Earth Friendly Choices (March 2008)
Plant for Pollination
Select flowers and veggies that are bee and butterfly friendly! Hummingbirds and moths will also benefit from special plantings. These flying friends will pollinate the cut flowers that you enjoy in your home all summer long. They also will pollinate the veggies in your garden that will bring fresh, tasty produce to your table. So, return the favor to our winged friends by providing a source of food, water, and shelter for them during the summer months.
Rain Barrels
Set-up a system for catching rain water and reduce your summer watering bills. Water is a precious resource and this is one way of using more wisely what nature has provided for us. Rain barrels may be installed at your downspouts to capture water from the roof of a house or garage. This water may be used for flower beds or veggie gardens. Why pay for cold, hard city water? Mother nature provides soft rain water for free.
Rain Gardens
Is setting up a rain barrel system to catch water too challenging? Planting a flower garden in proximity to a downspout or in a low lying area is known as a rain garden. This is a nice alternative to rain barrels as it will still make use of precious rain water. Rain gardens will also filter the water from your downspouts lessening the pollutants that would otherwise end up in our city water system.
Practice Organic Lawn Care
Lawns are so misunderstood! Growing grass is one of the most maintence free and easiest things to do. However, so many choose unhealthy lawn fertilizers which actually do more harm to your soil than good. Refer to our archived issues from May 2007 and September/October 2007 for natural lawn care ideas.