Should You Live Off the Grid?

Welcome to our Halloween edition! Explore a fascinating history of pumpkins (Stingy Jack makes an appearance), the best ways to dispose of pumpkins, and more.SOME NEWS: We aren't sure what the future of our show will look like, or if we will be able to continue. While we love doing this, we both need time to focus on other things right now. We may be able to figure out a way to come back in a new form in 2027, but we aren't sure right now. We will let you know!SourcesWikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PumpkinUniversity of Missouri Integrated Pest Management  - https://ipm.missouri.edu/meg/2013/10/Pumpkin-A-Brief-History/Woodstock History Center - https://www.woodstockhistorycenter.org/articles/2023/10/10/the-historic-pumpkinUSDA - https://www.ers.usda.gov/newsroom/trending-topics/pumpkins-background-statisticsBoreal.org - https://www.boreal.org/2024/11/01/470980/over-80-of-halloween-pumpkins-are-thrown-away-each-year-heres-what-you-can-do-insteadColorado Gardener - https://www.coloradogardener.com/post/knuckleheads-warty-pumpkinsWhite Hutchinson - https://www.whitehutchinson.com/news/agrinews/2023/november/article105.shtmlThe Hustle - https://thehustle.co/the-economics-of-pumpkin-patchesPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: [email protected]: Greening Up My Act

Maybe you've dreamed of living off grid with images of walking barefoot through bright green and swimming in streams, but is off-grid living sustainable? Join as we cover off-grid living problems, the downsides of off-grid living, and answer the question: is off grid living actually eco friendly? AND this is our season 10 finale! We'll be back October 1, 2026 with season 11 — covering YOUR requested topics. Can't wait!SourcesWikipedia: EarthshipsEnelNeal Haddaway on MediumCNETSunny Simple LivingYoung NRGKuby.caPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: [email protected]: Greening Up My Act

If you have heard negative things about solar power, you might be asking yourself are solar lights eco-friendly, or not? We look at solar lights' environmental impact (from manufacturing to disposal), whether or not you can recycle solar lights, if solar lights cause pollution, and more.Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, send your support! SourcesGreen Home Systems (company): https://greenhomesystems.com/ Home & Gardens: https://www.homesandgardens.com/gardens/are-solar-lights-eco-friendlyInternational Energy Agency (IEA) on solar PV: https://www.iea.org/reports/solar-pv-global-supply-chains/executive-summary IEA on critical minerals: https://www.iea.org/reports/the-role-of-critical-minerals-in-clean-energy-transitions/executive-summary Renewable Energy Journal: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960148124014757 Conservation Law Foundation: https://www.clf.org/blog/the-truth-about-carbon-footprints/ Kleinman Center for Energy Policy: https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/research/publications/impact-of-solar-lighting-kits-on-the-lives-of-the-poor/ Harvard study in Uganda: https://healthybuildings.hsph.harvard.edu/cleaner-air-changes-more-than-lungs-findings-from-rural-uganda/ Climate Brief’s 16 misleading myths about solar power: https://interactive.carbonbrief.org/factcheck/solar/index.html Solar Magazine: https://solarmagazine.com/sustainable-solar-lighting-for-the-garden/ Forbes, Best Outdoor Solar Lights: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/article/the-best-outdoor-solar-lights/ Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: [email protected]: Greening Up My Act

Upcycled outdoor furniture is often greener than buying new — and can still be cute as hell. If an upcycled outdoor space on a budget brings up images of shabby pallet couches and crooked DIY tables, never fear. Learn simple improvements that re-use what you already own (or can get from a Buy Nothing group) to create a beautiful, enjoyable outdoor space that you actually want to hang out in.Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, send your support!   SourcesEmily Henderson blog HGTV on DIY Outdoor FurniturePatio LivingPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: [email protected]: Greening Up My Act

If it's not data centers raising your energy bills, it's hotter days and months. Enter vertical gardens, also called green walls or living walls. We uncover whether green walls in urban spaces actually cool surface temperatures (you'll be shocked!) and whether adding them to your house could have a serious impact on your monthly bills.Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!  SourcesCrunchbasePlenty on its chapter 11 bankruptcyNature-Based Solutions journalUtrecht UniversityGrow a Living Wall: Create Vertical Gardens With Purpose, Shawna Coronado (affiliate link)Lowe’sEWGAGardenPatch.com blogThe SprucePatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: [email protected]: Greening Up My Act

You lie awake at night and wonder if you're doing enough to help the future of the planet. But there's something very close to home that you can do to make an immediate impact: overcome your fear of insects. Tune in as we walk you through why insects are important, as well as strategies for how to overcome a fear of bugs. No more screaming or smashing needed.Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support! Other Episodes You'll LoveInsect Decline: Why You Should Care That Your Windshields Are CleanSourcesBringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants, Douglas Tallamy (affiliate link)Discover Magazine, Why Are We Afraid of Bugs?How To Podcast, How To Squash Your Fear of Bugs (and Other Phobias) [more helpful]Feel Good Now Podcast (less helpful)Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: [email protected]: Greening Up My Act

Bugs are disappearing, which means way more than your windshield being cleaner than it used to be. If this scares you, soothe your panic with us as you learn what you can do to help the bug population, while understanding the link between insect decline and food security.Listen to get these answers:Why are insects disappearing? Why do we need insects?What would happen if insects went instinct? What can we do about it?Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!  SourcesNPR: Insect populations drop even without direct human interferenceFriends of the Mississippi RiverPenn State Huck Institute of Life SciencesOklahoma State ExtensionHuck Institute (again)UC IPMPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: [email protected]: Greening Up My Act

Urban farms are all the rage, but there's a different idea that might be even more impactful — food forests. It might sounds like something out of Fern Gully, but food forests offer a real way to increase biodiversity, lower maintenance, and add useful food sources to your community. Join us for this food forest for beginners crash course to walk away with realistic tips for starting small and cheap where you live.Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!  SourcesProject Food Forest - https://projectfoodforest.org/what-is-a-food-forest/Permaculture Apprentice - https://permacultureapprentice.com/creating-a-food-forest-step-by-step-guide/Stanford Report - https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2023/05/food-forests-urban-farms-hold-promise-addressing-numerous-problemsCommunity Food Forests - https://communityfoodforests.com/resources/funding/Garden Therapy - https://gardentherapy.ca/urban-orchards/Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: [email protected]: Greening Up My Act

Welcome to our first ever collab episode! Dr. Bronner's has long been considered the gold standard of sustainable soap. It's a staple in outdoor kits, zero-waste homes, and camping gear lists thanks to its versatility, plant-based ingredients, and reputation for environmental responsibility. But how much of that reputation actually holds up under closer scrutiny?In this collaborative episode with Meg Carney, the host of Outdoor Minimalist, we take a deep dive into one of the most recognizable sustainability brands on the market. Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!  SourcesDr. Bronner's: https://www.drbronner.com/Dr. Bronner's, Leave No Trace Guide to Using Soap Outdoors: https://www.drbronner.com/pages/camping-with-dr-bronnersLeave No Trace Seven Principles: https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/Dirty Labs: https://dirtylabs.com/Camp Suds: https://www.rei.com/product/407166/campsuds-biodegradable-concentrated-soap-2-ozPatreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: [email protected]: Greening Up My Act

Vegetables you only have to plant once? Sounds like a dream come true. Except it might be slightly more complicated than that. Join hosts Tiff and Kat as they take you on a perennial vegetable journey — from good perennial vegetables for beginners to why growing Jerusalem artichokes may not be your next best move. Learn which are easy perennial vegetables to grow, and which you can avoid eye contact with at the seed store.Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If you love our show, show your support!  SourcesAmy Manning: https://amymanning.substack.com/p/perennial-vegetables-mostly-dudsGrowVeg.com: https://www.growveg.com/guides/best-edibles-for-pollinator-gardens/ RuralSprout.com: https://www.ruralsprout.com/perennial-vegetables/ University of California: https://ucanr.edu/blog/napa-master-gardener-column/article/perennial-vegetables-and-herbs Nature.com scientific report: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-09737-1 PLoS One study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7351156/#sec016 Martha Stewart’s blog: https://www.themarthablog.com/2023/04/planting-asparagus-at-my-farm.html Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: [email protected]: Greening Up My Act