All About Growing Squash Plants

Squash were cultivated in Mesoamerica 10,000 years ago. It was an integral crop in the guild of the “Three Sisters” (corn, beans and squash). Squash come in summer varieties like zucchini or pattypan, winter varieties like butternut, spaghetti, acorn and Hubbard. They are hardy, easy-to-grow plants and thrive when grown … Read more

Tiny Houses: Beloved by People and Planet

People are finding ways to cut back on spending, and eliminate some of the expenses of paying bills. They are taking on newer building projects that will save then hundreds of dollars per month in living expenses. One such project is the building of small, cheap, eco friendly homes. These … Read more

Make Someone’s Day With A Batch Of Cupcakes!

The girls in the Food Is Love team at ?What If! believe that the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach. We also believe that good food helps create good ideas – not only is it hard going trying to work without a good breakfast in your tummy, but … Read more

Companion Plants: The Three Sisters

The three sisters planting method is an ancient and sustainable method of companion planting. Originating with Native Americans, the three sister’s method consists of planting of corn, beans, and squash in close proximity. All three of the plants are an essential part of the companion planting system. The corn provides … Read more

Growing Pumpkins for Fun and Food

When growing pumpkins there are so many different ways to use the celebrated fall holidays to provide a fun environment for the surrounding community and is a sustainable way to make a living. Of course you don’t need to grow your own pumpkins, but it certainly can be fun. Check … Read more

Climate Change Solutions: Grassroots and Geo-engineering

Global climate change in an accepted phenomenon by an international community of respected scientists. However, due to a vocal group of corporate interests and their enablers, climate change-deniers, concrete action to combat greenhouse gas production has been slow in coming. An international cap-and-trade system was on the table in climate … Read more

Ground Source Heating: A Warmly Welcomed Innovation

When we think about getting hear from the ground we probably imagine geothermal energy; large magma chambers miles underground powering geysers and hot springs, or being tapped to generate electricity through steam turbines. But living next to a volcano can be a risky proposition and might be seen as an … Read more

Community Development Through Gardening

Community is not a term used often in urban centers and cities. Cities have become monsters of consumption rapidly depleting local natural resources in the never-ending growth of urban sprawl. As urban areas continue to grow, communities are loosing the necessary green space for recreation, relaxation, neighborhood gatherings, and all … Read more

How to Make Your Own Tea

Camellia sinensis is the species of plant that true tea is made from. The Camellia plant, also known as tea plant, tea tree, and tea shrub, is used to make all varieties of non-herbal tea including green tea, black tea, white tea, oolong, and pu-erh tea. The specific tea variety … Read more

The Screw Pump: An Archimedes’ Invention Still in Use Today

Archimedes of Syracuse was an ancient Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, invetor, and astronomer. He is typically regarded as one of the leading scientists in classical antiquity. He is most known for his explanation of the principle of the lever and for the first theoretical calculation of the value of pi … Read more

Zeer Pot for Food Preservation

Many of the best eco trends are less about new technologies and more about reviving the innovative technologies that existed when civilizations thrived without depending on copious amounts of fuel. Did you know that there were actually ancient refrigerators that sufficed quite well in preserving food? Naturally, the still work … Read more

Sustainable Building Design: A Brief Overview

Sustainable building is a growing movement. Its goals are to design and construct buildings that are resource-efficient throughout the lifespan of the building, from planning to construction and, eventually, to demolition. Green buildings must also account for utility, comfort and other normal aspects of building design. Sustainable building may also … Read more

The Slow Food Movement is Rapidly Catching On

In contrast to the monoculture of fast food quickly overtaking the globe, the Slow Food Movement is a grassroots organization started in Italy that strives to preserve traditional and regional cuisine and encourages the farming of plants and raising livestock that are characteristic to the local ecosystem. It is a … Read more

Container Vegetable Gardening for Round Year Produce

Container vegetable gardening is a fun and easy way to keep a fresh supply of herbs and vegetables at your table all season long. It will also save you space and allow you to decorate as well as provide a hearty meal. Additionally it will save you a little money … Read more

Environmental Preservation, What it Means to All

The idea and principles of environmental preservation in the United States and in any part of the world is widely viewed as the act of setting aside precious and now-limited natural resources to avoid damage in any forms caused by man-made intervention. Such human demands on the environment include the … Read more