Easier, Cheaper, Smarter Gardening with Native Plants
We hear a lot these days about the benefits of using “natives” in our gardens, but what exactly does this mean and why should we bother? Native plants are species that existed in our area before human activities dominated the natural landscape. Over the past several hundred years, people have imported or bred plants to suit their cultural, aesthetic, and environmental needs. A few of these plant species have escaped from cultivated gardens or were introduced intentionally into natural areas. The problem lies in the fact that these exotic invasives can take over, out-competing native plants. As the native species dwindle, animals and insects dependent upon them for food and shelter are threatened. One step…
Warm Weather = More Ticks!
Warm weather could spell trouble with ticks By Joan Lownds Thursday, 23 February 2012 After a spectacular opening act with the “Halloween snowstorm,” this season’s winter has mostly been a no-show . The warm snap has been a boon to the public works department — and for energy savings — but the trade-off could be a bumper crop of ticks later this year. “The mild winter is causing ticks to stay active, and they are not usually active in the winter,” said Dr. Kirby Stafford, state entomologist. “We may see an increase in tick activity in the spring, but next summer we will see the highest peak of risk — with possibly the most ticks…
Lush and Rich Gardens
Replace it with perennial beds, decks, trails, sidewalks or mulch. “Grass is one of the highest input plants that we grow,” Welsh said. “Turf means watering, mowing, fertilising and pest control. Do you really need 5,000 square feet of grass?”
Give Your Family the “Best” Home!
Pollution from power plants, cars, and other transportation is a well-known contributor to outdoor air pollution, but our indoor air quality is often worse; it can be up to 10 times worse for you than the air outside. Microbial pollutants like mold, pet dander and plant pollen can combine with chemicals like radon and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to create a pretty toxic environment in your home; since we spend an average of 90% of our time indoors and 65% of our time inside our homes, according to the National Safety Council, that can add up to allergies, asthma and worse. Everything that comes in to our homes has the potential to be harmful to our health; this…
The Zen Guide to Bay Lawn Care
A man once asked a monk how he could achieve enlightenment. His answer: “do nothing.”
Healthy & Safe Kitchen
Whether you spend a lot of time in your kitchen or the only thing you know how to make is microwave popcorn, there are steps we can all take to make our kitchen a little greener and save a little money in the process. Refrigerator Your refrigerator uses more energy than any other appliance in your home, but there are a few things you can do to keep energy consumption to a minimum: The fridge should be kept at 38-42°F (3-5°C), the freezer at 0-5°F (-17 to -15°C). Try to open the fridge door less frequently and for a shorter duration to conserve energy. Don't place your fridge in a warm spot – near a…
Young Naturalist Program – 1st & 2nd Graders
Blandy’s Young Naturalist Program features Saturday sessions in January, February, and March. These programs get kids outdoors during a time of year when most of us are inside. Programs focus on the area’s natural history, geography, weather, and related topics. Our winter 2012 themes include Insects in Winter (January 14), Weather & Storms (January 28), Mammals & Birds (February 11), Nature & Art (February 25), and Signs of Spring (March 10). Children in grades 1 and 2 attend sessions from 9-11:30 a.m., while those in grades 3-5 attend from 12:30-3 p.m. Each program includes observation, hands-on activities, crafts, and time outside. The Young Naturalist Program is presented by Blandy staff, with volunteer assistance from Virginia…
Dry Cleaning – How Toxic is It?
Conventional dry cleaning is risky to public health and the environment. Consumers should minimize traditional dry cleaning services and wash more clothes at home in cold water. Designers can help by minimizing the reliance on fabrics that need to be dry-cleaned by educating their customers about cleaning alternatives. Download PDF Factsheet The environmental problems of dry cleaning On the surface, dry cleaning seems like a harmless and almost miraculous process. For consumers, the dry cleaner whisks away their beloved, and seemingly difficult to clean, one-of-a-kind pieces and delicate garments, and returns them perfectly pressed and in like-new condition. Even fashion houses rely heavily on the service for sample maintenance. When the cleaning process is scrutinized,…
Factoring energy efficiency into a home’s value
Under the SAVE (Sensible Accounting to Value Energy) Act, estimated energy-consumption expenses for a house would be included as a mandatory new underwriting factor. When you apply for a mortgage to buy a house, how often does the lender ask detailed questions about monthly energy costs or tell the appraiser to factor in the energy-efficiency features of the house when coming up with a value? A new bipartisan effort on Capitol Hill could change all this dramatically and for the first time put energy costs and savings squarely into standard mortgage underwriting equations. A bill introduced Oct. 20 would force the three mortgage giants to take account of energy costs in every loan they insure,…
Meaningful Holidays!
GIVE THE GIFT OF TIME by creating your own gift card for a service (e.g., babysitting, car washing, pet sitting, chores, making dinner, organizing an outing). GIVE A HANDMADE GIFT like a memoir of cherished memories with that person, a book of family recipes, a collage of pictures and mementos, or a calendar filled with the birthdays and anniversaries of friends and family. OFFER TO TEACH A SKILL YOU POSSESS (e.g., knitting, photography, computer skills, financial planning, a foreign language, music lessons, canning tomatoes, cooking a favorite recipe). CONSIDER LESS GIMMICKY, LESS COMMERCIAL GIFTS for children, such as arts/crafts supplies, books, a magnifying glass, or building blocks. CREATE A PAPERLESS HOLIDAY LETTER on the computer…
