Green Our Planet’s Post

Is your community buzzing about No Mow May? It’s a chance for gardeners to consider how they can better support pollinators — from mowing less to creating meadows. It can also be a gateway to improving local weed and lawn ordinances to accommodate pollinator gardens and native landscaping year-round. When we think of habitat loss, we tend to imagine bulldozers and rutted dirt, but acres of manicured lawn are as much a loss of habitat as any development site. Lawns cover 40 million acres, or 2%, of land in the US, making them the single largest irrigated crop we grow. If we allow flowers to bloom in lawns, we can increase habitat dramatically. Many Bee Cities and Bee Campuses participate in different variations of the concept, ranging from No Mow March to Slow Mow Summer. You don’t need to go a full month without mowing to help bees. Studies show that mowing every two or three weeks instead of weekly can increase bee species abundance and species diversity (i.e., more bees and more types of bees). Read our No Mow, Slow Mow 2024: FAQ. -USDA

Sharing for our partners at Allegheny County Conservation District: --- Get your soil screened for lead for free by the Allegheny County Conservation District! In Allegheny county, there has been a surge in interest in backyard gardening as well as revitalization of vacant lot space to be used for urban agriculture, community green space, play yard construction, and more. Contaminants are common in urban soil, and can be hazardous to health when ingested or inhaled. Soil testing is the first step to reduce your risk of exposure whether you are backyard gardening, urban farming, stewarding community green space, or revitalizing vacant lots.

10 Sustainable Gardening Tips Every Beginner Should Know

-Nursery Education 📗🌳- We welcomed the team from The Bluff Hill Motupohue Enviroment Trust to the nursery recently for a workshop, sharing our insights and experience for managing native plants and trees. The material covered how to manage disease and pests, watering systems, advice on growing mixes, planting tips and tricks, soil management, and how to propagate different native species. 🌱 As a 4th generation family business, we’ve learnt a few things about natives. But we’re not particularly precious about those learnings and would rather share our tips and tricks, rather than keep them secret. In fact, we’d be happy to tell you all of them too. So, if your landscaping team or business would like to spend time at the nursery, learning about our trees and plants, we can do that. Just message us and we’ll take it from there... 😊 #easybigtrees #createaworldofbeauty #nznativeplants #education #teamwork #bluff #mountainbeech #landscaping #gardening #teaching

Another month, another newsletter! 📰 This month, the CCC Team shares our thoughts on the importance of gathering. "Truthfully, conservation is a human act, like gardening, and we can’t do it alone. Gathering is just a piece of this community building, but it’s essential - not only for our work, but for our own well-being." We also share some exciting upcoming activities, stories, and profiles. Read it all here: https://lnkd.in/eCzAZxub

Indeed the benefits are real and powerful.

For seniors, keeping their house feeling like home often becomes a taxing chore. It could be that tidying up has become difficult or that mowing, planting flowers, and pruning is tough to tackle alone. From helping with laundry and light cleaning to gardening and other outdoor projects, Seniors Helping Seniors® caregivers are here for you or your special senior. Let’s connect! shskaty.com

🌱 Calling all elementary teachers! 🍎 Let's cultivate food gardens with your class in 2024. Today, we're diving into the summer maintenance of your school garden, addressing the biggest question marks. Discover how to make it a breeze for parents with only watering as their task. 👩🌾 If you choose the right plants there's no need for constant harvesting during summer. Learn the art of timing—short maturing plants for harvesting at the endnof spring and longer maturing ones for a fall harvest. Plus, the bonus lesson of replanting for seeds and flowers! 🌿 Worried about sharing with the community? No problem! Short maturing plant harvests can be shared or sold by your students in a mini-market. It's a win-win for education and community connection. 📚 Remember, this is an educational garden—let your students do the work. Find out more about creating hassle-free school gardens in my free 60-minute webinar, 'School Gardens with Ease 2024.' Grab your spot now for a blooming experience! 🌼 #long #outdoorlearning #handsoneducation #outdooreducation #handsonlearning #schoolgardens #elementaryteachers #elementaryteacher #growfood #gardeningclub #teachers #teacher #activityguide #education #learning #classroomgarden #educationthroughnature #growwithease #communityharvest #summergardening #schoolgardenswithease

Connecting Generations: The Power of Video Calling for Seniors Discover how video calling apps like Skype, Zoom, and FaceTime are transforming the way seniors engage with loved ones. From virtual coffee dates to grandparents reading bedtime stories, explore the endless possibilities for bridging distances. Join online communities to share interests, discuss books, exchange gardening tips, and learn new skills. Stay connected with the world, just one click away. #VideoCallingForSeniors #BridgingDistances #VirtualConnections #OnlineCommunities #StayConnected #ShareInterests #GardeningTips #LearnNewSkills #VideoCommunication #SocialEngagement