Did you know that the amount of trash we create between Thanksgiving and Christmas is 25 percent more than normal? Also, more edible food is wasted during the holiday season than during any other time of the year. For example, if every American throws away just one bite of turkey with gravy, 8 million pounds
Welcome to December nature lovers. Ken Hall, aka Bird Nut, aka Nature Nut, here. On an almost weekly wander last week with my sister along the greenbelt, I was going through the many positives of a certain plant seen there. I’m speaking of Rabbit Brush. A commonly seen, native plant in Colorado. Wheat Ridge Parks
For many of us in developed countries, such as the United States, food security is a non-issue. Grocery stores, restaurants, and even local farms are common sights, and often easily accessible. Even during a global crisis, such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic, I heard more people express concern over the dwindling supply of toilet paper
The onset of the cold season brings rest, not only for plants, but often for the gardener as well. As for me, however, I just can’t quite stop. I enjoy the care and productivity of plants so much that I always have plenty of them in my house. Tropical plants, herbs, and even small fruit
Autumn has arrived and soon there will be children jumping into leaf piles. (At least I hope, if they are not glued to electronic devices indoors.) Yet there are other purposes for fallen leaves that are too profound not to share here in our October article, as gardeners prepare a crucial rest period for their
The planting season is upon us! Yes, you heard that right. Fall is actually a great time for planting a variety of things. If you have been planning to add new trees, shrubs, and various perennials to your garden, you may not have to wait until Spring. In fact, many plants will benefit from a
If you are a serious local gardener, by now you have seen them – metallic-green Japanese beetles descending on your garden, bringing destruction that few other pests can match. This can be a frustrating dilemma, but perhaps a brief discussion can bring some helpful options to consider. Japanese beetles were accidentally introduced to the Eastern
The small but mighty town of Mountain View — just 12 square blocks nestled between Denver and Wheat Ridge — is offering its residents a new opportunity to reduce waste and improve on their carbon footprints. Mountain View has announced an opt-in composting program for all interested residents, who can now pay a $22 monthly
The city of Edgewater cares about trees. Surveys conducted in the early phases of the Edgewater Urban Forest Master Plan process revealed that 96 percent of survey respondents strongly agreed that trees were important to them. During their June 4 meeting, the Edgewater City Council unanimously passed a resolution to adopt the master plan. A
Many gardeners are bringing new plants and fruit trees into their yards. If you are doing so, I want to share some important advice on plant selection. Experienced gardeners in Colorado know that our high, dry, intense and inconsistent climate presents unique challenges. Here in our area, we are classified as a newly updated USDA
Denver, the Mile High City, is a hub for innovation and a leader in sustainability initiatives. With its commitment to achieving 100% renewable energy by 2040, Denver is at the forefront of the clean energy revolution. This shift towards renewable energy sources presents exciting opportunities for residents and investors alike. This article explores the world
By The Regional Air Quality Council This summer, join your neighbors in taking simple steps for better air Join the thousands of Denver area residents who are taking simple steps to improve their community’s air quality and help their neighbors breathe easier! Ground-level ozone impacts our health and environment in the Colorado Front Range each
Welcome to spring, nature lovers. Ken Hall here — normally known as the bird nut — but today I’m not talking birds, rather, the bees. Honeybees to be exact. April and May are big months for the Honeybee. Coming out of the hive hungry and looking for the first blooms of spring. The Clear Creek
In last month’s article, we discussed the goodness of “no-till” and why working less by ditching the tiller might be your best move yet! However, there is one more layer (pun intended) to this methodology which is inseparable from no-till; and that is mulching. 10 years ago, I adopted deep mulching methods in my permaculture
Recycling information has changed over the years. In the 1980’s and 1990’s we were told to remove the cap from plastic bottles, whereas NOW we are told to leave the cap on. In previous times we crushed the aluminum cans down flat, but now Green For Life (our state recycler) requests that we NOT crush
Started in 1970, Earth Day is a day designated for celebrating, learning about and taking action to protect nature. Throughout the years, Earth Day has inspired numerous initiatives, from tree planting to beach cleanups to educational campaigns and policy advocacy. It has catalyzed significant changes, such as the creation of environmental protection laws, the promotion
As Spring is quickly approaching, many gardeners may be thinking about how they will begin prepping, including the arduous task of tilling their soil once it warms up. Although this has been such a regular practice for many (including my family growing up), I would love to propose an idea that may be quite challenging:
In July 2021, Governor Polis signed House Bill 21-1162 into law. The Plastics Pollution Reduction Act began phasing out single use plastics on Jan. 1, 2023 by requiring retailers to charge 10 cents per plastic bag, with the goal of reducing pollutants in Colorado. While the law has certain exceptions for small and Colorado-based retailers
Composting is an easy and often inexpensive way to live sustainably. If you don’t compost yet, knowing where to start can be overwhelming. We’ve outlined a few options of what is available in Wheat Ridge, some tips to help you choose, and share one resident’s journey to compost. It first helps to understand compost and
Fall is in full swing, and winter is just around the corner. As temperatures drop, you may be turning on your thermostat. However, as the furnaces turn up, so does your energy and gas bill and your carbon footprint. To reduce this carbon footprint and save money on electricity bills this winter, thinking about your
Hail season in the Front Range begins in April and extends through September. This year has been a particularly pounding season; gardeners are mourning multiple losses of tender annuals and nursing devastating injuries, especially to big-leaved perennials. Established perennials and woodies usually bounce back from early-season hail without too much intervention, but storm damage caused
You can’t see it, smell it or taste it. This invisible pollutant even accumulates the most on hot and sunny blue-sky days, when the Colorado air appears clear. Yet, ground-level ozone is the Front Range’s most pressing air quality problem, impacting our health and environment each summer. Ozone is simply three oxygen atoms stuck together.
With the gardening season in full swing, it is important to be able to recognize what bugs are bad or good in your garden. Whether you are growing vegetables and fruits or just have a flower garden, understanding the effects of pests can help you and your plants stay stress free. One of the most
It’s our favorite time of year again, my friends: Springtime! With spring cleaning comes planting, repotting and bringing those plants that have been inside all winter long back out into the yard or patio. I, unfortunately, do not have a yard at the moment, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have a patio full of
