Happy Holidays

I will be taking a break for a while, over the holidays, so...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Until next time, Holly

Going Green in Your Own Yard

Here are some easy tips to go "Green" in your own yard. Some may not be applicable in the cold weather, but you can use some of these tips year round! Remember to take a look at these tips when it gets warmer!

• Water in the morning. Not only is it cooler in the morning, but plants have a higher rate of photosynthesis in the morning, thus more water is absorbed. This can help to prevent run-off and drainage problems. When watering at night, you are increasing the risk of fungus and mold growth on your plants and lawn because they cannot absorb water as effectively over night. When watering mid-day on hot days, water is absorbed into the atmosphere before it reaches the plants.
• Water your yard and garden more efficiently. Drip irrigation using a drip hose is one way to save water. Another way is to use a programmable timer with a rain sensor – no more overwatering and you can water at the correct time – in the mornings.
• Use native plants – native plants will not only thrive in your garden, but will sometimes absorb toxic chemicals and excess water better than non-native plants. For a list of native plants go to http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural_heritage/nativeplants.shtml.
• Use drought-tolerant plants. The amount of water we use is a growing concern in a lot of areas. To keep your water use down, grow plants that don’t mind long stretches without a drink. To find plants, ask your local garden center for suggestions, or
• Use organic pesticides and herbicides. You may have to search online for these. Though more and more are available in home improvement and hardware stores. Large garden centers may have more choices, too. Some examples include insecticidal soap, potassium bicarbonate, liquid kelp/fish fertilizer, and a compost tea kit. Tip: When you’re shopping, look for the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) certification label. OMRI is a nonprofit organization that determines which products are safe to use in organic farming. And if it’s okay for the food we eat, you don’t have to worry about using it on ornamentals, either.
• Use slow release or organic fertilizers. Slow release fertilizers not only lessen the amount of work you have to do on your yard, they also prevent excess fertilizer run-off from going into our watersheds. Plants and lawns cannot absorb all of the nutrients provided by immediate release fertilizers, such as Miracle-Gro. See “Composting” for one way to use organic fertilizer.
• Use fertilizers correctly. Make sure to read labels carefully and don’t use more than recommended. Be sure to sweep granules that fall on the sidewalk or driveway back into the lawn, not into the street. Also, don’t over fertilize! Many of the lawn companies over-fertilize. Lawns do not need as much fertilizer as they say. Many fescue lawns only need one application per year (in the fall).
• Rain gardens. A rain garden collects rain from a house’s downspout so the water doesn’t wash off into the street with pollution from the house and lawn. The rain is absorbed by the deep rooted plants in this shallow bowl-shaped garden, preventing runoff from getting into streams and rivers. Plantings in rain gardens are typically native plants that grow naturally in swamps and bogs.
• Build a rain barrel. Rain gardens aren’t the only solution to runoff. Save that water in a rain barrel and use it later to water thirsty plants. Find out how you can make your own with this plan www.gardengatemagazine.com/extras/52droughttolerant.php.
• Plant for Pollinators. This means flowers, flowers, and more flowers. Providing a safe haven for birds, bees and other insects means that you are providing a safe haven so that they can take care of our agricultural plants elsewhere. Planting vegetables is another great way to provide them a safe haven, as they also have flowers for pollination. One caveat, however, is that if you plan to plant for the birds and the bees, you cannot use pesticides or other harsh chemicals in your yards – this will harm or even kill them.
• Composting: Composting recycles your leftover food and organic materials and provides natural fertilizer for your garden. Tip: compost piles that are at least 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide will heat up faster, thus breaking down more quickly. Also, adding a layer of small tree branches in the middle of the pile provides oxygen, an important ingredient for quick composting.
• Plant a shade tree: Plant a shade tree off the southwest corner of your house for the most shade on hot summer afternoons. A shade tree can help you save 15 to 50% on air conditioning.
• Indoor Plants can filter the air in your home. The more house plants you have, the better. Its takes 15-20 houseplants to clean a 1500 sq. ft. area. This may sound excessive, but even just a few in your house can help.
• Recycle the plastic pots from newly purchased plants. Check your local nursery to see if it accepts its own nursery pots back. Or re-use your pots when starting seedlings.
• Mulching: First and foremost, mulching preserves water in the soil and prevents weeds. But it also recycles organic materials. A tip: put down a two to four sheet layer of newspaper first, under the mulch. You won’t have to spread as much mulch this way, you are recycling, too! Make sure to use only black and white newspaper – colored newspaper may have heavy metals in the ink.
• Solar powered garden ornaments. Many more are being offered online these days. Obviously, these lower electricity bills and add great accents to the garden.

I will print this again in the Spring! But, keep these in mind. Until next time,

Holly

No Acorns from the Oaks this Year

Did you know? There were not any acorns this year in the DC metropolitan area! Weird! I didn't really notice until I saw this article in the Washington Post.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/29/AR2008112902045.html?hpid=topnews

So what does it mean? Nobody really knows! Its just a weird year. Many naturalists and other experts say we shouldn't worry unless this continues for 2 - 4 more years. Who, or what, do we have to worry about, though? THE SQUIRRELS! They have been pretty aggressive this year. Now we now why!

Take care,

Holly