Viridescence - be green!

With summer in full swing and your garden in full bloom, now’s the time to maintain and enjoy the fruits of your labors. Maintaining your garden is simple: water, weed, mulch, feed, stake, and deadhead. 1. Water – only when needed Newly planted plants need more water than established plants Hand water – hold the water close to the soil - saturate the roots. Watering bags – use on trees to slowly release water into the soil Water deeply – use sprinklers for an hour or two during dry periods. Run sprinklers during the early morning, late evening or at night to avoid evaporation. Water established plants only when needed (showing signs of wilting) 2. Weed Control Hand weeding – use hand tools to remove unwanted plants Tools: garden spade, dandelion fork, hand trowel, hand hoe, hori-hori (Japanese farmer’s knife) Remember to wear gloves Compost weeds (expect those with fully ripened seeds so they don’t reestablish in your garden) String Trimmer...

Confusion over food product dating results in the waste of wholesome foods. According to the USDA, 30 percent of food waste occurs at the consumer level 1 . Did you know, federal regulation does not require food product dating (exception - infant formula). Because of this there is no universally established narrative only commonly used phrases, such as 2 “Best if Used By/Before” - Not a purchase or safety date. It refers to the products best flavor or quality. “Sell-By” – Not a safety date – lets stores know how long to display the product for sale “Use-By” – Not a safety date (exception – when used on infant formula) – last date of peak quality After the date on the label has passed, the quality of the product may deteriorate; however, if handled properly it should still be safe for consumption 3 . Before consuming a food product after the date on the label, check for signs of spoilage. Spoiled foods will have a bad odor, flavor or texture . Don’t eat foods that hav...

Need to get garden pests under control? This summer try using a natural biopesticide you’ve made at home. Natural pest controls are less disruptive to natural controls, less hazardous to humans, less toxic to non-target organisms, and less damaging to the environment than chemical pesticides. The preparation and application of homemade extracts follow the same standard procedures. Designate utensils for extraction; Do not use the same utensils as used for food preparation Clean all utensils after use Wear gloves; do not contact the extract while processing or applying When soaking overnight make sure to place out of reach of children and pets Test on a few infected plants first Harvest ripe fruits and vegetables before application Wear protective clothing during application Wash hands after handling homemade extracts RECIPES  Hot Pepper Solution is a general repellent. Effective for: cabbage worms, ants, aphids, beetles, caterpillars, and cut...

With temperatures across the Nation reaching triple-digits, it’s important to keep your garden, lawn, and landscape adequately watered while at the same time conserving water. Not only is water essential for all life it is also a finite resource meaning we cannot create more. Over-watering and evaporation are two of the major areas in which we waste water. It’s estimated that 50% of applied water is wasted. This water waste is preventable with proper planning. Water gardens, lawns, and landscapes in the early morning or late evening after the sun goes down. This prevents significant water evaporation. Know how much water your plants and lawn need – give them no more than required . Check the water needs of you lawn by stepping on it. If the grass is springy and not brittle, it doesn’t need water. Raise the blade on your lawn mower – doing so will reduce evaporation and promote root growth. If you use an irrigation system, use a WaterSense labeled controller. The E...

While traveling minimize the overall environmental impact of your visit by reducing waste and conserving resources. Remember: “Pack it in, pack it out” also applies to beaches and parks not just when camping Leave the place you visit with no liter and appearing undisturbed by taking out what you bring in. Recycle your used drink containers. Refill water bottles with filtered tap water Consider buying bulk drink mixes & using reusable bottles instead of buying lots of small bottles Carpool or use public transportation – both reduce pollution Maintain your vehicle before you go  Check and change your motor oil – if you change your own, remember to collect and store motor oil in a sturdy plastic container and recycle it at a local facility. Find a recycling center near you using http://search.earth911.com/. Safely dispose of used or damaged car batteries – check with your local auto parts store and/or the local waste disposal refuse. Never put a car battery wit...