Using Moss Instead of Grass Saves Water

Using moss instead of grass is a great way to save water.

"According to an informal survey by the American Society of Landscape Architects, many of its most prominent members predict that the use of native and drought-resistant plants like moss as a sustainable substitute for grass will be a major design trend of 2008. “We’re definitely seeing more creative plantings, and moss is a great one,” said Nancy C. Somerville, the organization’s executive vice president, who attributes the trend in part to environmentalism, and in particular to growing concerns about water in much of the country.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that nearly a third of all residential water is used for landscaping. “Here on the East Coast we had drought conditions for a large part of last summer,” Ms. Somerville said, “and it sounds like we’re going to get more of that with global warming.”

Although moss requires moisture, said Christine Cook, who owns Mossaics, a moss gardening business in Easton, Conn., and who lectures at the New York Botanical Garden, a moss lawn needs “a fraction, one percent or less” of the 10,000 gallons (beyond rainwater) that the E.P.A. estimates a suburban grass lawn drinks annually."

You can read the complete article here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/01/garden/01moss.html?em&ex=1209873600&en=8c1469804769db4a&ei=5087%0A

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Save a species, eat it

I thought this article was interesting.

LINK

Even though parts of it seem strange, like eating flying squirrel (bizzare). I believe it brings up a fascinating gardening aspect that I had not thought about before. There are so many varieties of fruits and vegetables that we are not exposed to because of the industrialization of the food industry. It is a really intriguing concept for me. I want to grow those weird Moon and Stars watermelon. How good do they look??

Pervious Concrete

If you are undergoing a transformation of your garden that includes walkways, stepping stones and/or patio's, check this out. Previous concrete has been around for years and is used in many commercial, industrial and residential applications. It is growing in popularity due to new EPA, State and City regulations concerning storm water and water management. I have attached a great site to entice your interest.

http://www.perviouspavement.org/

Mulch

Although not the most attractive word in english, mulch is a good thing in your garden. Mulch helps improve water retention by creating a layer of insulation from the hot sun.

Check it out...http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/FEATURE/backyard/mulching.html

The "Green Factor"

Good news for advocates of green development. Seattle, WA becomes the first city to adapt a "green area ratio" or "green factor" as an effort to help sustainable living. This new ordinance will mandate that developers and designers find ways to implement more vegetation into there designs. The cities plan is modeled after similar programs in Berlin and Malmo, Sweden. Some options for designer and developers include vegetation walls, green roofs and rain-collection systems. Steve Moddemeyer, senior strategic advisor for the city's Department of Planning and Developing, says the green factor ratio requires landscaping to be "more than an aesthetic element. It actually is a functional part of an urban ecosystem." In addition, these policies have taken off and plans to build over $300 million mixed use projects are in the works.

Hopefully this trend will sweep the nation. Get involved in your local community and make a difference.

(ENR Magazine 3/10/08)
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/Permits/GreenFactor/

Intelligent Use of Water

I came across this interesting video (link below) while searching the interweb.  There isn't much to the rest of the site unless someone wants to submit a video. 

http://www.iuowfilm.com/gallery.html