost, attracting hummingbirds with its sweet smell. It only requires an occasional pruning to encourage full growth.

Ornamental grasses are another option for sprucing up your landscape, and there are many hardy varieties to choose from, such as Big Muhly, Little Bluestem and Dwarf Fountain Grass. Some grasses can be quite invasive, so be careful where you plant them, because they will thrive and take over.

These are only a few of the many ideal plants for your Texas landscape. There are a multitude of choices available out there, so next time you go to a nursery, make sure you do your homework first or ask the people running the nursery which plants and flowers are native to Texas. The city of Austin has worked to promote a green and environmentally friendly city. The city of Austin has a Grow Green plant list featuring native and adapted landscape plants that thrive in Texas. By planting smart you can save water, fertilizer and time.

Ki works as a realtor in the central Austin real estate market helping individuals looking for homes as well as investors looking for cashflow properties. His site provides a free search of the Austin MLS along with a blog covering news and statistics on the Austin Texas real estate market.

Putting in a flowerbed is a great way to add a splash of color and charm to your lawn, and turn an ordinary yard into a place to stop and smell the roses. All it takes is a little dirt work and a weekend afternoon, and you’ll be ready to plant azaleas and daisies to your heart’s content.

The first step is to decide the “where and how big?” question. There are a few things to keep in mind when making these choices, such as proximity to a water faucet (Or whether you need to buy a new, longer hose), what types of flowers you want to plant (Do they need full-sun or shade? Keep in mind that if your location will receive less than six-hours a day of sun, you will need to choose shade varieties of flowers, while more than six hours of sun requires sun-loving varieties), and how much time you want to commit to maintenance (Weeds love flowerbeds, too, and a smaller flowerbed means less to weed). Once you have chosen a location, you can mark the perimeter of the flowerbed using string or a hose. This provides a great visual that can easily be adjusted before you commit to digging.

After you have the flowerbed marked out exactly how you want it to be, it’s time to start digging. Use a shovel or spade to cut through the sod and remove the grass and roots from the flowerbed area. Take your time--this can be backbreaking work! Make sure you put all the sod into a wheelbarrow or bucket and dispose of away from your work-zone, or your flowerbed will inevitably revert back to its origin as part of your lawn.

Once you have the sod removed, surround the flowerbed with whatever edging you have chosen. There are lots of options, from brick, stone, and pavers, to landscaping timbers and vinyl. You will need to dig down a few inches to install your flowerbed perimeter, depending on your edging choice, in order to imbed the edging and ensure stability. If the soil is especially bad in your yard, it can be easier to build your flowerbed edging up and add garden soil, creating a raised flowerbed, than to dig the existing ground and amend the soil.

Now that the edging is installed, it’s time to prepare the dirt. If your flowerbed is raised, this is just a matter of filling it in with garden soil, humus and organic compost, and mixing with either a tiller or turning it over by hand with a shovel. If you have a lower flowerbed, or if you want to use some of the native soil in your flowerbed, it’s digging time again. You will need to dig down approximately eight-inches to a foot, loosening the soil and removing any rocks. Once you have dug up the entire flowerbed, add soil amendments and mix well. A consistently good amendment choice for flowerbeds is organic composts and manures, in addition to whatever amendment you may need for your soil type.

Now, the only thing left to do is add flowers and enjoy. (A little mulch for weed control wouldn’t hurt either).

Ki helps buyers looking to invest in Austin. His site provides a search of the Austin MLS along with statistics and neighborhood descriptions about Austin real estate and a mortgage calculator for visitors to use.