Thoreau a Climatologist?

Although it is not what Thoreau was noted for he kept very precise records of plants in 1851, he started recording when and where plants flowered in Concord, he was making notes for a book he planned to write. Recently researchers at Boston University and Harvard are using those notes to learn patterns of plant abundance and decline in Concord and New England as a whole. They are linking those patterns to changing climate. Their conclusions are clear common species are flowering seven days earlier than they did in Thoreau’s day. Conservation biologists and Evolutionary biologists from Harvard and Boston University have determined that 27 percent of the species documented by Thoreau have vanished from Concord and 36 percent are present in such small numbers that they probably will not survive for long. Those findings appear in the current issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Of the 21 species of orchids Thoreau observed in Concord, the researchers could only find 7. Researchers are busy studying the archives for any records of this nature to try and understand what is going on with our planet today. There hasn't been much interest in spending the money to record and find these old writings however maybe now with these kind of findings more interest will be sparked to find and preserve them.

Storm Water Run-Off, It's Everyones Problem!

By Vera Pappas
Storm Water Run-off is a problem in every section of the United States. Some areas of course are worse than others. Every time it rains there are massive amounts of chemicals, oils, heavy metals running off our roof, through our grass and flower beds, down our driveways and into our storm drains which leads out to our natural waterways, and streams which lead to lakes and rivers.
If our ground cannot absorb the water efficiently and effectively and perk back down into our underground water supply it ends up in the storm drain. The chemicals, oils, voc's, etc. break down the beneficial bacteria and micro-organisms that keep our lakes and streams healthy. What we end up with is an over abundance of algae which believe it or not is harmful to our eco-system. It cuts down on the oxygen levels in the water and the beneficial bacteria cannot do its job to keep the water clean and healthy for fish and fowl.
This is not something the average American sees everyday. We don't think about where the water goes when its rushing down the street and into the storm drains. For us...it stops there. But it is actually just beginning.
We can make a difference one yard at a time. If every homeowner made simple changes, we could save our lakes, streams and rivers. Our eco-system depends on it. Not only does storm water run-off affect fish, it affects water fowl, birds, and all the animals that eat the fish, and drink from the lakes, streams and rivers.
There are many ways to reduce the amount of water that runs from your property into the storm drain:
Install Rain Barrels -Thousands of gallons of water can be captured off the average roof each year, and clean rainwater is better for plants, shrubs and lawn, washing the car, the dog etc.
Go Organic!- The use of traditional chemicals to feed your lawn and garden leach into the water every time it rains. Chemical fertilizers and controls do the most damage. Organic fertilizers and control products do not leave residual effects in the soil. Organic products come from the earth. They will not damage it.
Use Native Plants- Native plants are plants that are naturally indigenous to your specific area. You can get a list of native plants for your area by doing a web search. They are usually put out by the state. Native plants will grow better, require less water and fertilizer (organic of course), and they provide a natural habitat for our wild creatures.

A Natural Flu Remedy

I recently had a conversation with a R.N. She had been collecting books on herbal remedies for a long time; however she had never really tried any of the remedies.
One summer she ran across a Yarrow plant for sale at an herb store and bought it, she transplanted it into a big pot. In due time it became a very large plant and it bloomed. She kept the flowers and dried them and really didn’t know what she was going to do with them.
The following winter she came home from her job at the hospital with a bad case of flu. She remembered that she had read about making a tea from the Yarrow plant to cure colds and flu. She made the tea, climbed into a hot bath and sipped the tea. After drinking the tea she rinsed off in cool water put on some warm pj’s and went to bed. The very next day she was able to go to work and felt fine, while her many of her working companions were miserable for many days.
It’s very interesting how many native plants have healing properties as well as providing beauty to the landscape. One might begin to believe Mother Nature knows what she is doing if left to her own devices and allowed to flourish in her natural state.
Ion Exchange - Helping You Create Your Own Natural Beauty

Fall Is A Great Time To Seed Your Lawn.

Fall is a great time to seed your lawn for next year. Whether you are over seeding an existing lawn or seeding a new lawn; four elements must be working together in order to establish newly planted turf grass seed. Just follow some of these tips.
Establishing a new seeding:
Loosen the soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches with a roto tiller or tillage implement.
Spread the seed in at least two different directions at right angle to the first pass.
Lightly rake to seed to incorporate the seed to a ¼ to ½ inch depth. Care must be given to mix the soil and not to "drag" soil.
Roll the area to increase seed to soil contact.
Overseeding:
Mow the lawn as short as possible to the point of scalping.
Deep Core Aeration so that you achieve 15 to 20 holes per square foot.
Broadcast and/or slit seed mixture in two different directions
Apply Starter Fertilizer
Roll the area to increase seed to soil contact.
A great grass seed to use is No Mow/Low Grow

Howard Bright - Ion Exchange Inc.

New "Green" Product Mimics Nature and Cleans the Water.

Bio Floating Islands is one of the most exciting new concepts in efforts to “Go Green.” These Islands mimic nature in many ways. They are being used to add land mass, provide food for fish, grow vegetables, afford wildlife with a habitat and all the while cleaning the water!

With storm water management being a requirement of new developments, these islands can contribute greatly to the removal of unwanted and overloaded nutrients in ponds and other bodies of water as well as adding beauty and fish habitat.

Ion Exchange Inc. has been a leader in the Green life since its inception with native plants and seeds. They are planning on holding seminars in the late fall on successful techniques in construction and launching of these floating islands. For more information call Ion Exchange Inc. 800-291-2143 or visit their web site. http://www.ionxchange.com/bio_floating_island.htm

Why Use Native Plants For Landscaping?

Native plants are grown from their wild relatives; their color, size, nectar, pollen production, and everything about them are authentic and have not been changed except by natural evolution. The benefits of native plants compared to hybrid and otherwise man cultivated species include a longer life span, less need for fertilizer and insecticides, increased aroma, drought resistant ( due to the very deep roots), easy to overwinter, generally disease free and the native birds, butterflies and bees love them.
Native plants are plants that have been growing here for many hundreds of years. Each area has its own native plants so in planting native plants you will want to make sure they are native to your area.

The prairies were self sustainable until the advent of plows and urban development removed most of them, leaving just a remnant of their former glory. Because native plants are so hardy they are also slow growing and require some patience to grow and establish. However as their root systems take hold (some roots go as deep as 20 feet) they will out shine any non native. Once established they will require much less maintenance than any traditional landscapes.

Some of the key benefits of using native plants:

· Provide habitat for native wildlife
· Beautiful view of waving grasses and blooming flowers
· Helps clean the air
· Helps clean the rainwater and runoff that goes to our aquifers
· Provides something of value for the next generation
Native grasses are also being tested as a possible bio fuel that would be economical and readily available. The research on this application of native grasses looks very promising and could be grown throughout the Midwest.
Ion Exchange Inc.

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Sincerely,
Howard and Donna Bright
Ion Exchange Inc. - The Natural Gait