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.
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