Earth Gauge » Cincinnati

World Water Monitoring Day (Ohio)

espinoza — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 20:17:39 +0000

World Water Monitoring Day (WWMD) – an international education and outreach program to involve the public in monitoring and protecting water resources – takes place on September 18 each year. WWMD volunteers use a simple test kit to measure key water quality indicators in local water bodies, including temperature, acidity (pH), clarity (turbidity) and dissolved oxygen levels. All of these indicators can impact aquatic wildlife. For example, high water temperatures or extremely acidic water (low pH) can make it hard for some aquatic wildlife, insects and plant species to survive. Clear water (low turbidity) with ample dissolved oxygen will support a wide variety of aquatic animals.

In 2009, volunteers participated in 49 states, DC and Puerto Rico. Volunteers in Ohio found that local waterways had an average pH level of 7.5. Most aquatic animals prefer a pH range of 6.5 to 8.0. Outside of this range, animals may stop reproducing, move away or even die.

Viewer Tip: Get involved! You can test water quality in your community and report results back to the World Water Monitoring Day coordinators. Visit http://www.worldwatermonitoringday.org/Participate/Participate_Main.html to register your site and get a test kit.

Season: Fall

World Water Monitoring Day is coordinated by the Water Environment Federation and the International Water Association

(Sources: Water Environment Federation and International Water Association. 2009. “World Water Monitoring Day 2009: Year in Review.” Available from http://www.worldwatermonitoringday.org/; Montana Watercourse of the MOntana Water Center, “Volunteer Water Monitoring Guidebook.” Available from http://www.worldwatermonitoringday.org/)

Great Lakes Beach Closings

espinoza — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:21:04 +0000

One-third of Great Lakes beaches were open less than 95 percent of the time during the swimming season in 2007, the EPA and Environment Canada concluded in last year’s State of the Great Lakes report. The findings were based on data from more than 1,600 beaches. The agencies found that Lake Erie and Lake Ontario – both home to a higher number of pollution sources – had more beach advisories, postings and closures than Lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron.

Viewer Tip: Don’t ignore posted beach-closing advisories. High levels of beach pollutants can make you and your family ill if your eyes, nose, ears and mouth come in contact with them. Bacteria and viruses can cause vomiting, diarrhea, stomachache, nausea, headache and fever. Children are most susceptible because of their smaller size, developing immune system and because they are more likely to swallow water when swimming.

Learn how to adopt your local beach and participate in regular cleanups to protect water quality at www.adoptabeach.org.

This information is provided by the Alliance for the Great Lakes. Learn more at www.greatlakes.org.

Season: Summer

(Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Environment Canada, State of the Great Lakes 2009 report, http://www.epa.gov/solec/)

Lakes Appreciation (Temperate Plains Region)

espinoza — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:30:40 +0000

As part of the National Lakes Assessment, the U.S. EPA selected and sampled 137 lakes in the Temperate Plains Region (covering eastern North and South Dakota, Iowa, western Minnesota, parts of Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, western Ohio, central Indiana, Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin) to characterize the condition of more than 6,300 lakes throughout the area. What did researchers find?

Only 25 percent of lakes in the Temperate Plains Region are in good biological condition, meaning they are able to support healthy aquatic plant and animal communities.
48 percent of lakes show low risk of exposure to blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), which produce toxins that can make humans sick.
60 percent of lakes show moderate or high levels of lakeshore disturbance due to human activities from things like agricultural activities and removing trees to add paved areas, sandy beaches or lawns.

Viewer Tip: July is Lakes Appreciation Month. As you enjoy boating, fishing and swimming in local lakes, remember that you can help keep our lakes healthy.

If you live near a lake: Go Wild. Let natural vegetation grow near the lake shoreline to filter water pollutants and protect the shoreline from erosion.

If you visit a lake: Avoid hitchhikers. Non-native species (animals and plants that are not originally from a certain lake) can invade a lake and take over the habitat. If you are a recreational boater, don’t give non-native species a free ride: remove any visible mud and plants from equipment that was in the water, including your boat and trailer. And never put any plants, fish or other animals into a body of water – unless they came out of that same water!

Season: Summer

(Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2009. National Lakes Assessment: A Collaborative Survey of the Nation’s Lakes. EPA 841-R-09-001. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water and Office of Research and Development, Washington, DC; Trout Unlimited, www.tu.org)

Air Quality

espinoza — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:09:13 +0000

Did you know that almost 60 percent of Americans live an area with unhealthy levels of air pollution? Just like a recipe, the atmosphere needs all the right ingredients to make ground-level ozone – a harmful air pollutant that is common during the summer months. When the temperature rises and the sun is shining, heat and sunlight mix with nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds that come from car exhaust, power plants, refineries, gasoline vapors at gas stations and other sources to “cook-up” ground-level ozone. Certain groups of people are especially vulnerable to health effects from air pollution, including young children, older adults and people who have lung diseases like asthma.

Viewer Tip: People who exercise or work outside are also at increased risk for health impacts from air pollution. Stay healthy and reduce your exposure by watching air quality reports from your local media or checking www.airnow.gov. When conditions reach “Code Orange” or higher, consider rescheduling sports games and other strenuous outdoor activities for another day. If you do go outside, aim for the early morning or evening hours, when air pollution levels are likely to be lower.

Season: Summer

(Sources: American Lung Association. “State of the Air 2010: Air Quality Facts.” http://www.stateoftheair.org/2010/facts/; US EPA. “What Affects My Air Quality?” http://www.epa.gov/airnow/airaware/day2-detail.html; www.airnow.gov)

Become a Storm Spotter

espinoza — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:50:21 +0000

Have you ever wanted to help keep your community by reporting severe weather? SKYWARN is a volunteer network of nearly 290,000 trained severe weather spotters around the country. SKYWARN spotters help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate information to the National Weather Service about weather events like thunderstorms, winter weather and flooding.

Viewer Tip: Anyone can join the SKYWARN program. To become a storm spotter, you must attend a free training class at any of the 122 National Weather Service Weather Forecast Offices around the country. You’ll learn to identify and describe severe weather and you’ll also learn about basic weather safety. To get more information about SKYWARN and find out when classes are available in your area, visit www.nws.noaa.gov/skywarn or contact your local National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist at www.stormready.noaa.gov/contact.htm.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Sources: NOAA National Weather Service. SKYWARN. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/skywarn/)

Combined Sewer Overflows

espinoza — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:13:47 +0000

Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) remain a key problem across the Great Lakes region. CSOs occur when pipes carrying both sanitary sewage and rainwater overflow into streams, rivers and lakes during heavy rains. The Great Lakes account for 70 percent of CSOs in the United States, according to the International Joint Commission. Detroit is the leading source of overflows in the Great Lakes, but it’s a problem across the region during heavy rains. A nearly 7-inch rainfall over several days in 2008 resulted in the release of 11 billion gallons of combined sewer overflow into Lake Michigan.

Viewer Tip: Conserving water at home can help lower the load on our sewer systems. Consider installing low-flow toilets and other appliances to reduce sanitary sewage flows from your home. Look for appliances labeled with EPA’s Water Sense seal, which indicates water-efficient products. Visit www.epa.gov/watersense for more information.

Learn more about about CSOs at www.greatlakes.org/Page.aspx?pid=454.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

This information is provided by the Alliance for the Great Lakes. Learn more at www.greatlakes.org.

(Sources: International Joint Commission 14th Biennial Report
on Great Lakes Water Quality http://www.ijc.org/php/publications/pdf/ID1631.pdf
Environmental Protection Agency study on CSOs and climate change: http://www.epa.gov/ord/npd/pdfs/cso-extrevdraft-mar07.pdf, Alliance for the Great Lakes)

Summer Energy Savings for Renters

espinoza — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:37:39 +0000

Do you rent your home or apartment? You’re not alone – about 33 percent of U.S. residents were renters between 2006 and 2008. Taking energy-saving steps can seem challenging when you don’t own your home and cannot make major changes to your living space. But, did you know that there are easy ways to save energy and shave a few dollars off your utility bill this summer?

Viewer Tip: Give these renter-friendly energy-saving tips a try.

No Cost: Bump the thermostat up to 78 degrees when no one is home. For each degree you raise the thermostat, you’ll save three to five percent on air conditioning costs. Close shades and curtains during the day to keep the heat out.

Low Cost: Swap out a few traditional incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs). CFLs are a bit more expensive to purchase, but they last six to ten times longer than traditional bulbs and give off 75 percent less heat!

Investment: If you are purchasing a room air conditioner, look for the Energy Star label. Energy Star qualified models use at least ten percent less energy than standard models. Make sure the unit you purchase is the right size for your room – for help, visit http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=roomac.pr_properly_sized.

Season: Summer

(Sources: U.S. Census Bureau 2006-2008 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates Data Profiles, http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/main.html?_lang=en&_ts=; U.S. EPA, “EPA Offers Cooling Tips for Every Budget this Summer.” http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/6424ac1caa800aab85257359003f5337/386ebff0a635644f8525773c004d84d3!OpenDocument; American Council for an Energy Efficiency Economy, “Cooling Equipment,” http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/cooling.htm)

Don’t Stress (Your Lawn) Out

espinoza — Thu, 27 May 2010 14:59:39 +0000

Mowing the lawn is a typical summer activity. Did you know that when you mow, you can actually “stress out” your grass? This can lead to a brown, weedy and patchy lawn. But, by increasing your mower height, you can reduce stress on turf species as well as the incidence of some common turf weeds. Increasing the height of your mower blades is particularly important when turf is under stress from heat, drought or shade.

Viewer Tip: Don’t leave your mower set at the same cutting height all year. Instead, increase the mower height to reduce stress on turf that is in the shade or exposed to extreme heat. Since turf species grow more slowly when they are under stress, allow enough time between cutting for the turf to regrow sufficiently before it is mowed again. This may mean mowing shady sections of your lawn at intervals different from those used in sunny areas.

This information is provided by ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn moreat www.attra.ncat.org.

Helping the Gulf

espinoza — Thu, 27 May 2010 14:08:23 +0000

Did you know that you can help the Gulf of Mexico without traveling beyond your driveway? Our region is part of the Mississippi River watershed, an area of land that drains rain water and river water into the Gulf of Mexico. When it storms here, rainwater carries pollutants like fertilizer from farms and lawns, motor oil from driveways and litter from streets into our local waterways, which lead to the Mississippi River. Each summer, excess nitrogen from this polluted runoff causes a low-oxygen area – also known as a ‘dead zone’ – in the Gulf of Mexico that impacts marine life.

Viewer Tip: With millions of gallons of crude oil and chemical dispersants already in Gulf waters, marine life and biodiversity are more vulnerable than ever to other pollutants. No matter where you live in the Mississippi River watershed, you can help protect water quality in the Gulf with these tips:

Participate in a wetland, river or beach cleanup in your area. Check with your local watershed group or organize your own!
Never dump oil or other household chemicals in the street or in a storm drain. If you change your own motor oil, make sure to collect it in a clean can with a lid and take it to a service station or household hazardous waste collection site for recycling.
Use as little fertilizer and pesticide as possible. Most farmers and gardeners can use less fertilizer and still obtain the same amount of crop yield.
Prevent erosion by mulching and seeding areas where bare soil can be washed away in your yard. Adding mulch or vegetation to bare areas allows water to soak slowly into the ground, rather than running off quickly.
Instead of sweeping yard waste into the street or storm drain, use it for composting or mulching in your own backyard. You’ll protect your soil, prevent erosion, control weeds…and protect water quality.

Check out the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Mississippi River Basin map to find your location in the watershed: www.epa.gov/msbasin/marb.htm.

( Sources: GulfBase. General Facts about the Gulf of Mexico. http://www.gulfbase.org/facts.php; National Park Service: A Profile of the Mississippi River. http://www.nps.gov/miss/naturescience/profmiss.htm; Frankenberger, Jane and Ron Turco. Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico: A Reason to Improve Nitrogen. Purdue Animal Issues Briefing AI-6; U.S. EPA National Estuary Program. June 2007. “National Estuary Program Coastal Condition Report.” Available from: http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/nepccr/index.html; Dybas, Cheryl l., Dead Zones Spreading in World Oceans, Bioscience 552-557; US EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds. www.epa.gov/owow;
Gulf Base: General Facts about the Gulf of Mexico. http://www.gulfbase.org/facts.php;
US EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds. Www.epa.gov/owow)

Bike to Work Week

espinoza — Mon, 17 May 2010 12:15:08 +0000

May is National Bike Month and May 17-21, 2010 is Bike to Work Week. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that there is one adult-sized bicycle per U.S. household, but few adults report taking a bike trip outdoors. Taking your two-wheeler for a spin not only helps keep you healthy, it also saves money, reduces traffic congestion and contributes to cleaner air. As a matter of fact, using alternative transportation – biking, walking, carpooling or taking public transit – just one day per week for a year saves the typical commuter 1,200 miles on their car and about 567 dollars in driving costs.

Viewer Tip: Try biking to work or school just one day this week. Research has shown that the length of about half of all car trips – three miles – can be covered as quickly on a bike when parking and traffic delays are taken into account. These resources will help you on your way:

Find National Bike Month and Bike to Work Week events in your community: www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/events.php
Plan a bike route using Google Maps: maps.google.com/biking
Get cyclist and pedestrian safety tips from the Federal Highway Administration: safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/

Season: Spring

(Sources: Federal Highway Administration. “It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air: Alternative Transportation.” http://www.italladdsup.gov/tools/seasonal_materials.asp; League of American Bicyclists, www.bikeleague.org)

Mercury and Fish

espinoza — Mon, 17 May 2010 11:54:26 +0000

Earth Gauge Video is available for this tip.

Are you going fishing this season? Many people head to local lakes and streams during nice weather. A new, four-year, multi-agency study shows a nearly 50 percent chance that the fish you catch will contain mercury. Some levels are so high that pregnant women and children should not eat the fish. Mercury is emitted into the air by power plants, garbage incinerators, even cars. When it falls back to the Earth with rain and snow, it can enter lakes, streams and the fish food chain.

Viewer Tip: If you eat the fish you catch in local waters, check local advisories for advice about consuming fish safely. Visit www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish to find fish advisories in your area.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall

(Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). 2009. The National Study of Chemical Residues in Lake Fish Tissue. EPA-823-R-09-006. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, DC; USEPA, “Fish Advisories.” www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish)

Driveway Drips

espinoza — Tue, 11 May 2010 13:34:29 +0000

Residential driveways can account for up to 15 percent of the total paved area in a city or state. These paved surfaces are “hot spots” for accumulation of pollutants like motor oil, antifreeze and yard care chemicals. During a storm, rain water picks up pollutants from paved areas and heads to the storm drain, which often directs the water straight to our neighborhood streams and rivers without treatment. Too many pollutants in our water bodies can impact wildlife, fish and even drinking water quality.

Viewer Tip: There are easy ways to help protect water quality in your community.

Low cost: Keep your driveway free of pollutants and chemicals by fixing car leaks. If fertilizers or other yard care treatments spill onto the driveway, sweep them back onto the lawn or garden. Never use a hose to clean your driveway – the water will act just like a rain storm, carrying pollutants away to the storm drain.
Long-term investment: If you are replacing a driveway or walkway, consider using permeable pavements. There are many materials available that allow rain water to soak through to the soil rather than running off to the storm drain. For some examples, check out http://nemo.uconn.edu/tools/stormwater/pavements.htm.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO). Planning for Stormwater: Driveways, http://nemo.uconn.edu/tools/stormwater/driveways.htm and Planning for Stormwater: Permeable Pavements, http://nemo.uconn.edu/tools/stormwater/pavements.htm)

40 Years of Earth Day

espinoza — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:57:50 +0000

Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson proposed the first Earth Day, which took place on April 22, 1970, as a national “teach in” about the environment. On that day, over 20 million Americans participated – including 10,000 elementary and high schools, 2,000 colleges and more than 1,000 communities. Today, as Earth Day turns 40, the event is celebrated by more than 500 million people worldwide.

Viewer Tip: Looking for ways to celebrate Earth Day? There are fun opportunities taking place all week.

National Park Week: From April 17-25, the National Park Service is offering fee-free days at 392 national parks around the country. This is a perfect to time to get outside, enjoy nice weather and reconnect with nature. Plan your visit: www.nps.gov/npweek.
Participate in a local event: Search for events by region at www.epa.gov/earthday/events.htm.
Contribute to the Billion Acts of Green: Help Earth Day Network document one billion acts of green for Earth Day’s 40th Anniversary. Tell them what you’ll do to help protect the environment – it can be as simple as recycling, walking to school or work, or planting a tree! www.earthday.net/earthday2010splash/.

Fun Fact: The advent of fiber optics, the Beatles’ last album, Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” the death of Jimi Hendrix and the birth of Mariah Carey all took place in 1970 – the same year Earth Day was born.

(Sources: The Earth Day Network, “History of Earth Day.” http://www.earthday.net/node/77; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Earth Day.” http://www.epa.gov/earthday/; Gaylord Nelson and Earth Day, “The Earth Day Story and Gaylord Nelson.” http://nelsonearthday.net/)

Earth Gauge: 40 Years of Earth Day
Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson proposed the first Earth Day, which took place on April 22, 1970, as a national “teach in” about the environment. On that day, over 20 million Americans participated – including 10,000 elementary and high schools, 2,000 colleges and more than 1,000 communities. Today, as Earth Day turns 40, the event is celebrated by more than 500 million people worldwide.

Viewer Tip: Looking for ways to celebrate Earth Day? There are fun opportunities taking place all week.
National Park Week: From April 17-25, the National Park Service is offering fee-free days at 392 national parks around the country. This is a perfect to time to get outside, enjoy nice weather and reconnect with nature. Plan your visit: www.nps.gov/npweek/.
Participate in a local event: Search for events by region at www.epa.gov/earthday/events.htm.
Contribute to the Billion Acts of Green: Help Earth Day Network document one billion acts of green for Earth Day’s 40th Anniversary. Tell them what you’ll do to help protect the environment – it can be as simple as recycling, walking to school or work, or planting a tree! www.earthday.net/earthday2010splash/.
Fun Fact: The advent of fiber optics, the Beatles’ last album, Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” the death of Jimi Hendrix and the birth of Mariah Carey all took place in 1970 – the same year Earth Day was born.

Urban Wildlife

espinoza — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:04:48 +0000

B-roll video is available for this tip.

Spring is here and there’s no better time to get outside, enjoy the weather and do some wildlife watching! And, you don’t have to live in the country to do it. There’s an amazing diversity of wildlife in the suburbs – and even in the city.

Viewer Tip: Fill a bird feeder, plant some flowers or put out a birdbath and you’ll attract all sorts of birds, butterflies and other backyard wildlife. If you don’t have your own garden space, just head to the local city park to discover your wild neighbors.

This information is provided by the National Wildlife Federation. Get more tips on wildlife watching at www.nwf.org/wildlifewatch.

Use the National Environmetal Education Week Nature Center Map to search for nature and environmental education centers in your area: http://www.eeweek.org/nature_centers.htm.

Spring Showers

espinoza — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 23:56:50 +0000

Showering accounts for about 17 percent of residential indoor water use – up to 30 gallons of water per household per day. According to EPA, we use 1.2 trillion gallons of water every year in the U.S. just for showering. That’s enough water to meet the water needs of New York and New Jersey for a year.

Viewer Tip: Starting this spring, look for WaterSense labeled showerheads. EPA’s WaterSense label helps identify faucets, toilets and showerheads that save water and perform well. A WaterSense labeled showerhead saves more than 2,000 gallons per year while also saving energy. The energy your family can save in a year from heating less water for showers is enough to meet your entire home’s electrical needs for 10 days!

Learn more about the WaterSense label: www.epa.gov/watersense/

Season: Spring

(Source: U.S. EPA. WaterSense Program: Showerheads. www.epa.gov/watersense/products/showerheads.html)

Spring Cleaning

espinoza — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 23:30:19 +0000

How much hazardous waste does the average American household accumulate in one year? Ten pounds? Fifty? Actually, the typical home accumulates up to 100 pounds of household hazardous waste in just one year! Think of paints, pesticides, cleaning supplies, oil, antifreeze and other products that hide away in the basement, garage or shed. These products may contain corrosive, toxic or flammable ingredients. If products are dumped outside or stored in an area where rain or floodwater can reach them, they can be washed into storm drains, rivers and streams, and even well water, putting water quality at risk.

Viewer Tip: Take a few minutes during spring cleaning to make sure you’re properly storing and disposing of household hazardous wastes.

Store products in their original containers with labels to avoid misuse or accidental ingestion.
Never mix leftovers with other products – this may cause reactions or explosions. Mixing products may also make it so they cannot be recycled.
If you no longer need a product, take it to a local household hazardous waste collection program. Find one at www.cleanup.org.

Season: Spring

(Source: U.S. EPA. “Household Hazardous Waste.” http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/hhw.htm)

Know Your Plant Hardiness Zone

espinoza — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:52:37 +0000

For home gardeners, weather is a major variable in determining the success of crops. Spring planting dates are commonly scheduled around the first frost-free day. Weather has a large influence on timing because of its effect on seedling establishment and crop growth. For example, peas planted at the first possible planting date in the spring and then again two weeks later will usually mature only one week apart. Germination conditions at the time of the second planting will likely be much better, and the young plants will grow faster as the days lengthen, slowly catching up with the first crop.

Viewer Tip: If you know your U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone number, you can find the average annual frost-free date for your area. The USDA Hardiness Zone Map divides the United States into 11 zones. Knowing your zone means you can look up the first day in your area without frost. To find your zone, visit your local extension agent, ask at an area nursery or check with your local librarian.

You can also visit http://www.garden.org/zipzone/ and use your zip code to learn more about your hardiness zone and get suggestions for plants that will fare well in your area.

This information is provided by ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more in ”Scheduling Vegetable Plantings for Continuous Harvest” – http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/continuousharvest.html.

The Grass isn’t Always Greener

espinoza — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:19:42 +0000

Did you know that the average American household uses about two-thirds of its water outside? Most is used to water lawns and as much as half of that water is wasted by inefficient watering, either too often or at the hottest part of the day when water evaporates quickly. When we conserve water at home, there is more water available for fish and wildlife.

Viewer Tip: Trout Unlimited suggests offers these suggestions to help you conserve water when tending to your lawn or garden:

Before watering your lawn, check the local forecast. Rain might be in the forecast and would eliminate the need for watering.
Place buckets outside to collect rain water and then use the rain water to water your gardens. This is a great water-saving alternative.
Even in the hottest weather, a lawn only needs to be watered about once per week.

This information is provided by Trout Unlimited. Learn more at www.tu.org.

Spring Compost for Lush Summer Grass

espinoza — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:51:43 +0000

Early spring might be the season for heavy rain or even a white blanket of snow, but it’s not too early to start thinking about using compost to help grow a lush green lawn. Did you know the best time to apply compost is in the spring? According to the National Center for Appropriate Technology, compost applied in the spring provides nutrients during the main growing season. Cool-season grasses do most of their growing during the spring and root growth for cool-season grasses peaks during the two months prior to maximum shoot growth in the spring.

Viewer Tip: For uniform turf growth throughout the growing season, apply the majority of your compost in the spring –about 50 percent of the nutrients your lawn needs. For an eco-friendly fertilizer, try mature compost, which provides turf plants with a balanced source of nutrients that are released slowly into the soil. To get grass to turn green early in the spring, you may want to supplement compost with other natural nitrogen sources, like alfalfa meal.

Season: Spring

This information is provided by ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more about sustainable turf care: http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/turfcare.html.

More Peas, Please!

espinoza — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:44:10 +0000

Did you know that weather has a large influence on seedling establishment and crop growth? If you enjoy eating peas from your garden, you can plant peas early in the spring, plant another batch of peas a few weeks later, and both batches will be ready to harvest at almost the same time. That’s because weather conditions will slow germination for the first batch of peas and speed them up for the second. The younger second batch of plants will grow faster as the days lengthen, slowly catching up with the first crop.

Viewer Tip: You can start planting peas in soil temperatures of 40–75 degrees Fahrenheit. Try putting a crop in as soon as the soil reaches the lower end of the temperature range, and then add another set of seeds in a few weeks. Then wait until summer and you’ll have an abundance of peas to enjoy.

Season: Spring

This information is provided by ATTRA– National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more about continuous crop harvest at http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/continuousharvest.html#succession