Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Put In A Small Rain Garden

Article from The Daily Green. By Brian Clark Howard


Homeowners and businesses can stem the tide of polluted runoff threatening our waterways by setting up a simple “rain garden,” which is beautiful as well as beneficial.

The concept of a rain garden, which mimics natural systems, was crystallized in Maryland in the 1990s. The idea is to create a depression filled with plants that collects the rainwater that runs off a building and its landscape. The plants — such as sedges, rushes, ferns, wildflowers, shrubs, trees and so on — absorb the water and release it slowly. This reduces the surge of water running off the landscape, which picks up fertilizers, pesticides, motor oil and other contaminants and carries them into waterways.

Rain gardens reduce the risk of flash floods, and they help stabilize the flow that enters waterways, both in terms of volume and temperature. That leads to healthier streams and rivers. Plus, the plants naturally filter the water, neutralizing some of the toxins that are present. They also provide valuable wildlife habitat.

No two rain gardens are exactly the same. They can be large and interconnected, with different levels and features, or very small and simple. Normally, they are placed in natural low spots, near where gutters drain. Ideally, they are populated with plants that are native to the local area. Sometimes they have swales to maximize their ability to hold water.

Call Marvin's Organic Gardens and ask to speak with Wes about adding a rain garden to your backyard.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Organic Hero Play List (cranked up to 11)


(Saw this in a guide from Whole Foods Market and wanted to share it).



THE BEST REASONS TO CHOOSE ORGANIC PRODUCTS

1. Organic farming meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations.

2. Growing organically supports a biologically diverse, healthy environment.

3. Organic farming practices help protect our water resources.

4. Organic agriculture increases the land’s productivity.

5. Organic production limits toxic & long-lasting chemicals in our environment.

6. Buying organic supports, small independent family farms.

7. Organic farmers are less reliant on non-renewable fossil fuels.

8. Organic products meet stringent USDA standards.

9. Buying organic is a direct investment in the long-term future of our planet.

10. Organic farmers preserve diversity of plant species.

11. Organic food tastes great.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Fresh Pesto Recipe


INGREDIENTS:

• 3 cloves garlic
• ¼ - ½ cup pine nuts (negotiable)
• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil (you can cut this half and half with chicken broth)
• juice of half a lemon
• 2-3 cups fresh basil
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoons coarse sea salt
• dash of pepper (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Fill food processor with garlic, pine nuts, olive oil and lemon juice. Pulse until smooth. Add basil, parmesan cheese and salt and pepper. Pulse until well blended. Scrape down sides and pulse until smooth.

Serve on whole grain baguette slices topped with yellow bell pepper slices.
Or toss with a whole grain linguini pasta.