Thank the Gods!

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

Judge overturns approval of Roundup Ready beets

By JEFF BARNARD (AP) – 6 days ago

GRANTS PASS, Ore. — A federal judge overturned government approval of a variety of sugar beet genetically engineered to resist a popular weed killer produced by agricultural giant Monsanto, according to a ruling released Tuesday.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White in San Francisco found the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service violated environmental law by failing to take a “hard look” at whether “Roundup Ready” sugar beets would eventually share their genes with other crops.

Noting that pollen from genetically altered sugar beets could be blown by the wind long distances to related crops, such as chard and table beets, the judge ordered the agency to produce an environmental impact statement examining the issue. (more…)

Posted in Genetically F*%ked | 5 Comments »

Fescue to the rescue

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

Sod RollIf you simply must have a lawn, this is the lawn to install. No-Mow Fescue is a thinner version of regular fescue grass blades, and grows taller. You can mow this about once a year or so or never and it will continue to thrive. No-Mow Fescue is a nice alternative to boring and environmentally unsafe lawns.

But if you really want to pimp your front lawn, turn it into a veggie garden!!

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Buddha Pear

Monday, September 21st, 2009

Finally! A way to have Buddha in edible forms!

A Chinese farmer has perfected the yummy pear more than it already is… by forcing the fruit to grow abnormally in a man-made form and producing a Buddha.

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Gao Xianzhang, of the Hexia village in northern China’s Hebei province has been perefecting his Buddha pears for years now, and is finally cashing in!

Posted in Gardening | 3 Comments »

Caterpillar video

Friday, September 18th, 2009

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I'm in Love*

Friday, September 18th, 2009

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This is my new love… Hyalophora cecropia (I think… have been searching for days now and still have not found if this is in fact the exact match. But I’ve seen these moths around my house a lot, so I’m thinking it’s him. Any clue, anyone?)

I found him while watering my succulent collection, he was brazenly munching the hedge in my front yard. He has been my obsession for a couple weeks now, as any fat, beautiful, interesting creature should be. I talk with him, we listen to podcasts together while I water the plants, I go out and move him to lower branches when I think it’s too hot… He’s pretty amazing and I think it’s getting serious!

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I adore his little black, padded feet…. so cute and so reminiscent of Chanel’s flats circa when I wanted a pair of Chanel flats. (more…)

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Posted in Bugs | 2 Comments »

Garden & Gun

Monday, September 14th, 2009

GG0409_Inthegarden_4unpubThere is literally a magazine called Garden & Gun!

When I was strolling through the dreaded Barnes & Nizzle, I looked down and found this little jem on the shelf amongst the vast dross that is B&N’s literature.

“Garden & Gun!”, I thought…. what more could a girl ask for? Two insanely fun activities in one glossy magazine!

Oh, and don’t be fooled by the good looking, angst filled men holding either a cocktail or posing by their life’s work – there’s more fabulosity throughout the pages. There’s gardens and there’s guns… do I need to go on?

Mmmmm, me like!

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Designer Jon Carloftis, drinkin’ in the garden.

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Posted in Gardening, Library | 5 Comments »

The Late Show Gardens

Monday, September 14th, 2009

Celebrating garden design and addressing our current environmental challenges… Cornerstone will be hosting The Late Show Gardens, Sonoma.

I’m still debating if it’s worth going for just the shows, but I’m headed out to see Ken Druse and Topher Delaney. For more info visit www.thelateshowgardens.org

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Posted in Environmental Degradation, Fun, How-To, Landscape Design, Resources | 1 Comment »

Why I love My Job, Reason # 9871027357391801

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

Exhibit A.

Agave Attenuata.

I know I have mentioned these a lot the past few months, but they are incredible. A few streets away from where I live, a family has a huge cluster of them in their front yard. They said it’s been there since 1983 with little to no care or water. They are so prolific and I have been coveting cutting from them for years. I finally took the time to stop and ask if I could trade them some plants. Needless to say they were over joyed to have me thin out the cluster, and believe it or not the two truck loads we took barely made a dent in what they have. Two guys, myself, hand saws, chain saws and a big ass F250 accomplished this job within about an hour.

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Dustin – Livin’ the dream! (more…)

Posted in Bugs, Gardening, In the Garden, In the Garden… | 1 Comment »

Gestalt Gardener

Friday, September 4th, 2009

A couple months ago a friend turned me onto the Gestalt Gardener Podcast, out of Jackson, Mississippi. You maybe wondering, why would anyone who lives in California listen to a garden show out of the old south… but it’s absolutely addicting! I listen when I’m working in gardens, when I’m driving, when I’m walking the dogs, etc. Felder Rushing’s southern twang is addicting and hilarious. In past episodes I have literally heard a caller ask how to get rid of wild hogs that keep coming and tearing up his front lawn!

Felder’s approach to gardening is much like my own, laid back and whatever works for you… except for his deviation from organic products. Below is the email correspondence in which we met. (Please read… good stuff) From those emails a podcast interview with Jenn was born! You can check that out on the radio’s website or by searching iTunes under Gestalt Gardener. It’s the September 4th 2009 Podcast and I’m 17 minutes into the hour long show.

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(more…)

Posted in Fun, Gardening, Press | 16 Comments »

Wanna find eco-friendly toilet paper? There's an App for that!

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

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Iphone apps are all the rage… err something.

Well, the green apps are anyway! Here is a list of my favorite green applications to check out… (Not to completely sell out to Apple – but if we have to be addicted to iphones at least there are some great green apps for them!)

3rdWhale Mobile

This green app connects to the green businesses in your area. Whether you are traveling by car, bike or foot – you can find the closest green business around you. It takes a bit to connect, but gives you plenty of choices… as long as there is a green business for what you are looking for. Very easy to use.

Get Green

This app gives you eco tips everyday. Some of the tips are very basic, but I think any of them are helpful and can be inspiring. They also are updating this app all the time so there will be more and more to come.

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Go Green Free

One of my favorites! This app allows you to evaluate different daily situations to determine how green they are.

For example – You can eliminate up to 2 pounds of Co2 by washing your clothes in cold water!

The different facts and figures allow you to learn more about how conserving and changing your everyday habits really impact the environment.

Gorgeously Green Survival Guild

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This app gives you valuable information about the types of chemicals in things like makeup and cleaning products. You can find out exactly what is in the makeup you wear everyday. It also gives you info on how to read food and product labels.

EcoCal

Coming soon!

Although this is not out yet, I can’t wait to get it!

I have bought these calendars at hippy green festivals every year… they are beautiful and very inspiring. They show you a more ecological view of each day and how the seasons change. Great for kids or to hang in your office, too. The app will give you info about how the dates relate to migration, tides, moon phases, flora & fauna facts, etc. Love this one!!

**As all of these apps help with “getting greener” none of these companies are non-profit. I also have not included any apps that plant trees for you as I have heard many things about it being a complete scam… still researching that though.

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