Occupy the Rooftops! Community Solar Initiative

We all know that this nation needs to move from fossil fuels to more renewable energy sources. Here’s your chance to make it happen locally. Nov. 20th is Community Solar Day!

A lot of people, businesses and organizations would love to switch to clean solar power, but lack the up-front costs necessary to fund a solar installation. That’s where organizations like Solar Mosaic come in.

Here’s the basic idea:

Fund the up-front costs of community solar projects by crowd funding. This means that instead of the raising up-front capital themselves or going to a bank for a loan, a solar project is funded by small investments by members of the community. These small investments are paid back to the investors over time, and the extra money saved by lower energy costs, gets paid forward to help fund other solar projects. Pretty cool, huh?

This takes our energy policy out of the hands of big corporations, like ExxonMobil, Koch Industries & BP, and puts the power in the hands of the people. As Jamie Henn of 350.org put it, “When energy is in the hands of the 1%, we get the Keystone XL pipeline. When it’s in the hands of the 99% we get Solar Mosaic."

For more information, check out these links:

http://solarmosaic.com/

https://solarmosaic.com/solarday

http://solarmosaic.com/blog/why-you-should-sign-community-solar

Native Species Spotlight- Spotted Bee Balm

(Monarda punctata)

 Native FAC

If you are trying to attract pollinators to your garden, this Native Species Spotlight is for you. Spotted Bee Balm lives up to its name; this attractive plant will be buzzing with honey bees and native pollinators in no time. It is a hardy, prolific plant that can withstand drought conditions and does not require watering after establishment. Bloom colors vary from dark pink to almost white and is a show stopper when the whole plant is bedecked with blooms. Another bonus of Spotted Bee Balm that we had not anticipated when we first planted it in our wildflower garden was the amazing subtle scent that the flowers give off. Our whole wildflower garden was permeated by its sweetness. No wonder it is so attractive to bees and other pollinators.

 It’s no secret, with Colony Collapse Disorder and other factors threatening the survival of bees, that populations are in decline. Providing native food sources for bees and other native pollinators has never been more important.

 Spotted Bee Balm thrives is full sun to part shade and requires moist, well-drained sandy soils. It is a great companion plant for many garden vegetables, including tomatoes. Spotted Bee Balm is available through local native plant nurseries and grows readily from seed.

Eco Design-Earth Homes Slideshow

There are some fantastic ways to build green.  Whether constructed out of hay bales or earth bags, green design has never been cooler. Want to see a slideshow of some of the most original and creative designs out there?  Check out the link below.


Slideshow of Earth Homes

Eco Eye Candy- Outdoor Baths and Rain Gardens

What a wonderful pairing: An outdoor bath with a rain garden. Not only does this outdoor bath look like an absolute haven, but an adjacent rain garden incorporated into the design would allow for processing the grey water generated from the bath, just feet from the source. The plants from the rain garden would act as a natural biological filter, to naturally clean the water post-bath and allow for a beautifully green option for would-be outdoor bathers.

Native Species Spotlight: Dense Gayfeather (Liatris spicata)

A wonderful addition to any wildflower or butterfly garden is the Dense Gayfeather. Despite its delicate appearance up close, this species is remarkably hardy. It can withstand extreme heat and periods of drought as well as cooler temperatures and abundant rain, making it ideal for the beginning gardener. Gayfeather also is irresistible to bees and butterflies. Dense gayfeather blooms through fall and summer, sending up multiple stalks loaded with tiny purple-pink flower heads. Individual stalks can reach 3 feet in height, which makes it an ideal backdrop for native grasses and other wildflowers. It can be readily grown from seed and is easily propagated by the home gardener.

This species of liatris grows best in full sun and requires no supplemental water after establishment.

(Native- FAC)

Eco Eye Candy- Grow Your Own Bamboo Bike

EcoSRQ is always on the lookout for innovative bike designs, particularly those crafted with sustainable materials.  That’s why the Ajiro Bamboo Velobike, from student designer Alexander Vittouris, featured in the Australian Design Awards caught our eye.  The bike is constructed almost entirely out of bamboo.  Though there are a number of fantastic bamboo bikes currently on the market, this might be the first recumbent bike that boasts almost total bamboo construction. 

Ouch! Florida Ranks #3 in States with Most Toxic Air Pollution from Coal and Oil Power Plants

Florida may have the distinction of having some of the best beaches in the country, but the state also just garnered a top slot in a not-so-coveted contest.  Florida comes in at #3 in the list of states with the most toxic air pollution from coal-fired power plants.  The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) used data from the EPA to rank the top 20 worst states for air pollution from power plants. Only Ohio and Pennsylvania exceeded Florida’s rates.  It seems the Sunshine State needs to drastically step up its clean energy cred.

As of 2005, Florida had 30 coal-fired generating power plants at 14 locations, representing 18.8% of the state's total electric generating capacity.

Notably, the campaign against coal just got a major boost. Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently donated $50 million to the Sierra Club’s fight to end coal and usher in a clean energy future. The campaign’s four-year plan is to replace one third of aging U.S. coal-fired power plants with clean energy. Coal harms communities and public health at every step of its use. Coal power plants are the #1 source of mercury pollution in the U.S. Burning coal releases toxic mercury that rains down into river and streams. Half of U.S. families live in places with unsafe air. Pollution from coal-fired power plants has been shown to be a major factor in incidence of asthma in children.

To see where Florida’s coal-fired power plants are located and some stats on pollution released into the atmosphere, check out this link.

Organic Gardening Tip- Solarize for Summer

So as the summer heat is upon us and your garden is winding down for the season, now is the perfect time to solarize you garden beds. Many gardeners are looking for ways to reduce pests and disease without the use of chemicals and summer solarization is one of the organic gardener’s best tools.

What is solarization?

Simply put, solarization harnesses the power of sunlight to reduce many gardening problems. A clear plastic sheet is used to cover a garden bed. The heat generated from the sunlight will be trapped under the plastic. This greenhouse effect will increase soil temperatures to a degree that will dramatically reduce harmful garden pests such as nematodes, fungi and weed seeds. 30 days of soil solarization can reduce the incidence of disease and pests by up to 80% all without the use of chemicals.

How to:

Remove spent plants and weeds and till the soil gently to loosen it. Cover with clear plastic sheeting and weight edges to secure in place. (Clear plastic creates higher soil temperatures than black plastic.) To be effective, the soils must start out moist and maintain a fairly high soil moisture content. Moisture increases the heat sensitivity of many soil-borne pests. Leave plastic in place for at least 30 days. Make sure that your beds are raised slightly in the center so that water does not pool up in the center of the plastic following rains and contribute to mosquito breeding.
Solarizing is particularly effective for areas that will be planted with tomatoes as solarization is the most effective organic treatment for nematodes and other tomato pests.

Eco Eye Candy- Upcycled Urban Cabin

Today’s eye candy features Brazilian designer Fabio Galeazzo and his 600 square foot upcycled urban cabin. It’s always nice to see innovative approaches to small spaces, especially if it involves recycled materials and gorgeous design. Galeazzo has turned this space into a wonderful haven. Who wouldn’t want that hanging bed?

What’s Blooming in the Bioswale- Scarlet Hibiscus

One of the most striking blooms native to Florida is the Scarlet Hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus).  It’s brilliant red flowers can reach the size of a human hand and create a show-stopping display when planted in clusters.  The plant itself grows into a shrub-like formation with multiple flower spikes in subsequent years.  The Scarlet Hibiscus is a moisture loving plant that is ideal for rain gardens and bioswales.  It can also be grown successfully in a patio pot.  If grown in a pot it is recommended to have a catch tray beneath the pot which can act as a reservoir for water.  The Scarlet Hibiscus blooms well in full sun, but will also grow in partial shade.

Natural Swimming Pools

Love the idea of a swimming pool, but hate the idea of all those chemicals. What if you could create an environmentally-friendly swimming pool in your own back yard with zero chlorine or other harmful chemicals? You can. The concept of natural swimming pools, sometimes referred to as swimming ponds, are all the rage in Europe where over 20,000 of them have already been installed, including several fantastic public swimming pools. Sadly, the U.S. is lagging behind in this progressive idea, but it seems the idea is slowing catching on.
Natural swimming pools mimic nature, by using a biological filter (or wetland regeneration zone) to purify the water and keep the water clear. This zone is planted with aquatic plants that uptake nutrients and impurities and help keep the water clean and clear without the use of any harmful chemicals. These regeneration areas also have the added benefit of acting as much-needed wetland habitat for dragonflies, frogs and other species that need water as part of their life cycle. And to top it off, they can look like beautiful water gardens that add beauty to your home landscape.
Instead of shocking the water you swim in with so many chemicals that nothing can live in it, a natural pool creates a living, balanced aquatic system that is healthier for you and for the environment.
To learn more about natural swimming pools and how they work, check out these links.

Clear Water Revival
BioTop

Eco Kids Project Spotlight- Recycled Pallet Bat House

Today’s EcoKids project spotlight comes to us compliments of the Boudreau family. EcoSRQ is always looking for innovative ways to use shipping pallets and Alex Boudreau and his girls found a great re-use project that also benefits wildlife. Their Recycled Pallet Bat House is constructed from a shipping pallet that otherwise would be discarded and end up in a landfill.

Bat houses provide important roosts for many of Florida’s 13 fantastic bat species. Bats are the most important controller of night flying insects, including mosquitoes. A single bat can eat up to 3,000 insects a night! Sadly, many bat species are disappearing from Florida. Lack of roost sites comprises the biggest threat to bats survival worldwide. For more information on backyard bat houses, including how to build your own bat house, check out the Florida Bat Conservacy.

Thanks to Alex, his wife Donna, Bailey (13), Erin (11) and Cameron (9) for sharing their great project with us….oh and for the muscle.

If you have an EcoKids project you would like to share, contact us.

Eco Eye Candy: Vertical Green Walls at the Chelsea Flower Show

This year’s Chelsea Flower Show in London featured some very cool eye candy. An absolute favorite, is the B&Q spectacular 30 foot high vertical green wall garden tower. Those of you who have been following EcoSRQ already know about our obsession with vertical gardens. This year’s Chelsea Show featured a number of beautiful vertical garden features, as well as edible green wall gardens and roof top garden displays.

Vertical Gardening Update: Mini Greenwall Installed

Previously, we highlighted a new product for greenwall installations from Woollypocket. This month we put the product to the test and installed a mini green wall in the kitchen. I have wanted a vertical garden element in the house for a long time, and I was thrilled how it turned out. I have low light in this area of the house, so I chose to use a variety of ferns and orchids which I hoped would thrive with a northern exposure. We used a base of sphagnum moss due to its light weight and ability to hold moisture. This seems to be working quite well for the plants we selected. The birdnest ferns are thriving as are the orchids. We hope to try out some orchids native to Florida in the future. We have some butterfly orchids that are just dying to be showcased.


A couple of quick tips for those readers wishing for a green wall of their very own: First, it is best to use plants that don’t drop leaves. Since my initial install, I have swapped out some of the hanging succulents for a different fern that has water requirements more similar to the other plants we utilized. Second, make sure to use the enclosed hardware that comes with your Wally pocket. The finished product can get pretty heavy.

Native Species Spotlight: Ohio Spiderwort

Ohio Spiderwort
(Tradescantia ohiensis)

Native FAC


A beautiful addition to your native landscape is Ohio Spiderwort. Don’t let the name mislead you, Ohio Spiderwort is native to Florida and is a lovely flowering plant despite is odd name. (The name “spiderwort” refers to its historical medicinal use for spider bites.)

Spiderwort has wonderful silvery grass-like foliage with brilliantly blue tri-lobed flowers. Though the flowers themselves are short-lived, blooming in the early morning and fading by afternoon, the plant will flower for a few months in early spring. Once common on wetland margins and ditchbanks, Ohio spiderwort is making a comeback in native landscapes. A native perennial plant about 2 feet in height with sprawling grassy foliage. This spiderwort prefers moist areas but will survive periods of drought. It will bloom nicely in full sun to part shade.

World Fair Trade Day- Black Gold Screening at Burns Court

Thanks to all those who turned out to see Black Gold: A Film About Coffee & Trade at Burns Court on Saturday in honor of World Fair Trade Day.  The event was sponsored by Lucuma Designs and was a great event highlighting the benefits of fair trade practices on small coffee farmers around the globe.  If you don’t already purchase fair trade coffee, you will after seeing this movie.  For more information on the film, see Black Gold the Movie

Vertical Gardening Made Easy: Cool New Product Find

Vertical gardens are all the rage, but professional installation is out of the price range of the average homeowner. Not anymore. While out and about this weekend, we came upon a cool product for modular living wall installations called the Woollypocket Wally. They can be used for indoor or outdoor installations and have a moisture barrier to protect your wall. The best part is that the price tag starts at just $40 for the single. I haven’t tried these yet, but with the reasonable price and easy installation, I may actually get to have my dream green wall after all.


The Wally can be found locally at the Sarasota Big Earth Landscape Supply (bigearthsupply.com) or online at:
http://www.woollypocket.com/wally/wally-one/

Rain Barrels

A question we get regularly from our readers is: Where can a get a rain barrel locally that isn’t going to break the bank?

Easy. Sarasota County Water Resources is offering rain barrels to residents for $37. (including the spigot assembly)

Rain barrel classes are offered throughout the year. Details can be found: Here

 

The benefits of rain barrels are many, but here are just a few:

 

-Protects our rivers, streams and bays! Water stored in your rain barrel is water that won’t rush into our rivers and out to the bay. Instead, as you use the stored rain water around the home and garden, it will absorb slowly into the ground replenishing groundwater supplies. By decreasing the volume of stormwater runoff, rain barrels also help moderate stream erosion and the resulting pollution from fertilizers and other contaminants that are impairing our waterways.

-Reduces flooding in your yard, by collecting the water and using it for watering plants or slowly releasing it and allowing it to sink into the ground.

-Provides your plants with water they will love. Unlike treated water, which is often “softened” with dissolved minerals or has added chlorine, rain water is what plants are adapted to use. Chlorine-free water also helps maintain a healthy biotic community in the soil.

-Saves money and water! Instead of water from the tap or hose, you can use the water you’ve saved to keep your home landscape happy and growing. You’ll also reduce your water bill and sewage bill!