BGE in collaboration with the Arbor Day Foundation has created the BGE Energy-Saving Trees Program. The purpose of the program is to reduce your energy costs, improve storm water runoff, and improve air quality. All you have to do is to follow the link below, locate your property on a map, and then look at the recommendations of the best places on your property to plant a tree. They will even tell you what your estimated energy savings are based on where you place the tree. The Arbor Day foundation will send you two FREE trees of your choice (and the choices are very numerous) to plant in the locations that you chose.
Go check out this program today, and order your trees-- quantities are limited.
Energy Saving Trees
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
How Much is Too Much?
Last summer, in a post called "Healthy Soil", we talked about testing your soil to determine the right amount of fertilizers and nutrients needed. Why is this important? Runoff of excess nutrients is not good for our waterways, and besides why buy and apply more fertilizer than you really need?
Recently, we ordered a series of soil tests from the University of Delaware. This service charges a fee for each sample that you send in, but allows you to get up to three recommendations per sample based on what you think you want to grow. The results show what nutrients your soil is either high or low in, the pH, and a suggested fertilizer program.
We submitted samples from our lawn, our garden, and our flower beds-- all of which we have previously treated differently with different nutrients based on what we thought each needed. Our reports for the garden came back with "EXCESSIVE" levels of Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, and Calcium. I guess that compost is working a little too well. In the future, we will dial back the amount of nutrients that we add to those areas so that the excess is not part of the runoff into the Bay. The recommendation that was given was to add Nitrogen, which is required each year for plant growth. In the flower beds we were a bit low on Potassium, so the recommendation was to add a certain amount of potash.
All together results take about 10-15 business days to get back once you have submitted your samples. There are instructions on the website as to how to take the samples, and they will even send you containers for sending the soil. Check it out at the website below. Stop wasting your money on the things you don't need, and protect our watershed at the same time.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Earth Day Events
In the previous post, we told you about the Earth-Water-Faith Festival in Annapolis on April 28. If you did not read about it, go back and check it out. There are however, plenty of other events surrounding Earth Day in our area.
On April 7, at 7pm the First Presbyterian Church in Annapolis will host a presentation by Rev. Dr. Carol Bechtel called "All Nature Sings: The Psalms and Creation Care". Rev. Bechtel is a Professor of Old Testament at Western Seminary in Michigan. The presentation centering around Psalms 96, 104, and 148 with prayers and music, will consider issues relevant to local organizations with perspectives on the care of creation and Celtic spirituality.
This is a free event and questions about the event can be directed to Annapolis Presbyterian at (410)267-8705. Annapolis Presbyterian is located at 171 Duke of Gloucester Street in Annapolis.
On April 6, and weekends throughout April, participate in Project Clean Stream. This is a day of service coordinated by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay to beautify local parks, streams and rivers, while creating awareness about the environment. You can find a Clean Up project near you by going to Project Clean Stream .
On May 4th, you can participate in the Run for the Bay 5k at Chesapeake Beach. Proceeds from this race will go to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Even if you don't run, you can come enjoy some entertainment and support those who are running. You can find the information on registering for the race at Run for the Bay 5K .
There are so many more opportunities for you to participate and learn-- just do an internet search for Maryland Earth Day events. What will you do this year to show your support for the environment? How will you educate yourself about the world around you, and the impacts that we have on the Earth?
On April 7, at 7pm the First Presbyterian Church in Annapolis will host a presentation by Rev. Dr. Carol Bechtel called "All Nature Sings: The Psalms and Creation Care". Rev. Bechtel is a Professor of Old Testament at Western Seminary in Michigan. The presentation centering around Psalms 96, 104, and 148 with prayers and music, will consider issues relevant to local organizations with perspectives on the care of creation and Celtic spirituality.
This is a free event and questions about the event can be directed to Annapolis Presbyterian at (410)267-8705. Annapolis Presbyterian is located at 171 Duke of Gloucester Street in Annapolis.
On April 6, and weekends throughout April, participate in Project Clean Stream. This is a day of service coordinated by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay to beautify local parks, streams and rivers, while creating awareness about the environment. You can find a Clean Up project near you by going to Project Clean Stream .
On May 4th, you can participate in the Run for the Bay 5k at Chesapeake Beach. Proceeds from this race will go to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Even if you don't run, you can come enjoy some entertainment and support those who are running. You can find the information on registering for the race at Run for the Bay 5K .
There are so many more opportunities for you to participate and learn-- just do an internet search for Maryland Earth Day events. What will you do this year to show your support for the environment? How will you educate yourself about the world around you, and the impacts that we have on the Earth?
Friday, March 22, 2013
Earth-Water-Faith Festival
As we move into spring again, we remember that soon it will be Earth Day. This celebration of the Earth and its resources will occur on Monday April 22-- just a few weeks away!! Again, as in past years, the Chesapeake Interfaith Environmental Group is having an "Earth-Water-Faith" festival on Sunday April 28 at Annapolis Towne Center in Parole. The festival will include entertainment, environmental education, and plenty of kids activities sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. You will also get a chance to see how various faith congregations are caring for the resources that God has provided through interactive activities and displays.
So, who is the Chesapeake Interfaith Environmental Group? "The Chesapeake Interfaith Environmental Group (CIEG) is an assembly of faith institutions within the Annapolis/Chesapeake Region and The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, whose mission is to celebrate the gifts of God's creation through worship and putting our faith into action for the care of the earth." The faith institutions include:
Annapolis Friends Meeting
Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church
Chesapeake IEG Earth Day Festival 2013
So, who is the Chesapeake Interfaith Environmental Group? "The Chesapeake Interfaith Environmental Group (CIEG) is an assembly of faith institutions within the Annapolis/Chesapeake Region and The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, whose mission is to celebrate the gifts of God's creation through worship and putting our faith into action for the care of the earth." The faith institutions include:
Annapolis Friends Meeting
Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church
Congregation Kol Shalom
First Presbyterian Church of Annapolis
Greater Annapolis Interfaith Network
Islamic Society of Annapolis
Congregation Knesesth Isreal
St Anne's Episcopal Church
St Margaret's Episcopal Church
St Mary's Roman Catholic Church
Temple Beth Shalom
Chesapeake IEG Earth Day Festival 2013
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Rain Barrel and Composter sale!
We just noticed that the True Value Hardware store on Forest Drive in Annapolis is having a sale on Rain Barrels, composters, and recycling cans. This is a limited pre-order event that will deliver next week. If you are interested-- act fast. They also offer information on "greener" products that they offer.
Equally interesting is the link they provide at the bottom of their announcement about credits that can be received from Anne Arundel county for such improvements. The credit is meant to offset costs for projects that help reduce rainwater runoff, and improve erosion control. The projects can include permeable pavers, living roofs, or simply rain barrels. The credit is for 10% of the project cost and can be collect each year for 5 years on the same project if you re-apply. The key here is that you must apply for the credit within 45 days of it installation.
Take a look at the links below, and consider the financial credit that you could receive for helping to improve our environment.
True Value Greener Options
AA County Property Tax credit for Stormwater Management
Equally interesting is the link they provide at the bottom of their announcement about credits that can be received from Anne Arundel county for such improvements. The credit is meant to offset costs for projects that help reduce rainwater runoff, and improve erosion control. The projects can include permeable pavers, living roofs, or simply rain barrels. The credit is for 10% of the project cost and can be collect each year for 5 years on the same project if you re-apply. The key here is that you must apply for the credit within 45 days of it installation.
Take a look at the links below, and consider the financial credit that you could receive for helping to improve our environment.
True Value Greener Options
AA County Property Tax credit for Stormwater Management
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