Conserve water by collecting rainwater and using it for your garden or lawn.
At home we use CFL bulbs, we recycle everything, we use newspapers to make flowerpots for seeds and we shred and compost for garden and worms.
My friend and I pick up trash at our school during recess.
I recycle every time I can and I support the use of more bicycles, skateboards, skates and walking. Don’t forget:GO GREEN!
I have done everything I can to go green while keeping my grades up in school. I have been even writeing messages on my driveway about ideas for going green.
We’re going green by recycling/reusing everything we can. I have made a boat out of a milk carton by cutting it down the middle. It was a fun toy to play with that I made out of something that would have been trash.
My school doesn’t recycle at lunchtime. So I bring my plastic applesauce cups and baggies home to recyle them. I also asked my mom to pack me a metal spoon we can wash instead of a new plastic spoon each day. I also use a refillable water bottle for basketball instead of a plastic ready-filled bottle, and I recyle all the school papers I bring home.
My family put in solar. I recycle paper, plastic, and glass. I have a reusable water
bottle that is safer for me drink out of as well. Thanks.
In addition, I save water, and electricity all the time, Recycle cans, plastic, paper, cardboard boxes, and glass bottles. I also walk and take the bus to school, use
re-usable water and topper-ware containers at lunch and at sporing events, if I happen to have a water bottle after, i take it home and recycle it.
I dont use canvas bags but whenever I get paper or plastic from the store, I always save the leftover bags and re-use them for other things aroun the house, and then when im completly done with the bags, I recycle them.
OUR PACK/TROOP ARE RECYCLING CANS TO HELP KEEP THE CANS OUT OF THE LANDFILE. SINCE MY MOTHER WAS CUBMASTER WE HELP OUT EVERY YEAR TO CLEAN UP THE STREAMS IN OUR AREA. IN OUR HOME WE RECYCLE THE PAPER, PLASTIC AND GLASSS. WE HAVE A COMPOSTING AREA IN OUR BACK YARD. IN THE SPRING WE OPEN IT UP AND USE IT ON MY MOTHERS GARDENS. WE TAKE A FEW OF THE WORMS AND GO FISHING WITH THEM FOR DINNER. WE TURN OFF UNUSED LIGHTS AND REMIND OUR SELVES ABOUT TURNING OFF THE WATER WHEN WE BRUSH OUT TEETH.
Conservation and responsible outdoorsmanship is a huge part of being a Scout. Here are some of the things that Boyslife.org readers have told us they are doing or plan to do to GO GREEN!
using a reel mower is great if you live in the city but for me and my 3/4 acre yard it aint hapenin
like yoda said and all the jedis all the answers were B
I learn there’s still alot to do. But now have some good ideas.
it was easy because the answers were in the magazine. ppssttt, on every question the answer is b
The BL Go Green! series is wrapping up, and by now you're probably a whiz on going green. But you're just one person -- does it really matter what you do? Put your Go Green! know-how to the test and see how your everyday decisions can add up.
A would like to congradulate the scout involved with these Earth-friendly activities created. I have tryed convicing my pricipal at my school to trade in plastic bottles to help pay for field trips!
Wow!!!! What an idea!!! Your idea is growing, Scout troops around the US are joining the Boy Scout movement to fight global warming!!! Thanks for planting the seed that is growing every day!!!
Well done scouts!
I just want you to know that your efforts are spreading to others. I already know of a girl scout troop in the Denver, Colo., area that heard about your idea and success, and they are planning to do something similar Fall 2008.
You all are doing a great job of leading by example…keep it up! You’ll all will continue to be fine leaders.
Congratulations to this exceptional boy scout troop for taking action on an issue they deemed important. It is amazing to see how much they have accomplished with ingenuity and action. This is the type of leadership our country was built on.
Let this example of achievement without greed inspire all of us to put aside complacency and take action as well.
I am proud of the troop and look forward to seeing this movement growing.
This year we are going for 1,000 CFL’s and we like to hear from other troop on how their efforts are going.
Throughout the year, Boys' Life has profiled those who are making a difference for the environment. Read about these Go Green! heroes.
Believe it or not these arre easy to make I could probably make this without instructions
Works really well
Kinda smelly once the compost starts breaking down.
I used a large trash can instead of the food barrel and reinforced the side braces with more wood.
Great weekend project, it took me about 3 hrs.
I am moving to a new place, and I really wanted to start my own compost, but I didn’t want to buy a $200+ compost tumbler. I quick Google search, and my third hit was for Boys’ Life. Being a Scout myself, I had to click it. Needless to say, I am WICKED excited to build this. It’s been far too long since I’ve built anything with my hands (I’m a bit embarrassed to say that the last time might have been my Eagle Project in ’04). Thanks a bunch for these instructions Boys’ Life!
And to all those Scouts climbing the Path to Eagle, keep it up! It will be something that you treasure your whole life, something no one can take away.
Wow–very simple design. I bought a barrel and have been stumped on how to build a cheap but strong frame with stuff I have already. This is a good design–easy, strong, looks good, and I have all the stuff! Thanks Boys Life!
anyone else have some more tips? So you spin it, and the compost comes out of the holes? love to build it
Lazy, you can introduce worms to it yourself, though. 
Stevey, you can throw some things onto your garden, but only those things which break down very quickly on their own and will not attract vermin. For instance, coffee grounds can be sprinkled around acid-loving plants like roses and the plants love it. The main reason for composting first is, the bacteria break everything down into a better form for the garden. The compost warms up in the pile or container, and that sets off a chain reaction resulting in the materials being broken into finer parts more easily introduced to the soil.
Nice drawings David, but where are the pictures of a real one. Didn’t you build one!!!!
Manure from horses, cattle or chickens will work great. Seriously. You need to use three times as much brown leaves since it’s so concentrated…
Don’t use dog or cat poo though, they can have human diseases.
Good Stuff! Clean neat and tidy, but coffee grounds and broken egg shells come right out the half inch vent holes making a big mess, cut the hole size down, and put more of them to get rid of moisture!
This is a great idea! But its one disadvantage is that the barrel is not resting on the ground, so you don’t get all those worms coming in and holding a party!
Sounds really cool,but can you use horse manure with it?
Hi this is very cool!But if you don’t have a barrel
you can us a Garbage Can
this is a really cool project and i hope 2 see more like this one. I hope u guys keep thinking of ways to help the Earth!!!!
this looks like a really good project for my den to try! thanks so much.
thanks for this i am going to use this for part of my eagle project
I’m going to have my Bear and Wolf Den do this. Thanks for getting this posted!
it was so cool it was sweet i would like to make one
why not just throw the waste from the kitchen in your garden
I think it is really cool that you could help your garden and be green at the same time if you make the compost tumbler.
my mom whants to try it so that way she could put with her plants.
Here's how to tumble your way to rich compost for your garden and plants.
scott01
that is really cool
my dad has a mini garden in our garage
I love the future! I wish I could travel forward in time so I can experiance the vast technology.
that’s so cool! I will like so much the world to be like that. It is very green
Going Green is the best thing to do….my family has an organic garden and it is so cool!
Welcome to the green, Earth-friendly community of the future. For the past seven months, we have told you how to Go Green! Here's what our world might look like once we have all gone green. Imagine the possibilities.
I like your comments because I like helping the earth so that’s what my comment is about.
bye
Feeling a little warm lately? The 10 hottest years in recorded history have occurred since 1991. 2005 topped the charts. And animals are feeling the heat.
Does anyone know of a store that you can get the lead at?
NICE!! I cant wait to try this and show my freinds
Can’t you just take a pencil and widdle away at it to get a like effect?
I made it and when i brought to class my teacher told my to throw it away. she thaught it was a real stick
that is cool, i have 1 from a school feild trip and npw i can make my own!
it was a lot of fun and i added a pen to the other side and gave it to my sister and now everybody wants one
itis just a pencil 
, but a cool one ,it also saves $$$$
those look so cool i should make one and use it at school
Very uniqe and unusual… And very cool!!! I’ll make one now!
This looks sweet. I’m gonna try it when I can
That is ahhhmazing. My friends at school ‘ll flip!!
I think that is cool. I’m going to tell my mom (she is a boy scout den leader) that. I think she would like doing that in boy scouts.
Twig pencils are fun, easy and cheap to make. And the expressions on your friends’ faces when you start scribbling with a stick will be writetious!
Does anyone know how to make a sculpture of a flying bird out of a two litre plastic milk bottle? I’m trying but haven’t got it right yet. it looks like a flying swan at the moment!
I think almost everyone was to simple except the self-watering plant
I would love to see how to make a robot. How about electricity projects?!
For the self-watering planter, it may be useful to know some of these tips.
1) use COTTON string. plastic stuff won’t work.
2) use about 5 strings. one string will not bring anough water to the plant.
3) use soil made for seed starting or potting. regualr soil from the garden will compress and become some what like concrete (not good)
4) once in a while, take apart the planter and wash the water resvoir and strings.
the best of luck
these are all eally cool and i think i might try some. these projects are becoming really fun for me and my family!!!
I punched holes and added a string handle to help get the planter out. This makes it easier to add water. I also decorated the base for Valentine’s Day.
Has anybody made the self watering plant holder? Has anybody made modificacons to it?
i like the first 2 they recycle and help the environment
I thought the SELF- WATERING PLANTER was interesting.
What about a fish feeder using half of a empty milk jug. Poke/drill a hole in the cap, crumble the food, put food in top of jug, watch fish eat.
card board orange juice cartons r better for bird feeders ’cause if they fall they decompose
That is way too simple do something alout cooler!
You have bright ideas in recycling used plastic jugs into practical use. Regards from the Philippines.
Go Green and recycle empties into fun and useful projects.
At my school we did practically the same thing except we used Pringles cans. THey work just the same and all you have to do is cut a hole in the can add plastic wrap and wait a while.
This is a great idea. The solar cooker for a hot dog needs direct sunlight (no shade trees) and the outside temperature needs to be above 94 degrees Farenheit to cook the hotdog in about fifteen minutes or so ( usually with a Heat index of over 107 degrees Farenheit)– about the same temperature as cooking an egg on a cement sidewalk which does not have shade trees around. This is a great idea as a school science fair project. It’s a way to have a hot, cooked meal using absolutely no matches or charcoal.
This is a great idea. The solar cooker for a hot dog needs direct sunlight (no shade trees) and the outside temperature needs to be above 94 degrees Farenheit to cook the hotdog in about fifteen minutes or so ( usually with a Heat index of over 107 degrees Farenheit)– about the same temperature as cooking an egg on a cement sidewalk which does not have shade trees around. This is a great idea as a school science fair project. It’s a way to have a hot, cooked meal using absolutely no matches or charcoal.
i was just wondering how long it will take to cook the hot dog and how to build it
Looks easy, but hard! I guess it will probably explode! 
This hot dog cooker is awesome I’m sooo using this for my project. Hope I get an A+.
If you make the uprights and somehow the skuer bigger, you can cook other stuff. This is a great idea. Where did you get it at?
This idea is swell. I tried it at home with my fam. We all enjoyed the hotdogs.
why didn’t someone tell me that before it would have saved me some time i love hot dogs
And so I was dreaming I was being attack by a monster in the first place.
that is cool my 8th grade class is do it in science it is alsome
=) Hey i really think this is a great idea we are goin to do dis as a science fair project but one of our team member doent want 2
hey this idea is craaaazzzzyyyy n i love it!!! hahahahaha xD
Wow….this would have been helpful!!! The dimensions were not included in the print instructions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We made one but it was too small and took way too long to cook the hot dog!
If you curve some aluminum foil just right, you can cook hot dogs with the sun's heat.
WOW, Who ever came up with this. ITS JUST SO AMAZING
Hey people send this to other people! I’ve tried it and it was cool!
It’s a great trick to make it without mom and/or dad noticing and scaring them when they come in your room.
So why do you have to stain it with damp coffee grounds? Why not use the paper bag from the start?
or maby a sock themed lamp shade might be better
Now all i need is a pre historic bone lamp please post a design for that
cover the lamp with bone shaped paper to make a prehistoric lamp
Maby not a cave man but it is not so easy . But it is cool .
cool! you could also go to goodwill and get an old lamp shade. 8D
i’m gonna try this
Cave paintings have been around for thousands of years. Light up your own bedroom "cave" with this torn-paper lamp shade.
this is one of the nicest go green websites ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how can i help
The sports world is playing a more Earth-friendly game.
Some veggies work. As stated above the sweet potato works very well and makes a super long vine after a while. If you use something larger then you will not need the cork. Best of luck to all of you.
possibly some kinds of clay, but if it dries out it can be bad for the plant
This is a great idea for my science project and gardeners should do this!!!!:)
This isn’t really a green project unless you use organic liquid fertilizer.
organic liquid fertilizer ?… use cow poo. that’s the only organic good fertilizer. ^^
this is so asome i am going to try it with my science partner!!!:)
I think i’ll do this for my Science fair project. Cheers 
Too bad you can’t do this from a seed… I’ve tried 
I don’t know about all seeds, but you can put a bean into a wet paper towel until it sprouts then transplant it I suppose.
Sweet potatoes work very well. They look great after growing for a while.
I wonder what else will work insted of cork? I’m going to definetly try this.
COOL!!!!!!!!!
I just tried it! hope it works with morning glory vines…
If you don’t have a cork a regular water bottle with a hole punched in the cap works great.
can it grow vegetables?
I’m doing this for my science project with a calla lily bulb. Can’t wait to try it out!
I’m going to try to use a 55 gallon barrel instead of a 2 liter bottle.I hope it works!
i was sopposee to be looking how to create oxygen on mars and one way we thought was to grow plants without dirt on mars.
if it’s that big, you can probably put several plants in there.
I need more informstion on how to prepare container for vegetables
Can u give me an idea about plants growing on preaty much anything thats liquid?I’m doing a project about how plants grow on anything thats liquid.I’m in 5th grade and I need an idea.I was thinking about how I can have 3 pots,one is filled with water,one filled with coollaid and the other one is filled with milk.I would see three weeks later which one grew faster the water,the coollaid or the milk.What do u think?
that kool aid wate and milk idea is a bad idea, the milk would go bad and smell disgusting, plus plants could grow in kool aid (we all know that kool aid is water with powder in it, and its pointless
This is a great idea. Philodendren houseplants really like to grow this way. Also potatoes will grow by growing roots in a cup of water. Spider plant hous plants grow tremendous root systems just by growing the house plants in water. Sometimes, house plant food spikes (such as Jobe’s house plant fertilizer food spikes) will dissolve right into the cup of water to provide nourishment to the house plants.
this is cool i can see it working and i gonna try it but i wonder if you can start it from seeds too? i mean i love to grow tomatos but but i like to grow them from seeds.
I really liked this website because I’m doing this for a science project. Thanks!!!
well how do u grow a plant without soil starting from a seed?
you can grow an avocado seed this way at least up until it is about two months old i dont know after that. but it gets roots and starts growing. you will need an avocado seed, toothpicks,and glass of water, you have to stab the seed with three tooth picks spaced evenly around the seeds middle, the toothpicks will hold the seed on top of the cup, next fill the glass with water so that the seed only gets wet for about an inch. after a week you will see results
During WWII, American bases in the Pacific were supplied with fresh vegtables from hydroponic gardens.
Take a look at some of the tomatoes in the supermarket and you will find some hydroponic tomatoes.
actually works. I tried this, and it works really well. Next, i’m gonna try a much bugger plant, and a large plastic barrel. a sunflower and a huge pretzel container!
i have heard a little about hydroponic but never knew how to make one this is pretty cool
Plants don't need soil as long as they have five things: food, water, light, air and support. You can provide all five in a hydroponic garden. Here's how to create your own.
I use shoe boxs to hold things like these cool ideas.
These environmentally friendly concepts are so cool! Now if only we could apply them to EVERYONE in everyday life.
Wait! Don't just throw that bottle in the recycling bin. You could use it to build your own private island. Across the globe, people are coming up with remarkable -- and sometimes zany -- new ways to help our environment. Here are some of our favorites.
In response to Boomer, above – I don’t think the author used the term “global warming”, but rather the universally accepted term amongst the scientific community of “climate change” – which implies both positive and negative changes in the earth’s climate. And in response to Al – your comment had me wondering about the facts in this article, so I researched them and couldn’t find any that were incorrect – this is definitely not “goop” or lunatic writing at all. David Suzuki has indeed called humans the “deadliest predator” in several online and in-person interviews.
how did this goop get on to the Boy’s Life website? Do they verify anything before putting it on the site? Seafood choices that are good for the Sea!!!! David Sazuki calls us the deadliest predator??? We are as much a part of Nature as anything in it. This is just crazy lunatic writing… Is anybody watching the hen house?
While we all need to do our share to preserve our environment, current global warming, especially manmade is highly debatable. Your article seems to take global warming as fact, however as many as 3100 scientists disagree with this, a fact not mentioned in your article. Also a 2007 study by NASA, RSS, etc (www.dailytech.com) show global temps have dropped 0.65C – 0.75C over the last year, a value large enough to wipe out all global warming over the past 100 years, all in 1 years time. It’s the single fastest temp change ever, up or down. Please try to be more objective and mention facts on both sides of this arguement. Our sons need to know ALL the facts, not just what is PC! Thanks!
Mouth-watering seafood. Beach and water adventure. A convenient, vast waste dump. Oceans have provided us many things over the centuries, but we are pushing them beyond their limits. Here’s a look at what’s going on in our oceans and how you can help.
We need to find cheep ways of creating electic or fuel cell cars, oil, natural gas, and biofuels are not gong to work forever.
biodiesel can only work on some cars. Some cars engines are too small, and most new cars have cooling systems. Both of these things will not work for biodiesel. Your safest bet is to go with a pickup
Ford pickups do not go beyond 2003
Chevy pickups do not go beyond 2005
The list from bad to good, even though all are better than petrol: Diesel, Flex-fuel, Biodiesel, Super-compact, Advanced Gasoline, Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, Electric Car, and
Hydrogen Fuel-cell. All cars art very cool
This website helped me out in a going green assingment.Awsome
This artilcle helped me and my family get a new hybrid that we will only drive to and from once a day, so we dont burn a lot of gas, since that is the problem.
hydrogen does not put more exaust out,it puts none out, it is clean energy!
I think those cars are awsome and it’s really cool that you guys are putting this kind of stuff in the Boy’s Life Magazine!
Hydrogen would be nice but I doubt we will use that becuase it may the car work but, it only puts more exaust out. The chevy volt is awesome!
The Fisker plug-in hybrid and the Chevy Volt cars are extremely cool and awesome!!!!!
What we need is mass transit in the cities. People have to drive and it is unfair to make the cars so expensive. Minis are great, but they don’t seat everyone in the family, slong with their gear!
I have ideas about a hydrgen car that not only runs but offers a cooling refershment strate out of its exost. Mostly water and oxygen.
I think it’s time for “GREEN” cars to come out. There is only a certan amount of gas or oil on the earth. The gas price will only be going UP! UP! UP!
I hope i cane get a car one day and i hope it a green car from go green
from the chevy volt to the honda civic…I Like them all!
The only thing that is wrong with the aptera is that it should be avalable in other states so we could get its use
plz work in TX first!!!
More than 240 million vehicles are on America's roads today, burning a lot of gasoline and creating a lot of pollution. Eventually, vehicles that use no gas could help us drive into a greener, eco-friendlier future. See a slideshow of some of them.
Can you substitute different plants for the ones shown?
You can often get used fencing from local fence companies. You can ask tree trimming companies of they’ll drop their haul of the day at your place for mulching. Flag one down in your neighborhood. You’d be surprised how willing people are to help establish gardens!
this may be silly, but what holds the bottom together? Like if I wanted to set it on sawhorses what would be holding everything together?
PUT SOME BRACING ON BOTTOM AT 45 DEGREE ANGLE AND LINE IT. GO GREEN
Kelly, the last paragraph answers your question – “Nail 5/8-inch or heavier exterior plywood to the bottom of the frame”
What’s the best direction to face this garden. Should the vines face south so they don’t block the sun?
Our local lumber yard suggested using cyprus for this. We did and it turned out great, light weight too. If we decide to move it to another spot in the yard we can before we fill it with dirt and seeds.
Maybe a dumb question, but what are the measurements of this box?
This sounds great. Will have to have my hubby build one of these for me on the saw horses.
If you use pressure treated wood can you use a weed liner around the box so that it doesn’t make direct contact or will that still hurt the veggies?
Yellawood is a pressure treated lumber that will not hurt your plants. You can get Yellawood at Home Depot.
Can this type of planter be used on a deck or cement patio?
This can also be put on sawhorses for wheelchair gardeners. There is a book by Mel Bartholomew called Square Foot Gardening that teaches you this method and it is great. I got all my wood from construction sites garbage piles, and old litte league bleachers.
This is such a great idea. One tip; putting lots of mulch around the plants will help keep the moisture in as well as help keep the weeds at bay.
What would you say the average cost for the building materials is?
I just got all the supplies and it was $50.
Super cheap and can’t wait to build it.
Can lattice be used instead of wire, I’m not very hands on with building.
This is great! We have a built up small garden spot at our new home. It’s built up on the ground with bricks. I was wondering how to best plant the veggies this year and this is just the ticket!
You start planting after the last frost. We usually start in about a week or so.
@ Metallica, please give more details. Sounds like a great idea!
Can you plant it in the ground but use the same design for the square?
Yes, you can do it in the ground if you have good dirt. Most types of in-ground dirt is either too wet (clay) or too dry (sand). You have to know your dirt. Using good, loose, fertile, well-drained, near neutral dirt that has a lot of decayed organic matter will yield you a good start to a great harvest.
Pine or spruce construction lumber will last a couple of years before the rot becomes significant. White oak lumber will last a lot longer although it is more expensive. Do not use pressure treated lumber with vetetables.
If you wanted to substitute cantaloupe or watermelon, where would you put them? We would have a larger garden but I like the layout of yours.
I have a table garden like this. Something to keep in mind is that you need to be sure to water frequently– more frequently than if the garden was sitting on the ground. The soil does not retain as much of the moisture as it would if it could leach moisture from the surrounding area.
this is a square foot garden – check out the book called All New Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew. Brilliant ideas! promise success if you use his recipe for filling the container – 1part vermiculite, 1part compost (mixed from different sources) and 1part peat moss. Makes for a light, fluffy fill that roots love and plants thrive in – plants grow like you can’t imagine! so worth it!!!
Any ideas for small apartment living spaces I have house plants and they always seem to get a pesticide. If I can grow indoors or in a hallway area with lots of light,I will try it!
Why does it say 2×10 in the directions but not the supply list
Hmmm…Any recommendations for type of lumber that won’t rot after one season? Maybe composite or something? I’ve seen some reaised bed kits made of composite/resin but they’re pretty expensive. Would love to built one myself but I want to be sure I’m building something that will last. Thanks!
We used marine treated wood for our raised beds. We also lined the bottoms with 1/2″ mesh stapled to the inside bottom of the boxes to keep moles and voles out.
Pressure treated redwood will last for years and will withstand termites too! Redwood alone is great too:)
Pressure treated wood used for gardening will leach arsenic into soil & plants. Arsenic is used to pressure treat wood. There are other choices like cypress & redwood for example.
Awesome idea! I think there may be a typo in the supply list? It say 4 – 2×4′s but in your instructions it says 2×10′s.
The compost and compost tea from the compost barrel works great as the soil for this garden.
You can make this garden smaller in size if you combine it with hydroponic gardening. I used a system like that to get my FFA State Farmer Award Philadelphia.
We actually board raised beds last spring, but didn’t know “what next.” So, good timing for this info, and now we’re ahead of the game. Thank you so very much!!!
I am not a fan of vegies but I might try home grown ones
This reminds me of the Square Foot Gardening method. If you look up that book, go for the revised version called “The All New Square Foot Garden”…or somtihng like that.
We’ve got 4 beds via Square Foot Gardening. Look it up. the soil composition is phenomenal. My son can’t get enough and I love that he’s learning to self-provide.
Thanks metallica! That’s a realy cool idea, I am going to try that with an apply and orange tree.
I will try this!! Do I need to have drainage holes in the bottom of it? I will put it on sawhorses or legs.
This also works really well in a larger area if you have one
For a larger scale of this principle check out the book “How to Grow More Vegetables Than You Ever Thought Possible on Less Land Than You Can Imagine” from your local Library. If you want to start a VERY productive produce garden in a relatively small area, this is the book to have!!!
another good way to get a bunch of fruit in one area is makeing a tree with branches that produce diffrent fruit. Its done by tieing the end of branches together for a few months and they will all make one tree. My Uncle Planted one of these and it produced apples, pears, and peaches. Real Cool
Please give more details. Are existing apple, pear, and peach trees growing close together and branches are tied together while still on the trees or what? Thanks! Sounds like a great idea!
you can also hang window box flowerpots on the sides with marigolds in them to keep out rabbits and other small critters.
What makes this compact garden so productive is that you will be placing plants close together in squares instead of traditional rows. You can continue to plant as you harvest.
i feel very bad for all those endangered and soon to be extinct animals why can’t they make a space colony that can hold half of the world population so less of the rainforests can be cut down
Global Warming is melting our Earth. People need to start thinking about our enviorment.
It is appalling that so many cannot recognize the distinct difference between Conservation (using only what you need, cleaning up your own mess, use it again if possible, etc.) and Environmentalism, which has become a loose organization of ‘believers’, which are more like religionists.
As the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts continue to slip deeper into the massive efforts to ‘save the planet’, they naturally move away from their pledged and promised “Duty to God” because noone can escape the unspoken alternative that MUST exist, if Global warming were true, that:
1.God, the creator of Heaven and Earth, was out to lunch regarding Carbon Dioxide (CO2-a trace gas which makes up .0003% of our atmospere, a gas that people produce just by exhaling) and therefore is dumber than Al Gore
OR
2. God does not exist
The solution is obvious. God does exist and it is apparent from mankind’s lack of ability to create another universe, that He is infinitely smarter than anyone on earth and therefore any claims made the global warming religionists are admissions of ignorance or admissions of Idolatry.
This organization cannot profess a Duty to God and continue to embark on a path so clearly marked with inconsistencies and fallacies.
I beg the Scouting organizations and Boy’s Life to ignore the incessant hype and hysteria of the current environmental fad and reconsider their positions and policies regarding these weighty issues.
However, if you continue the attempt, there are some of us willing and able to blaze a new trail.
To avoid global warming, you can recycle. Recycling is very helpful!!!
Everyone knows we can recycle paper. But why doesn’t everybody do it? well, if you don’t recycle, please start because we can make a difference; a HUGE difference. So start recycling now!!!
If you don’t want to recycle, you can help the Earth in other ways to!!!
To help the earth i would chose to recycle and shut the water of when i am brushing by teeth or i would use more recycle things than trash.
If you don’t want global warming to affect you, you can choose to recycle, shut the water off when you brush your teeth, or you take a quick shower or bath.
green land was called green land for a reson, IT,WAS,GREEN!!!!
globel warmig is never going to happen but we can take better care of are Earth.
I am surprised that this topic has generated a level of discord. Conservation of our resources has been around for years and great Americans have been supportive of the cause. Teddy Roosevelt realized that our natural places and resources were not inexhaustible. We know we will run out of oil at some point, why wait until it is gone before we develop an alternative fuel? Conserve, reuse, recycle. These do not sound like radical ideas. Our grandparents practiced these things. They did not through away things after they were used, they fixed them up and used them again. I am not a tree hugging hippie, far from it. It makes fiscal and environmental sense to not waste our resources, global warming or not.
CFL bulbs contain toxic mercury and cannot be disposed of in normal trash. They have to go into the special toxic waste collections. If they break in the house, you and your family are exposed to deadly mercury. How can they be better for our home environment?
I oppose your series which is trying to indoctrinate scouts into global warming hysteria. There is no way we are going to reduce carbon emissions just to please all such chicken littles. We need energy for our civilization. Or does BL advocate for the green elites to continue to have a modern lifestyle and everyone else is to become their serfs, living in one place their whole life without electricity? Wind and solar do not drive cars or put enough power into the electric grid.
If its soppesed to be global warming than why is it gonna snow chacago soppesed to get snow!!!
Even if you are not a tree-hugging hippie there is some stuff you can do that will likely help the environment while saving you money. If you tell people to save money by airing up their tires, adding insulation to their attic, and using CFL bulbs they will get on board. I’ve used CFL bulbs for a year and love them. We should all buy an extra pack of CFL bulbs and give them to the poor or the elderly, or donate a pack to our church for distribution. Because of the high initial cost for CFL bulbs the poor/elderly (those who would benefit the most) are least likely to use them.
There are three questions to be asked.
1 Is the planet warming?
2 Are people causing the warming?
3 Is that warming bad?
We would do well to keep these questions separate. If we buy into Global warming hysteria without answering all of these questions the result will be a devastated economy and a government with unconscionable power. No economy ever grew on conservation. Always be suspicious when people tell you that you must do what they say to “Save the World”.
I feel the green series is like fox news. It reports and we decide. If the overwhelming majority of the worlds scientists (no just left wing American scientists) say carbon emissions are the cause, reporting that in the magazine is not a scare tactic.
What if they are wrong? The earth will be a cleaner, healthier place because we took action.
What if they are right? We should be scared and ashamed for not doing something.
Global warming. Just because Al Gore says the earth is warming doesn’t mean it is. Where did he get his facts? His jets cause more greenhouse gases than all of us put together. You are using scare tactics on the youth. Why is it Al Gore can make a movie and it is gospel. Everybody puts it in their library as gospel. The tape goes to class and it is gospel. Balogna!!
Ask the majority of the world’s RESEARCH climateologists or HISTORICAL meteorologists and they will tell you that global warming is cyclic and often solar in nature and little to do with man-made conditions. Being good environmental stewards is part of being great Scouts, but the focus should be on conservation, ecology, and resulting polution reduction. Too little of the ‘going green’ campaign is rooted in scientific fact; many conclusions are drawn from unconfirmed data and recent speculation. BSA needs to encourage Scouts to get involved for the right reasons: recycling, renewal, and responsibility, but not shaming and blaming them if the Earth’s natural temperature cycles shift naturally.
use fencing wood to build furiture instead of buying more wood you wil save trees.
As scouts, we were taught to leave no trace when camping because it is the right thing to do and is considerate of others that follow us in the woods. Going green is simply doing that to the planet in our everyday life.
Saving energy, saving resources, recycling and teaching our scouts that thoughtless wasteful actions leave a trace and minimizing that is stewardship of creation that our great God so beautify made.
Good work guys.
Boys Life magazine and the Boy Scouts of America are perpetrating a lie with this global warming ‘series’. I will be counter-balancing your intentionally misleading, or perhaps, just grossly ignorant and uninformed ‘facts’ within my den and pack meetings.
It is sad to see this organization succumbing to this hype and even worse, attempting to indoctrinate the worlds youth in its folly.
Get a grip on what it means to go green. Get the basics on what's going on with the environment.
Is there another article that explains what his four conservation projects were?
I think this scout is doing more than what is expected for him to save the earth. Not only has he gotten his rank of eagle, but he also got a Hornaday award. He worked very hard!
Josh Stone shares what it takes to earn a Hornaday Silver Medal -- work, work and more work, along with a little help from his friends.
Only 94 Silver Medals have been awarded since the inception of the Hornaday Awards. These gentlemen are in a class unto themselves!
Earned the bronze (but completed the requirements for the silver) in the late 80s; think I was the 1002 receipent. I appreciate the fact that the guidelines are spelled out MUCH better (my council didn’t even know about the award). Nice to see that CA is well represented!
I thought I was the 1002 after the story in Boy’s Life and someone else in an Eagletter. Earned all the merit badges, but only managed to qualify for the bronze. Be nice if we could grandfather our past projects.
As someone who got one in the 70′s, congratulations gentlemen. Is does the spirit good to know that some care to the point of action to protect and aid Mother Nature. Stay GREEN!
Way to go! I know how much work you all put into earning these awards. You definitely are the scouts that all should look up to. Congratulations!
The Hornaday awards recognize Scouts who complete a series of truly exceptional conservation projects. Here are some of the requirements, plus a list of winners since 2000.
I believe a half moon entrance hole is a preferred solution to discouraging unwanted pest birds.
Out of the three I built for the kids Christmas, two have Martins.. I’m sure the third one will in time.. Thanks for a great design!!
Mr. Recklies and Mr. Hurley many thanks for the illustrations and complete instructions on simply a first-rate set of plans. Mine is mounted on a sixteen foot treated 4×4 and awaits the first Purple Martin Scout’s arrival. Your hard work on design is appreciated!
Chris & Kevin- Thank you kindly for the excellent plans, illustrations and descriptions on this project. It is simply first-rate.
Built three at one time for the kids Christmas present. I will put them up in the spring.. Challenging for someone who doesn’t do a lot of woodwork.. I’m very happy with the design…
thanks for the tip about purple martin house plans!
i plan to build larger bird houses in the future.
could you not put the screen and use that for more birds
I am getting ready to build a martin house with your plan out of cedar. Hope the birds like it.
This seems like a lot of work i dont think i will try it
Thnak you for cool plan. This is really great. Others charge money for a simple plan
this is great! my mom was just talking about buying one, but now i can make one for her!
This is the perfect birdhouse for virtually any small bird. Thanks.
At first I thought that it meant a purple house for martins.
Im 11 and I built 2 one for my grandpa and one for my mom. Thanks!!
This is a difficult project to attempt to build. The purple martin songbirds will refuse to use this type of birdhouse if the entrance to each individual room does not have the correct diameter of the entrance to each room in the birdhouse as accepted to the correct species of songbird. If a person can properly build this project, it is a great accomplishment to build this type of birdhouse. This is difficult to build.
thanks so much for the pattern for martins, we are new at this so we are still learning. again thanks
im agirl
Im so going to use this idea for
my Quarter project
I am going to build this in my wood working class
Build a Purple Martin bird house and attract these bug-eating birds to your yard to help make your summer pest-free.
;D
>:)
Be sure to check local laws collecting rain water is actually illegal in some areas.
LOL:>
Where do you get the barrels?
any where they sell barrels
I goggled….Where to buy food grade rain barrels in my state and found a great source less than two blocks from my work!
I made one of these two years ago and I cannot use the water fast enough! I love it and have yet to have problems with Mosquitos. I use the water on my flower beds, vegetable garden, and have a bottle of camp soap on it to wash my hands too!
Guys, anyone having trouble with mosquitos is because you didn’t read carefully enough. In the listings of the materials you will need it says “Window screen”. Just take out the top of the barrel, place the window screen, and screw the top back on.
One drop of oil puts a shean on the water misquotes can’t break thru it. Your safe frm the varmints do not drink tho
One trick for mosquitos if the barrel always has “some” water and is in a shady, not-too-hot spot is to put a goldfish in there. It has to be bigger than the spout though! It will eat the mosquito larvae and it’s poo will add nitrogen to your garden.
If you gather rain off your roof, be aware the water that runs over any shingles or tar will be full of nastiness not recommended for food growing. grass, probably ok.
Great project – wish we’d thought of it – we bought a commercially built water barrel. Standing water may allow mosquitoes to breed – get some beneficial bacteria mosquito control rings at your garden or home improvement center. The bacteria eat the mosquito larvae. The screening alone may not prevent mosquitoes … and you don’t want to potentially spread disease like West Nile.
hey to prevent that stuff getting in the baRREL PUT AFEW layers of tightly woven screen over the hole then it will filter out the bad stuff so the you can use it for growing
is it ok for flowers?
yeah just put a screen on it and some fertilizer in and good water but you should use a bucket to water the flowers
add a tablespoon or two of salad oil to the barrel. The oil provides a barrier to the mosquitos and won’t hurt the barrel or the plants.
wouldent you think it would rust if it was metal
dear sparky, it wouldnt rust if it were staneless steal
stainless steel rusts
Use Brass Fittings they don’t rust
many food grade barrels are made of plastic.
this is great!My MoM and DaD are going to make this this summer.
One problem, Mission Viejo dosen’t get much rain!
This sounds like a great way to go green!
to sniper: LoL!!
Wow! Neat Idea!
cool i will talk to my faimly about it
mine got zapped by lighting!!!!!!!!
Mabye you can try again
lol *:}
really good project gonna try it and post the out come
Great project. I built one. How about a hovercraft project?
not sure if itll work… it might leak
great…i like to see this article
Looks great
where will I get a barrels? from a store.
where will I get a barrels from a store
where will i get a barrels
You can also contact a local car wash owner, they get soap and water treatment in large blue barrels. Most of these barrels are not the lidded style though. But that works out fine for a water barrel. Just clean it well I recomend letting watter sit in it for several days after a good clean then dumping it. (sometimes the soaps and treatment leech into the plastic).
I bet lowes as some barrels cause after all lowes knows
I would love to conserve water, but this is a lot tougher than it sounds. Be careful on this one… it’s super tricky!
This is a great project guys! It may take a little time and effort to get the stuff to do it, but ask your parents or another adult for help and it will be much easier to get the parts.
Car washes, restaurants, pickle processors all will have these barrels. Just look around. You’ll be surprised.
go green!!!
cool status
its kind of nerdy but cool
You can get your rain barrel at a full service car wash.
this is so fun
Higuy, It Says Ask A Resturant!!
cool )= -o
Im going to start to build this today. What a way to conserve water!!!!
this is really cool i never thought to do this this is a really good idea i really like it. i am going to build one for my family
Wow! Sounds great! Mabey I can make one in less a hour!
wow maybe i can get my awesome troop leader to get my aesome troop members to do this
i think it is a totally rad way of saving H2O
this is fun
man how do i get all that stuff
this is very cool and very usefull
this is a great project.yes , i am green.i agree w/higuy-where will i get a barrel?
Where should I get a barrel?
looks like im the first one
not what i expected
lol