10 Water Saving Tips

Earth Day is April 22, 2015.  Every day is Earth Day at Mary's Heirloom Seeds.  We are constantly sharing eco-friendly growing tips, organic growing methods and DIY recipes.  

Earth Day is a special day to give back.  What are you doing to celebrate this amazing place we call earth?  Planting a Seed?  Planting a Tree?  This weekend we hosted another Seed Planting Party.

Today we're talking Water.  There are so many ways to conserve and save water.  
Here are our top10 Water Saving Tips

1.  Growing in raised beds and/or installing a drip system to water your veggies garden is a great water-saving option.  Just remember to turn off your drip system after your garden is watered.
*Adding Coconut Coir will further increase your garden's ability to retain moisture*

2.  Collect water from the shower.  Not everyone is able to install a "grey water system" to collect and re-use water.  We timed it and it takes about 90 seconds for our shower faucet to run until it gets hot.  We use a 5 gallon bucket and collect that water and use it to flush the toilet at a later time.  That's almost 10 gallons a day for 2 people showering.

3.  Limit the length of showers or baths.

3. Install water-saving faucets and appliances.  This can save hundreds of gallons a year.

4.  Turn Off the Water when not is Use

5. COMPOST!  Instead of using the garbage disposal, throw that old food into the compost bin.  Then, use that compost to provide nutrients to your veggie garden.

6.  Collect Rainwater using gutters and downspouts.  Collect rainwater in 55 gallon barrels or even 5 gallon buckets.  We re-use 5 gallon buckets to save hundreds of gallons of water per year.

7.  Layer Organic Mulch around plants to helps them retain moisture.  We use dead leaves collected from the property to use as organic (and free) mulch.
*Adding Coconut Coir will further increase your garden's ability to retain moisture*

8. Re-Use water from cooked or steamed vegetables to make a yummy soup OR use it to water your plants.

9. In most cases, Using a dishwasher saves water versus hand-washing.  Make sure you wash a full load to optimize water use.  If you do not have a dishwasher, turn off the faucet between washing and rinsing.  Better yet, fill the sink half-way and re-use water.

10.  Grow Food and Not Lawns.  Growing your own organic food, if done properly, saves money and water.  Grow organic and you take it one step further, avoiding harmful, cancer-causing pesticides that further damage our fragile eco-system.



If you have additional questions about getting started or would like more info please feel free to ask.  As always, I am happy to help.

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SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY 2014

Have you heard of Small Business Saturday?  It's next week!

"In 2010, American Express founded Small Business Saturday to help businesses with their most pressing need — getting more customers. The day encourages people to shop at small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The single day has grown into a powerful movement, and more people are taking part than ever before. This year, the big day is Nov 29." source

I'm really looking forward to my first Small Business Saturday

in our NEW SEED SHOP!  

If you're not local but you'd like to purchase heirloom, Non-GMO Seeds and 

Organic Gardening Supplies please check out our online shop.
All of the seeds listed are open-pollinated, non-gmo and non-hybrid,
non-patented,  untreated, heirloom garden seeds.
Shipping is Free on Heirloom Seeds to all 50 States & US Territories!  

To learn more about Mary's Heirloom Seeds, check out 
"Our Story" and read "There's So Much Going On..."

If you'd like to find out about Small Business Saturday Deals at Mary's Heirloom Seeds you should sign up for our e-newsletter and check out our facebook page.

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Organic Plant Nutrients, Pest Control and My Raised Bed Garden

Good Morning!  My last newsletter was quite possibly my most controversial yet.  After sending out What is a GMO ... Just the Facts! I received so many emails of support and thanks for bringing to light such an important topic.  At Mary's Heirloom Seeds we feel that Education is KEY to a healthy existence.

Now for our latest...Organic Plant Nutrients, Pest Control and Raised Bed Gardens

Mary's Heirloom Seeds Newsletter Plant Nutrients, Organic Pest Control & Raised Beds August 26,  2014 In This Issue GROW! Plant Nutrients Helpful Links Raised Bed Garden If you have additional questions about GMOs and Heirloom seeds after our last newsletter please feel free to ask. Education is a priority here at Mary's Heirloom Seeds. We're here to help! Nasturtiums SUPPLIES BEANS & CORN Heirloom FRUIT Heirloom GREENS Heirloom PEPPERS Heirloom SEEDS SQUASH & PUMPKIN Heirloom TOMATOES HERB Seeds Organic Wildflowers Specialty Heirlooms Seed Pack Combos SPROUTS A few favorites Giant of Italy Parsley  Green Globe Artichoke Mammoth Sunflower Listada de Gandia Japanese Giant RED Mustard If you're growing a veggie garden or you've ever grown a garden then you probably know that nutrients are very important.  Sun and soil (and SEEDS) are also important. Nutrients play an integral role in plant health. Plant Nutrients-Getting Started Organic Plant Food Most "all-in-one" type offertilizers have an "NPK" rating.  NPK stands for Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium(potash).  What does each nutrient do? In addition to other properties, Nitrogen helps plant foliage to grow strong. Phosphorous helps roots and flowers grow and develop. Potassium (Potash) is important for overall plant health. Mary's Organic Plant Nutrients 3-4-4  A complete plant food with all 15 essential nutrients Originally developed for professional gardeners Complex blend of natural organics provide complete and balanced feeding of all 15 nutrients Environmentally safe No sludges, hazardous or toxic ingredients Blood Meal (Nitrogen) 12-0-0 Easy to use   Works in gardens, yards, lawns, and soil beds Perfect for revitalizing soils that have been heavily worked Scent serves as a deterrent to common garden pests such as rabbits and deer Also helps accelerate composting breakdown of carbon based composts such as leaves and straw Bone Meal (Phosphorus) 4-12-0 Phosphorus is involved in many plant processes, including: Energy transfer reactions Development of reproductive structures Crop maturity Root growth Protein synthesis We carry VEGAN ALL-IN-ONE PLANT FOOD   Helpful Links: More about Nitrogen   More about Phosphorus Organic Pest Control There are so many recipes out there for DIY pest control. But first, start with Prevention! Companion Planting is based around the idea that certain plants can benefit others when planted next to, or close to one another. Companion planting exists to benefit certain plants by giving them pest control, naturally without the need to use chemicals, and in some cases they can give a higher crop yield. Diatomaceous Earth is a natural and organic way to deter or eliminate pests from the garden. DE kills aphids, white flies, beetles, loopers, mites, snails, slugs, leaf hoppers, and harmful pests. A few of my DIY Recipes include: All-Purpose Insect Spray or Soap and Water spray For my soapy water spray I use Dr. Bronner's Combine 1 tablespoon of Dr. Bronner's castile soap with water in a clean spray bottle. Invert it gently several times to mix, but do not shake the bottle. Apply the insecticidal soap spray to your plants in a heavy coating, as the spray only works if it saturates the insects you're trying to kill. Repeat once per week until you don't notice any insects on your plant. Spray plants in the early morning because pants and blossoms are most open. My new Raised Bed Garden We have been on a roll in the garden lately.  In Florida, it is so hot during the summer months that NOW is when we get started again on the bulk of planting.  I received my raised bed garden kit from Garden in Minutes at the end of July and so far I am thrilled with the results! You can read a few of my articles here: Basics of Square Foot Gardening Building a Raised Bed Garden in Minutes Choosing Varieties for a Raised Bed Garden Or  watch our videos here In approx 4 weeks from seed our Acorn Squash is thriving.  Look at these beautiful plants! Organic, Heirloom Acorn Bush Squash The whites stuff on the leaves is left over DE from 9 days ago. The Radish and Beets are doing Great!

Harvest Recipes and NEW Heirloom Seed Varieties!!!

Good Morning and HAPPY FRIDAY!!!   
I am so excited to share with you our most recent newsletter.  Check out these amazing and unique heirloom seed varieties!

Mary's Heirloom Seeds What's NEW? Don't Miss Out! Did you know we've added several NEW pages both at Mary's Heirloom Seeds and our blog Back to the Basics? It's true! In case you're just tuning in, we've been steadily adding to our 2014 Planting Guide. For your viewing pleasure we've made a special page with all of the growing info in one easy place. Check out Mary's 2014 Planting Guide Helpful Links BEANS and CORN Heirloom Fruits Heirloom GREENS Heirloom PEPPERS Heirloom SEEDS Heirloom TOMATOES HERB Seeds Wildflower Seeds Specialty Heirlooms Seed Pack Combos SUPPLIES PLANT NUTRIENTS Mary's Tincture Shop Mary's Herbal Organix Join Our Mailing List Mary's Heirloom Seeds 2104 Tyler Street Hollywood, FL 33020 (954) 654-3501 Find us at the Yellow Green Farmer's Market Booth #281 Saturday & Sunday 8am-4pm A few of our favorites Purple Top Turnips Chinese 5-Color Pepper Italian Dandelion Mung Bean Sprouts After sending out the SPROUTS Newsletter we had quite a few inquiries about recipes for sprouts and garden harvests.  Check out our NEW Seed Varieties as well as recipes from Mary's Kitchen. NEW Unique Heirloom Seeds!!! LEMON BEE BALM CHOCOLATE BABY BELL PEPPER  LEMON CUCUMBER MAMMOTH BLACK SUNFLOWER   Harvest Recipes from Mary's Kitchen Fruit and Herb Infused Water Basil Lemonade CAPRESE SALAD Smashed White Bean and Avocado Club Fresh Cabbage Recipe Round-Up Mary's Simple Pesto Pizza Grilled Eggplant with Fresh Basil Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower #2 Lemony Kale Pesto Spaghetti Squash Recipe Round-Up

All of the seeds listed are open-pollinated, non-gmo and non-hybrid, non-patented,  untreated, heirloom garden seeds. Mary has signed the Safe Seed pledge.