In Toronto, a Horticultural Technician Pre-Apprenticeship training program is still accepting applications
From the flyer “this unique FREE 10 month intensive academic and practical training program is offered to candidates meeting the minimum entrance requirements for apprenticeship training (Ontario Grade 12 or equivalent).
Typical jobs/employment in this industry include landscape construction, grounds and golf course maintenance, parks operations, nursery, greenhouse and garden center operations. For even more information, check out Microskills.
Just another friendly reminder that my webinar on a cold climate, shade tolerant green roof is tomorrow.
Be there!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Growth is a ponzi scheme?
Wow, I've got a ton to comment on starting with an article from the New Urban Network. I've never heard
growth referred to as a ponzi scheme, but the more numbers he crunches...the more ponzi like it seems. If our government officials are aware of this and haven't sought to remedy the problem (more taxes or doing things VERY differently), I don't know what to say. If they are not aware of the facts, that is probably just as bad.
-On the positive side, there are a couple of great stories about urban agriculture in
Hong Kong and, closer to home Philadelphia, where refugees are planting crops from back home.
-A little further south, if you're in DC "Wildman" Steve Brillis in town to drop some foraging knowledge.
-More urban agriculture news. There are rooftop garden classes in
New York City and Toronto this week. Speaking of Toronto, it looks like a buy local food bill is in trouble as council is under pressure to cut costs and go with the cheapest produce.
-On the climate change front, the Guardian has a great article about how El Paso, Texas, is beating the worst drought in a generation. Hopefully others in Texas and abroad are paying attention to their conservation efforts and start listening to Paul Epstein as well. Who's Paul Epstein? Glad you asked.
growth referred to as a ponzi scheme, but the more numbers he crunches...the more ponzi like it seems. If our government officials are aware of this and haven't sought to remedy the problem (more taxes or doing things VERY differently), I don't know what to say. If they are not aware of the facts, that is probably just as bad.
-On the positive side, there are a couple of great stories about urban agriculture in
Hong Kong and, closer to home Philadelphia, where refugees are planting crops from back home.
-A little further south, if you're in DC "Wildman" Steve Brillis in town to drop some foraging knowledge.
-More urban agriculture news. There are rooftop garden classes in
New York City and Toronto this week. Speaking of Toronto, it looks like a buy local food bill is in trouble as council is under pressure to cut costs and go with the cheapest produce.
-On the climate change front, the Guardian has a great article about how El Paso, Texas, is beating the worst drought in a generation. Hopefully others in Texas and abroad are paying attention to their conservation efforts and start listening to Paul Epstein as well. Who's Paul Epstein? Glad you asked.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Webinar on Shade Tolerant Green Roofs + aquaponics in St. Louis
-On July 5 I'll be presenting a case study on a shade tolerant green roof. If you aren't already signed up for the GRHC webinars, you should, because they are great!
I'll talk more in depth about the cold climate, shade dominant green roof more later next week, but wanted to give folks a heads up before Canada Day (July 1) and Independence Day (July 4) arrive. By the way, if you live in Niagara Falls and like fireworks, this must be the time of year for you!
-Spied an article last week giving a darn good reason not to compost grass clippings: when the herbicide manufacturer warns you against it!
So, I am not really following Dupont's logic. With municipalities across the United States and Canadabanning herbicides and pesticides, wouldn't Dupont capitalize on the trend and develop a safe biological alternative to be ahead of the curve and corner that market?
-Reductions in state and federal funding are hitting everyone hard,
including agricultural colleges.
-Apartments, gardens and an aquaponic fish farm will revitalize an industrial site, with ex-convicts having an opportunity to be gainfully employed.
Smart move by this developer to bring a little piece of Madison to St. Louis. Also, love the train tracks outside. If things get REALLY busy, shipping across country should be a breeze!!!
I'll talk more in depth about the cold climate, shade dominant green roof more later next week, but wanted to give folks a heads up before Canada Day (July 1) and Independence Day (July 4) arrive. By the way, if you live in Niagara Falls and like fireworks, this must be the time of year for you!
-Spied an article last week giving a darn good reason not to compost grass clippings: when the herbicide manufacturer warns you against it!
So, I am not really following Dupont's logic. With municipalities across the United States and Canadabanning herbicides and pesticides, wouldn't Dupont capitalize on the trend and develop a safe biological alternative to be ahead of the curve and corner that market?
-Reductions in state and federal funding are hitting everyone hard,
including agricultural colleges.
-Apartments, gardens and an aquaponic fish farm will revitalize an industrial site, with ex-convicts having an opportunity to be gainfully employed.
Smart move by this developer to bring a little piece of Madison to St. Louis. Also, love the train tracks outside. If things get REALLY busy, shipping across country should be a breeze!!!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Edible green roof plants - my quest begins today!
Anyone who knows even a tiny bit about living architecture can rattle off lots of benefits. And the more benefits we can add to the list, the better. Quite often sedum species plants are used on green roofs, as I've heard a colleague say they are the "silver bullet" of the industry. Drought tolerant, available in lots of colors and sizes, needing minimal care are just a few characteristics which make it a "go-to plant". But what about edibility? Could I eat some of these plants in a pinch? Or, should I be dining on them on a regular basis?
I've wondered for a while, so during my spare time I'm going to research and post my findings.
Here's where I've started, Plants For A Future . One of my favorite websites seems like a great place to start. And I should add (as they do) "Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally, PFAF (or verticiel Inc.!!!!) can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants".
With that, let's start the roll call.
According to their database, the top 5 list of sedum species plants for their edibility/medicinal rating would be:
5 Sedum makinoi
4. Sedum spectabile aka Ice Plant
3.
Sedum telephium aka Orpine
2. Sedum arboroseum aka Garden Stonecrop
And the top spot goes to...
1. Rhodiola rosea aka Rose Root
This seems to be quite a plant, according to the website "it has an enhancing effect upon physical endurance and sexual potency" in addition to "The raw flowers have been eaten in the treatment of tuberculosis".
I'll try to update this list quarterly, so stay tuned!!!
I've wondered for a while, so during my spare time I'm going to research and post my findings.
Here's where I've started, Plants For A Future . One of my favorite websites seems like a great place to start. And I should add (as they do) "Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally, PFAF (or verticiel Inc.!!!!) can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants".
With that, let's start the roll call.
According to their database, the top 5 list of sedum species plants for their edibility/medicinal rating would be:
5 Sedum makinoi
4. Sedum spectabile aka Ice Plant
3.
Sedum telephium aka Orpine
2. Sedum arboroseum aka Garden Stonecrop
And the top spot goes to...
1. Rhodiola rosea aka Rose Root
This seems to be quite a plant, according to the website "it has an enhancing effect upon physical endurance and sexual potency" in addition to "The raw flowers have been eaten in the treatment of tuberculosis".
I'll try to update this list quarterly, so stay tuned!!!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Alaskans attempt to eat local...365 days a year?
-Utne magazine has had some fantastic articles in the last few weeks. A seed library sounds like a fantastic idea, one easily (cheaply too!) implemented in conjunction with a local partner, like a food bank or gardening club. On a more somber note, they note how the farm crisis, which is not front page news in the US or Canada, has not actually passed.
-There's crazy and then there's this...a few Alaskans have pledged to eat local food all year long. Now, to someone who hasn't spent a ton of time in Alaska, this sounds hard. It sounds even harder than I imagined when I read 98% of Alaskan food is imported. If these folks can pull it off, then there's no reason anyone in North America cannot.
-There's crazy and then there's this...a few Alaskans have pledged to eat local food all year long. Now, to someone who hasn't spent a ton of time in Alaska, this sounds hard. It sounds even harder than I imagined when I read 98% of Alaskan food is imported. If these folks can pull it off, then there's no reason anyone in North America cannot.
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