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.