One of the largest problems in world landfills are items made of rubber or hard polymers that imitate rubber: tires of all kinds, baby diapers and the seemingly innocuous garden hose. These items, manufactured to last—do! They are exceedingly difficult to break down, so they do not decompose when added to a landfill or garbage dump. Before you throw your garden hoses in the garbage, there are many useful ways to recycle them.
My favorite use for old hose is to cut pieces to size to fit the handles of pails and buckets. They become easy to grasp, especially if you have any arthritis in your hands. Carrying loads of water or kitchen scraps for compost becomes much easier.
In your garage, tool room or storage area, a chain or piece of heavy wire threaded through a length of hose and screwed to the wall becomes a great holder for driveway markers or tomato and bean poles. In larger lengths they are useful for holding lumber in place. You could also use this configuration to hang your watering can or other items with a hook when floor or surface space is at a premium.
For slugs and earwigs, smaller 3” pieces of hose may be cut and placed in the infested areas in the evening. The critters climb in to this dark, damp space to make a home. In the early morning, collect your pieces, flush out the offenders and repeat the process as needed. Garden loppers will cut a hose with ease.
If you have too much old hose, after you have cut what you have to size, share the bounty with your neighbors. Landfill excess is a growing problem that will effect all communities and all our neighbors.
“Now that the Holidays are over and gone…..What do you do with the Christmas Tree? by MaryEllen O'Brien
DON’T throw the tree to the curb now that the holidays are over and gone…Let it continue to provide.It may no longer be of use to you in the house, but it sure can provide comfort, protection and food to your wild bird friends and other critters too! Remove all ornaments…especially any tinsels.That can be very dangerous to wildlife if they were to eat this.Choose a site within good view of your garden or bird feeding station…A comfortable spot for everyone to view from the comfort of the house.If you have a living tree plant it and mulch it in.If you have a cut tree dig a hole and secure it into the ground.If that is difficult pound a stake or bar into the ground and attach your tree to that with a strong rope. Children will over to decorate it all over again for the the birds and wildlife. Old pine cones can be coated with Peanut Butter and then dipped into birdseeds-then hung onto the boughs with wires. Place a few cones in the back to be discovered later. Hang cobs of Corn for squirrels to nibble on. In the spring the tree can be removed to a mulch pile. If you’re not in the mood for the feeding station Christmas Tree, why not take a pair of tree loppers and cut off all the boughs from the tree trunk.These are very useful to cover and mulch your garden plants with.This will help keep your plants protected from freezing and thawing…a real problem for those perennials in the garden.
Here are a few more ideas for your old Christmas Tree Long after the holiday is over with, there are millions of trees, in this country alone that meet there fate on the curbside.Not a pretty sight.Here are a few ideas to beautify your curbside by recycling your tree. (1) Your Town may already have a recycling program in place.Call your Town Hall for details. (2) Evergreen Trees may be chipped and shredded and used as mulch around your shrubs. (3) Your tree is biodegradable…cut the braches off near the base and lay them over your garden plants for a snug and protected winter. (4) Sink your Christmas Tree into the ground near your birdfeeder.Add suet balls, strung pop corn and cranberries, and add pine cones with peanut butter.The birds will love you for it. (5) After you use the tree as a feeding station for the birds…why not grow pole beans or morning glory flowers over the tree.It will make a great support for climbing vines. (6) Small sachets pillows can be made by stuffing them with the aromatic needles from your tree.They are great in closets and bureau drawers and will help to act as a moth repellant. (7) Coastal areas and landowners with private ponds may want to consider sinking their trees into a pond.They act as aquatic fences to give fish and amphibians extra habitats. Precautions must be made to weigh down your tree in order than it will not float. (*) Be aware that any tree which is flocked or otherwise chemically treated may not be suitable for the above uses and therefore needs to be treated accordingly.Tinsel and all decorations must be removed too! Hope that these few ideas will help you to recycle your holiday Christmas Tree.Happy Holidays.