THE “GREEN MOVEMENT

It seems every time you turn on the TV or radio you hear talk of the “Green” movement: global warming, energy conservation, green homes, and the degradation of our environment.  This focus on all things green is not new.  Back in the 1970’s we experienced a craze where everyone wanted green plants in their homes and a healthier environment.

 

While some have been talking about protecting our planet and its natural resources, gardeners have been making improvements.  Our landscapes, trees, shrubs and lawns help to purify the air and filter water that drains into the ground.

      

 Faced with rising energy costs, many homeowners are looking for ways to conserve energy in the home.  Proper landscaping can make a significant difference in the amount of energy required to maintain a comfortable home.

 

Proper use of trees, shrubs, vines and man-made structures can modify the climate around your home to reduce heat gains in summer and heat losses in winter.  Plants can protect your home from winter winds and shade it from summer sun: winter  heating bills may be reduced as much as 25 percent, and summer cooling bills, 50 percent or more.

 

But don’t stop there. Once your home is more energy efficient, let your body be more efficient with its use of energy.  Your lifestyle can also be a part of the so-called “green movement”.  If you are one of the many individuals who love gardening, you probably do not think of it as exercise.  But let’s face it; if you mow the lawn, lift bags of topsoil, shovel dirt, rake the lawn and pull weeds, you are getting a healthy dose of activity.

 

Gardening can burn an average of 300 calories per hour and can also be an effective form of resistance training.  Recent studies suggest that moderate intensity exercises such as daily gardening can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, improve bone density and help prevent glucose intolerance.

 

All this green talk makes people not only look at what they consume, but also pushes landscaping right to the forefront.  Our microwave culture and I want it now attitude slowly begins to peal away and people begin to pull away and people begin to look at a relaxed healthy and more informal lifestyles.

 

This lifestyle shift, spurred on with ever increasing gas prices, make home owners step back and look at expanding the walks to their homes and bring the outdoors inside.  The patio, pool and deck areas incorporate more green by using landscaping, decorative containers, flowers and even cured lawns.

 

You can call it “Green” or anything else, but I call it fun and relaxing.   A chance to get some fresh air and meet the neighbors.

 

 

 

 

TIP OF TOM’S THUMB

Healthy Lawn Practices

Using best management practices not only encourages a healthy lawn, but also minimizes the potential for water contamination from fertilizers and pesticides.

Mowing properly helps to improve the quality of the lawn.  The recommended mowing height is two to two and a half inches.  Mowing at this height for the grass encourages a deeper root system, which will help protect your lawn against drought and weeds.

Keep the mower blade sharp.  A sharp mower blade makes mowing easier, reduces wear on the mower, and results in a better looking and healthier lawn.  A dull mower blade tears the leaves instead of making a clean, sharp cut.  A torn leaf is more susceptible to an invasion of a disease.

Mow often so that only one third of the grass blade is removed at any one time.  Mowing off more than 50 percent of the leaves at one time causes scalping, which results in an increase in weed competition and in the death of some grass plants during the hot summer.

While  you are mowing with the one-third rule, make it easy on yourself and leave the grass clippings on the lawn.  This will save time, money and energy, since you don't have to stop and unload the bagger or buy trash bags.  Clipping also adds free fertilizer to the lawn, possibly as much as 25 percent of the lawn’s annual nutritional needs.

Less work for you, less work for the landfill.  Everybody wins.

 

TOM’S TIPS FOR APRIL GARDENING

• Evaluate the condition of your yard and garden.

 

• Launch a lawn maintenance program.  Fertilize, seed or mow, based on turf requirement.

 

• Apply pre-emergent weed control according to package label.

 

• Service the lawn mower and sharpen the blade.

 

• Cut back ornamental grasses.

 

• Prune spring blooming shrubs such as forsythia and spirea after they have completed flowering.

* Remove sticks, rocks and other debris from your lawn to prevent damaging your lawnmower or injuring yourself when moving.  Check your lawnmower and other lawn care equipment in preparation for the coming season.

• Put a birdhouse in the garden to attract insect-eating friends.

• Measure the rainfall with a rain gauge posted near the garden so you can tell when to water.  The garden needs about one inch of rain per week from April to September.

• When chrysanthemums show signs of life, dig up and divide large plants.  Discard woody portions and replant divisions 12 to 15 inches apart.

• Cut flower stalks back to the ground on daffodils, hyacinths, and other spring flowering bulbs as the flowers fade.  DO NOT cut the foliage until it dies naturally.  The leaves are necessary to produce strong bulbs capable of re-flowering.