Start Spring Early with Indoor Gardening
(ARA) - Let’s face it — February, March and April can be gray and dreary months. You’re more than ready for spring to begin, but Mother Nature is on a different schedule. But you can jump start the season of growth early and bring it inside where you can enjoy it through those last moments of winter.
Stale, polluted air happens frequently when homes are closed up for the winter months. But houseplants help to lighten the mood and purify the air. A NASA study found that houseplants remove up to 87 percent of toxic indoor air inside a sealed chamber within 24 hours.
Start your spring season early by planting vegetables, herbs and flowers while winter is still in the air, so they’ll be primed for transplanting when the spring season actually arrives. You can watch the plants as they shoot their little green stems out of the fresh dirt, monitoring them as they grow larger and larger.
* Use loose potting soil to promote root growth. Outside, worms and insects tunnel through the dirt, naturally breaking it up to help plants spread their roots. To mimic their effect indoors, use potting soil mixed with peat moss, vermiculite and perlite to create a light texture that won’t compact after a couple of waterings.
* Keep the humidity level above 50 percent with a humidifier. Not only will your plants appreciate the extra moisture, but so will you. When the humidity drops below 50 percent, most plants suffer from water loss through their leaves, and it’s difficult to regain that water balance, even with frequent watering.
* Really bring spring inside your home with beautiful pots and decorating accents. Visit Montgomery Ward (www.Wards.com) to find unique gardening accents. A garden gate gives vines a place to climb and you can also use it to decorate your walls as a headboard or wall hanging. Imagine waking up in the morning to see the vine stems spiraling around the gate toward the window. Or search for elegant and decorative plant stands that match your decor, and bring to life a beautiful and scented herbal garden to spruce up your kitchen counters.
* Check the nutrient levels for your plants. Outdoor plants get nutrients reimbursed naturally, but indoor plants don’t have that luxury. Every time you water your indoor plants, you wash some of the fertilizer out of the soil. Not all plants like the same amount or kinds of fertilizer, so do a little research.
* Make sure the natural light is adequate. Some plants like direct sunlight and must be located near a south-facing window, while others prefer a few hours of indirect light. When plants don’t get the light they need, they start to appear very thin and frail. Also make sure as your plants begin to grow, that you rotate the pots so they grow straight, rather than bending unnaturally toward the source of light. If your house does not have enough natural light sourcing, artificial lights work as a good supplement.
* Take care of your plants when you leave home for more than a couple of days. You can always ask a neighbor to come in and make sure your plants get a good drink of water, or try the Oasis Plant Watering System available at Montgomery Ward (www.Wards.com ). Place drip lines in each of the plants, set the system for the number of days you’ll be gone and the gravity-fed system will irrigate your foliage twice a day. For plants that require more water, double up the drip lines, and enjoy your time away. When you return home, spring will await you inside.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Make this a Garden Season to Enjoy
(ARA) - The catalogues are starting to pile up and the list of landscape improvements grows longer each day. Don’t let this overwhelm or discourage you. Instead spend a bit of time planning now for better results in your garden. You will be amazed how much fun you can have while achieving your landscape goals under budget and within your schedule.
Take some time to look through those catalogues. It is a great way to gather ideas and get some feedback from everyone who uses or enjoys the landscape. You might find if they are invited to help with the planning they might just help with weeding. And no one is too young.
“Break out the crayons, paper, pencils, ruler, old catalogues and make garden planning a family event,” says nationally known gardening expert and author Melinda Myers. “Younger children can glue pictures of their favorite plants on a piece of paper while older ones can do the measuring, sketch the garden and help with the planting diagram.” And if you are the sole gardener and caretaker, don’t worry. The same process works and you get to make all the decisions.
Once the family has had their input or you created your wish list of plants it is time to make sure your plan is realistic. Check to see if the plants selected will grow in the heat and cold of your region. Make sure they can also tolerate the soil, wind and moisture conditions. Matching the plant to the growing conditions means an attractive landscape and productive gardens with less work. Catalogues, your local Extension service and the Internet are great sources of information. This is great way to fight the winter blues.
Now it’s time to focus on the foundation of the garden, the soil under your feet. Preparing the soil with proper fertilization helps the plants you select grow and thrive. Start with a soil test to find out what type and how much fertilizer and soil amendments you need to add. The soil test results can save you time, money and insure you do the best for your plants and the environment. Over fertilizing wastes money, damages plants and can harm the environment.
While waiting for the results you can keep everyone involved with garden planning. Gather a cup of soil from your garden. Remove any sticks and stones and place it in a clean quart straight sided jar. Fill the jar 3/4 full and add a teaspoon of non-foaming detergent and shake. This is a great way to burn calories or use excess energy our young gardeners often have. Then allow the soil to settle.
You will begin to see layers of the different particles. Check the jar again in two days. The bottom layer is the heavier sand particles, followed by the medium sized silt and last the clay. This exercise will give you an idea of your soil structure. Compare what you found to the university lab results. “I have used this with young gardeners and it is amazing how excited they get about the soil in their garden. Even the more seasoned gardeners seem to enjoy this activity,” says Myers.
Now select a fertilizer suited to your plants. “I prefer low-nitrogen slow-release fertilizers like Milorganite,” says Melinda. “It is goof proof and safe for gardeners of all ages and experience to use. The organic source of nitrogen does not promote excess growth at the expense of flowers and helps to build stress tolerant plants. The non-leaching phosphorous is good for the environment and non-staining iron encourages a deep green color. Plus one product is good for all your gardening needs.”
Incorporate Milorganite into the soil before planting your flower and vegetable gardens as well as landscape plants. The slow release nitrogen won’t burn the developing roots or interfere with flowering.
Give flower and vegetable plants a mid season boost. The organic source of nitrogen in Milorganite will not burn heat and drought stressed plants. And be sure to water thoroughly and only as needed to keep your plants looking good throughout the season.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
RALEIGH - The conservation group American Rivers says the city of Raleigh could cut water use up to 40 percent and save millions of dollars by improving water efficiency.
But a city environmental coordinator says Raleigh has already adopted many of the policies the organization recommends.
American Rivers issued a report Wednesday in which it analyzed how four cities in the Southeast could benefit from water efficiency, as opposed to building new dams and reservoirs. It concluded that Raleigh could save $30 million to $60 million by pursuing efficiency as compared with building dams and reservoirs.
“I don’t know how they developed the numbers,” said Ed Buchan, the city Utilities Department’s environmental coordinator. “We think that a lot of the things we’ve already done have saved us some money.”
Buchan noted, however, that cutting consumption also reduces the city’s revenue from water and sewer charges. And Buchan said that even with efficient use of water, growing communities such as Raleigh must still plan new reservoirs.
Read More:News & Observer
ARA) – Disappearing plant species, endangered wildlife and adverse health effects for humans – all grab headlines whenever talk turns to the impact pollution has on our world. But pollution also affects production of pearls, the gem American pop culture has made an icon of exemplary womanhood.
From June Cleaver to Marge Simpson, a perfect strand of pearls has come to represent the essence of feminine perfection in American culture. The bestowing of an heirloom strand from mother to daughter is a treasured rite of passage in many families. Yet pollution’s effect on the mollusks that produce pearls may mean fewer pearls – and higher prices – in the future.
Pearl production and a pristine environment are tightly linked. Pearl-bearing mollusks are filter-feeders. To get their microscopic food, they filter as much as 106 gallons of seawater a day. Filter-feeding makes the mollusks extremely sensitive to pollutants in the water.
Pearl-bearing mollusks are also very sensitive to water temperature. Mollusks that produce pearls evolved over millions of years to live in very specific environments. Although those that live in temperate latitudes are accustomed to seasonal fluctuations in water temperature, an unusual rise in summer can kill them. Pearl-bearing mollusks that live in tropical latitudes can survive only within a very narrow range of water temperature. A small rise at any time of year can kill them.
People Can and Do Help
The mollusks’ sensitivity to temperature increases and pollutants make people who are dependent on the mollusks’ productivity acutely aware of environmental factors. Pearl farmers — people who grow cultured pearls — have a stake in mollusk health and productivity. That stake makes pearl farmers good stewards of the environment. If water pollution or temperature increases kill their mollusks, pearl farmers lose their livelihood.
Jewelmer, a pearl-farming company in the Philippines, has been especially active in promoting environmental preservation. The company has strongly lobbied the Philippine government to outlaw cyanide and dynamite fishing in the islands. Those fishing techniques produce big, easy catches, but they’re environmentally destructive, and they adversely affect the mollusks on the pearl farms.
“Jewelmer produces some of the finest golden South Sea cultured pearls,” says Jeremy Shepherd of PearlParadise.com, Inc., a leading online pearl-seller, “and the company has been among the most aggressive in protecting the pearl-farming environment.”
Forum for Pearl Lovers
www.Pearl-Guide.com is a pearl forum that has more than 3,000 members, many of whom contribute posts about pearls every day. Since pearls are the members’ passion and reason for participating in the forum, they are naturally concerned with pollution’s and global warming’s effects on pearl culture. Without protecting the delicate environment mollusks need to produce pearls, Pearl-Guide.com members and other pearl lovers around the world would lose their favorite gems.
More American cities are passing green mandates - laws requiring builders to adhere to environmental standards.
(NewsUSA) - When Washington, D.C. passed its Green Building Act of 2006, a mandate stating that all new private real estate developments need to follow the LEED (Leader in Energy and Environmental Design) standards set by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), it broke new ground. Building green became the new industry norm.
When builders “go green,” they erect efficient buildings that use fewer resources, improve indoor air health and minimize environmental impact. Cities have embraced green building to save energy, water and waste-management costs. From 2003 to 2007, the American cities with green building mandates grew from 22 to 92, a 418 percent increase.
How do buildings go green? The LEED system certifies buildings as silver, gold or platinum. Platinum buildings most closely follow the USGBC’s environmental standards, which look at location, water conservation, energy consumption, atmosphere, materials, indoor health quality, innovation and design.
A truly green building relies on a marriage between eco-friendly consumer products, like low-flow faucets, and renewable energy sources. Architects know to begin with sustainable building blocks -; choosing strong, energy-efficient building material can help ventilation and heating and cooling systems use less energy while improving indoor air quality.
For example, one company, Alternative Construction Technologies, Inc. (ACTech), has developed insulated structural panels made from 75 percent recycled materials. In tests, the ACTech panel system proves up to 65 percent more energy-efficient than traditional building materials. Buildings constructed using the system will waste less energy, so renewable energies, like wind and solar power, can be incorporated to optimize their intended economies and efficiencies.
The panels improve indoor air quality and acoustics. They are also firesafe and able to withstand hurricane-force winds, making them a safe building material in natural disaster-prone areas.
As American cities look to improve their carbon footprint, they must combine green materials with eco-friendly energy sources. Fourteen percent of U.S. cities with populations over 50,000 already have green building mandates, while another 36 cities plan to enact them.
For more information about the ACTech Panel System, visit www.actechpanel.com or call 1-800-859-8813. ACTech trades on the OTC Bulletin under ACCY.
Companies must develop ways to use water - a renewable resource - without harming the planet.
(NewsUSA) - The saying, “Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink” rings true. Although water covers 70 percent of the Earth’s surface, humans make little use of its potential.
Fresh water irrigates fields, washes dishes and prevents dehydration, but it only accounts for 1 percent of the water supply. Moving water provides energy, but only 19 percent of the world’s power comes from hydroelectricity.
Water’s a natural, renewable resource, but humans don’t always use it in eco-friendly ways. People must remove the salt from ocean water before they can drink it, but according to the National Research Council, ocean-desalination plants consume so much energy that they do Earth more harm than good.
Today’s hydroelectric technologies use dams to harness moving water’s energy. Large dams require energy and materials for construction, displace communities and destroy wildlife habitats. In the U.S., 80,000 dams divert and block moving water, changing river habitats into lakes and disrupting wildlife. In 2008, horrified fishermen saw the biggest Chinook salmon run in the Sacramento River collapse, partly due to a diversion dam.
But one Hungarian-based technology company, Power of the Dream Ventures, Inc., is working to improve the ways that humans use water. Its ocean desalination prototype, when completed, will use solar or wind power to produce drinkable water at low monetary and environmental costs.
Power of the Dreams Ventures, Inc. also built a model for a product called RiverPower, which can supply hydroelectric power without dams. RiverPower generators would be submerged at strategic points, using an entire river’s flow to generate electricity. RiverPower would supply energy 24 hours a day, making it more reliable than solar or wind energy.
For more information about RiverPower, visit www.powerofthedream.com. Power of the Dream trades under the symbol PWRV on the OTCBB exchange
With food prices rising, consumers could be hit hardest when crops like corn experience drought. Every step possible needs to be taken to conserve water.
(NewsUSA) - Crops are struggling, and lawns are turning brown. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 36 states anticipate water shortages by 2013.
For the millions affected by drought, every drop makes a difference. Personal water consumption remains a serious issue -; the EPA states that the average American consumes the equivalent of 1,600 glasses of water a day. Extended dry spells impact consumers, who are now turning to smart products that save water without sacrificing performance. Here are some products that help conserve water:
- The Shark Steam Mop cleans a 1,000 square foot floor surface with one pint of water, compared to the four gallons used in mop-and-bucket cleaning, according to the company. By turning a small amount of water into powerful steam, the Shark Steam Mop outcleans other solutions, and because it does not use any chemicals, nothing needs to be diluted or rinsed like with traditional mopping -; saving gallons of water.
- The Energy Star-rated LG SteamWasher uses TrueSteam technology to enhance cleaning performance and conserves water usage by up to 97 percent.
- The ASKO Encore Dishwasher uses dramatically less water than hand-washing and other dishwashers. The dishwasher uses only four gallons of water per load. According to the American Water Works Association, most dishwashers use nine to 12 gallons, while hand-washing dishes consumes approximately 20 gallons.
- In general, 30 percent of water consumption goes down the toilet each year. Gerber’s Ultra Dual-Flush Toilet features a pressure-assist flushing system to save water. The toilet uses 1.1 and 1.6 gallons per flush, saving 12,000 gallons of water each year, according to its manufacturer.
The U.S. is expected to account for more than 10 percent of the world’s household water consumption by 2025, according to the 5th World Water Forum. As the situation escalates, consumers and manufacturers continue to reduce household usage with more efficient products.
A running hose can expel 50 gallons of water every 5 minutes. Pistol-grip nozzles help save water.
(NewsUSA) - If water prices were $4 a gallon, the typical American household would spend roughly $1,452 each day.
Water waste doesn’t strain wallets quite like gasoline. People filling up their gas tanks these days wouldn’t dream of wasting five gallons.
But a running faucet wastes five gallons of water every two minutes, and people let their faucets run while they shave, brush their teeth and wash their dishes.
Water is a vital resource. Many areas in North America face water shortages. Summer droughts only amplify an already existing water-supply problem.
But saving water doesn’t have to cause migraines. Homeowners can easily reduce their daily water consumption by 100 to 150 gallons each day. HouseMaster, home inspection experts for nearly 30 years, offers these tips for the water-savvy:
- Check for leaks. A dripping faucet can waste two gallons of water an hour.
- Review your toilets’ water consumption. Don’t use toilets like ashtrays or wastebaskets. Flushing a tissue or cigarette wastes gallons of water.
Toilets often leak.To find a toilet leak, drop food coloring into the tank. If colored water appears in the bowl after 15 minutes, the toilet’s leaking and needs to be repaired.
- Install low-flow showerheads and bathroom faucets. High-flow showerheads use 6 to 10 gallons of water a minute. Flow restriction devices can cut flow in half without reducing water pressure.
- Don’t waste water on the lawn. Water your lawn and plants early in the day to help reduce evaporation. During the summer, water plants slowly and infrequently. Consider using drip irrigation, which adds water only where needed, in garden areas.
- Wash the car without water waste. Use a pistol-grip nozzle on your hose, and shut off the water after each hosing. A wide-open hose can discharge more than 50 gallons of water in just 5 minutes.
Homeowners in different areas face different water-conservation challenges. To find more information or to locate a professional, visit www.housemaster.com.
Gift Ideas for the Person Who Has Everything
If you know someone who enjoys plants, flowers, vegetables, and all things green, a gardening gift is sure to brighten their day. Here are some ideas to make your favorite gardener happy:
1) Grow bigger and faster with oxygenized water.
How would your favorite gardener like to brag about having a 58 percent higher bell pepper yield and 28 percent more petunia flowers? Recent studies have shown oxygen is a key element for successful plant growth because it stimulates root systems.
The eco-friendly Enki Watering Device takes this knowledge and puts it right in the hands of gardeners. The enhanced watering device oxygenates water by up to 150 percent, far surpassing the oxygen levels in tap water or even that of rain water. Tests conducted by Dr. Albert Markhart, a professor of horticulture at the University of Minnesota, reveal substantial benefits. Super oxygenated water helps to achieve earlier flowering with more vibrant colors and increased numbers of flowers and vegetables. This unique gift idea can be used on both indoor and outdoor plants, and is great for container gardening.
2) Learn from the best with gardening classes.
Gardening classes are conducted at gardening centers and nurseries, schools and community education centers. Why not give the gift of knowledge for that special someone? Whether for your mother, the family gardener or your recently graduated cousin who just moved into a new home, a gardening or landscape class can benefit them. They might meet some new people that share their interest or can help answer their questions as well.
3) Accessories make any garden great.
There is such a variety of garden accessories available, it’s easy to pick out one for your favorite green thumb. New plant containers have intricate designs that mimic expensive materials at a fraction of the cost. Options are available that look like wood, stone, clay and other traditional materials, but are much lighter and last longer. Enhance any garden area with accessories like a small sculpture, a colorful gazing ball or a stone with an inspirational phrase engraved on it. A bird bath or bird feeder for feathered friends is also a popular gift idea.
4) Gift certificates are just the right fit.
Do you want to give something to your dad who loves to garden, but he’s so picky you’re afraid you’ll get him something he won’t use? Or maybe you’re not sure of your friend’s decor tastes, and think it’s best if she picks out her own garden accessories. The good news is that almost every garden center offers gift certificates, so you can show you care and they can go get what they really want for their garden. With more and more people buying gift certificates, it’s socially acceptable and a much appreciated gesture.
5) Gardening literature is the gift that keeps giving.
Books and magazines are a great way to keep your favorite gardener educated, and there are options available to suit any interest. From flowers to herbs to vegetables, reference books help encourage successful gardening year after year. Choose a book that is specific to the region in which the person will be gardening. An alternative is a magazine subscription, which keeps them thinking “green” all year long.
Gardening gifts are great for almost anyone, whether they are a casual gardener or die-hard green thumb. For more information on great gardening gift ideas visit http://www.MyEnki.com .
Like Roche, consumers can go beyond recycling and find new ways to reduce their environmental footprints
(NewsUSA) - Being environmentally responsible is not only the right thing to do, it is also the smart thing to do. While helping preserve the environment, it is likely you will save money. Many U.S. corporations understand that being green is good for the environment and for their bottom line, which is why they have implemented original ways to reduce their environmental footprints.
Companies and consumers who want to be greener, but don’t know what to do beyond recycling, can look to some of these innovative companies for eco ideas. For example, Roche pharmaceuticals has been very successful in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, the company achieved this goal two years ahead of schedule, which was set with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Leaders program (http://www.epa.gov/climateleaders/).
Roche’s pharmacuetical division cut down waste and energy use in a variety of ways, such as:
- Changing the packaging of its osteoporosis drug, Boniva (ibandronate), from a plastic material to a recyclable “blister wrap.”
- Converting its system for submitting paper documents to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to an electronic submission process, saving reams of paper and energy that would have been spent shipping the materials.
- Offering its pharmaceutical sales force the option to choose a hybrid car to drive, saving more than 80,000 gallons of gas per year.
- Roche also introduced co-generation, the ability to generate steam and electricity simultaneously as a source of energy, at its Nutley, New Jersey, headquarters. With co-generation, the costs and emissions were reduced, but generated enough electricity to meet 65 percent of the site’s electricity needs.
