Green Options » leaves

Desert Rhubarb - The First Plant Shown to Organise its Own Irrigation?

Dave Harcourt — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:25:48 +0000

Scientists from the University of Haifa have shown that Desert Rhubarb, has evolved to ensure that it makes more of the limited rainfall in the Negev Desert than other competitor plants.

Desert Rhubarb (Rheum palaestinum) grows in Israel and Syria, but was studied in the Negev desert by the University of Haifa. Desert Rhubarb is a perennial hemicryptophyte, that grows during the rainy winter in mountainous desert areas where the average annual rainfall is only 75 mm (just under 3 inches).

Good Books for Good Kids: Tree Hugger

Julie Finn — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:09:09 +0000

It’s a great time of year for trees and kids–all of a sudden, these big, stable background pieces of summer are starting to CHANGE! They’re turning colors, and delicious things are ready to be picked from them, and leaves are falling off of them–awesome! It’s a great time not only to make some autumn crafts with kids but also to read with them about trees and leaves, reinforcing the concept of seasonality, educating them about botany and agriculture, and celebrating and honoring the natural wonders in their own backyards.

Here’s what we’re reading this month:

Leaves, Twigs, and Bark: Cheap Biofuel Alternatives?

Ariel Schwartz — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:24:56 +0000

It seems like new reports are practically coming out daily about the next great gasoline alternative— furfural, algae, and switchgrass, just to name a few. Now 3 more contenders have entered the ring: leaves, twigs, and bark.

Australia’s Commonwealth Science and Research Organization (CSIRO) reports that lignocellulose, a component of plants and wood, could potentially be used as a cheap fuel—as inexpensive as $40-60 a barrel.

Even better, lignocellulose biofuels are compatible with current facilities. All they need for conversion is an extra unit in front of any existing sugar biofuel facility.

Daily Tip: Dealing With Fall Leaves

Amy Stodghill — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 15:40:51 +0000

The changing colors of the autumn leaves are beautiful - until they’re no longer on the trees and covering your yard. Here are a couple of ways to be green with the fall colors.

Skip the leaf blower and use a rake. While it’s a little more labor intensive, raking leaves is better for the environment than the leaf blower. Leaf blowers create a lot of noise pollution, and if they’re diesel powered will create a fair amount of air pollution as well (unless you’re running on bio-diesel.)

Don’t burn your leaves. Once you’ve got the leaves raked in nice piles, go ahead and jump in them, but don’t burn them. Burning creates a lot of smoke, especially when leaves are damp, and releases particulate matter and toxic compounds.

Do compost or mulch. Some areas offer yard waste pick up in addition to garbage collection and curbside recycling.
However, if you don’t have yard waste pick up mulch or composting are much better options.
Care 2 living has simple suggestions on composting and/or mulching your leaves.