The Sobering Truth

Have you seen the movie An Inconvenient Truth ? I finished watching it about seven hours ago, at about 9 p.m., and I haven't slept for a moment since. If you did the math, that makes it 4 a.m., but in my mind it's high noon.

Most people on the street these days are asking, "Have you seen Al Gore's movie?" Having seen the movie, I now feel that question is unfortunate. Calling Inconvenient Truth "Al Gore's movie" immediately politicizes the question. Forever a polarizing figure in American politics, Gore is, of course, a Democrat. That means all the chest-thumping Republicans in the United States immediately MUST denounce Inconvenient Truth as, well, uncomfortable rhetoric. It's a Democrat's movie, right? To a Republican, it must be full of Bush bashing hyperbole.

If the movie had a flaw, it's probably due to the fact that reminders of Gore's loss of the 2000 election in the Supreme Court were littered throughout the film. During his lectures on global warming upon which the movie is based, Gore does make a few snide comments about "This Administration," which drew sneers from the Bush bashers in the audience.

For Democrats, those were enjoyable moments that added some levity to a film that otherwise punches you in the gut. For Republicans, though, Gore's anti-Bush quips make it easy to dismiss the overriding, unassailable message of the film: WE ARE IN BIG TROUBLE. All of us. Democrats. Republicans. Americans. Chinese. Africans. Everyone.

If we don't change our greenhouse gas emissions -- in the way we drive our cars, heat our homes, power our factories and, yes, care for our lawns and gardens -- millions of people will likely perish. Not in hundreds of years, but in as few as 20 to 50 years. I've never seen a TV show or movie, or read another article, that lays out the danger more clearly than Inconvenient Truth .

I came home angry on many levels. I'm mad at our current president for ignoring and probably even misleading people about global warming. I'm mad at Gore for not making this case better and sooner so that the 2000 election wasn't even close. I'm mad at John Kerry for not even making the issue of global warming a talking point in the 2004 election.

I'm neither Republican or Democrat in my mind when I go to vote. A registered Independent, I've always been for Republican Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins here in Maine, but I've always been sad that Maine Democrat George Mitchell never made a serious run for the presidency.

The point is that -- with the issue of global warming -- your politics shouldn't even matter. Even if a tenth of what Inconvenient Truth portrays is true, how can anyone sit back and stand for it? Weather related tragedies will happen again and again and again and some people will still denounce the reality of global warming, or worse still, they'll accept the reality and not change their behavior.

As adult gardeners, we know global warming is true. How can we not? Our lilacs bloom, on average, a week earlier than they did when we were children. Our insect infestations start sooner and bird migrations happen later.

Do you know that the largest winter industry in Maine 100 years ago was ice harvesting on our lakes and rivers that froze to a depth of several feet? Many winters now, these same lakes and rivers barely freeze.

Most everyone, in fact, does accept that the earth is getting warmer. The debate centers around humans' role in that process. The naysayers would have us believe the warming trend is part of a natural global cycle. Inconvenient Truth spells it out for us, however. The intensity of the warming in just the past 20 years is anything but natural. The explosion of human population -- and our requisite demands on the planet's resources -- make it impossible to conclude that humans don't have an impact. We're killing the planet and ultimately ourselves; we're robbing the futures of our children and grandchildren.

"How can we let this happen?" I wondered aloud to my wife in the parking lot after the movie. I didn't expect an answer after my question hung in the warm summer air for a while.

"Religion . . . ," she said. "Our religion makes us want to believe that we're going to go to heaven anyway, so what happens here on earth isn't really our problem."

It was a quiet ride home.

My first inclination after I see a thought-provoking movie these days is to jump on the Internet and learn more about the subject. After Walk the Line , I devoured everything I could learn about Johnny Cash. After Capote , I set out to re-read In Cold Blood and google everything about Truman Capote. Last night I bolted through the door of my house and dashed for my laptop to read scientific reviews of Inconvenient Truth . In article after article, the movie's conclusion was validated. National Geographic , for example, checked in with Eric Steig, an earth scientist at the University of Washington in Seattle, who saw Inconvenient Truth at a preview screening.

"I was looking for errors," he said. "But nothing much struck me as overblown or wrong."
The magazine cited a study published in Nature in 2004 predicted that climate change could drive more than a million species toward extinction by 2050.

"Climate change now represents at least as great a threat to the number of species surviving on Earth as habitat destruction and modification," said the lead author of that study, Chris Thomas, a conservation biologist at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom.

With a passion that was lacking in his 2000 election campaign, Al Gore concluded his sobering movie with a profoundly upbeat and empowering message: "We have the tools at hand to fix the problem!" We can do it, he says, in our lifetimes. All we have to do is act, and act NOW. The movie ended with a list of action items, simple things we can all do to make a difference in global warming. We've landed on the moon, he said, and we've wiped certain diseases off the planet. We've made progress on healing the ozone layer, and we can fend off global warming, too.

I'd like to conclude for now, I guess, by re-issuing my gardeners' call to arms that I first published a few months ago. In the heat of the summer, it's information worth reviewing. I'm gratified to know that more than 20 other publications or Internet sites have picked up this article. In some small way, it makes me feel like People, Places & Plants magazine is helping:

With the price of gasoline and natural gas on the rise, most are looking for ways to cut their costs and save energy. If you have a lawn or garden, you may not realize just how much fossil fuels you are using. By knowing where these are used, you can look for ways to reduce consumption. This will reduce your costs, and help the environment.

Each year, a family with a one-third acre lawn will on average:

Consume five gallons of gas for mowing and trimming;

Apply the equivalent of seven gallons for fertilizing;

Burn up to five gallons for watering;

Consume an additional gallon for cleanup.

That's 18 gallons of fuel per household. With 120 million U.S. households, that's the equivalent of almost 2.2 billion gallons of fuel used just for lawn care each year. This does not count other landscaping activities. So just how do we use so much?

Yale University has estimated that the United States uses more than 600 million gallons of gas to mow and trim lawns each year -- about two gallons of gas for every man, woman and child, or five gallons per household. Mowers also consume engine oil in their crankcases, and two-stroke mowers consume oil in their fuel.

In addition to fuel consumption, mowers and outdoor power equipment contribute heavily to air pollution. Operating a typical (4 HP) gasoline-powered lawnmower for one hour produces as much smog-forming hydrocarbons as driving an average car between 100 and 200 miles under average conditions. Gasoline-powered string trimmers are actually more polluting than many lawn mowers. One estimate (mindfully.org) states that "the 20,000,000 small engines sold in the U.S. each year contribute about one tenth of the total U.S. mobile source hydrocarbon emissions, and are the largest single contributor to these non-road emissions." These include power blowers, rakes, and brooms.

Creating synthetic nitrogen for fertilizers requires the heating of natural gas to combine atmospheric nitrogen and hydrogen into ammonia. The amount of natural gas required to make approximately 200 bags of lawn fertilizer would heat your home for a year. Each 40-pound bag contains the fossil-fuel equivalent of approximately 2.5 gallons of gasoline. Transporting these bags of fertilizer from the factory and to your home requires additional fuel.

According to a California study, in many areas -- especially in the West, where water must be moved great distances from reservoirs -- the amount of fuel needed to pump the water is at least equal to the fuel used in mowing.

So what can you do? Here are ten tips to have a "fuel-efficient" landscape.

USE an electric or non-powered push mower. An electric mower maintaining one-third of an acre for a season consumes only $3 of electricity on average. Electric mowers are 75 percent quieter than gas mowers. Push mowers, of course, consume no fuel and make little noise.

SIMILARLY, use traditional hand rakes and brooms instead of power ones and blowers to save fuel, and at the same time reduce air and noise pollution. If you employ a landscape maintenance firm, encourage their use of these too. Minimize the need for string trimmers. Mulch along walks and around structures such as lamp posts to avoid having to trim weeds in these areas.

IF YOU HAVE an old mower, consider replacing it. Newer small engines run much cleaner. EPA emission standards for such engines, to be in effect by 2007, are expected to reduce ground-level ozone emissions by 70 percent or 350,000 tons each year.

REDUCE the area mowed through use of groundcovers. This is especially true in areas with water shortages. Allow parts of large areas to grow, only mowing once or twice a season, creating a natural meadow. You can still mow areas near drives and homes to maintain the more formal manicured effects in such highly visible and high traffic areas.

SAVE rainwater and gray water. Gray water is that water from home use, except from toilets, and can make up from 50 to 80 percent of home waste water. It comes from sinks, showers, and laundry and can be used for irrigating landscapes and lawns.

WATER deeply once per week on average, rather than frequently. Drip irrigation and mulches also conserve water. Using less water saves on energy use, whether you're buying water that has to be pumped, or are paying an electric bill to pump your own.

USE natural, organic fertilizers not derived from fossil fuels.

RECYCLE grass clippings, mow higher and mix 5 percent clover into your lawn seed. All these help recycle nutrients back into the soil. Mulching-type mowers allow you to leave grass clippings on the lawn. If you don't have such a mower, and remove the clippings, add them to compost or use them to mulch gardens.

COMPOST all yard wastes, except for diseased plants and plant parts. They can go into compost piles, saving gasoline hauling such to landfills and recycle centers. If your landscape generates many twigs and other brush, consider buying or renting a home-size brush chipper.

FINALLY, consider landscaping to reduce up to 25 percent of home energy consumption. Foundation plantings can lessen heat loss from buildings. Evergreen windbreaks can reduce heating costs in winter in windy areas. Deciduous shade trees can reduce energy needs for cooling in summer. As Al Gore's movie stated at the end: "Plant trees, plant lots of trees."

I'll add one more pointer . . . go see An Inconvenient Truth , then let me know what you think...

-Paul Tukey: July 30, 2006.

Drought Tolerant , Summer Perennials

Fran Sorin, a garden designer, writer and nationally known gardening expert is changing how people perceive gardening. Her multi-media exposure reflects her philosophy that, just like exercising regularly or following a wholesome diet, gardening is necessary for living a healthier life. http://fransorin.com/book/

Below is a list of five perennials that can be planted during mid-summer and that are promised to be drought resistant (if you water consistently for the first weeks until the plant becomes adjusted to its new home).
 
1. Achillea specimens (Yarrow) has grey or green fernlike leaves with daisy like flowerheads that continue to bloom throughout the summer and fall. Comes in a variety of colors including: white, yellow, orange, red and pink. Depending on the species (over 85), they can be grown anywhere from Zone 3- 9. Check the species to make sure it thrives in your zone. Prefers full sun in an open space but will survive in a variety of conditions.
 
2. Coreopsis specimens (Tickseed) From 80-100 species of annuals and perennials that are part of the Asteraceae family. They have daisy like yellow or pink flowerheads that grow on long stalks and are attractive to bees. Long blooming period, great for cut flowers. A rapid spreader. Check species and your zone to make sure it thrives in your climate. Some species do well from Zone 3- 9. Grow in full sun or partial shade. Deadhead for continuous bloom.
 
3. Hemerocallis (Daylilies) These are one of the great workhorses of  the garden. Daylilies are usually clump forming with thin, elongated leaves. Flowers come in a variety of forms and range in color from white to pink to
orange to yellow to a deep burgundy. Many daylilies are repeat blooming. Although they are rapid spreaders, they look most impressive when planted in drifts. They do well in sun, but will do just fine in partial shade. Hardy
in Zones 3-10.
 
4.   Lavandula (Lavender) a group of aromatic shrubs and perennials that are grown mainly for their lavender spiked flowers full of fragrance which appeal to bees because of their high level of nectar. Does well in moderately fertile soil in full sun. Known to be grown abundantly in Mediterranean climates. Great for hillside plantings, border plantings and part of a perennial border. Leaves and flowerheads can be used as flowers, sachet and potpourri. Depending on the species, can be grown from Zones 5-9.

5.  Sedum species (Stonecrop) Over 400 species of annuals and perennials that areusually succulent. The often fleshy and have 5 petaled flowers that bloom in the summer and the fall. Grow in fertile, well drained, neutral to a bit alkaline soil in full sun. Even when the flower is not in bloom in spring and early summer, the leaves and shape (fairly low growing mound) of the sedum offer an unusual texture and color to the mixed border or rock garden. Will continue to bloom throughout the fall season. Looks beautiful in the fall garden when combined with salvias, asters and fall blooming perennial grasses. Depending on species can thrive from Zones 5-9.

Article By Fran Sorin

BUILDING A DREAM: What You Should Know Before You Build or Remodel Your Home

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Planting a garden under a tree can be challenging but it is not impossible.

Planting a garden under a tree can be challenging but it is not impossible. Doing some pre-garden planning will assist you in creating a garden that is quite pleasant to behold.

No matter where you live, your "climate zone", or what type of tree you have there are a few basic challenges in creating a flowerbed around a tree. Aside from the shade, you also have to deal with tree roots and the amount of moisture your tree needs to stay healthy.

A well-established tree will have large well-established roots. This narrows your options for a flower garden. Some trees don't like an additional 3 feet of soiled added near its trunk. Some trees, like Oak, do not like regular watering and some trees are "evergreen". This means even more shade and a constant shedding of dry leaves or needles.

Knowing the best conditions specific to your tree will be vital to your success. This will require a trip to a garden center or a bookstore. You also need to take some time looking at the shade pattern under your tree. Does your tree shed all its leaves in the winter? Is there an area under the tree that receives more sun during certain times of the day? Do you have areas of deep shade and areas of partial shade?

If you can afford a good tree trimming service, you can select certain branches of which removal will provide better sun. Many gardeners are amazed at what a little trimming and shaping can do to improve the tree's aesthetics as well as provide more sunlight to dapple the garden.

Your next step is to find areas of planting around the tree roots. Dampen the soil around the tree and gently use a shovel to find any areas that are relatively free of large roots. You may have to get on your hands and knees and use a small shovel. Cutting large roots can be damaging to the tree and its ability to resist strong winds. Smaller, spindly roots can be cut without harm. A tree trimming service may help you with this at the time you choose to trim branches. Or you can patiently work with the areas around the tree, which do allow you to shovel holes in the soil. Dig the holes as deep and wide as possible.

Now you are ready to select some pots and plant containers that will fit in the holes you have dug. To maximize your space, you will need, at least, several pots of the same size. For example, if one of your holes will accommodate an 8-inch pot, buy another just like it. Set the second pot aside, as you will use it later at the change of season. For unusual and creative effect, you can go to a thrift store or garage sale and select some old gravy boats, cooking pots, or even old shoes. This is where you can create a theme to your garden.

Whatever you use as a container will need drainage, so use a nail, carefully to poke a hole. If your nickel priced gravy boat splits don't worry, it is still usable in your garden. You can use a small groundcover plant such as creeping thyme and plant it in the pieces of the gravy boat. Then use some dirt and sphagnum moss to pack around the item so it is partially buried.

With your garden area prepared and having knowledge of your shades and sunlight areas, you are ready to start selecting your plants and flowers. You have a wide variety of categories from which to choose. There are some limitations but many Ferns, Bulbs, ornamental grasses, flowering ground cover, and flowers will thrive in shade to partial shade. Tall Biannuals like Foxglove go well with Perennial fern and produce stunning stalks of color. Wax begonias and Primrose come back year after year, and some annuals provide fun variety with each season. Your garden store will assist you in making the best selections.

Plants that you placed in your special containers, like the gravy boat, will need to be perennials, as it will be difficult to remove the container for re-planting. However, the second pot that you purchased and set aside can be planted up with a fresh variety of seasonal annuals. Simply dampen the soil around the pot under the tree, lift and replace. This is especially great with bulbs. As the bulbs die back, you simply lift the entire pot out of the ground and replace with a same-size pot with fresh seasonal bloomers. You can set the pot of bulbs away from site and leave them until autumn. Then put them back under the tree. The tree roots will grow around the pots, holding the hole open so you can easily slip a new pot in the same spot. You can save on water, because instead of having water stream away from your plants, you simply water the pot. This method works well with Oak trees that can develop rot with too much water around their roots in the summertime. Since the pots are buried or partially buried in the soil, it allows the flowers and plants to retain moisture. Perennials will find their own root room through the drainage holes in your pots and get the additional soil nutrients from the tree. You can hide any unappealing mechanics of your garden, such as pot lips, by banking soil and sphagnum moss. Eventually groundcover will provide such coverage. In addition to all this, you still get to go to the garden center, when the urge hits, and get an annual or six-pack and replace one of your pots under the tree.

Written by Laurie Kennabrew
Laurie Kennabrew has worked in the profession of Landscaping, off and on for over 20 years.