User Blogs

Improving methods of building homes is always a positive for home owners and the builders. If it improves flexibility for design then this is an absolute boom.

Industrial Buildings

Recycled concrete walls can look fantastic, however, the best I have seen is the drystone wall. They are strong and if built properly can last for 100's years with little maintenance. DO yourself a favor and ask about replacement with a dry stone.

Industrial Buildings

Did you know Social Networking websites continue to gain media market share? Facebook, www.facebook.com, recently announced it has reached over 400 million worldwide users and Twitter, www.Twitter.com, follows in its foot steps with reaching a benchmark of 50 million tweets per day. Together, Facebook and Twitter boast triple-digit growth in 2009 and presently account for 11% of all consumer time spent online.

Not only have user accounts experienced significant growth but time spent surfing social networking sites. In fact, a report from the Nielsen Company indicates a huge increase of 82%. This research concludes overall social media sites such as Facebook are the more common user homepage and people now spend the majority of their internet time either using a form of social network or blog. So, the question is ‘in relation to use of social media as a marketing or public relations tool to create ‘green awareness’, what is your level of participation?’

Believe it or not, during a volunteer ‘green’ advocacy activity, I recently had its leadership mandate that formats of social media could not be used to communicate their activities. Yes, you read the prior sentence correctly. Not only is this sector failing to adequately communicate its presence, it has mandated its failure to accept a viable present-day communication, social media.

On the contrary, let me share the success story of my colleague Kathy Jentz, editor & publisher for Washington Gardener magazine – www.washingtongardener.com. I first met Kathy through an Industry organization, the National Garden Writers Association. Since start up of her publication, I’ve contributed back-page columns, cover-story contributing writer features; and recently, participated in her 5th year anniversary celebration. So, I’ve watched Kathy transform an idea into a viable media business. As a result, the story of Kathy’s start up business is featured by Magazine Launch, http://www.magazinelaunch.com/case-studies/washington-gardener-magazine-....

This case study reveals tips and strategies for the implementation of successful print, online newsletter, blog and other forms of social media usage. Still, specific to Kathy’s online presence, is there additional proof of her success? Yes, a ‘google search’ reveals more than 137,000 web links exist, supporting the concept that all forms of web activity including social media are viable formats of communication.

Nevertheless, there are people and organizations that continue to fear usage of online formats; and to be candid, as in any form of media whether paper or electronic, there are privacy issues. So,
• don’t use a weak password, a good technique is to insert numbers within alpha characters,
• don’t except under secure circumstances provide your full birth date and/or credit card number,
• limit access to private information to a select few,
• specific to children, don’t include identifying name and/or home location,
• don’t mention ‘when you will not be home’,
• specific to Facebook, establish a secure personal home page and then, create groups that are used to advertise your professional, civic and/or business activities;
• in other words, apply the same caution applied in any other area of personal/business communications.

Having discussed the ‘don’t’ of social media formats, why participate? To simply state the obvious – it works! So, separate personal from professional or special interests. For example, I maintain a personal Facebook page and through this activity have acquired numerous ‘friends’ who share common interests. I also maintain my professional business group – The Wright Scoop, a community special interest group – Laurel Historic District Virginia, a professional networking group – Richmond Women’s Network and a cultural arts group – the National League of American Pen Women (arts, music and writing). As illustrated by my activities, use of social media is an array of opportunity.

So, where are you in your level of present-day media format participation? Are you refusing as the mentioned Industry organization to so to speak ‘get with the program’ or are you striving for all-star status such as my colleague Kathy? Related to personal exploration, are you prodding along at the rate of a prior era or pacing at the rate of a world-wide-web globe traveler? To share comments, ideas or strategies related to this subject or other communication topics, post comment or contact me at Sylvia@TheWrightScoop.com. Or, acquire a copy of my book - The ABCs of Green Industry Communications: assess, brand & communicate, http://www.lulu.com/content/6083320, which challenges all to ‘grow green their market share’. Together, let’s create a series of column topics that are helpful to the Industry. For additional details, link to www.TheWrightScoop.com.

The construction industry has slowly been converting to the smart phone sector, with BlackBerries leading the way for years now. For good reason too, as they are durable and easy to communicate with. The competition is catching up though.

UDA Technologies has announced the release of iPhone apps for the construction site. The new iPhone is sleek, elegant and fragile. Some would say it is made to be broken, thus making an iPhone repair almost inevitable. One drop on concrete and the iPhone could be toast, although on the upsell protective accessories are available. Assuming the iPhone can stay in one piece, what are the benefits of these iPhone apps?

The mobile applications tap into UDA’s construction suite software with estimating and costs, scheduling and time management, QuickBooks integration, contracts and proposals. These fold into ConstructionOnline, a parallel service that puts all the documents and materials online in the “cloud” where authorized users can pull down exactly what they need via their own PC, a mobile phone or at a client’s office.

Additionally, pictures and video can be instantly uploaded so the field crew can share what is going on. The newer, younger employees crave this technology.

Additionally, devices like the the iPad are almost made for a construction site, as the larger screen can make the process very stylish and functional. If you are looking for an edge over competition and a better way to communicate, an iPhone, BlackBerry and Android all seem like workable solutions to increase productivity.

This is the year of extremes - excessive cold and now, hot: an extended season of back to back 100 degree days with little or no rain. So, if your lawn is similar to my lawn - it is stressed.

Here are a few tips and strategies shared by my colleague Mike Goatley, Jr., Extension Turfgrass Specialist, Virginia Tech ---- "Cool season turfgrasses throughout Virginia are experiencing difficulties associated with summer heat stress. Heat stress results in the grass becoming weakened to the extent that it becomes much more vulnerable to both mechanical and biological stress. Summer decline is therefore a complex of individual factors that can interact to cause more summer problems than each individual stress acting alone.
Extremely high day time temperatures of over 90 degrees, night time temperatures above 70 degrees, and high humidity, have combined to place cool-season turf under significant heat stress. The fact that these conditions have relentlessly persisted for many since mid-May (especially in central and eastern Virginia) has resulted in direct heat stress injury as well as making the turf more vulnerable to damage from other summer related stresses (e.g.; excessively close mowing, traffic and wear, warm weather fungal diseases, poor water quality, poor soil drainage, poor air movement, insect damage etc.). As a result, heat related injury and the associated decline in turf quality is often a result of a complex of individual factors acting together. For this reason it is often difficult to get a handle on specific causes of summer decline. Put quite plainly, during a period of mid-summer heat stress like we had during the past month, the grass plants are more vulnerable to everything that can cause damage. During cooler times of the year these stresses are either non-existent or the grass is healthier and more tolerant. Besides air and soil temperatures, another extremely important environmental influence on the plants ability to cool itself through transpiration is the relative humidity. At high relative humidity the plant is much less able to effectively cool itself and as a result is even more prone to heat buildup and direct heat injury.
An important point to remember in measuring heat stress is that standard meteorological weather data records temperature at 5 ft. above the ground and that temperatures at the turf level may exceed the recorded high. In southside Va recently, when air temperatures were 93o F, the actual temperature at the surface canopy of a bentgrass/Poa putting green was 106o F. Note that concerns with the heat are not only limited to natural grass systems – many artificial turf fields have (or should have been) rendered unsuited for play because field surface temperatures have reached the 140 to 150o F levels during the day, temperature levels that present safety concerns to field users. In addition, high air temperatures are only part of the cause of reduced plant vigor. Prolonged heat stress significantly increases soil temperatures and soil temperatures greatly influence root growth, root health and function. Spring high temperatures are less damaging since the root is in a cooler soil environment. As summer arrives the night temperatures are less cooling on the soil and soil temperatures rise. High soil temperatures result in less root production, rapid root maturation and die back, and little production of new roots. Above ground the turf thins and individual plants become more spindly
A profile of each site and its isolated microenvironments will involve a number of “inventories” as they relate to susceptibility to prolonged heat stress. Conditions and brief explanations of how they might influence summer decline of cool-season turf follows:

Cutting heights: For the summer of 2010, taller mowed turf is logically performing better than grasses being mowed at heights that are ideal only during periods of optimal growth. Cool-season lawns of 4” cutting heights have survived the heat and drought much better than those cut at 1-2 inches. Although 4” cutting heights are not suitable for sports turf use, again, taller mowed fields have performed significantly better during the summer. Some recovery in cool-season turf is already being noted following spotty rain events. However, many cool-season turfs have been invaded by heavy populations of summer annual grasses such as crabgrass, goosegrass, and foxtail. These grasses will die at first frost and will then lead to invasion by annual bluegrass and other winter annual weeds. Make plans now to initiate reseeding of these damaged areas in late August/early September in advance of the biggest window of annual bluegrass germination (after considering possible limitations from weed control programs detailed below). Choose the best grass possible by consulting the Turfgrass Variety Recommendations List from Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Traffic Stress: Heavily trafficked areas have logically suffered during periods of summer stress. Traffic damage will be slow to recover with reduced plant vigor. Higher mowing heights will help in this regard. Plan on reseeding these areas as described above, and where traffic continues (i.e. sports fields) continue to apply small amounts of seed throughout the playing season of the fall.

Public Perception and Maintaining Maximum Aesthetics/Playability: The public ‘expects’ green grass 12 months out of the year. That obviously is not possible even in an ‘ideal’ growing season in a transition zone state such as Virginia. Seasonal environmental conditions will often dictate what should and should not be done to the grass to maintain its ‘aesthetics’ and its ‘playability’. On average, much of the climate of central and eastern Virginia is better suited to warm-season grasses than cool-season turf, so where persistent problems arise on an annual basis, consider if there is not a better species of turfgrass available for your particular area and turf uses. The fall season will provide the opportunity for significant cool-season turf recovery and the memories associated with the summer of 2010 will slowly fade. However, the problems will return during the next ‘difficult’ summer in our future. A turf management program should be flexible to “ebb and flow” with the vagaries of weather, especially in the mid-Atlantic transition zone environment.

Irrigation: As a rule of thumb, continue to irrigate deeply and frequently (using the 1” of water per week guide) IF you have been irrigating this summer. If not, apply no supplemental irrigation (i.e. hopefully allow the turf to remain dormant) and wait for more optimal growing conditions this fall. Continue to irrigate early in the morning in order to reduce leaf wetness periods (i.e. reduce disease infection periods) and ensure your system is applying water efficiently (check heads and nozzles for application pattern, ensure water is not running of the soil, etc.).

Summer Diseases and Insect Pests: Rhizoctonia Brown Patch is most active under warm day temperatures and warm nights (>70 degrees). Heat stress weakens plants and they can become more susceptible to disease activity at a time of year when the disease pressure is the greatest. Fungicides are often applied more frequently and at higher rates in an attempt to control the pathogens. Anticipate grub problems to be exacerbated on weakened turf and be prepared to address significant activity of fall armyworms and cutworms during late summer. Recommendations on disease and insect control are available in the Pest Management Guide through Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Weed control: In general refrain from chemical weed control treatments during summer stress periods. The typical size and growth rate of summer annual weeds (things like crabgrass) is so significant at this time that chemical treatments will likely have little to no effect and/or damage the existing cool-season turfgrass. Applications of standard preemergent herbicides can be made this fall for the control of winter annual weeds, BUT REMEMBER THAT THESE PRODUCTS WILL ALSO CONTROL ANY GRASS APPLIED DURING RENOVATION EVENTS. If your turf is heavily infested with perennial broadleaf weeds (things like clover, dandelions, plantains, etc.), fall is an ideal time to control these pests. Choose appropriate chemicals from the Pest Management Guide and make plans to treat accordingly.

Soil Aeration: The soil must be well aerated for plants to function. Soils that become sealed off at the surface, from compaction, will impair root growth and function and the ability of the turf to cool itself. Tight soils will not readily absorb water and it can make efforts at irrigation difficult. Tight soils, once wet, can often stay wet too long. Plan on utilizing core aeration to improve physical soil conditions this fall, and tie the aeration event to seeding or liming (as indicated by soil testing) applications. Also, topdressing 1-2x per year with ¼ inch depth of a quality compost will improve physical and chemical soil conditions, and its application also is enhanced when done in conjunction with core aeration.

Fertilization: Conduct a soil test if it has not been performed for the past 3 years. There are numerous private labs that offer this service or you can work with your local VCE agent in having the Virginia Tech lab conduct the test. Fall is the ideal time to benefit from nitrogen applications on cool-season grasses, and after a stressful summer, it is an important part of the grass’ recovery program. During the shorter, cooler days of fall, cool-season turfgrasses devote much of the food they produce in photosynthesis to root systems and storage for later use. Depending on the grass and the expectations/uses of the turf, up to 3 lbs N/1000 sq ft can be applied during the fall months of September, October, and November; apply no more than 1 lb of N/1000 sq ft per month. Apply no more than 1 pound of water soluble N per 1000 sq ft in a single application, and when possible, split the application of water soluble fertilizer into two 0.5 lb N increments. Use phosphate-free fertilizers (example 32-0-10) if soil tests indicate no phosphorus is needed. And be sure to keep all fertilizer off hardscapes in order to protect water quality.
In conclusion, summer heat injury is complex. However, one difference is that we notice the decline as it happens and try to respond in an appropriate manner."

Why should you be concerned related to management of lawn green? Each 50 by 50 square foot green space provides the air quality for a family of four - what are you doing to insure air quality in your area?

More than two years ago, I invited the Industry to explore the world of Green Industry communications. Since extending this invitation, I’ve researched and published articles with Green Profit and Today’s Garden Center magazines, used my ongoing Industry column to gather as well as share tips and strategies; and, combined long-term business experience with Industry specific research to publish a book as well as provide speeches, workshops and one-on-one consulting. Nevertheless, it was during a recent event, the Floriculture Expo – www.floriexpo.com, that I identified an analogy, a comparison of the Expo to modern-day travel.

During the era of my parents’ youth, a day-trip covered 40 or fewer miles. Yet, I on other hand, travelled during this event to four states covering 1000s of miles. So, my comparison is, ‘are you exploring present-day communications at the rate of a prior era or experiencing it at the pace of a globe traveler?’

As an event speaker, I challenge attendees to compare their activities to my ‘talking points’; questioning their niche market accomplishment, understanding of branding techniques and application of communication formats that work-well in a selected market. During the Expo session, some attendees readily admit their lack of knowledge and experience while others indicated various levels of accomplishment.

I deliberately walk a trade show prior to my session and use this opportunity to identify exhibitors that illustrate ‘talking points’. Then, after the session, I again, walk the show and continue to document illustrative displays. Specific to the 2010 Floriculture Expo, I’d say I agree with the assessment of Bob Callahan Show Director for the Floriculture Expo.

“What is most impressive,” says Callahan “is we continue to hear of a positive vibe and energy on the show floor that had not been experienced in prior years. Through the use of survey input, we could not be happier with the results. Although we are only in the beginning stage of expanding the show, this year’s event laid a foundation for attracting new segments. In fact, many of these exhibitors have already signed up to participate in next year’s event. . . . After the show closed at 5pm, there was a tremendous amount of networking which at times, continued for up to an hour after the show closed. We have not experienced this level of participation during past events.”

To be candid, I am not surprised by Callahan’s observation. This was an event that most certainly appealed to the ‘sensory’ – touch, taste, see, hear and smell – aspect of consumer marketing. Outstanding product and service displays entice buyers to purchase and exhibitors to explore. So, what was the difference? I’d say the Expo was formatted – communicated – in such a way as to appeal to its niche market and presented in a layout and design illustrative of effective branding techniques which were supported by communication formats that clearly stated the event’s message ‘connecting the Industry, from seed to shelf’.

Related to your exploration, are you prodding along at the rate of a prior era or pacing at the rate of a globe traveler? Are you an Industry participant who clearly communicates his/her message? To share comments, ideas or strategies related to this subject or other communication topics, contact me at Sylvia@TheWrightScoop.com or post comment below. For additional tips/strageties, acquire a copy of my book - The ABCs of Green Industry Communications: assess, brand & communicate, http://www.lulu.com/content/6083320.

Build Soil Biology and Build Soil Fertility.

          
           Step 1
             Soil PH
          
           Soil PH is very important to plant health as well. PH is a chemical property of the soil that effects how nutrients are available to living organisms. Many people change their soils PH by adding lime or sulfur to raise or lower PH. For more detailed information on PH see Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_ph

STEP 2
             Soil Inoculation
            
           Soils in new landscape that have been imported may be low in natural soil microbes. You can add these organisms with commercially available products. You can also use your own compost pile if you have one. By spreading your aged compost on your lawn the native microbes will take hold and grow. One word on buying soil microbes from a commercial supplier. Like plant communities, soil microbes are different genetically from region to region. Commercial products are fine but any naturally occurring populations will be better. As I stated above, changing your soils is hard if not impossible. Yet a layer of active, healthy soils can be achieved with a little patience and a few afternoons a month. It basically breaks down to two things.
          
           Building a compost bin to grow soil biology.
    Applying the active soil microbes from the compost to the landscape.

                  
            
           A simple compost bin can be made out of strong wire fencing, a pallet, four cinder blocks, and a refrigerator pan. The wire fence allows air to circulate freely. The pallet will elevate the pile above the tray. When running, the water from a hose will soak through the compost pile and wash all the microbes, arthropods, and nematodes down into the tray.
            
             This example was made from recycled metal fence posts, cattle wire, and a cooking tray. The tarp is to hold moisture due to the arid climate where this is located. The wood at the bottom has a hole to funnel water into the catch tray. All recycled materials.
            
           At this point you can take that liquid and add water, and molasses, then ferment it to make larger amounts of compost tea for larger projects. I feel their is an easier way to do this that skips a few steps by allowing the fermentation to occur in the lawn. It involves using what's called a 'hose end applicator'. Water can be run through a commercial compost bin and caught in a barrel or other container.            The excess water is collected in the tray. then it is filtered to remove large debris like leaves, twigs, etc. This water has billions of good soil microbes. Mix it in the hose end applicator with the right amount of molasses. Then turn on the hose and spray on your lawn and landscape.

Comercial Compost Bins can be used to "extract" compost tea like the example above by running water through the compost to capture the live biology in the runoff. If vermacomposting or worm composting is employed then the rich biologcal liquid that collects at the bottom of vermacompost bins can be applied through the Hose End Sprayer.         
          
           Compost            tea can be brewed by placing a portion of compost in water with air bubbles added to grow soil microbs to be sprayed back to the landscape and garden.
          
           A Hose End Applicator is easy to get at any hardware store. It uses the water from your hose to mix small amounts of any material in the applicator to be sprayed out with the hose to wherever it is needed. Mix a full strength portion of tea with about three onces of molasses. Spray on the yard and lawn untill liquid in the sprayer is clear. Repeat.

The population growth takes place in the soil. These are handy tools to have on hand. It will allow you to apply small amounts of compost teas to the yard quickly and effectively.

          
 
 Step 3
 Adding Sugars
 
           Adding sugars to soil may sound a little strange. But the science is solid. When plants carry out photosynthesis they create sugar. This is the food that animals eat. It's also the food source that soil microbes are after as well. By boosting the sugars present in soils, microbial populations are boosted. This is beneficial by speeding the processes that break down the dead and dying leaves, grass blades, etc. As this occurs organic matter is added to the soil naturally.
 
           One word of caution about applying sugars to your lawn. Of too much sugar is applied then the bacteria population explodes. As this happens the bacteria consume the soils available nitrogen to grow and reproduce. This can rod the grass of nitrogen and cause yellowing of the turf. It is temporary. As the bacteria die off because the sugars are used up, the nitrogen stored in their bodies is released back to the lawn and the green color will com back. A good rule of thumb is this:
 
 3-5 oz. of molasses per 1000 sq.ft. ( 20'x50')

            
             Step 4
             Monitoring Moisture
          
           Moisture levels are very important also. Soil microbial populations need water just like plants do. See my post Save Water in Five Steps for more detailed information on water management.  Hopefully the addition of fossil fuel based artificial fertilizers can be eliminated or at least reduced as your landscape soils grow and become more active, and alive.

There are many web pages that speak to the issue of landscape carbon footprint reduction in very broad terms. More and more people are looking for ways to make changes in their landscape and gardening practices. One of the major problems is knowing how and where to start. The first thing to find out is what you have in your yard so you know what can be left alone and what needs to change. The carbon footprint is effected primarily by three things.

The energy to produce the product. (fertilizers, plants, etc.)
The energy (fuel) used to transport the product.
The energy to maintain the product over it's life span.

Using the Earth's energy to help our efforts instead of changing nature to suit our needs is less work and costs less. Making small changes can reap huge benefits in the future. When choosing your next garden project, remember some tips and facts to help make goodpurchases. Native plants need little care due to their adaptations to their local environment. Locally produced compost needs little transportation energy. Natural nutrients don't rely on fossil fuels for their production. Proper watering can reduce pest problems and require less pesticides. The items in your landscape need different care levels depending on what they are. Large mature trees need little or no care once they are established. Shrubs need some pruning unless they are planted in the wrong place and need to be constantly sheared to stay out of the way. Flowers that need to be replanted each year will be less efficient than perennials that grow back every spring. Finally, large lawns can be one of the most energy intensive elements of a landscape.

EcoLandscape Group has created a rating system of landscape carbon footprint analysis. It involves giving two scores of 1-10 for the type of landscape element, and the quantity (sq.ft.) of each element. The numbers are added together to rate each landscape element and find out which one to target for reduction. The higher the number, the higher the carbon footprint.

Certain elements of a landscape are more fossil fuel dependent than others. Lawns are obviously the highest. They use fossil fuel fertilizers and burn gass and diesel to mow. They also create most of the yard waste that is hauled to the landfill. Artificial fertilizers are another big producer of carbon emissions. They use oil as the main ingredient on some fertilizers. Others are produced with huge mining operations. At the other end of the ratings are elements like naturally growing shrubs that are not trimmed with gas power trimmers. Natural shrubs and bed areas use no fossil fuel and actually help remove carbon from the air. For that reason they get a 0 rating.

Ratings are from 0 to 5 depending on the level of carbon emissions produced by each major landscape element. Each element is then measured to get the square footage. The elements with the largest square footage are given their rating from most to least. The largest element is given a 10 rating down to elements that may not be present in the landscape. They get a zero. The two ratings are multiplied to give the element score. The elements are added together to give the overall rating. Good ratings are down around 50-75. Poor ratings are in the 150-175 range. The example below shows a property that is heavily weighted on the side of lawns, spray irrigation and artificial fertilizers. We'll show in the next section how to lower the score by shifting some landscape elements from the top of the ratings to the bottom.

CARBON FOOTPRINT ANALYSIS

ARTIFICIAL FERTILIZERS - Score 5. Common artificial fertilizers are either made directly from oil or are mined from the Earth and processed in huge energy dependent operations. Nitrogen fertilizers can leech down into the ground water and cause pollution. Phosphorous can run off into streams and lakes to cause algae blooms and other local environmental problems. We give artificial fertilizers a score of 5.

SPRAY IRRIGATION - Score 4. Water is crucial for the success of your landscape. Too much water can wash nutrients away from the plant roots and require more applications to increase carbon footprint. Poor irrigation can cause all sorts of problems that require pesticides to control. And finally clean water is a resource that uses electricity to transport and pump. If your electricity comes from a coal or gas powered power plant, then the use of water increases your carbon footprint. As a precious recourse we give spray irrigation a score of 4

PRUNED SHRUBS Score 4. In many areas of the country pruning shrubs is a major component of any landscape maintenance budget. Shrubs also need to be pruned regularly. The fact is most shrubs are planted in small areas when the species natural growth is many times bigger than the space it's planted in. Due to the hedge shearing equipment used to keep these under control, we measure the shrubs by the square foot. The length, height, and depth of the shrubs surface that needs to be trimmed is measured to give the SQ.FT. Gas power trimmers can be one of the most polluting pieces of equipment in the landscape trailer. In the south shrubs need to be pruned every week. This gives pruned shrubs a score of 4

ANNUAL FLOWERS - Score 3. Since flowers are a smaller part of most landscapes, they get a lower score. For some commercial landscape installations however, flowers and seasonal color are a big part of the budget. Annual and perennial flowers are installed by the square foot. Smaller plants that don't grow very wide, or tall thinner plants are planted closer together to get a solid mat of plants. For this reason and to keep the measurement uniform, we will measure the square footage of the flower beds. Because we need to grow new flowers every year we give annual flowers a score of 3

PERENNIAL FLOWERS Score 2. Perennial flowers will grow back year after year so new plants are not needed. However flowers do sometime need to be treated for pests so we give perennial flowers a score of 2

NATURAL GRASS Score 1. Natural grass is used to create a meadow effect when mixed with wildflowers. Tall un-mowed natural grasses can be used on berms and large properties with lots of space. Because they need little or no water and only seasonal mowing we give natural grass a score of 1.

NATURAL SHRUBS - Score 0. As a rule shrubs are care free if planted right. Their large root systems allow them to get enough water. If they are left to grow naturally, they will not need power trimmers to look good. Live plants remove carbon form the air also. By becoming part of the solution instead of part of the problem we give natural shrubs a score of 0 (zero).

DRIP IRRIGATION Score 0. The amount of energy to push water through a drip system is a fraction of what's needed to run a pressurized spray system. They are more efficient and have much less of a chance of leeching or running off into the gutter to cause pollution. This gives drip irrigation a score of 0 (zero).

BEDS - Score 0. The mulched areas around trees and shrub plantings are called beds. Planting beds is another name often used. Proper mulching can keep weeds in check with minimal effort. Beds can also be watered with drip systems which are highly efficient. This gives Planting Beds the lowest score of 0 (zero).

Click for larger Image

CARBON FOOTPRINT ANALYSIS CHARTS

Carbon Footprint Reduction Program

We've been hearing a lot about Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE), and Green Home Energy Programs Local governments and non-profits have been holding workshops to explain it all and I attended one recently. The idea sounds great -- jump-start the green economy with solar panel installations that provide meaningful jobs for at-risk youth plus new careers for seasoned employees in transition. Vocational colleges have popped up to offer classes in connection with the Solar Living Institute, Building Performance Institute and other non-profits. Some people can even get financial aid that covers the entire training.

So what's the controversy? There are several concerns.

FUNDING The proposed funding for PACE projects would have come from selling bonds, which would be paid off through special tax assessments for the homes on which the panels were installed. These assessments would run with the land, not with the owner. That means you could borrow the money to install solar panels and sell the house before you paid them off. The next owner would just finish paying for them. This approach is commonly used for municipal improvements, like streets. But that puts another creditor in line ahead of all the lenders. And panels on your home do not constitute a municipal improvement. Nice Try! Unfortunately, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have advised against granting loans on homes encumbered by PACE assessments. As a result, most PACE programs are now on hold, and some of the training is on hold as well.

TRAINING It should be called Green Job (singular) Training, because it's so narrowly focused on solar PV installation. In states like California, where solar PV doesn't really pencil out, it's hard to make sense of that approach -- especially in this economic environment. In addition, the training lasts about 5 weeks but does not count toward or prepare trainees for taking the state contractor's license test. To do this work, you must have a contractor's license or work for a company that has one.

EMPLOYMENT Another controversy is over how many trainees will be gainfully employed doing PV installation. A speaker from a well-known solar installation firm said his company looks for people with building trades experience. Unless forced to do otherwise, these companies will probably just hire the construction pros who are out of work right now -- people who are over-qualified for these particular jobs. But there is still hope -- if cities adopt plans like Richmond implemented, and require these jobs be given to their own at-risk youth and displaced workers who need retraining.

TAKE ACTION We must write letters and talk to our county and city representatives, and ask them to follow Richmond's example. Otherwise, the green jobs we think will provide hope for our at-risk youth and people whose jobs were sent offshore -- those green jobs will be a long time coming.

After years of discussing unhealthy buildings and lecturing on the dangers of sick building syndrome I found myself growing tired of the way I present the data. I reached out to a local theatre company to develop a mock trailer that would present the information for me. They ran with it and turned out quite a nice piece of work in my opinion.

Our background is in historic preservation. Fifteen years ago we re-invented and made commercially available products that hadn't been seen for century. With these products we found ourselves providing goods and services to many of the top preservation projects in the country. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the New York Public Library, five state capitals, the White House, and Presidential homes across the country have been our clients. And in the field of historic preservation we found that in many ways traditional construction (mass walls, flexible mortars, permeable materials to allow the dissipation of moisture) could solve many of the problems we currently face in conventional construction.

So we went to the drawing board and started incorporating lime (which made many of this historic properties possible) in as many conventional applications as we could. First, we developed a mortar, then stuccoes. Our limewashes and coatings were already held in high regard as they are VOC free and do not dust like many other products. Then we developed a cement free masonry unit that would allow quick and easy construction of mass (or thick) walls and a permeable insulating grout that helped add to the thermal mass of the structure. All of this was to combat what we thought was one of the greatly overlooked problems in conventional design. Poor air quality.

But air quality, as important as it is, can sometimes get lost in delivery. I wanted to develop some way of communicating poor indoor air quality issues so that folks not only got it, but remembered. About a month ago, it hit me: a mock-movie trailer for a thriller movie. I am on the board of directors of a small theatre company that brings in actors from all over the country to our rural area to produce a summer theatre festival. After chatting with our Artistic Director, he told me he had some guys that would definitely be able to rise to the challenge. So with no budget whatsoever, these extremely talented guys at Endstation Theatre Company produced the following video which I hope will not only be of service to us at Virginia Lime Works, but to the sustainable community as a whole.

Watch the Syndrome here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp4jyZToq1k we hope you enjoy it.

Eco-chic, traditionally defined as ‘providing for the present without sacrificing the future’, is more than life-style choices. It includes acquiring a healthy respect for the eco-consequence of these choices.

A few years ago, USA Today newspaper printed an insert titled ‘Is there a safe place to live?’ Nation-wide escalating forms of climate change were depicted. Yet, although daily reminded of these eco-consequences, are you presently aware of the severity of increased weather cycles?

A margarine advertisement once announced Mother Nature’s displeasure for being fooled into thinking a product was real butter. In anger, she said, “It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.” Waving her arms black clouds swirled, thunder bellowed and lightning slithered through the sky. I was reminded of this advertisement when I watched a more than 100-year old oak glow as if lighted and shake from its leaf tips to roots. Struck by lightening, bark peeled in strips, hung rope-like through out the tree and pieces were scattered for 50 or more feet.

Through this experience, I most certainly gained perspective of the effect of severe storms; but, if you heard thunder or saw lightening, what would you do? Would you run outside to retrieve trivial items; or, seek shelter?

If you are aware of a pending storm and inside, safety measures are to unplug appliances, avoid using the telephone or any electrical appliance; and, because water is a conductor, don’t take a bath or shower, or run water for any other purpose. If you are outside boating or swimming, immediately get to land and find shelter. Limit exposure by seeking out a low-lying, open place away from trees, poles or metal objects. At the same time, make sure the place is not subject to flooding. The goal is to make your self as small a target as possible; so, squat low to the ground. Place your hands on your knees with your head between them. Do not lie flat on the ground because laying flat can make you a larger target.

According to meteorological experts at The National Weather Channel http://www.nws.noaa.gov/, the best ally for dealing with severe weather situations is to be informed, aware of evacuation plans, the location of shelters and keep a copy of area guidelines in an easily accessible place such as a phone book. It is also wise to be aware that lightning can occur when it’s not raining and the straight-line winds of a thunderstorm can exceed 100 mph which are more damaging than the winds of most tornados.

As urban/suburban communities, we need to acquire a healthy respect for the eco-consequence of our life-style choices. Become aware that while weather cycles such as thunder-storms do provide optimal natural rain fall, these storms should be greeted with caution. If you hear distant thunder and think it harmless to run outside and retrieve trivial items, be warned it could be the last activity of your life. For it’s not only not nice to fool Mother Nature, it’s not wise to fool-around with her either.