Friday, June 15, 2012
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Country Lore: Online Seed Exchange
By Colleen Vanderlinden
Starting a new garden can be expensive, even if you start from seeds. Online seed exchanges are a perfect solution. For less than $5 for postage and bubble wrap, I’ve received more seeds than I can plant in a season.
The best online seed exchange I’ve found is the iVillage GardenWeb Seed Exchange. It has many gardeners from the United States and Canada. Often exchangers offer seed for nothing more than postage, and give extra surprises in the packages they send.
If money is tight, but you have dreams of a lush, bloom-filled garden, give a seed exchange a try.
Colleen Vanderlinden
Starting a new garden can be expensive, even if you start from seeds. Online seed exchanges are a perfect solution. For less than $5 for postage and bubble wrap, I’ve received more seeds than I can plant in a season.
The best online seed exchange I’ve found is the iVillage GardenWeb Seed Exchange. It has many gardeners from the United States and Canada. Often exchangers offer seed for nothing more than postage, and give extra surprises in the packages they send.
If money is tight, but you have dreams of a lush, bloom-filled garden, give a seed exchange a try.
Colleen Vanderlinden
Harper Woods, Michigan
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Sleeping Bear Dune Events: Free Summer Programs at Sleeping Bear Dunes
Sleeping Bear Dunes Events:
Get to know the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore as well as a Park Ranger at the variety of free educational programs and events offered this summer at Sleeping Bear Dunes, beginning June 10 and ending September 3, 2012. Each evening, there will be two programs to chose from, one held at the Platte River Campground Amphitheater, and one at the D.H. Day Campground Amphitheater. Program topics include early local farm life, star gazing, wildlife, shipwrecks, and guided bike tours, and each begins at 8:00 p.m. Best of all, the program attendance is not limited to those staying at the campground- they are open and free to everyone who loves Northern Michigan.
In addition to the 8:00 p.m. programs, the summer schedule will include the popular “Heroes of the Storm” program every day at 3:00 p.m. at the Maritime Museum in Glen Haven. Park Rangers recruit the assistance of young audience members to serve as U.S. Life Saving Service surfmen to recreate a shipwreck rescue on land. They haul lines and use replicas of historic equipment in an effort to save Raggedy Ann and Andy from their sinking vessel.
There will also be late morning and afternoon hikes with Park Rangers to see first-hand the Sleeping Bear Dunes natural and historic features. These hikes provide an excellent opportunity to enjoy the park while learning about its resources from a knowledgeable guide.
Park Ranger-guided bicycle tours will also continue this year. Enjoy riding the backroads south of Empire while learning about the invasive species that impact this special landscape. Starting on June 21, the first ever Park Ranger-led bike programs begin on the new Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail from Glen Arbor to the Dune Climb.
Programs will not take place on August 10-11 because all staff will be at the Port Oneida Fair; a celebration of rural life, skills and crafts. Mark your calendars to attend the Fair, the park’s largest special event of the summer!
To attend these programs and events, meet at the location indicated in the program description. Make sure you have purchased your summer Park Entrance Pass and have prominently displayed it in your vehicle! Make group reservations or ask questions by calling 231.326.5135
Get to know the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore as well as a Park Ranger at the variety of free educational programs and events offered this summer at Sleeping Bear Dunes, beginning June 10 and ending September 3, 2012. Each evening, there will be two programs to chose from, one held at the Platte River Campground Amphitheater, and one at the D.H. Day Campground Amphitheater. Program topics include early local farm life, star gazing, wildlife, shipwrecks, and guided bike tours, and each begins at 8:00 p.m. Best of all, the program attendance is not limited to those staying at the campground- they are open and free to everyone who loves Northern Michigan.
In addition to the 8:00 p.m. programs, the summer schedule will include the popular “Heroes of the Storm” program every day at 3:00 p.m. at the Maritime Museum in Glen Haven. Park Rangers recruit the assistance of young audience members to serve as U.S. Life Saving Service surfmen to recreate a shipwreck rescue on land. They haul lines and use replicas of historic equipment in an effort to save Raggedy Ann and Andy from their sinking vessel.
There will also be late morning and afternoon hikes with Park Rangers to see first-hand the Sleeping Bear Dunes natural and historic features. These hikes provide an excellent opportunity to enjoy the park while learning about its resources from a knowledgeable guide.
Park Ranger-guided bicycle tours will also continue this year. Enjoy riding the backroads south of Empire while learning about the invasive species that impact this special landscape. Starting on June 21, the first ever Park Ranger-led bike programs begin on the new Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail from Glen Arbor to the Dune Climb.
Programs will not take place on August 10-11 because all staff will be at the Port Oneida Fair; a celebration of rural life, skills and crafts. Mark your calendars to attend the Fair, the park’s largest special event of the summer!
To attend these programs and events, meet at the location indicated in the program description. Make sure you have purchased your summer Park Entrance Pass and have prominently displayed it in your vehicle! Make group reservations or ask questions by calling 231.326.5135
Monday, June 11, 2012
What’s my carbon footprint?
By Alison Baenen
Greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide emissions, fossil fuels . . . unless you're an environmental policy wonk, an earth activist or an ecosexual (a new breed of online singles looking for sustainably committed partners -- seriously!), it's hard to keep all of today's green-minded jargon straight.
Carbon footprint -- a phrase that has become as ubiquitous in pop culture as "LOL" -- has a simple definition, but for the everyday person, understanding its parts takes some digging.
1. Change your bulbs.
Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). They last longer, use less energy and will save you money.
2. Take a walk.
Drive less, bike more. Your bod -- and the globe -- will thank you.
3. Warm up your windows.
Adding a layer of insulation to your windows will keep warmth in and heating costs down.
4. Reduce waste.
Cut down on what you throw away, and use reusable goods whenever possible. If you can, compost your food. Reducing household waste and putting energy back into the earth means less trash in landfills and more land to plant carbon dioxide-absorbing trees.
5. Go for small.
When it comes to rugs in your home, smaller ones require less energy to make. Perfect for your smaller footprint!
Greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide emissions, fossil fuels . . . unless you're an environmental policy wonk, an earth activist or an ecosexual (a new breed of online singles looking for sustainably committed partners -- seriously!), it's hard to keep all of today's green-minded jargon straight.
Carbon footprint -- a phrase that has become as ubiquitous in pop culture as "LOL" -- has a simple definition, but for the everyday person, understanding its parts takes some digging.
In short, our individual carbon footprint equals the amount of carbon dioxide we give off. You're giving some off right now just by exhaling, but what concerns environmentalists are the emissions we release indirectly.
Heating your home, driving a car and even buying a carpet (more on that later) all contribute to the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Of course, some carbon dioxide in the air is natural -- and necessary, since trees and plants absorb it and use it for photosynthesis.
But climatologists are concerned that we're producing too much of it. The result is that carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, is trapping heat from the sun and sending it back to Earth, resulting in global warming.
Heating your home, driving a car and even buying a carpet (more on that later) all contribute to the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Of course, some carbon dioxide in the air is natural -- and necessary, since trees and plants absorb it and use it for photosynthesis.
But climatologists are concerned that we're producing too much of it. The result is that carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, is trapping heat from the sun and sending it back to Earth, resulting in global warming.
It's a big problem, but there are ways to reduce your own carbon emissions (carbon footprint sounds much cooler, right?), thus helping decrease global warming. Here are five easy ways to step lightly:
1. Change your bulbs.
Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). They last longer, use less energy and will save you money.
2. Take a walk.
Drive less, bike more. Your bod -- and the globe -- will thank you.
3. Warm up your windows.
Adding a layer of insulation to your windows will keep warmth in and heating costs down.
4. Reduce waste.
Cut down on what you throw away, and use reusable goods whenever possible. If you can, compost your food. Reducing household waste and putting energy back into the earth means less trash in landfills and more land to plant carbon dioxide-absorbing trees.
5. Go for small.
When it comes to rugs in your home, smaller ones require less energy to make. Perfect for your smaller footprint!
Friday, June 8, 2012
North Central Michigan College to offer workshops for farmers, gardeners
By Petoskey News
PETOSKEY — North Central Michigan College will offer workshops for farmers and gardeners on Wednesdays in June, July and August. The workshops are part of the college's Growing Our Future Farm and Garden Series and are presented by Corporate and Community Education at North Central.
Farmers, gardeners, food producers, sellers and people interested in healthy local food production are invited to the workshops to learn and share ideas.
The summer series includes workshops on garden planning and planting for the long-term from 6-8:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 13. Weed identification and management will take place from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, July 18, and using cover crops in the garden will take place from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 22. All workshops will be held at the Petoskey Community Victory Garden on Sheridan Street.
In addition, Michigan's cottage foods law will be the topic of discussion from 6-9 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 1, in room 143 of North Central's main administration and classroom building.
For more information or to register for these workshops, call (231) 348-6705
PETOSKEY — North Central Michigan College will offer workshops for farmers and gardeners on Wednesdays in June, July and August. The workshops are part of the college's Growing Our Future Farm and Garden Series and are presented by Corporate and Community Education at North Central.
Farmers, gardeners, food producers, sellers and people interested in healthy local food production are invited to the workshops to learn and share ideas.
The summer series includes workshops on garden planning and planting for the long-term from 6-8:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 13. Weed identification and management will take place from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, July 18, and using cover crops in the garden will take place from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 22. All workshops will be held at the Petoskey Community Victory Garden on Sheridan Street.
In addition, Michigan's cottage foods law will be the topic of discussion from 6-9 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 1, in room 143 of North Central's main administration and classroom building.
For more information or to register for these workshops, call (231) 348-6705
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