When Mother Nature Strikes...

Mother Nature is an unpredictable parent who can bring warm sunny days as well as cause great destruction. Lately we have been hit with some severe natural disasters. The Oklahoma tornado tragedies come with horrific pictures of crumbled homes and stories of children in danger. Hurricane Sandy hit close to home while destroying our Eastern Shoreline and causing massive power outages in large cities like New York and Philadelphia. But when Mother Nature has a bad day, who is there to clean up her mess? Dumpster services like GPOD are here to serve our community and straighten up after Mother Nature strikes.

• After calling GPOD to take away the big debris, here are some tips on how to keep safe while cleaning up after a natural disaster.
•   Do not go near or enter a building that has not been inspected by a professional
• Wear construction gear such as hard hats, goggles and work gloves to protect yourself
• Stay away from anything that contains carbon monoxide. This dangerous gas can cause severe illness and death, leave it to professionals in gas masks to take care of your stove, heaters etc.
• Discard items that cannot be washed and disinfected
• Don’t turn on any electrical devices, especially after a disaster dealing with water!
• Be sure to have a first aid kit on hand in case of any cuts or abrasions. Infections are more common when working in a dirty environment

GPOD is proud to offer their services after any natural disasters. Sandy is not the first and certainly will not be last natural disaster to occur on the East Coast, and GPOD will always be around to help out! Disaster areas all around the world are still trying to get back on their feet, so be sure to donate to the red cross or another recognized charity that aids recovery when Mother Nature hits hard!

DIG IN TO A HEALTHY, HAPPY SUMMER

It’s that time of year again! Time to break out the pruners and weed whackers and start digging into the garden. But this year, why not try something different? Why not try a vegetable garden! Not only is growing your own food a healthier and cheaper choice, but imagine how great it will feel to walk out back and pick fresh tomatoes, peppers or carrots! It may be easier than you think. Here are some tips!

What to grow?

It’s best to start out small with your first vegetable garden. Do some research on what you would like to grow. Tomatoes and peppers will grow throughout the season, while carrots and radishes only produce once. So plan accordingly.  Also, check the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone you live in to see which crops grow best.

How much space?

Once you decide what to grow, determining how much space you need is important. Keep in mind you don’t need much space for a vegetable garden. You don’t even need a yard, growing vegetables in containers works well too. Research how much space you need for each vegetable you are growing. That will help your garden grow and prosper! Think about protecting your garden from rabbits or raccoons with a fence.

Where to grow?

When determining where to grow keep in mind these helpful tips. Vegetables need, plenty of sun and water. Vegetables require at least 6 to 7 hours of direct sunlight to sustain produce. Invest in good, healthy soil. Consider amending the soil with compost for better results.

But most important have fun, spend time with family and share with friends! Growing a vegetable garden is a family activity! Teach the young ones about healthy food choices and have fun in the sun!

So, what is the first step? Ordering a greens dumpster from GPOD to get rid of the old, dead yard waste, and while you’re at it let us take away your junk from the basement or attack! We make it easy to order online or call us at 866-771-4763.

Be happy and healthy and enjoy your new vegetable garden this summer!