tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58386549396108051612024-03-14T10:38:59.681-04:00Metro DC Lawn and Garden BlogEric Ecklhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13398535194562109699noreply@blogger.comBlogger689125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-27006709202534843032012-08-31T07:30:00.000-04:002012-08-31T07:30:04.541-04:00To everything, there is a season<p>Everyone knows that when it comes to gardens, there is a time to reap and a time to sow. But many people don’t realize that there are also times when it is good to just let your garden rest. <p>Many plants can be harmed much more quickly by too much attention than by too little. Certainly too much water or too much of any chemical is going to harm the plant, the beneficial critters and the surrounding environment. And even the strongest plants can only tolerate a limited amount of pruning and “rearranging” in the garden. <p>Even soil that is continually worked can suffer, eventually becoming worn out and depleted of the nutrients that help your plants grow. <p>Gardeners, too, can benefit from a rest. Taking time away from the chores and duties of maintaining a garden and spending a little more time just appreciating and enjoying it is a great way to restore a tired gardener’s enthusiasm. <p>The Metro DC Lawn and Garden Blog was started in June 2010, and in the past two years, we have shared over 710 posts about the joys and environmental benefits of green gardening. <p>We have planted many of the things we have learned about gardening into this blog, added the knowledge and insights we have gained from our readers and local garden enthusiasts, and have created a garden blog that is brimming with information for you to come and wander through and pick and enjoy. <p>And now, it is time for us to rest. <p>All of our great posts will still be out here for you to enjoy. You can use the <a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/p/topic-index.html">Topic Index page</a> (located from the horizontal menu bar), the Search this Blog input box to search for a specific topic or click on one of the Labels in the right sidebar. <p>For information that you don’t find on the Metro DC Lawn and Garden Blog, the <a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/p/local-resources.html">Eco-Friendly Resources page</a> (also available in the horizontal menu bar) will lead you to many other great websites in the area that are brimming with information to help you continue with your gardening efforts. <p>It has been a wonderful pleasure and honor creating and sharing this garden blog with you. I hope that you will come visit it often. <p>I can’t wait to see what the next seasons bring us all!</p> Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-7022778370038963192012-08-30T08:32:00.000-04:002012-08-30T08:32:00.085-04:00Chesapeake Ecology Center, 10th Anniversary Celebration & Native Plant Sale – Sept. 15<p>
<p><strong><em>When: Saturday, September 15 , </em></strong><em><strong>9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
</strong><strong>(Rain date: Sunday, September 16)</strong></em>
<p><em><strong>Where: 245 Clay Street, </strong><strong>Annapolis, MD 21401</strong></em>
<p><em>All are invited to this free event and celebration of the 10<sup>th</sup> Anniversary of the Chesapeake Ecology Center (CEC)! Join Master Gardener tour guides for tours of the Native Plant Demonstration Gardens at the CEC. Learn about native plants, rain gardens, and other conservation landscaping practices. This is also their annual fundraiser, and </em><a href="http://chesapeakeecology.nonprofitoffice.com/vertical/Sites/%7BA7B77D20-B5CC-4703-BAAB-C49A8FAC22DD%7D/uploads/CEC_GOH_FLIER_(9-15-12).pdf"><em>native plants at discount prices</em></a><em> will be made available.</em>
<p><em>The CEC is located at Adams Academy at Adams Park Middle School, in Annapolis, MD, just two blocks from the Navy Stadium. Visit - </em><a href="http://www.chesapeakeecologycenter.org/"><em>www.ChesapeakeEcologyCenter.org</em></a><em> - for more information and directions to the CEC.</em>
<p>Visit this link for a list of the plants available: <a href="http://www.rainscaping.org/index.cfm?CFID=1628cca2-62f2-4d85-9335-17c66413bfbc&CFTOKEN=0&jsessionid=7EABA8159646EF6DB665E643B2FB3586.railo-02&fuseaction=enews.article&mailing_id=16&issue=16&ea=backyarder1%40earthlink.net&xfa=enews.article&article_id=70">Rainscaping.org</a></p>Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-32683949315183904392012-08-28T09:15:00.000-04:002012-08-28T09:15:00.464-04:00Upcoming Classes, Green Spring Gardens<p><a href="http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/">Green Spring Gardens</a> is one of our favorite places for gardening classes of all kinds. Here are a few that are coming up in the next few weeks, but I encourage you to bookmark their <a href="http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/ed-adult.htm">education page</a> to keep an eye on what’s coming up!</p> <h5>9/8/2012, <a href="http://parktakes.fairfaxcounty.gov/rev1_coursedetail.asp?category2=9999&subject=&facility2=M290&age=19&day=9999&Submit2=Search&desckey=9999&LOC=M290&TRM=12FA&CDE=2904886301"><b>Flourishing, Flowering Salvias </b></a><b><br>Location:</b> Green Spring Gardens Park <br><b>Start Time/Day:</b> 9:30am Sat </h5> <p>Make room in your garden for those eye-popping, traffic stopping fall blooming salvias. This genus includes plants with fragrant leaves, culinary uses and flowers that attract hummingbirds. Nancy Olney, staff horticulturist, shows you her favorites in the garden and shares propagation and growing tips. Take home a sample of a hardy salvia for your own garden. <hr> <h5>9/14/2012, <a href="http://parktakes.fairfaxcounty.gov/rev1_coursedetail.asp?category2=9999&subject=&facility2=M290&age=19&day=9999&Submit2=Search&desckey=9999&LOC=M290&TRM=12FA&CDE=2904860001"><b>Basic Gardening: Grow Great Grub </b></a><b><br>Location:</b> Green Spring Gardens Park <br><b>Start Time/Day:</b> 1:30pm Fri </h5> <p>Planting a fall vegetable garden will extend the gardening season so you can continue to harvest fresh produce. Many cool-season vegetables, such as carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, produce their best flavor and quality when they mature during cool weather. Master Gardeners show you how. <hr> <h5>9/29/2012, <a href="http://parktakes.fairfaxcounty.gov/rev1_coursedetail.asp?category2=9999&subject=&facility2=M290&age=19&day=9999&Submit2=Search&desckey=9999&LOC=M290&TRM=12FA&CDE=2904893201"><b>Invasive Plant ID and Native Alternative</b> </a><b><br>Location:</b> Green Spring Gardens Park <br><b>Start Time/Day:</b> 9am Sat </h5> <p>Its time to remove those invasive plants and plant native plants we can all enjoy, but first you need to know how to ID them. In this workshop Kristen Sinclair and Brenda Skarphol, curatorial horticulturist, focus on invasive plant identification both in the classroom and the field and provide native alternatives to plant instead. Identifications materials included. <hr> <h5>10/5/2012, <a href="http://parktakes.fairfaxcounty.gov/rev1_coursedetail.asp?category2=9999&subject=&facility2=M290&age=19&day=9999&Submit2=Search&desckey=9999&LOC=M290&TRM=12FA&CDE=2904885101"><b>Basic Gardening:Put the Garden to Bed </b></a><b><br>Location:</b> Green Spring Gardens Park <br><b>Start Time/Day:</b> 1:30pm Fri </h5> <p>Its fall again! Time to enjoy the break from the summer heat and head back into the garden for some end-of-season maintenance. There is plenty to do before Old Man Winter arrives. Master Gardeners share suggestions for ensuring that your plants are well prepared for the cold weather ahead. <p>For more information, visit <a href="http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/ed-adult.htm">Green Spring Gardens website.</a></p> Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-53609913487161270492012-08-27T08:17:00.001-04:002012-08-27T08:17:49.049-04:00New Pesticide Website for Virginia<p>The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has launched a new website to help educate the public about pesticides. <p>The website helps teach users about common pests of the home, lawn and garden, along with the information about which options and practices best manage those pests. <p>There is a whole section on Integrated Pest Management which helps users to choose more environmentally friendly methods of dealing with garden pests. <p>Check it out! <a href="http://vapesticidesafety.com">http://vapesticidesafety.com</a> Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-32131995052293182992012-08-27T07:39:00.000-04:002012-08-27T07:39:00.284-04:00Backyard Birds Presentation – September 8th<p>What: Backyard Birds Presentation <p>When: Saturday, September 8, 10AM-12:30PM <p>Where: 3400 Bryan Point Rd., Accokeek, MD <p>Birds can bring feathered fun — and free insect control — to a backyard garden. Join Accokeek Foundation for an introduction to the backyard birds of Maryland. From red-breasted robins to cheerful bluebirds, they will identify several common birds of Maryland and discuss how to attract them with shelter, water, and food—from seed and suet cakes to bird-friendly native plants. <p>Discussion will also cover basic birding skills. Weather permitting, participants will take a guided trail walk. Participants will receive a copy of Bill Fenimore’s Backyard Birds of Maryland and other take-home materials. <p>Pre-registration is required by Thursday, August 30, 2012. <p>Register Here: <a href="http://accokeekfoundation.org/backyard-birds/">http://accokeekfoundation.org/backyard-birds/</a>. The Accokeek Foundation, 3400</p> Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-65189769536300883362012-08-22T08:44:00.000-04:002012-08-22T08:44:00.246-04:00How to create a rain garden – August 25th<p>What: How to create a rain garden</p> <p>When: Saturday, August 25th, 2012, 10:30 – 12:30</p> <p>Where: Common Good City Farm, V Street NW between 2nd and 4th Streets, DC</p> <p>What is a rain garden? A rain garden is a special type of garden which includes a well-draining soil and preferably native drought tolerant plants that can attract local pollinators. This workshop will help give you an outline of how to design your own garden as an attractive way to prevent water run-off from polluting our watersheds.<br><br>Teacher: Lili A. Herrera is a landscape architect and horticulturalist with a passion for plants. She worked in NYC at a small landscape design firm and now works in DC for a landscape architecture firm working on all scales of garden design. She is also a garden volunteer at Dumbarton Oaks and Common Good City Farm. For information contact <a href="mailto:lalhdesign@gmail.com">lalhdesign@gmail.com</a>.<br><br>Workshops fill up quickly, so register TODAY at <br><a href="http://www.commongoodcityfarm.org/civicrm/event/info?id=152">http://www.commongoodcityfarm.org/civicrm/event/info?id=152</a></p> <p>Information for this post provided by <a href="http://commongoodcityfarm.org/">Common Good City Farm.</a></p> Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-51975110485032929942012-08-21T08:31:00.000-04:002012-08-21T08:31:00.116-04:00Backyard habitat workshop, Saturday, August 25<p>What: Backyard habitat workshop<br>When: Saturday, August 25th, 1-4 pm<br>Where: Takoma Library <p>This weekend DDOE and DCPL with Audubon MD/DC are hosting a backyard wildlife habitat workshop at Takoma Library (416 Cedar Street NW, Washington, DC 20012). <p>The workshop will be on Saturday, August 25 from 1-4pm. Karen Mullin from Audubon MD/DC will be there to give a presentation on conservation gardening and creating space for wildlife and to give gardening advice. After the presentation, they will be planting a native plant garden behind the library. There will be freebies available to those who attend: birdhouse kits, books, native and invasive plant guides and plants. <p>If you are interested in attending this event please send an email to <a href="mailto:backyardhabitat@dc.gov">backyardhabitat@dc.gov</a> <p>Information for this post provided by: Damien P. Ossi, <a href="mailto:damien.ossi@dc.gov">damien.ossi@dc.gov</a></p> Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-11431436779444876082012-08-20T08:58:00.000-04:002012-08-20T08:58:00.162-04:00Franklinia Trees in Full Bloom at Triadelphia Recreation Area<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XGuO6Nc4-Kk/UC6GREEUBTI/AAAAAAAABfg/UWv6Pwym9tE/s1600-h/franklin%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="franklin" border="0" alt="franklin" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NIT08bR0WBA/UC6GRsIlGhI/AAAAAAAABfo/kGC5tGCj4I4/franklin_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="233" height="244"></a> <p>Now’s the time to see the beautiful white, camellia-like flowers of the blooming Franklinia tree. The state champion, Franklinia, is on the picnic grounds at Triadelphia Recreation Area, 2800 Triadelphia Lake Road, Brookeville. Three other of these uncommon trees also have been identified near the picnic grounds. <p>Sometimes called a Franklin tree, this champion tree is recognized as the largest specimen of its kind within Maryland. <p>This Franklinia is 26 inches in circumference, 32 feet in height and 32 feet in crown spread. By comparison, the current national champion, located in Pennsylvania, is one inch taller, but 10 inches longer in crown spread and 16 inches wider in circumference. <p>These rare trees, now distinct in the wild, were discovered along Georgia's Altamaha River in 1765 by botanists John and William Bartram and named for their family’s friend, Benjamin Franklin. This beautiful landscape tree is now considered extinct in the wild. Only trees that were planted still exist throughout the country. Franklinias need a rich, moist and well-drained soil and the warmth of the full sun. <p>In August, you can see the white, camellia-like flowers of the Franklinia and smell its lovely fragrance. In the fall, the leaves turn a yellow to a scarlet color to signal the season’s shorter days. <p>In addition to the beauty of this tree, they are noted as a favored perch for the birds that call Triadelphia home, including cardinals, Carolina wrens, robins and mockingbirds. <p>Information for this post provided by: <p>John C. White, <a href="mailto:jwhite@wsscwater.com">jwhite@wsscwater.com</a> <p>To learn more about the Franklinia tree, here’s a great article entitled: <a href="http://www.terrain.org/articles/18/rowland.htm"><em>America’s ‘First’ Rare Plant: The Franklin Tree</em></a> by Lucy M. Rowland</p> Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-17429074556201447632012-08-17T08:40:00.000-04:002012-08-17T08:40:00.726-04:00District of Columbia Invasives Day, Sept. 8th<p><b>Saturday, September 8th, 2012</b> <p><b></b> <p><b><i>The DC Cooperative Weed Management Area</i></b> <p><b><i>Cordially invites you to</i></b> <p>Participate in DC INVASIVES DAY, which is aimed at increasing awareness and community efforts toward managing invasive plants and promoting native wildlife habitat in Washington, DC. <p>The DC-CWMA members, partners and others will host various sites around the District where residents can engage in invasive plant removal as well as learn about invasive identification and restoration. It’s a great opportunity to connect with the managers some of these parks to learn more about wildlife management efforts and take part in restoring areas to promote wildlife conservation. There are several sites throughout the city and we are still looking for more sites, leaders, community groups and residents to engage. <p><b>Sites </b><b>(</b><b>Include):</b> <p><b><i>Rock Creek Park, </i></b><b><i></i></b><b><i>Dumbarton Oaks Park , </i></b><b><i></i></b><b><i>Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, </i></b><b><i>Fort Dupont Park, </i></b><b><i>C&O Canal Park, </i></b><b><i> </i></b><b><i>Kingman Island, </i></b><b><i></i></b><b><i>National Arboretum </i></b> <p>For more information and to RSVP contact: <a href="mailto:Laura.Washington@dc.gov">Laura.Washington@dc.gov</a> <p>For more information on the DC Cooperative Weed Management Area - please click this link <a href="http://www.chesapeakenetwork.org/group.htm?mode=home&igid=81728&z=81kohg8z0q">DC-CWMA</a>. They are still looking for additional sites, community partners and residents to engage, please contact Laura if you would like to lead a group, suggest a site or learn more about the event<b>.</b></p> Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-5794046687195882442012-08-16T10:42:00.001-04:002012-08-16T10:42:48.634-04:00Living in a place that cares<p>One of the really great things about the Metro DC area is the abundance of information available to anyone who wants to learn how to take care of the environment. If you have lived here for very long, that may be something that you just accept as “the norm”, but there are many parts of the country….many states….and many counties that don’t provide any information to their residents on how to conserve water, create compost or install a rain barrel. To me, providing this knowledge to people shows a great commitment to the area and to the people who live here.</p> <p>In case you haven’t gone out searching for any of this info lately, I wanted to remind you about the great <a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/p/local-resources.html">Eco-Friendly Resources</a> page that we have here on the Metro DC Lawn and Garden Blog. I had to fix some of the links from when I created it, but there is still a WEALTH of information for any budding green gardener.</p> <p>Click on the tab for : <a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/p/local-resources.html">Eco-Friendly Resources</a></p> <p>Enjoy!</p> Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-24262677111035534812012-08-14T12:48:00.001-04:002012-08-14T12:48:02.023-04:00Rain Barrel Workshop – September 23<p>Every time it rains, I am reminded that we still have two downspouts coming off of our home that don’t empty into rain barrels. We do have long plastic, flexible hoses at the ends of our downspouts, so we can direct the water where we want it, allowing it to soak into our yard rather than adding to stormwater runoff. But I would much rather capture as much of that rain as I can, since we use water from our rain barrels to do most of our watering.</p> <p>My husband and I already know how to make rain barrels, so we will probably run out and buy the parts and make our own. But for those of you who haven’t made one yet, there is a rain barrel workshop coming up on September 23 in Reston (and another one on October 13th in Annandale). Registration is required so click on the link below to register. </p> <p> What: Rain Barrel Workshop</p> <p>When: September 23, 2012, 1-3 pm</p> <p>Where: Walker Nature Education Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston, VA 20191</p> <p>Click here to learn more or to register: <a href="http://arlingtonenvironment.org/be-green/live-green/barrel/">Rain Barrel Workshop</a></p> <p>Read this post to find out more about rain barrels, as well as how to make your own: <a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/05/rain-barrel-response-no-more-excuses.html">The Rain Barrel Response</a></p> Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-17373118964673837682012-08-13T08:34:00.000-04:002012-08-13T08:34:00.124-04:00Bay-wise landscaping program<p>I love the Master Gardener program. For those who don’t already know, Master Gardeners are volunteers who are trained through the local Extension Service to help people with their gardening questions and problems. </p> <p>So I really enjoyed <a href="http://www.capflyer.com/article/20120810/NEWS09/708109899/master-gardeners-grow-plants-awareness">reading this article</a> about Melina Meshako, a Prince George’s County Master Gardener who made some big changes on Joint Base Andrews, a military facility in Prince George’s County. </p> <p>What was most impressive to me was that Ms. Meshako suggested MD Bay-Wise certification for all the common areas around on-base housing. </p> <p><a href="http://www.baywise.umd.edu/bwProgram.cfm">MD Bay-Wise Landscaping</a> is a pretty extensive certification program for properties that adhere to certain specification that make their site more eco-friendly, which of course, makes it friendlier to the Bay.</p> <p>But despite the many requirements of the program, Joint Base Andrews was able to succeed with their certification.</p> <p>“It was a lot of work. There is a huge list, a 50-point system for becoming Bay-Wise certified, and we did it,” said Liberty Park at Andrews Community Outreach Director Greg Ramirez. “There are 394 acres we’re responsible for, including the common areas and landscaping around housing and Belle Chance, the historic home on Andrews.” <p>To get your property certified, you have to meet all of the requirements for the appropriate “Yardstick” for certification. You complete “The Yardstick” and contact the Master Gardener program in your county. <p>I checked out The Yardstick for Homeowners. There are various eco-friendly landscaping practices and you check all of them that apply to your property. Each practice has an “inch” value of 1 – 9 inches. Your property much achieve 36 inches to be certified. For example, you can add one inch for every <a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/05/rain-barrel-response-no-more-excuses.html">rain barrel</a> you have installed, 5 inches if you don’t use pesticides, and 9 inches if you don’t have a lawn. <p>Very cool program! If you want to see how your yard ‘measures up’, you can download the brochure for homeowners here: <a href="http://www.baywise.umd.edu/files/Yardstick5pager.pdf">Bay-Wise Maryland Yardstick</a> <p><a href="http://www.capflyer.com/article/20120810/NEWS09/708109899/master-gardeners-grow-plants-awareness">Master Gardener Grows Plants, Awareness</a> <p><a href="http://www.baywise.umd.edu/">Maryland Bay-Wise Landscape Management</a> Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-80605105937655538362012-08-10T14:07:00.001-04:002012-08-10T14:07:54.320-04:00Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail<p>Technically, this isn’t about gardening. It is about farmers. And ice cream.</p> <p>But its pretty hard to not want to spread the word when you hear about something called <a href="http://marylandsbest.net/">Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail</a>. I mean, come on, its about fresh, homemade ice cream. In fact, it’s like a scavenger hunt with 7 different stops, all providing mmmmmmmm ice cream. Add them up, and they create the nation’s first farm-based ice-cream trail. </p> <p>Here’s a little blurb from their flyer: </p> <blockquote> <p><em>“Maryland has seven dairy farms that offer fresh, delicious on farm ice cream. Together, they make up the newly minted Maryland Ice Cream Trail. Visit each creamery between June 20 and September 7, and you may be named. . . Maryland’s 2012 Ice Cream Trail Blazer!”</em></p></blockquote> <p>Driving around Maryland eating ice cream……sounds like a win-win situation to me. A win for you, a win for the farmers…and who WOULDN’T want to be named Maryland’s 2012 Ice Cream Trail Blazer? <p>Here are some more instructions about blazing the trail, with a <a href="http://marylandsbest.net/pdf/ic_trailblazer_passport.pdf">link to the full pamphlet:</a> <blockquote> <p><em>How You Can Be a Trail Blazer! As you travel from creamery to creamery this summer, enjoying Maryland’s Best dairy on a cone (or cup), have this Maryland Ice Cream Trail Passport stamped with each creamery’s Official Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail Stamp.</em> <p><em>Then, mail your completed passport by September 7, 2012 to Maryland’s Best Ice Cream (address in pamphlet).</em></p> <p><em>All completed passports will go into a large, chocolate covered waffle cone. If we pull yours out, you will win a $50 gift certificate to the creamery of your choice. And incredible bragging rights! Enjoy the trail!</em></p></blockquote> Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-88573855038955591692012-08-10T11:11:00.001-04:002012-08-10T11:11:34.363-04:00Who (or what) influenced you to be “green”?<p>I’ve often mentioned on this blog why I started being more eco-friendly in my landscape. The primary reasons are: wildlife and my husband.</p> <p>I have always liked having <a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2010/08/10-tips-for-creating-wildlife-friendly.html">birds and butterflies</a> in my yard but until I really started doing some research, I didn’t realize that I would attract a lot more of those critters by getting rid of chemicals (although that one seems really obvious now) and planting native plant species.</p> <p>As for my <a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2010/06/six-green-things-ive-learned-to-do.html">husband’s role</a>, he has always been very concerned about the environment, primarily because he likes to fish. He is the one that explained the whole groundwater connection to me. How everything that goes into the ground can end up in the local water supplies, etc.</p> <p>My husband isn’t a scientist or anything. He’s a builder. And a hunter. And a fisherman. Before I met him, I thought I was the great Bambi-loving environmentalist and he was “the enemy – the hunting/fishing/building destroyer of the environment.” </p> <p>The first time I saw him nurture an ailing plant, or gently release a fish back into a stream, I realized how dumb it was to ever categorize anyone by their habits or their occupation.</p> <p>Between the influence of hubby and the hummingbirds, once I started to be a “green gardener” I was pretty much hooked.</p> <p>Our gardens give us so much joy, juicy food, fragrant herbs, beautiful birds and butterflies, that just want to keep learning more and more ways to keep things “green”.</p> <p>So, who (or what) helped influence you to make “green” changes to your yard? Who talked you into your first rain barrel? Or taught you the joys of native plants? Or the pleasures of gardening for butterflies? I would love to share some of your answers.</p> Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-4359568899280818192012-08-08T07:59:00.000-04:002012-08-08T07:59:00.548-04:00Favorite Native Plants – A few from our readers<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oNvgPFtptgk/UCHIXNRv-HI/AAAAAAAABc8/MG48g0QYQ-0/s1600-h/suebb%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="suebb" border="0" alt="suebb" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mG_zKHEXdL0/UCHIX2bAwxI/AAAAAAAABdE/w6t0DRgSzqk/suebb_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="334"></a> A few more responses trickled in for my request for Favorite Native Plant recommendations. These last few are from some of our Facebook and Twitter friends. I think every one of them mentioned the great value to pollinators of these preferred plants: <p><a href="http://dwfinegardening.com/">Donna Williamson</a>, author of The Virginia Gardener's Companion: An Insider's Guide to Low-Maintenance Gardening in Virginia, mentioned several of her favorites. "Mountain mint is just the best - what a world of pollinators enjoy it! I am growing <i><a href="http://www.nababutterfly.com/mountain_mint.html">Pycnanthemum muticum</a></i> but there are <a href="http://www.wildflower.org/plants/search.php?start=0&pagecount=10&pagecount=100">other species</a> that I am not familiar with. And wild senna (<i><a href="http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SEMA11">Cassia marylandica</a></i><i>)</i> and of course Golden Alexander (<a href="http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ZIAU"><em>Zizia aurea</em></a>) and all the goldenrods!" <p>Samantha, from the <a href="http://pollinatorplates.blogspot.com/p/home.html">Pollinator Plates</a> project (check out <a href="http://pollinatorplates.blogspot.com/p/home.html">their website</a>) said “One of my favorites is Milkweed <em>(</em><a href="http://www.wildflower.org/plants/search.php?search_field=milkweed&newsearch=true&family=Acanthaceae"><em>Asclepias sp</em></a><em>.)</em> . Obviously, the Monarchs need it, but when it's in bloom, it's a real pollinator party! Mine is always covered in bees." <p>Brent Bolin, a fellow wildlife lover, <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-e8htAoyNYMA/UCHIYtK30tI/AAAAAAAABdM/lOO5MLBku64/s1600-h/suemon%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="suemon" border="0" alt="suemon" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wp78qTqyhGA/UCHIZPPewlI/AAAAAAAABdU/X4vzSHOq2TE/suemon_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="271"></a>listed several favorites: Milkweed (<a href="http://www.wildflower.org/plants/search.php?search_field=milkweed&newsearch=true&family=Acanthaceae"><em>Asclepias sp</em></a><em>.)</em> for the monarchs. Ironweed<b><i> (</i></b><i><a href="http://www.nativeplantcenter.net/?q=plants/1336">Vernonia noveboracensis</a>)</i><b><i>, </i></b><i>b</i>ecause it looks great & wildlife loves it. Various <a href="http://www.nativeplantcenter.net/?q=database&startIndex=0&keyword=phlox">Phlox</a> for color. Trumpet honeysuckle (<i><a href="http://www.nativeplantcenter.net/?q=plants/1294">Lonicera sempervirens</a>)</i><b><i> </i></b>looks great & attracts birds/bees . Our yard is NWF certified & also certified monarch waystation. Not sure if my white turtlehead (<a href="http://www.nativeplantcenter.net/?q=plants/1359"><em>Chelone glabra</em></a>) is attracting checkerspots yet.” You can learn more about Brent by <a href="http://brentcbolin.blogspot.com/">visiting his blog</a><b><i></i></b> <p>Sue Dingwell, who says she has been a native plant nut <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="suefern" border="0" alt="suefern" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Pnf-Z6kHc0M/UCHIZxz7vDI/AAAAAAAABdc/GKuh1XHpJlk/suefern%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229">for years, (and who was also kind enough to share some photos for this post) mentioned these favorites: "Native flowers to love: columbine (<i><a href="http://www.nativeplantcenter.net/?q=plants/1352">Aquilegia canadensis</a></i>), foamflower (<i><a href="http://www.nativeplantcenter.net/?q=plants/1372">Tiarella cordifolia</a></i>), golden ragwort (<i><a href="http://www.nativeplantcenter.net/?q=plants/1333">Chrysogonum virginianum</a>), </i>cardinal flower (<i><a href="http://www.nativeplantcenter.net/?q=plants/1365">Lobelia cardinalis</a></i>), bee balm (<i><a href="http://www.nativeplantcenter.net/?q=plants/1367">Monarda didyma</a></i> & <i><a href="http://www.nativeplantcenter.net/?q=plants/1334">Monarda bradburiana</a></i>). Showy fern: cinnamon fern<em> (</em><a href="Osmunda%20cinnamomea"><em>Osmunda cinnomomea</em></a><em>). </em>Must have native shrubs: serviceberry (<i><a href="http://www.nativeplantcenter.net/?q=plants/421">Amelanchier arborea</a></i>), sweetshrub (<i><a href="http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CAFL22">Calycanthus floridus</a></i>), viburnum (<i><a href="http://www.nativeplantcenter.net/?q=plants/1284">Viburnum acerifolium</a>) and American beautyberry (<a href="http://www.nativeplantcenter.net/?q=plants/371">Calicarpa Americana</a>).</i> The mountain mint is a spreader, but not aggressive and not hard to contain. You will definitely love the energized layer of pollinators that cover this wonderful plant when blooming." In addition to her “native plant nut” monicker, Sue is a Master Naturalist, Master Gardener, member of the Virginia Native Plant Society, and volunteer at River Farm, headquarters of the American Horticultural Society. And she has a really beautiful blog called: <a href="http://cleangreennatives.info/">cleangreennatives.info</a> <p>Thanks to everyone who offered their favorites. Hopefully, these suggestions will help you make some of your own decisions when it comes to native plants. <p>Previous posts in this series: <ul> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/04/favorite-native-plants-alex-dencker.html">Favorite Native Plants – Alex Dencker</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/03/favorite-native-plants-thomas-rainer.html">Favorite Native Plants – Thomas Rainer</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/03/favorite-native-plants-kathy-jentz.html">Favorite Native Plants – Kathy Jentz</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/02/favorite-native-plants-alison-gillespie.html">Favorite Native Plants – Alison Gillespie</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/02/favorite-native-plants-steve-bates.html">Favorite Native Plants – Steve Bates</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/02/favorite-native-plants-nature-friendly.html">Favorite Native Plants – Marlene Condon</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2012/07/favorite-native-plants-peggy-bowers.html">Favorite Native Plants – Peggy Bowers</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2012/07/favorite-native-plants-keith-tomlinson.html">Favorite Native Plants – Keith Tomlinson</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2012/08/favorite-native-plants-james-gagliardi.html">Favorite Native Plants – James Gagliardi & Christine Price-Abelow</a></li></ul> Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-23214294317328824482012-08-06T11:27:00.001-04:002012-08-06T11:27:56.430-04:00The Woods in Your Backyard: Simple Tips for Environmentally Conscious Homeowners<p>This might be a bit of a drive for some people, but it sounds like a good program:</p> <p>What: The Woods in Your Backyard: Simple Tips for Environmentally Conscious Homeowners</p> <p>Where: Cole Cinema, Campus Center, 18952 E. Fisher Rd, St. Mary's City, MD 20686</p> <p>When: Saturday, August 11, 9:00 am – 12 pm</p> <p><b>The St. Mary's Arboretum is pleased to invite the public in for its first 2012-2013 calendar event on Saturday, August 11. Meet Craig Highfield, Program Manager for Forestry for the Bay, and learn simple techniques useful for small landowners here in Southern Maryland who wish to be good environmental stewards of their properties. </b> <p><b>Owners of even just a few acres can make a positive difference in their environment through planning and implementing simple stewardship practices. By enhancing wooded areas or creating natural areas on your lot, you can enjoy recreation, aesthetics, wildlife and improved water quality.</b> <p><b>Topics will include:</b><b></b> <ul> <li><b>Forest ecology & woodland management principles</b><b></b> <li><b>Tree identification</b><b></b> <li><b>Converting lawn to natural areas</b><b></b> <li><b>Invasive species control</b><b></b></li></ul> <p><b></b><b></b> <p><b>Also explored will be invasive species identification and control. Unsure of something in your yard that appears to be invasive, climbing or crawling everywhere, taking over? Bring a piece of it to the session and let Craig identify it for you!</b> <p><b></b> <p>For more information, visit the <a href="http://www.smcm.edu/calendar/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=2208">St. Mary’s College of Maryland website</a></p> <p>Information provided by: Jacqueline U. Takacs, Watershed Restoration Specialist</p> Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-37694580652761239522012-08-03T09:18:00.001-04:002012-08-03T09:35:33.041-04:00Favorite Native Plants – James Gagliardi and Christine Price-Abelow, Smithsonian Gardens<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pdF7c77UZGU/UBvPlWXtkWI/AAAAAAAABcY/MF_0y5dOdVI/s1600-h/cupplant%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="cupplant" border="0" alt="cupplant" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-knzGR1uSCxg/UBvPl14oRnI/AAAAAAAABcg/UuHRo4QcYb0/cupplant_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="455"></a> Native plants certainly have many benefits to the environment, making them an eco-friendly choice for any home gardener. But I love the fact that so many of the people I asked mentioned wildlife value as a top benefit. </p> <p>Here are a few more contributions for my series on Favorite Native Plants. These are from James Gagliardi and Christine Price-Abelow, horticulturists for two of the <a href="http://www.gardens.si.edu/">Smithsonian Museum gardens</a>. </p> <p> James Gagliardi is a Horticulturist at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum. He mentioned Cup Plant as one of his favorites: <p>“A native plant currently drawing a lot of attention in the Butterfly Habitat Garden is the <a href="http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SIPE2">Cup Plant (<em>Silphium perfoliatum</em>)”,</a> James said. <i>“</i>Reaching a height of nearly 10 feet this plant towers over most others in our meadow planting. Bright yellow daisy-like flowers bloom throughout the summer but the best feature is its wildlife value. The plant serves as a host and nectar plant for butterflies. Cup Plant is also included in the plantings in the new Urban Bird Habitat at the National Museum of Natural History as a seed and water source – its name comes from the way the opposite leaves fuse at the base forming a “cup” that catches rain water.” <p>Christine Price-Abelow is a Horticulturist at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. Christine said that garden phlox and dogwood are two of her favorites: <p><i><a href="http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PHPA9">“Phlox paniculata</a></i>, garden phlox is one of my favorite summer blooming perennials,” Christine said. “This native species provides just the right pop of color when the rest of the garden is looking a little stressed out. I also love the fact that it consistently blooms from July thru October in the Washington DC area.” <p>“Another one of my favorite native plants is the Flowering dogwood, <i><a href="http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=COFL2">Cornus florida</a></i>. This small tree is considered a staple in the landscapes of Virginia and is a tree featured in everyone’s garden. The flowering Dogwood is a four season tree with beautiful fall color, winter interest, spring blooms and bright red fruit.” <p>Thanks for taking the time to add some of your favorites, James and Christine. <p>To learn more about some of the native plants in the Smithsonian Gardens, visit the <a href="http://smithsoniangardens.wordpress.com/">Smithsonian Gardens blog</a>. <p>Previous posts in this series: <ul> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/04/favorite-native-plants-alex-dencker.html">Favorite Native Plants – Alex Dencker</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/03/favorite-native-plants-thomas-rainer.html">Favorite Native Plants – Thomas Rainer</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/03/favorite-native-plants-kathy-jentz.html">Favorite Native Plants – Kathy Jentz</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/02/favorite-native-plants-alison-gillespie.html">Favorite Native Plants – Alison Gillespie</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/02/favorite-native-plants-steve-bates.html">Favorite Native Plants – Steve Bates</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/02/favorite-native-plants-nature-friendly.html">Favorite Native Plants – Marlene Condon</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2012/07/favorite-native-plants-peggy-bowers.html">Favorite Native Plants – Peggy Bowers</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2012/07/favorite-native-plants-keith-tomlinson.html">Favorite Native Plants – Keith Tomlinson</a></li></ul> Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-1494532846583565842012-08-02T07:42:00.000-04:002012-08-02T07:42:00.145-04:00Native Plant Sale September 7th & 8th<p>What: Fall 2012 Native Plant Sale at Environmental Concern</p> <p>Where: 201 Boundary Lane, St. Michaels, MD 21663</p> <p>When: Friday, September 7th 9:00-4:00 AND Saturday, September 8th 9:00-2:00</p> <p>Native plants ideal for Rain Gardens, Butterfly Gardens, Shade Gardens, Wetlands, Salt Tolerant Plantings and Songbird Hedgerows will be available. Plants are grown from seed (local and regional eco-types) right here in the nation's first wetland plant nursery!</p> <p>Pre-orders will be accepted through Wednesday, September 5th. </p> <p>For more info, call EC at 410-745-9620 or visit <a href="http://www.wetland.org">www.wetland.org</a></p> <p>(Information submitted by Penny Greeley @ Environmental Concern</p> Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-80649153921467077252012-08-01T08:12:00.000-04:002012-08-01T08:12:00.577-04:00How to save 150 gallons of water a day….That’s the headline I saw on a blog post recently so, of course, I had to click over to read it. I’m fairly certain that we don’t even come CLOSE to using 150 gallons of water a day in our home, so I was interested to see how someone could write an article about saving that much. But the writer, Michele Hallahan, writing on <a href="http://livinggreenmag.com/2012/07/30/home-garden/how-to-save-150-gallons-of-water-per-day-without-leaving-your-home/">LivingGreen Magazine</a>, DID appear to do her homework. <br />
Here are some of the facts gleaned from the article that allowed the writer to come up with the hefty sum of 150 gallons of water savings:<br />
<ul><li>Water use in the USA is typically around 180 gallons per day per person. </li>
<li>Switching to low-flow showerheads can save you 12.5 gallons every time you take a 10 minute shower. That’s 50 gallons per day in a household with 4 people showering daily!</li>
<li>Switching to low flow aerators on your sinks can save up to 21 gallons per day</li>
<li>Nationwide, irrigation uses more than 7 billion gallons of water a year! Irrigate your garden only before 10am or after 7pm in order to make sure your thirsty plants get the most from your precious water! Save up to 60 gallons per day by watering wisely.</li>
<li>Front-loading washing machines use half as much water as top-loaders. Switch to an Energy Star rated machine to save up to 12.5 gallons a day.</li>
<li>Run your dishwasher only when full. Save up to 6.5 gallons of water per day.</li>
</ul>We are definitely good about saving water in our landscape. Not counting what we get from our rain barrels, I would say that we don’t even use 60 gallons of water all MONTH in our landscape. And we save a lot by waiting until our dishwasher is full and not running the extra cycles. But it’s nice to have the reminders for some of the other easy changes. <br />
Here’s the link to the full article if you want to read it: <a href="http://livinggreenmag.com/2012/07/30/home-garden/how-to-save-150-gallons-of-water-per-day-without-leaving-your-home/#comment-5993">How to Save 150 Gallons of Water per Day Without Leaving Your Home</a>Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-6059818200333884682012-07-31T08:13:00.000-04:002012-07-31T08:13:00.213-04:00Favorite Native Plants, Keith Tomlinson, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens<p>Keith Tomlinson, Botanical Garden Manager of <a href="http://www.nvrpa.org/park/meadowlark_botanical_gardens">Meadowlark Botanical Gardens</a> in Vienna, Virginia was kind enough to share his thoughts about some of his favorite native plants for my current series about Native plant favorites. </p> <blockquote> <p>“Eastern Leatherwood (<em><a href="http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=DIPA9">Dirca palustris</a></em>) is a distinctive shrub with very early yellow tubular spring flowers and soft "leathery" wood. It is rare in the backyard or botanical garden, but a real gem.</p> <p>Hop Tree or Wafer Ash (<em><a href="http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PTTR">Ptelea trifoliata</a></em>) is a native member of the Orange family, a host plant for swallowtails, and rare in trade and gardens.</p> <p>Frasier's Sedge (<a href="http://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Plants_Wildlife/rte/rtefraser.asp">Cymophllus fraserianus</a>) is a true Appalachian endemic with beautiful shiny rosettes of long green leaves and small white flowers in the spring. One of the worlds most unusual sedges.”</p></blockquote> <p>Keith has managed Meadowlark Botanical Gardens since 1998 but has worked as a naturalist all around the world for the past twenty-five years. And although he may be a little biased, he says that Meadowlark’s native plant collections are “the best in the DC region”.</p> <p>Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is a great place to see many native plants in a beautiful setting, since they have three native plant collections as part of the <a href="http://www.nvrpa.org/park/meadowlark_botanical_gardens/content/the_gardens">International Agenda for Botanic Gardens in Conservation:</a> <ul> <li>Potomac Valley Collection - plants native to the Potomac River basin.</li></ul> <ul> <li>Virginia Native Tree Collection - native trees for use in a home setting.<br></li> <li>Virginia Native Wetland - A small wetland with local trees.</li></ul> <p>I also noticed on their website that they have a <a href="http://www.nvrpa.org/events/view/2054">Gardening with Butterflies</a> workshop coming up on September 15 at 10:00 a.m. so mark your calendars!</p> <p>Previous posts: <ul> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/04/favorite-native-plants-alex-dencker.html">Favorite Native Plants – Alex Dencker</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/03/favorite-native-plants-thomas-rainer.html">Favorite Native Plants – Thomas Rainer</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/03/favorite-native-plants-kathy-jentz.html">Favorite Native Plants – Kathy Jentz</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/02/favorite-native-plants-alison-gillespie.html">Favorite Native Plants – Alison Gillespie</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/02/favorite-native-plants-steve-bates.html">Favorite Native Plants – Steve Bates</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/02/favorite-native-plants-nature-friendly.html">Favorite Native Plants – Marlene Condon</a></li> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2012/07/favorite-native-plants-peggy-bowers.html">Favorite Native Plants – Peggy Bowers</a></li></ul> Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-14942863754057913792012-07-30T13:53:00.001-04:002012-07-30T13:53:30.347-04:00Grass painting<p>Have you seen the articles in the news lately about people who are having their dried out, unsightly lawns painted to “green them up”? Apparently, there are companies that will come out and spray paint your grass for you. From what I have read, there isn’t anything environmentally unhealthy about the process. </p> <p>According to one site I visited, the process is: </p> <ul> <li>Non-toxic <li>Harmless to lawns, pets, and children <li>Dries in less than one hour <li>Will not wash off <li>Dramatically improves appearance in just minutes <li>Lasts for up to 12 weeks or until mowed <li>Reduces watering / maintenance costs</li></ul> <p>I think some of those claims are a little bit questionable. Like the fact that it says it will last up to 12 weeks OR UNTIL you mow. I don’t think many people who are concerned enough about how their lawn looks that they would have it <em>painted</em> would be willing to go for 12 weeks without mowing. And as far as reducing water and maintenance needs….does that just mean that you can go without watering and your grass will still look green……because it is painted? </p> <p>Although this isn’t something I would generally consider doing for my home lawn, there are a few instances where I can see using this process. </p> <p>My husband was lucky enough to participate in a homebuilding project for a national TV show at one time. They built a home quickly and then wanted to be able to showcase it on TV. One of the final steps for the production crew was spray painting the lawn so it looked green for it’s TV debut.</p> <p>I also think I might consider it if I was having an outdoor wedding (or other ceremony) on the grass at my own home or at a public garden somewhere. Wouldn’t a gorgeous green lawn just look better in the photos?</p> <p>Anyway, its just another one of those things that makes you say “Hmmmmmm.” Somebody had an idea and decided to make a business out of it. And with all of the press he’s getting for it lately, he’s probably bringing in as much “green” as he is spreading around.</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-07-27/drought-lawn-painting/56534862/1">Grass painting spreads as U.S. drought ravages lawns</a> – USA Today</li> <li>‘<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/19/lawn-painting-green-yards_n_1687747.html">Lawn Painting’ Turns Brown Yards Green in New York and New Jersey</a> – Huffington Post</li> <li><a href="http://www.lawnsgonegreen.com/realtors.html">Lawns Gone Green</a></li></ul> Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-70170052185574268842012-07-29T14:09:00.001-04:002012-07-29T14:09:44.911-04:00Battery powered garden tools and other eco-friendly options<p>My husband and I recently bought a battery powered string trimmer at one of the local big-box home improvement stores. We absolutely LOVE it. Our gas powered string trimmer was a constant challenge and we never knew from one week to the next whether we could even get it to start at all. The new battery powered one starts with the quick press of a button. </p> <p>Here are some quick facts I read about gasoline powered garden tools today that made me feel even better about the purchase. They are in an article entitled <a href="http://www.amvicsystem.com/environmentally-friendly-gardening">Environmentally Friendly Gardening</a> which I found online.</p> <blockquote> <p><em>Each week, </em><a href="http://www.peoplepoweredmachines.com/faq-environment.htm"><em>54 million Americans</em></a><em> mow their lawns; a feat that requires an astounding 800 million gallons of gas per year and produces 5% of the county’s greenhouse gases. According to the </em><a href="http://www.epa.gov/"><em>EPA</em></a><em>, one gas mower emits 88 lbs. of CO2, and 34 lbs. of other pollutants into the air annually. It’s not just the emissions that wreak havoc with Mother Nature, it’s estimated that 17 million gallons of fuel are spilled each year as gardeners refuel their mowers; more than the Exxon Valdes environmental disaster. Think also of the fuel for hedge trimmers, leaf blowers and chainsaws as well as the pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers which have a </em><a href="http://www.pesticidemededucation.com/pheep/html/images/stories/cases/case5/c5_karr_hltheffects.pdf"><em>huge impact</em></a><em> on the food chain, water supply and health of residents.</em></p></blockquote> <p>The article also mentions several of my other favorite eco-friendly tips, including: <em>Avoid using any kind of poisonous chemicals in your garden </em>and <em>get rid of your lawn.</em> <p>Go ahead and give it a read while I finish trimming up around my gardens. <p><a href="http://www.amvicsystem.com/environmentally-friendly-gardening">Environmentally Friendly Gardening</a></p> Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-83564006276231740392012-07-27T08:16:00.000-04:002012-07-27T08:16:00.458-04:00Swallowtail butterflies – center stage<iframe height="253" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MlhuKlGjVWM?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="450" allowfullscreen></iframe> <p>There are times that I get pretty obsessed with the wildlife in my yard. The first year that hummingbirds started hanging around, I would sit on the front porch for extended periods of time, with my camera on a tripod, waiting to get the perfect photos of the little fluttering jewels. I took thousands of photos. And although I never did grow tired of seeing the hummingbirds (and, hopefully, never will) I did quit taking so many photos of them. After all, I hardly have time to look through the photos, much less do anything else with them.</p> <p>I get the same way whenever any new creature comes on the scene, and since we garden for wildlife, our photo-ops are pretty common.</p> <p>My most recent garden obsession is the swallowtail caterpillars that are on some of our herb plants. Swallowtails laid eggs on our dill and fennel plants, and most of them were soon quickly devoured by some visiting wasps. I haven’t seen the wasps in awhile, and the caterpillars are again taking over those plants. But even more caterpillars are on the potted parsley plant that is right outside our front door. This has given me a great opportunity to watch much of the caterpillar/butterfly lifecycle, but still not enough to figure out what is happening to most of the caterpillars. </p> <p>At any given time, there appear to be close to 100 caterpillars in various growth stages. They get huge, and although a few end up going to chrysalis, they don’t all appear to be making it to that stage – or at least I can’t figure out where they are going. Someday I am going to invest in one of those “critter cams” so I can keep an eye on my critters from a distance. </p> <p>The video at the top of this post is fairly long, but it shows how a caterpillar changes to chrysalis. I always thought that the chrysalis was formed OVER the striped caterpillar skin, but this video clearly shows that the caterpillar sheds its skin as it turns into a chrysalis. </p> <p>Gardening for wildlife is a great way to learn more about the “critters” that we can protect by practicing eco-friendly landscaping.</p> <p>If you don’t have butterflies in your own garden, be sure and stop by a butterfly garden at one of the local botanical gardens such as <a href="http://www.montgomeryparks.org/brookside/wings_of_fancy.shtm">Brookside Gardens Wings of Fancy Butterfly and Caterpillar Exhibit</a> or the <a href="http://www.si.edu/Exhibitions/Details/Butterfly-Habitat-Garden--37">Butterfly Habitat Garden</a> at the Smithsonian. **Note: Always check before visiting any of the local butterfly gardens, as they are sometimes closed due to weather, including extreme heat. </p> Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-76062542148779412412012-07-26T07:44:00.000-04:002012-07-30T15:42:51.646-04:00Favorite Native Plants, Peggy Bowers, Mount Vernon Estate<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UABFXHU-qKI/UBBpDs0MUDI/AAAAAAAABbs/mff99K6QJvk/s1600-h/zebrast%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="zebrast" border="0" alt="zebrast" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LsFG9tkbrp8/UBBpEKx-ESI/AAAAAAAABb0/_Z2vhAOIINk/zebrast_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="295"></a> Last year I did a series of posts listing the Favorite Native Plants of some members of the local gardening community. (See bottom of this post for a listing)</p> <p>Since I’m such a big fan of native plants, I decided to run a few more posts on this topic.</p> <p>My first post in this years Native Plant series is from Peggy Bowers, Garden and Greenhouse Manager at <a href="http://www.mountvernon.org/">Mount Vernon Estate, Museum and Gardens</a>. </p> <p>Here’s what Peggy had to say about favorite native plants:</p> <blockquote> <p>I am delighted to be able to contribute to the Metro DC Lawn and Garden Blog. I have been a long time advocate on the importance of using native plants in both our home gardens and commercial landscapes. With the tremendous loss of natural habitat, incorporating native plants into our gardens is more important than ever. <p>During the 18<sup>th</sup> century, habitat loss was much less an issue than today, but native plants were still much appreciated and used simply for their beauty. General George Washington used many native plants in his gardens and landscape at his beloved Mount Vernon, collecting many from his woodlands and forest. Today at the Mount Vernon Estate we are still growing those same varieties of plants that George Washington so appreciated in his lifetime. <p>While all native plants fill a niche in nature, many also bring more to the party making them must-have garden plants. Here are a few of my favorite native plants that will make excellent additions to almost any garden. <p>When it comes to vines I love the well-behaved Coral honeysuckle, <a href="http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LOSE">Lonicera sempervirens</a><em></em>. Blooming most of the summer, the nectar found in the red trumpet shaped flowers is a favorite of the ruby-throated hummingbird, while the red berries provide a good food source for many of our native songbirds. <p>Another must-have in my garden is the beautiful <a href="http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ECPU">Echinacea purpurea</a><em></em> or purple cone flower. Coneflowers are great food source for all kinds of pollinators including butterflies, bees and wasps while the seeds are a favorite of our brightly colored American Goldfinch. Echinacea now come in a huge array of colors and heights making them great additions to any garden. <p>While there are many great shrubs to choose from <a href="http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ITVI">Itea virginica</a><em></em> or Virginia sweetspire is at the top of my list. Well suited to either moist or average soil they are happy in both full sun and partial shade. They provide year round interest starting with beautiful fragrant white bottle brush shaped flowers in June, gorgeous red to orange fall color and dark red stems in the winter. The flowers are great for butterflies and other pollinators and the seeds are eaten by vireos, warblers and orioles. Two outstanding selections that are readily available are ‘Henry’s Garnet’ and’ Little Henry’’. “Henry’s Garnet” grows 4 to 5 feet and will have consistently brilliant red fall color while Little Henry, at under 3 feet, is very suitable to smaller spaces and looks terrific massed on a hillside. <p>As for trees, one of my favorite native trees which should be used more often is <a href="http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ASTR">Asimina triloba</a><em></em> or paw-paw. Growing naturally along river banks and in moist forests, it also adapts well to average garden soil and moisture. Growing 15 to 30 feet it has a beautiful dark maroon flowers in early spring, tropical looking 6 to 12 inch<a name="_GoBack"></a> leaves, delicious aromatic fruit and beautiful yellow fall color. If all of this was not enough reason to grow it, the paw-paw tree is also the sole food source of the larvae of the Zebra Swallowtail butterfly. <p>I hope this helps to inspire you to incorporate even more native plants into your garden to share with our native butterflies, bees and birds.</p></blockquote> <p>Thanks so much for your input, Peggy. I wonder if George Washington enjoyed the hummingbirds and butterflies as much as you and I do? <p>Link for more information on <a href="http://www.mountvernon.org/">Mount Vernon Estate, Museum and Gardens.</a> <p>Resources for native plant information: <a href="http://www.nativeplantcenter.net/">Native Plant Center</a> and <a href="http://www.wildflower.org/explore/">Lady Bird Johnson Wildflowercenter</a> <p>Previous posts: </p> <ul> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/12/george-washington-founding-native.html">George Washington – Founding Native Gardener</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/04/favorite-native-plants-alex-dencker.html">Favorite Native Plants – Alex Dencker</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/03/favorite-native-plants-thomas-rainer.html">Favorite Native Plants – Thomas Rainer</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/03/favorite-native-plants-kathy-jentz.html">Favorite Native Plants – Kathy Jentz</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/02/favorite-native-plants-alison-gillespie.html">Favorite Native Plants – Alison Gillespie</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/02/favorite-native-plants-steve-bates.html">Favorite Native Plants – Steve Bates</a> <li><a href="http://gardening.mwcog.org/2011/02/favorite-native-plants-nature-friendly.html">Favorite Native Plants – Marlene Condon</a></li></ul> Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5838654939610805161.post-64755822801899023862012-07-25T10:13:00.001-04:002012-07-25T10:13:28.198-04:00Goldfish in a rain barrel?<p>Hmmm. <a href="http://midatlanticgardening.com/">Just found a post online</a> (and several more about the topic once I started searching) that said that you can put goldfish in your rain barrels to keep the mosquitoes under control. This doesn’t sound like a good idea AT ALL, to me, but I would be interested in hearing some other opinions.</p> <p>Sure, we all know the benefits of rain barrels. They help to capture rainwater for future use and also help cut down on stormwater runoff. </p> <p>Since they do hold standing water, some people are concerned that they may be breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Since all of our rain barrels are the kind that are closed at the top, and fit directly to the downspouts on our home, we are not aware of them ever being a breeding ground for mosquitoes.</p> <p>However, some people use a different type of rain barrel to capture their rain. These barrels are completely open at the top, and the opening is covered with screen to keep debris and small critters from getting in the barrel. I ASSUMED that these were the type of barrels that some people add goldfish to, to help control any mosquitoes that lay eggs in the water. However, I found <a href="http://vegparadise.wordpress.com/2011/05/29/goldfish-for-the-rain-barrel/">at least one post online</a> where it looked like people were <a href="http://vegparadise.wordpress.com/2011/05/29/goldfish-for-the-rain-barrel/">adding goldfish to a CLOSED barrel</a>.</p> <p>I don’t really know much about fish, but I am a critter lover. So my questions are: would goldfish in a closed rain barrel get enough oxygen? What about light? What happens when your rain barrel runs low on water? Or when its raining so hard that the water is just gushing into the barrel?</p> <p>I know that these small fish are just sold as “feeder fish” for larger critters, anyway, so maybe people see them as expendable. But if they die, how do you keep the fish from clogging up your spigots? </p> <p>Any fish experts out there care to add an opinion?</p> <p>Here is the original post I read: <a href="http://midatlanticgardening.com/did-you-know-goldfish-and-rain-barrels/">Did you know? Goldfish and Rain Barrels</a></p> Betsy S. Franzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15965463858646631152noreply@blogger.com0