Exteriors - Eco-Friendly Alternatives

This type of concrete reduces the carbon emissions by 70%, fuel consumption by 30% and water use by 80%. A new cement block manufacturing process developed by an American company named Solidia Technologies® produces 40% fewer emissions during manufacturing than conventional concrete, resulting in a dramatically…

Solariums and sunrooms in cold climates will not add heat homes as commonly thought, unless carefully designed for passive solar gain. Can you build a solarium in a cold climate? Solariums have been gaining in popularity over the last 20 years , as many homeowners have found them to be a very enticing solution to…

How to identify and choose plants that are native to your region. Invasive plants are defined as plants from other continents, countries or even other regions of Canada. Humans have been introducing foreign plants to new lands since the 17th century, for horticultural, agricultural or medicinal purposes. Due to a…

How to create landscaping surfaces that allow for the absorption of storm water. Permeable pavers or paving stones are best for driveways and paths Gaining an understanding of the importance of stormwater management may steer you towards a design and product choice in interlocking paver stones, which will help you…

With a little creativity & ingenuity small spaces can be maximized for a greater food harvest from your garden & look great doing so. Many of us look forward to the unmistakable taste of fresh, locally grown vegetables and fruit , especially those that come from our own soil. For those of you who would like to grow…

Whether or not you're interested in edible landscape design, permascaping, or creating a food forest, this list of cold tolerant edible perennials is a great place to start. When beginning to think about permanent edible landscape design and forest gardening, taking in the general concepts of Permaculture can help…

Canadian aims to make home-grown greens accessible all year round. More and more people are informing themselves on various forms of urban farming to counteract the heavy ecological footprint of industrial agriculture. However, there are very few options for the increasing number of people wishing to get involved…

The year round off-grid greenhouse demystified, a Guest Post by Lindsey Schiller. Grow food in a greenhouse - the basics on how to get started As a native Californian transplanted into a much cooler climate (Western Quebec), I find myself mourning the loss of fresh local seasonal fruits and veggies all year long…

Imagine siphoning honey straight from the hive, no mess, no fuss, with little to no stress on the bees. How to make your own honey at home Can you imagine having honey on tap straight from your beehive? That is exactly what father and son team Stuart and Cedar Anderson aim to bring to market with an…

If you think a rainwater catchment system might be what you're looking for, whether to maintain independance or to further water conservation, read on. Setting up a rainwater catchment system If it is not for financial reasons, why are you installing a water tank? Here are some reasons: To do your part for water…

Whether you plan to use rainwater for toilets, showers or properly filtered for drinking, harvesting rainwater can be an excellent part of a home water efficiency strategy. Rainwater harvesting is a great strategy for reducing domestic water use and protecting our homes and the land surrounding it. Harvesting…