The bookmark comb-through continues. This post contains information which I found terribly cool, but had no place to include it.
Did you know that plants can tell the difference between day and night and can even become jet lagged? And that they may even display altruistic behavior?
Monday, December 30, 2013
Friday, December 27, 2013
Why We Garden and Growing Up In the Backwoods
The year is almost over and I'm cleaning out the blog bag. Hoepfully you have a little time on your hands to read a couple of provocative posts, the first entitled "Why We Garden" and the second called "Growing Up In the Backwoods". Enjoy!
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Season's Greetings - 2013
Christmas Time in the Country - Kenny Neal
Please Come Home for Christmas - James Brown
Zat You, Santa Claus - Louis Armstrong
Christmas is a Joyful Day - The Executor
Friday, December 20, 2013
New ways to quantify the benefits of green infrastructure
K-12 Minnesota teachers have released a comprehensive new guide for integrating school gardens with academic standards. At 268 page, there plenty for you to use as well.
-With land becoming more and more scarce, several folks have proposed planting community gardens under power lines. In California, there is a new push and in 2012 a Torontonian won a design award for the same idea.
-The benefits of green infrastructure are at least a dozen fold. But historically it has been difficult to quantify how much a green roof or green wall can increase rental and property values or reduce the cost associated with flooding. The NRDC thought it was about time that these issues were addressed.
-Sydney, Australia has a new draft green roof and green walls policy. I am not sure how this is different than the last one. The next step for Sydney is incentives! That would be exciting!
-With land becoming more and more scarce, several folks have proposed planting community gardens under power lines. In California, there is a new push and in 2012 a Torontonian won a design award for the same idea.
-The benefits of green infrastructure are at least a dozen fold. But historically it has been difficult to quantify how much a green roof or green wall can increase rental and property values or reduce the cost associated with flooding. The NRDC thought it was about time that these issues were addressed.
-Sydney, Australia has a new draft green roof and green walls policy. I am not sure how this is different than the last one. The next step for Sydney is incentives! That would be exciting!
he
draft policy and implementation plan promotes the measures as a means
of improving air quality, supporting biodiversity and creating new
places for relaxation in the city centre.
At the moment, there are around 96,000 square metres of green roofs and walls across Sydney and the trend
continues to grow rapidly. Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the city is
receiving around one new development application featuring a green roof
or wall each week, and that there are more than 50 projects already
approved for construction.
“Green roofs and walls are not only
beautiful additions to buildings, they also improve air quality, clean
stormwater and provide a natural habitat for biodiversity. We want to
support this emerging industry, give local providers a boost and help
city residents and businesses discover the benefits of installing green
roofs and walls,” Moore said when announcing the new draft policy.
- See more at: http://sourceable.net/sydneys-new-green-roofs-walls-policy/#sthash.5vBRqvJm.dpuMonday, December 16, 2013
Bill Mollison on permaculture
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Gift guide for living architecture lovers - 2013 edition
I did one of these last year and it seemed to be a hit! This year's I won't wait until December 23 before posting it, however...
-For anyone on your list, we'll start with this aquaponic system from Back to the Roots. They were just "the mushroom guys", now they are so much more.
-Supporting a small farmer is always a good thing, right? For the fruit lover in your life give a call to one of these apple orchards and see where you can pick up their heritage apples...or they may even deliver them to your door.
-A very easy, and attractive, living wall kit is perfect for any do-it-yourselfer.
-How about funding an experience? The Growing Power workshops are fantastic and reasonably priced. Send a friend or family member to learn and network!
-For anyone on your list, we'll start with this aquaponic system from Back to the Roots. They were just "the mushroom guys", now they are so much more.
-Supporting a small farmer is always a good thing, right? For the fruit lover in your life give a call to one of these apple orchards and see where you can pick up their heritage apples...or they may even deliver them to your door.
-A very easy, and attractive, living wall kit is perfect for any do-it-yourselfer.
-How about funding an experience? The Growing Power workshops are fantastic and reasonably priced. Send a friend or family member to learn and network!
Monday, December 9, 2013
A profitable aquaponics business?
Lots of big stories from the past week...
-A cool and potentially huge story is developing in Tampa. One man's vision to create an Urban Food Park now has the backing of an entire community. The hope is for a national model showcasing exhibits ranging from a commercial urban vegetable farm and food museum to an aquaponic farm and food cooperative. Definitely one to keep track of!
-Systematic urban agriculture changes might be on tap for Rotterdam as well, by utilizing a former “tropical swim paradise” as the project hub.
-The latest successful warm weather aquaponics project to receive buzz belongs to American Samoa, however this aquaponics business in Chicago seems to take the cake. They've stayed afloat for three years and now have raised $300,000 for expansion.
-You can't blame these folks for trying. A couple in New Jersey set up a crowdfunding campaign to add a green roof to their primary residence.
-A cool and potentially huge story is developing in Tampa. One man's vision to create an Urban Food Park now has the backing of an entire community. The hope is for a national model showcasing exhibits ranging from a commercial urban vegetable farm and food museum to an aquaponic farm and food cooperative. Definitely one to keep track of!
-Systematic urban agriculture changes might be on tap for Rotterdam as well, by utilizing a former “tropical swim paradise” as the project hub.
-The latest successful warm weather aquaponics project to receive buzz belongs to American Samoa, however this aquaponics business in Chicago seems to take the cake. They've stayed afloat for three years and now have raised $300,000 for expansion.
-You can't blame these folks for trying. A couple in New Jersey set up a crowdfunding campaign to add a green roof to their primary residence.
Friday, December 6, 2013
Urban Agriculture internship opportunity in Toronto
Year-long Metcalf Sustainability Internships are available for placement in Foodshare's Urban Agriculture program. For recent graduates only, applications must be sent to FoodShare (c/o Angela ElzingaCheng angela@foodshare.net) by December 17, 2013.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Small scale permaculture farm in Houston
Straight from the digital realm is a 45 minute plus visit to a 1/4 permaculture farm in Houston, Texas. Over 150 fruit trees on this tiny parcel of land!
Sunday, December 1, 2013
A few quick hits
-After a few years China's green wall has finally been planted!
-If you're looking for some creatives ideas for green walls a recent green walls article highlights some very creative installations.
-There has been further fallout from the tragedy in Latvia as the prime minister has resigned!
-I often do book reviews (and maybe I should do another one some time soon), but over at Greenroofs.com they profiled the new book by Tan Puay Yok. It looks like it's worth the read.
-If you're looking for some creatives ideas for green walls a recent green walls article highlights some very creative installations.
-There has been further fallout from the tragedy in Latvia as the prime minister has resigned!
-I often do book reviews (and maybe I should do another one some time soon), but over at Greenroofs.com they profiled the new book by Tan Puay Yok. It looks like it's worth the read.
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