Sunday, August 19, 2012
Today is National Potato Day
For all those urban farmers out there, this spuds for you. (Sorry, I couldn't resist!) For others who think I jest, check it out!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Green roof weeds - The Dirty Dozen
Year after year we battle with dandelions, and a few other volunteer species as well, on green roofs. It seems that there are repeat offenders, which is admirable in a way and frustrating as well.
So here's a list of the top 12 worst weeds I have encountered in zone 5, 6 and 7 on extensive roofs. There are pictures too, so you can recognize them and take care of them when (not if) you cross paths. The list is just based upon how much I "think" I have seen some of the culprits, the difference may be slight between, say, numbers 6 and 7. But I would bet the ranch numbers 3, 2 and 1 are close to where they should be. One day I'll do a proper count or maybe collaborate with others to generate one.
If you have others to add to the list, think some are higher or lower than they should be, please let me know.
12) Crab grass
11) Blue grass
10) Lamb's quarters
9) Pigweed
8) Purslane
7) Thyme leaved Sandwort
6) Bird's eye pearlwort
5) Mouse eared chickweed
4) Lady's thumb
3) Quackgrass
2) Prostrate knotweed
1) Dandelion
For more on weeds in your area, including how to pronounce them, Penn State has one of the best collections of sources.
So here's a list of the top 12 worst weeds I have encountered in zone 5, 6 and 7 on extensive roofs. There are pictures too, so you can recognize them and take care of them when (not if) you cross paths. The list is just based upon how much I "think" I have seen some of the culprits, the difference may be slight between, say, numbers 6 and 7. But I would bet the ranch numbers 3, 2 and 1 are close to where they should be. One day I'll do a proper count or maybe collaborate with others to generate one.
If you have others to add to the list, think some are higher or lower than they should be, please let me know.
12) Crab grass
11) Blue grass
10) Lamb's quarters
9) Pigweed
8) Purslane
7) Thyme leaved Sandwort
6) Bird's eye pearlwort
5) Mouse eared chickweed
4) Lady's thumb
3) Quackgrass
2) Prostrate knotweed
1) Dandelion
For more on weeds in your area, including how to pronounce them, Penn State has one of the best collections of sources.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
2012 Urban Agriculture Summit starts tomorrow + Green Roof Research Summit Aug 16 -17
One day left to sign up for the Urban Agriculture Summit in Toronto. I guess, technically, you could sign in the day of, but I would advise you to beat the rush...word is this is going to be packed!
If you would prefer some more technical green roof talk, hosted by the University of Maryland is the first (annual) mid-Atlantic green roof science and technology symposium. A number of respected green roof researchers will be there from North America, Europe and Australasia.
If you would prefer some more technical green roof talk, hosted by the University of Maryland is the first (annual) mid-Atlantic green roof science and technology symposium. A number of respected green roof researchers will be there from North America, Europe and Australasia.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Green roof garage done!
We finished up a green roof in late June and keep forgetting to post the pretty pictures:
Featured on the roof are about 5 inches of saturated medium, a few edible plants (chives and oregano), incredibly reliable sedums john creech, sedum red carpet (the reddish one in the middle), sedum kamtschaticum variegatum and regular ole sedum kamtschaticum. It's difficult to see, but there are a few sedum species plants which we had not tried before, sedum pachcylados (seen below)
and sedum ternatum (native to eastern North America). The sedum pachcylados I think will do well, sedum ternatum is allegedly one of the few sedums that likes very wet medium. A few years ago I tried to get some for an installation in northern Ontario but it was not on the market (according to a few sources) because of some "problems". Don't recall what they meant, but I steered clear as directed. Decided to try 4 plants this go around and they look pretty scrawny, so I don't have high hopes. I'll keep you updated.
Featured on the roof are about 5 inches of saturated medium, a few edible plants (chives and oregano), incredibly reliable sedums john creech, sedum red carpet (the reddish one in the middle), sedum kamtschaticum variegatum and regular ole sedum kamtschaticum. It's difficult to see, but there are a few sedum species plants which we had not tried before, sedum pachcylados (seen below)
and sedum ternatum (native to eastern North America). The sedum pachcylados I think will do well, sedum ternatum is allegedly one of the few sedums that likes very wet medium. A few years ago I tried to get some for an installation in northern Ontario but it was not on the market (according to a few sources) because of some "problems". Don't recall what they meant, but I steered clear as directed. Decided to try 4 plants this go around and they look pretty scrawny, so I don't have high hopes. I'll keep you updated.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
1 day until the women's Pentathlon, be there or be square
A gentle reminder to watch Donna conquer the world tomorrow. If you're just joining the blog, here's the backstory and why you must watch the telly tomorrow!
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