There are little things you can do every day to help reduce greenhouse gases and make a less harmful impact on the environment. Taking care of the Earth is not just a responsibility -- it's a privilege.
There are little things you can do every day to help reduce greenhouse gases and make a less harmful impact on the environment. Check out 10 things you can do to help save the Earth.
1. Pay attention to how you use water. The little things can make a big difference. Every time you turn off the water while you're brushing your teeth, you're doing something good. Got a leaky toilet? You might be wasting 200 gallons of water a day. Try drinking tap water instead of bottled water, so you aren't wasting all that packaging as well. Wash your clothes in cold water when you can.
2. Leave your car at home. If you can stay off the road just two days a week, you'll reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1,590 pounds per year. Combine your errands -- hit the post office, grocery store and shoe repair place in one trip. It will save you gas and time.
3. Walk or ride your bike to work, school and anywhere you can. You can reduce greenhouse gases while burning some calories and improving your health. If you can't walk or bike, use mass transit or carpool. Every car not on the road makes a difference.
4. Recycle. You can help reduce pollution just by putting that soda can in a different bin. If you're trying to choose between two products, pick the one with the least packaging. If an office building of 7,000 workers recycled all of its office paper waste for a year, it would be the equivalent of taking almost 400 cars off the road.
5. Compost. Think about how much trash you make in a year. Reducing the amount of solid waste you produce in a year means taking up less space in landfills, so your tax dollars can work somewhere else. Plus, compost makes a great natural fertilizer. Composting is easier than you think.
6. Change your light bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) last 10 times longer than a standard bulb and use at least two-thirds less energy. If you're shopping for new appliances or even home electronics, look for ENERGY STAR products, which have met EPA and U.S. Department of Energy guidelines for energy efficiency. In 2006, the ENERGY STAR program saved energy equivalent to taking 25 million cars off the road and saved Americans $14 billion in utility costs.
7. Make your home more energy efficient (and save money). Clean your air filters so your system doesn't have to work overtime. Get a programmable thermostat so you aren't wasting energy when you aren't home. When you go to bed, reduce the thermostat setting -- you won't miss those extra degrees of heat or air conditioning while you're asleep.
8. Maintain your car. Underinflated tires decrease fuel economy by up to three percent and lead to increased pollution and higher greenhouse gas emissions. Underinflation also increases tire wear, so it will save you money in the long run if you're good about checking your tire pressure.
9. Drive smarter. Slow down -- driving 60 miles per hour instead of 70 mph on the highway will save you up 4 miles per gallon. Accelerating and braking too hard can actually reduce your fuel economy, so take it easy on the brakes and gas pedal.
10. Turn off lights when you're not in the room and unplug appliances when you're not using them. It only takes a second to be environmentally conscious.
10 Tips to Save the Earths Resources, and your Money and Time
What Next...
Party for the Planet 2009
This weekend get out to Van Suan Park for a Party for the Planet
Bergen County Zoo - Celebrate Earth Day at the Bergen County Zoo on Saturday, April 25th and join our Party for the Planet! Special activities and displays will be at the zoo throughout the day. Learn what the zoo and other organizations are doing to help save the planet, and learn how you can help, too! Party for the Planet will be held from 10 am - 4:00 pm, and zoo admission is free.
What Next...
Earth Day 2009
Last year we created a series of articles leading up to Earth Day
On earth day this year Disney will release it's first film in the Disney Nature series.
Earth is narrated by James Earl Jones ("The Voice") tells the story of the animal families and their journey across our planet.
More Information about the Movie can be found at: http://disney.go.com/disneynature/
Movie Trailer
What Next...
Earth Day - A wrap up and Beyond
Download the Energy Saver gadget for Google Desktop: Learn more.
Educators: Celebrate Earth Day in the classroom using Google Earth, Maps, and SketchUp. Learn more.
Green design professionals: Use Google SketchUp for 3D design and solar studies. Learn more.
BERGEN COUNTY ZOO April 26, 2008.
Celebrate Earth Day at the Bergen County Zoo on Saturday, April 26th and join our Party for the Planet! Special activities and displays will be at the zoo throughout the day. Learn what the zoo and other organizations are doing to help save the planet, and learn how you can help, too!
TURTLE BACK ZOO April 27, 2008
11am — 4pm. Keep the Earth Day Party rolling and join us at Turtle Back Zoo for our 2nd annual Party for the Planet. Learn about our planet and what you can do to help conserve it. Special activities and talks throughout the day.
Come to Liberty Science Center this weekend and get $2 off admission to the PSEG Global Green Expo 2008 in Liberty State Park. Taking place April 25-27 at the historic Central Railroad Terminal, the Global Green Expo is dedicated to changing the way that we live. How? By providing information and inspiration about global environmental issues. You'll learn what you and your family can do -- right now -- to help turn the tide.
Informed speakers, product demonstrations, information booths and global networking opportunities will spotlight the most recent ideas and technology, teaching us what we can be done one person at a time. By providing practical, real-life options, this event will make a difference in your life at home and at work.
In New York
Learn about the Human Footprint, make art from recycled materials, enjoy Wildlife Theater, and meet our Earth Day ambassadors, tigers Norma, Alexis, Taurus, and Zeff!
You can also celebrate Earth Day at the New York Aquarium
or at a zoo near you—the Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, or Queens Zoo.
In Connecticut (about 1 hour from the GWB)
A fun and informative fair about helping the environment and living a green life. There will be exhibitors, speakers, and activities for all ages, and admission is $5 per person. Event Date: April 26-27, 2008
Event Time: 12:00 - 4:00 PM
Address: 10 Woodside Lane, P.O. Box 165 Westport , CT 06880 USA
Contact Person: John Horkel
Phone: 203-227-7253
E-Mail: info@earthplace.org
Website: http://www.earthplace.org/
What Next...
Earth Day - Gardening
Here are some Tips:
Easy to Grow Plants for Texture and Visual Appeal are: Lamb’s ear - These are easy to grow plants have soft, fuzzy foliage that kids love to touch and pet. Textural appeal also comes from papery plants like strawflower and Chinese lantern. Coneflowers are easy to grow and feel prickly to the touch.
The blazing star has stiff spikes of tiny, fuzzy, purple blossoms and is very easy to grow. Some bright color, easy to grow, child-friendly plants include zinnias and cosmos. Many of these are also great for picking, another activity that kids enjoy. Zinnias offer many colours and varieties to choose from. There is sure to be a variety to fit everyone. Cosmos not only look appealing but are extremely easy to grow. In fact, once established, they will continually self-seed, practically growing all by themselves. These plants produce fern-like foliage and large brightly coloured flowers.
The Pineapple lily has an interesting. This is a very easy plant to grow, needing little or no special attention. Its flower spikes range in colour from cream and green to pinkish-purple and are topped with a pineapple-like cluster of leaves.
Sunflowers are easy to grow and very attractive but kids will enjoy eating their seeds once ripe. Vegetables are always good choices for kids. They are extremely easy to grow and available in many interesting sizes, shapes, and colours. Tomatoes, carrots, and radishes are great choices, along with vine crops like cucumbers.I am also planning on planting a herb garden filled with a variety of seasoning herbs possibly with oregano, basil, parsley, and garlic.
What Next...
Earth Day - Take a Hike
What better way to celebrate the Earth than to get out enjoy nature by taking a nature walk or even exploring your own backyard. We have a really great backyard thanks in part to our neighbors who planted flowers along a trail they mdae that goes up to the cliffs above our house.
You can find an exauhstive list of Plants and animals in your area at: eNature.
On our walk we found lots of Flowers (among them tulips and violets) some ivy growing up the side of a tree, various plants, some grub worms in a piece of buried decomposing wood, a bumble bee, and an earthworm that we watched tunnel under the ground for about a 1/2 hour (When kids want to they can be most patient) and a few Cardinals (Check out The Birdsource).
We made a small garden and planted some wild flower seeds. Gardening was great I forgot how much fun kids have geting dirty. Z-girl has promised to water her garden everyday until the flowers start to grow.
I hope they do it would be nice to have something to show for her effort (If not I guess there is another lesson to be learned albeit less desirable)
Additional Links: Audubon Society, GORP, Children Nature & You, Hooked on Nature
What Next...
Earth Day 2008 - R - Reuse
Toady's R is Reuse Like reduce this one is not only helpful to the environment but to your Wallet/pocketbook. When we reuse we help to reduce waste. There is some cross over between these two tenants of the 3R's. Some things that you can reuse starting today are Plastic grocery bags or better yet canvas bags (They are more durable I keep a few in my car so if I stop at the grocery on the way home I have it handy. Toys, Books, and video tapes can be handed down to or from relatives or friends. We received The complete Dr Seuss and Berenstain Bears from friends and family as well as some toys and videos. When our Daughter outgrows them we can pass them on as well. Clothes can be passed down most outfits that small children receive only get worn a few times before they grow out of them. Reusable storage containers for sandwiches and snacks can cut down on the use of foil and plastic wrap.
One project that you can take on that can be educational as well as beneficial is creating a backyard compost. Compost is one of nature's best mulches and soil amendments, and you can use it instead of commercial fertilizers. Your compost can vary from very low tech and inexpensive to a fit for purpose tumbler (which can be close to $200) each has its benefits. For more information on composting check out the Compost Guide
DIY
A compost pile can be set up in a corner of the yard with few supplies. Choose a level spot about 3- to 5-feet square near a water source and preferably out of direct sunlight. Clear the area of sod and grass. When building a composting bin, such as with chicken wire, scrap wood, or cinder blocks, be sure to leave enough space for air to reach the pile. One removable side makes it easier to tend the pile.
Many foods can be composted, including vegetable trimmings, egg shells, coffee grounds with filters, and tea bags. In addition to leaves, grass, and yard clippings, vacuum cleaner lint, wool and cotton rags, sawdust, shredded newspaper, and fireplace ashes can be composted. DO NOT compost meats, dairy foods, or any fats, oil, or grease because they can attract pests.
Start the pile with a 4-inch layer of leaves, loose soil, or other coarse yard trimmings. If you are going to compost food scraps (a slightly more involved process), you should mix them with yard trimmings when adding them to the pile. Alfalfa meal or clean cat litter may be added to the pile to absorb odors. In dry weather, sprinkle water on the pile, but don't get it too soggy. Turn the pile every few weeks with a pitchfork to circulate air and distribute moisture evenly. Don't be surprised by the heat of the pile or if you see worms, both of which are part of the decomposition process. Make sure children do not play in the composting pile or bin.
In most climates, the compost is done in 3 to 6 months when it becomes a dark crumbly material that is uniform in texture. Spread it in the garden or yard beds or under the shrubbery. The compost also can be used as potting soil.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some other Reduction Ideas:There are many ways to reduce the amount and the toxicity of solid waste. By thinking creatively, many new uses for common items and new possibilities for source reduction and recycling can be discovered. Here are just a few ideas. Now, try some of your own!
Turn a giant cardboard box into a child's playhouse.
Transform a plastic ice cream tub into a flower pot.
Give pet hamsters or gerbils paper towel and toilet paper cardboard tubes with which to play. Use an egg carton to plant seedlings.
Turn used tires (not steel-belted) into children's swings or other playground equipment.
Select nontoxic inks and art supplies.
Combine source reduction techniques. For example, try storing coffee bought in bulk in empty coffee cans.
Choose beverages such as water or milk in reusable containers, where appropriate.
Place an order through the mail with a group of people in order to save money and reduce packaging waste.
Planet Pals
What Next...
Earth Day 2008 - R - Recycle
Todays R is Recycle. An easy way to recycle is by participating in your communities recycling program.
Some recycling facts for different Materials can be found below
ALUMINUM
Recycling one aluminum beverage can saves enough energy to run a 100-watt bulb for 20 hours, a computer for 3 hours or a tv for 2 hours.
The aluminum beverage can returns to the grocer's shelf as a new, filled can in as little as 90 days after collection, remelting, rolling, manufacturing and distribution.
An average of 113,204 aluminum cans are recycled every minute of every day.
Recycling one ton of aluminum saves 37 barrels of oil.
Recycling 125 aluminum cans saves enough energy to power one home for 1 day.
It takes 4 tons of ore to produce one ton of aluminum.
GLASS
Recycling one glass bottle saves enough energy to light a 100-watt light bulb for 4 hours or operate a television for 3 hours.
Producing glass from virgin materials requires 30% more energy than producing it from crushed used glass.
It takes approximately 1 million years for a glass bottle to break down in a landfill.
Unacceptable glass for recycling: ceramic cups, plates and pottery; clay garden pots; laboratory glass; crystal and opaque drinking glasses; mirrors; windshields and window glass; heat-resistant ovenwear; light bulbs; drinking glasses; hazardous glass containers, i.e. acid containers.
In the U.S. today, 34% of all glass containers are recycled.
Most bottles and jars contain at least 25% recycled glass.
Glass never wears out - it can be recycled forever.
Recycling glass saves 25-32% of the energy used to make glass.
Glass containers save 9 gallons of fuel (oil) for every ton of glass recycled.
PAPER
Americans use over 67,000,000 tons of paper each year, or 600 pounds per person.
It takes more than 500,000 trees to produce the newspapers Americans read each Sunday, yet only 30% of all newspapers are recycled.
Recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, 2 barrels of oil, 7,000 gallons of water and 4,100 kilowatt hours of electricity - enough energy to power the average American home for 5 months.
Producing recycled paper requires about 60% of the energy used to make paper from virgin wood pulp.
Recycling 1 ton of newspaper saves 15 mature trees.
Every day, Americans buy 62 million newspapers and throw out 44 million. That's the equivalent of dumping 500,000 trees into a landfill every week.
If everyone in the U.S. recycled just 1/10th of their newsprint, we would save the estimated equivalent of about 25 million trees a year.
In the manufacturing process of recycled paper: 74% less air pollution is generated, 35% less water pollution is generated, 58% less water is required, 64% less energy is required.
One ton of high-grade recyclable paper can substitute for approximately 3 tons of wood in making new paper products.
Every year more than 900 million trees are cut down to provide raw materials for American paper and pulp mills.
PLASTIC
Plastics require 100 to 400 years to break down in a landfill.
Producing new plastic from recycled material uses only two-thirds of the energy required to manufacture it from raw materials.
For every 7 trucks needed to deliver paper grocery bags to the store, only 1 is needed to carry the same number of plastic grocery bags.
By using plastic in packaging, American product manufacturers save enough energy each year to power a city of 1 million homes for 3 ½ years.
As much as 40% of selected plastic parts from damaged or discarded cars are repaired and reused.
Over 1.5 billion pounds of post-consumer plastic bottles were recycled during 1999, accounting for 22% (by weight) of all plastic bottles produced in the U.S.
PET bottles (soda & water) and HDPE bottles (milk, laundry detergent) are the most commonly collected plastic materials in community recycling programs.
95% of all plastic bottles in the U.S. market are manufactured from PET or HDPE. 56% of recycled PET finds a market in the manufacture of fiber (carpet & clothing). 29% of HDPE recycled bottles go into making new bottles and 18% goes into the plastic pipe industry.
Recycling 1 ton of plastic can save 1-2 thousand gallons of gas.
Every year we make enough plastic film to shrink-wrap the state of Texas.
STEEL
Recycling tin and steel cans saves between 60-74% of the energy used to produce them from raw materials.
1 ton of recycled steel saves the energy equivalent of 3.6 barrels of oil, and 1.49 tons of iron ore over the production of new steel.
Steel cans were recycled at the rate of 58% in 2001.
The amount of steel recovered through recycled packaging in 2001 (nearly 1.5 million tons) would yield enough steel to build 185,000 steel framed homes.
In 2001, nearly 2 million tons of steel was recovered from recycled appliances.
The steel from the more than 39 million appliances recycled last year yielded enough steel to build about 160 stadiums the size of the new Pittsburgh Steelers stadium.
In 2001, there were 26 cars recycled every minute across the U.S.
Each year steel recycling saves the energy equivalent to electrically power about 1/5th of the households in the U.S. (or about 18 million homes) for 1 year.
Every ton of steel recycled saves 2,500 lbs. of iron ore, 1,400 lbs. of coal and 120 lbs. of limestone.
Annually, enough energy is saved by recycling steel to supply Los Angeles with electricity for almost 10 years.
You can make 20 cans out of recycled material with the same amount of energy it takes to make 1 new one.
BATTERIES
Battery acid is recycled by converting it to sodium sulfate for laundry detergent, glass and textile manufacturing.
GENERAL
The average person throws away 4 pounds of garbage PER DAY.
Paper is the most common item found in our trash.
Product packaging accounts for 1/3 of our trash.
Solid waste disposal is the third largest municipal government expense after police protection and education.
The nation's annual generation of municipal solid waste rose steadily from 88 million tons in 1960 to 232 million tons in 2002.
Recycling all of your home's waste newsprint, cardboard, glass and metal can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 850 lbs. a year.
The number of landfills that were in operation in 1978:14,000; in 2003: 1,500.
Consumer Electronics:
Once Computers have finished their useful lives they are paperweights filled with all sorts of Nasty stuff such as Toxic chemicals, carcinogens and heavy metals There are various recycling options some have a cost but you want to make sure that the Recycler is reputable and not just stripping out what they wan and dumping the other stuff in a landfill. If your computer still has some life then you can donate it. Companies like RetroBox and FreeGeek build computers out of salvaged parts; the latter has a list of like-minded organizations that can be a good starting place for recycling or reusing your machine.
Motor Oil:
Oil from one oil change if improperly disposed and not recycled can contaminate one million gallons of fresh water, which is a year's supply for 50 people.
For more information on Recycling Automotive you can go to earth911.org
Recycle Kit-1 & Recycle Kit-2
What Next...
Earth Day 2008 - The 3 R's
Perform a simple energy audit of your home. Ask your parents to let you look at the latest utility/energy bill and ask them to help you read it. Write down the total amount of energy used (kilowatt hours or kWh) on this bill, then think about what you currently do as a family to reduce energy in your home.
Next, see if the simple tips below help make the next full-month’s bill lower.* Because we get most of our energy from fossil fuels and not renewable energy, these energy reduction tips also help lower your carbon footprint.
Turn off any lights that are not in use (especially in a room you are not in).
If you leave a room, turn out the light.
Turn off/unplug any standby power items (especially your computer, television and stereo) when not in use (even standby power uses energy).
Other appliances, such as cell phone chargers, use energy when plugged in regardless of whether they are charging something.
Replace at least one standard light bulb with a compact fluorescent lightbulb (CFL). CFLs use 60 percent less energy than a regular bulb.
Keep the refrigerator door closed (Decide what to eat; decide before opening the door and shut it promptly after retrieving your items).
Keep the thermostat constant at 78 degrees or higher in summer and 68 degrees or lower in winter.
Wash your laundry in cold water.
*Many local utility/energy companies will perform a free, whole-house energy audit, and this may also be a fun project to do as a family to help see further ways you can further reduce energy waste from your home.
Water Savings
As with your family’s electric bill, you can check how many gallons of water you use and see if you can reduce this amount with these simple tips:
Take shorter showers (each minute uses approximately four gallons of water). Shorter showers also save energy because you heat less water.
Turn off the water when brushing your teeth or washing your hands (until ready to rinse). Again, this saves four gallons of water per minute.
Only run the clothes washer and dishwasher with full loads (saves up to .1,000 gallons a month).
Let your parents know about leaky faucets right away so it they can be repaired.
Fixing a leak can save up to 500 gallons a month.
Use a low-flow showerhead.
Consumer Packaging:
You pay again for packaging, directly or indirectly, when your garbage is picked up and disposed of in a landfill or incinerator. Some communities are moving toward "pay-as-you-throw" fees for every bag put out at the curb, so it makes sense to reduce household waste. Composting, recycling, and reusing items all help. And by shopping carefully you can reduce excess packaging that you would throw away.
When practical, buy in bulk. Large families or high product consumption levels support buying in bulk when practical. Products packaged in bulk produce less packaging waste. For example, 48 ounces of applesauce can be purchased in a large glass jar. Or, you can buy individual four-ounce containers packaged in plastic cups with foil lids that come in packages of six. You pay nearly twice the price for the same weight when you buy the individually wrapped product. However, a single person household may have less spoiled food when food purchases are in single-serve packages. Your needs and lifestyle dictate the choice -- your choice.
Choose reusable or recyclable packages. Be familiar with your community's recycling program, and pick products with containers that can be recycled. Let's consider coffee as an example. If you buy 13 ounces of coffee in a metal can, you can recycle the container and possibly the plastic lid. Or, you can buy about 7 ounces of coffee individually wrapped in a disposable coffee filter, which is then packed inside another container. Even if you include the cost of filters with the cost of coffee in the metal can, you are paying about 70 percent more for the single-serve coffee packages. Some may be willing to pay more for convenience or may prefer the product quality found in one package form over another. Again, your knowledgeable choice should guide your purchase decisions.
Avoid excessive packaging. You can pay up to 45 percent more when you buy a product, like fruit or vegetables, that has already been cut up, packaged on a plastic tray, and then shrink-wrapped. Buying the whole fruit or vegetable is cheaper, and you come home with less packaging to throw away.
Pay for the product, not the package. A conventional tube of toothpaste produces about 70 percent less waste by volume, and about 60 percent less waste by weight, than a pump-type toothpaste container. The cost is about the same for both products, but you get nearly 2 ounces more toothpaste in the conventional tube compared to the pump. In the case of the pump, you pay extra for a more attractive container and more convenient or cleaner dispensing of the product.
Instead of "paper or plastic," use a canvas shopping tote or string bag. Or, if you've been saving bags, bring your own to the store, including the small plastic ones you can use for loose produce. Don't forget to bring back extra paper and plastic bags to your supermarket. Many stores will recycle both the plastic and paper bags that are returned by customers. Or use the plastic and paper bags at home; don't just throw them away.
Planet Pals Activity
Earth Day Activity Book
What Next...
Earth Day 2008 - Plant a Tree
Plant a Tree or purchase trees through the National Arbor Day Foundation to be planted.
Donations can be as little as $1 donation per tree. (Your contribution will help replace trees lost in fire ravaged forests. Every dollar plants a tree.)
Plant-It 2020 is also a nonprofit tree-planting foundation. For every dollar contributed to this foundation a tree will be planted, and the contributor selects where the tree(s) will be planted from an international site list.
You can also send a tree greeting Card at Tree Greetings They will send a greeting card and Plant a tree in the recipients name.
Planting a Tree
Trees can be planted almost any time of the year as long as the ground is not frozen. Late summer or early fall is the optimum time to plant trees in many areas. This gives the tree a chance to establish new roots before winter arrives and the ground freezes. When spring arrives, the tree is ready to grow. The second choice for planting is late winter or early spring. Planting in hot summer weather should be avoided. Planting in frozen soil during the winter is difficult and tough on tree roots. When the tree is dormant and the ground is frozen, there is no opportunity for the growth of new roots.
Trees are purchased as container grown, balled and burlapped (B&B), and bare root. Generally, container grown are the easiest to plant and successfully establish in any season, including summer. With container grown stock, the plant has been growing in a container for a period of time. When planting container grown plants, little damage is done to the roots as the plant is transferred to the soil. Container grown trees range in size from very small plants in gallon pots up to large trees in huge pots. B&B plants frequently have been dug from a nursery, wrapped in burlap, and kept in the nursery for an additional period of time, giving the roots opportunity to regenerate. B&B plants can be quite large. Bare root trees are usually extremely small plants. Because there is no soil on the roots, they must be planted when they are dormant to avoid drying out. The roots must be kept moist until planted. Frequently, bare root trees are offered by seed and nursery mail order catalogs or in the wholesale trade. Many state operated nurseries and local conservation districts also sell bare root stock in bulk quantities for only a few cents per plant. Bare root plants usually are offered in the early spring and should be planted as soon as possible upon arrival. Carefully follow the planting instructions that come with your tree.
If specific instructions are not available, follow these tips:
- Before digging, call your local utilities to identify the location of any underground utilities.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as, and slightly shallower than, the root ball. Roughen the sides and bottom of the hole with a pick or shovel so that roots can penetrate the soil.
- With a potted tree, gently remove the tree from the container. Lay the tree on its side with the container end near the planting hole. Hit the bottom and sides of the container until the root ball is loosened.
- If roots are growing in a circular pattern around the root ball, slice through the roots on a couple of sides of the root ball.
- With trees wrapped in burlap, remove the string or wire that holds the burlap to the root crown. It is unnecessary to completely remove the burlap. Plastic wraps must be completely removed.
- Gently separate circling roots on the root ball. Shorten exceptionally long roots, and guide the shortened roots downward and outward. Root tips die quickly when exposed to light and air, so don't waste time.
- Place the root ball in the hole. Leave the top of the root ball (where the roots end and the trunk begins) 1/2 to 1 inch above the surrounding soil, making sure not to cover it unless roots are exposed.
- For bare root plants, make a mound of soil in the middle of the hole and spread plant roots out evenly over mound. Do not set trees too deep.
- As you add soil to fill in around the tree, lightly tamp the soil to collapse air pockets, or add water to help settle the soil.
- Form a temporary water basin around the base of the tree to encourage water penetration, and water thoroughly after planting. A tree with a dry root ball cannot absorb water; if the root ball is extremely dry, allow water to trickle into the soil by placing the hose at the trunk of the tree.
- Mulch around the tree. A 3-foot diameter circle of mulch is common.
- Depending on the size of the tree and the site conditions, staking may be beneficial. Staking supports the tree until the roots are well established to properly anchor it. Staking should allow for some movement of the tree. After trees are established, remove all support wires. If these are not removed they can girdle the tree, cutting into the trunk and eventually killing the tree.
Maintenance
For the first year or two, especially after a week or so of especially hot or dry weather, watch your trees closely for signs of moisture stress. If you see leaf wilting or hard, caked soil, water the trees well and slowly enough to allow the water to soak in. This will encourage deep root growth. Keep the area under the trees mulched.
Some species of evergreen trees may need protection against winter sun and wind. A thorough watering in the fall before the ground freezes is recommended. Spray solutions are available to help prevent drying of foliage during the winter.
Fertilization is usually not needed for newly planted trees. Depending on soil and growing conditions, fertilizer may be beneficial at a later time.
Young trees need protection against rodents, frost cracks, sunscald, and lawn mowers and weed whackers. Mice and rabbits frequently girdle small trees by chewing away the bark at snow level. Since the tissues that transport nutrients in the tree are located just under the bark, a girdled tree often dies in the spring when growth resumes. Weed whackers are also a common cause of girdling. Plastic guards are an inexpensive and easy control method. Frost cracking is caused by the sunny side of the tree expanding at a different rate than the colder shaded side. This can cause large splits in the trunk. Sunscald can occur when a young tree is suddenly moved from a shady spot into direct sun. Light colored tree wraps can be used to protect the trunk from sunscald.
Coloring Activity-2
What Next...
Earth Day 2008
For my 1st Earth Day post I will cover a little bit about Earth Day: Earth Day was founded by Mr. John McConnell on March 21, 1970. He writes, “When the Vernal Equinox dawned on me, I immediately knew it was right. The Earth tremor that shook our California dwelling at that moment seemed an omen of confirmation. What could be more appropriate than the first moment of spring, when day and night are equal around the world and hearts and minds can join together with thoughts of harmony and Earth's rejuvenation. Just as a single prayer can be significant, how much more so when hundreds, thousands, millions of people throughout the world join in peaceful thoughts and prayers to nurture neighbor and nature. And so it came to pass we initiated the celebration of Earth Day on March 21, 1970.” Since then People all over the country made promises to help the environment. Everyone got involved and since then, Earth Day has spread all over the planet. People all over the world know that there are problems we need to work on and this is our special day to look at the planet and see what needs changing. Isn't it great? One person had an idea and kept working until everyone began working together to solve it. See what happens when people care about our world?
Earth Day Coloring Page-1
What Next...
Posts
Bookmark with:Delicious, Digg, reddit, Facebook, StumbleUpon