April

GREEN LiViNG Monthly

Organics • Recycling • Buy Local

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Detox your Body Let Them Eat Dirt Green Hunting

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Ask Greenie the frog questions about anything on green living and/or buying local.

He will answer in the following issue.

Dear Greenie E-mail your question to chris@greenlivingmonthly.com

Dear Greenie...

Is there a non-toxic, natural way to keep the slugs from feasting on my salad lettuce?

Flo on Fancher Dear Flo...

Yes! It’s not only safe, it’s humane.

Take a plastic recycled yogurt or cottage cheese container and fill it with beer. Yes, beer Flo. And make it one of our great Inland Northwest microbrew flavors...an IPA or perhaps a nice stout if it’s cold out. But I digress...The slugs will naturally want to have some libation with their lettuce. In their zeal to have the perfect pairing with their last meal, they succumb to a luscious hop elixir, falling headlong into a happy oblivion.

Dear Greenie...

I love to garden, but I’m also a hand-supermodel. My fingernails get so dirty I’m unable to get them clean after planting and gardening all day. I refuse to use any harsh lye soaps on my delicate skin, but I need to have them spotless for my photo shoots. Any ideas?

Calista from Coeur d’Alene Dear Callie...

I’ve got a great remedy for that one. Take a bar of good natural soap and run your fingernails through it before hitting the dirt.

No amount of dirt will linger after washing up after gardening. The dirt, having stuck to the soap, will simply suds right out from under your fingernails. Hope that helps!

Aeration -VS- Power Raking Which one to use and when.

By Anna Twohig Greenleaf Landscaping Ponderosa Pine trees situated naturally amongst an expanse of healthy turf. An average healthy lawn (2,500 square feet) produces enough oxygen to meet the daily needs of a family of four”

There have been many arguments as to whether aeration or power-raking is the best method to disperse of winter thatch; at Greenleaf Landscaping, we always recommend aeration! Our horticulture and plant specialist, Chris Heitner, breaks down the process and the effects of both approaches so that you can make an educated decision next time you intend to schedule one of these services.

First, we need to understand exactly what thatch is. Thatch is the build-up caused at the level of the soil by grass rhizomes and stolons, not by dead grass blades. Stolons are shoots that bend to the ground or that grow horizontally above the ground and produce roots and shoots at the nodes. Rhizomes are the root-like underground horizontal stem of plants that produces shoots above and roots below.

The process of a lawn aeration cuts down into the sod, cutting the thatch and helping it decompose faster without doing much damage to the crowns of the grass themselves. Aeration does leave much of the thatch at first but it decomposes fairly fast and actually adds healthy organic matter to the soil (it is significant to note that dead grass and thatch are two different things). Those somewhat unsightly grass plugs will break down and add nutritional organic matter too!

On the other hand, power-raking won’t cut through a thatch layer; instead it will pick up the decomposing grass and will also cut the crowns of the grass. In this process, you lose a lot of nutri-

2 • GreenLivingMonthly.com • April 2012

tional organic matter for your lawn with the actual dead grass removal; and by cutting the crowns of the grass, you are actually damaging it. While initially your lawn looks slightly more attractive, you will lose the long term organic benefits of the decomposing thatch which will make your lawn healthier.

This is why at Greenleaf Landscaping we always recommend lawn aeration instead of power-raking. Aeration is a much healthier, smarter approach to caring for your lawn and it also improves soil drainage and new root development allowing more oxygen to reach the roots. Also, lawn aeration is typically less expensive than power-raking; you’ve got to love that!

Information contributed by Greenleaf Landscaping’s Horticulturist Chris Heitner Greenleaf Landscaping has been providing environmentally friendly landscape services and products to the Spokane area since 1980. We have a staff of many skilled ISA Certified Arborists, Certified Landscape Technicians (CLTs), Licensed Spray Technicians, Professional Landscape Designers, Horticulturists, Irrigation Specialists, and a year-round office staff, all of which hold Bachelor of Arts degrees and our ready to provide you with exceptional customer service! We are proud of our team of professionals who care for our award-winning sites with an environmentally friendly approach. Greenleaf has been recognized for its outstanding work with 8 awards in the last 5 years from W.A.L.P. (the Washington Association of Landscape Professionals).

GREEN LiViNG Monthly Organics • Recycling • Buy Local

Vol. 1 Issue 8

April 2012

greenlivingmonthly.com Editor/Publisher Chris Ellis

chris@greenlivingmonthly.com

509-981-3839

Marketing

Carine Mossay

carine@greenlivingmonthly.com

509-998-5316

Lay-out

Dana R. Michie

danam@lakespokanemdia.com

509-467-3826

Contributing Writers: Jaiden Teri Southworth Maree Koolstra Dr. Alycia Policani, ND Linda Bond, Auntie’s Bookstore Brian Brunner Mark Polon Anna Twohig FRONT COVER Courtesy of Greenleaf Landscaping May’s Issue “Spring into Motion!”

Bloomsday Bike Month Home Hydroponics Rain Sensors

May Issue Deadline: Thursday April 19 The staff at Green Living Monthly, while respecting the opinions and views of our writers and advertisers; don’t always agree and/or support those views. We feel it is important for everyone to “do the research” on controversial topics. Please feel free to send your letters to the editor to chris@greenlivingmonthly.com.

Our goal is to bring useful local information and tips to individuals, organizations and businesses that every day are joining the collective movement towards more responsible stewardship of our environment and planet.

Contents 2 Aeration -vs- Power Raking 4 Organic Kids: Let Them Eat Dirt!

5 Recycle Sally: Clean Out Your Closet 6 Recycle Wood 7 Organic Pets: Green Hunting 8-9 Spring Into Fashion...the Green Way 10-11 Spring Up from the Garden 12 Natural Health: Spring Cleaning (detox your body) 14 Organic Reading: Regional Garden Books 14 Kids’ Corner: Easter, by Jaiden 15 April Calendar of Events

It’s Spring...

Party On! April in the Inland Northwest is a wonderful time of year. We made it through the winter, the days are long and getting longer, and we start seeing color springing forth on our lawns and trees and bushes. We may even see some sunny days with upwards of 50 degrees or more! On those days, our community seems to come alive with people out walking their dogs, jogging, gardening or just relaxing on their front porches.

Truly we are hearty bunch when 50 degrees means shorts and sandals (with socks.)

Green Living Monthly prepares for spring by celebrating colorful spring fashions offered by our many local boutiques and clothiers. We applaud our gardeners and our selves for taking to the earth: planting seeds, mulching, pruning and preparing for the great landscape to come alive again.

The change of seasons seems much like life...just when you think

you can’t take anymore of the winter of your discontent, you spy a colorful locust peaking through a blade of grass.

However small and hidden, there are

beautiful things out there if you look hard enough.

Chris Ellis

Spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s party!”-- Robin Williams

April 2012 • GreenLivingMonthly.com • 3

spores of the pollen that is bothering us. Rather than getting a battery of allergy shots or taking tons of allergy medicines, the honey helps to ease the allergic reaction. Horehound drops, a candy made with the herb horehound, are wonderful for a cough and scratchy throat. Neti pots or nasal syringes are very helpful for sinus congestion by flushing away the irritants and moisturizing the nasal passages.

Tummy aches are common in a house full of kids and the go-to medicine for us is crystallized ginger. The ginger tastes good and it helps calm the stomach. If the tummy ache is

ORGANIC KIDS

causes by things that go bump in the night the ginger won’t harm my child.

Crystallized ginger is great for motion sickness or seasickness without the drowsy side effects of over-the-counter pills. A “too much junk food” tummy ache can be eased by activated charcoal tablets.

When my family is not well I want to do all I can to help them feel better as quickly as I can with as few side effects as possible. That means enhancing their immune response and soothing their symptoms while allowing their body to heal.

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Let them eat dirt!

God made dirt, so dirt don’t hurt

By Maree Koolstra Mother of six

I let my kids eat dirt…not really but sort of. You see, I don’t worry about my kids going outside and getting dirty. I do worry about my kids using hand sanitizers and antibacterial soaps. Our bodies are created to have beneficial bacteria on them and in them. That’s why people eat yogurt with live and active cultures and drink milk with acidophilus. When we kill that bacteria and natural flora we are killing off the things in our bodies that help fight infection and viruses. A good hand washing with regular soap and water is all you need in most of daily life.

I used to be the queen of hand sanitizers and antibacterial soaps. I had it in my car, each purse, and the diaper bag plus it was in every bathroom and the kitchen at home. My kids weren’t any healthier. In fact,

we were frequent fliers at the doctor’s office. Once I started taking a more natural approach to my kid’s health we slowly stopped being sick as often and the duration and intensity of our sickness diminished. I want to make it clear that I have no medical training and that these ideas are ones that I use in my family. You should consult your physician for medical advice.

I prefer to use natural medications that enhance the immune system rather than shut down the symptoms. In some cases just making my kids feel better while the sickness runs its course is the only thing I can do. When I use the natural medicines I don’t have to worry so about the side effects of the medicine or the extra chemicals that are going into my family’s body.

Some of the changes we instituted made a lot of sense, like allowing a fever to burn a bit. I don’t medicate for a fever unless it is over 100 degrees. That fever helps to burn away the virus that is making us sick.

When my kids are coming down with a runny nose or congestion I start them on elderberry syrup. You can buy it in the store but I prefer to make it myself. There are many recipes on the internet that are fairly simple and the kids have fun helping me collect the berries. When hay fever hits we drink a lot of tea sweetened with local honey. The local honey contains tiny

4 • GreenLivingMonthly.com • April 2012

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vacuum hose and secure with a rubber band. Only the dust is suctioned up.

In the garden, bits of nylon hose work well to tie delicate plants. The next time you need a costume for a party, simply slip a nylon hose over your head for a new look. Socks are useful around the house too. When working with a ladder, prevent ugly dents and scuff marks on your wall by slipping socks over the tops of a ladder. Slip a sock over your hand to use when dusting or polishing an object. When packing for a trip, slip your shoes inside socks to protect them and the contents of your suitcase. Make a classic sock monkey, or fill a white tube sock with lentils and tie at two intervals to fashion a cute snowman ready to be decorated.

Spring Cleaning your Clothes Closet Recycle & Reuse with Recycle Sally When it comes time to purge the clothes closet think: recycle, reuse.

First, the obvious; donate the nicest items.

Make sure they are freshly laundered and in good shape. Most thrift shops toss out grimy and tattered goods.

Why not host a clothes swap party? As the old saying goes, one person’s trash is another’s treasure. Same goes for

that pair of jeans that just doesn’t fit they way they used to.

O. K. Now for the rejects....Elastic shot in your favorite flannel p.j.s? Cut the waist band off the bottoms and sew them into the waist of a roomy pair of jeans. Tack the flannel to the denim at the bottom edge. Presto! A warm pair of flannel lined jeans. Next, cut the collar off the flannel p.j. top and sew the top into an unlined denim jacket to ad comfort and cut the chill. Old nylon hose come in handy when it comes to vacuuming a drawer of small items.

Just slip the nylon over the end of the

Most of us end up with a collection of T-shirts. Before relegating them to the rag drawer, why not reinvent? Transform your old Bloomsday T-shirts into a quilt! Cut a 12 1/2” x 12 1/2” square from each of 15 shirts. Fuse the squares to interfacing and stitch together. Use an old flannel sheet as the inside layer and a contrasting material for the border and back of your quilt. Once assembled you can proudly display your quilt. Save the neck and shoulder section of the T-shirts to use as shoulder protectors for your hanging jackets. No more dusty shoulders! T-shirt skirts are super easy to make and super comfortable to wear.

Simply cut the shirt evenly across just below the armpits. Form a waistband by turning under the cut edge 1”, sew in place, leaving a small opening. Feed elastic through the opening and stitch the seam closed. You now have the perfect traveling skirt. Save the long sleeves from T-shirts to use as shoe or wine bottle protectors. For a draft stopper, sew two long sleeves together to form a tube. Stitch one end closed, fill with sand and stitch the remaining end closed. Place the tube at a base of a drafty door.

Refashion pants whose cuffs are worn by cutting the legs off to either capri or walking short length and hem the edge. Jeans are even easier. Just cut the worn legs off and fray the edges through a wash cycle. Maxi dresses can take on new life as well. Cut the dress off to just above the knee and hem for a sleek new sheath. Transform the bottom section of the Maxi into a cute skirt by turning the cut edge under to form the waistband and insert elastic.

Moth eaten wool sweaters and overcoats are great material for craft projects. First, remove the buttons and save. Felt your old sweaters by putting through the wash and dry cycles a few times. When the knitted stitch pattern disappears, you’re ready to craft.

Make fingerless gloves and cute little purses from the cuffs and cool nordic style boot covers from the main body of the sweater. A wool overcoat is great material for a stuffed animal. Pick up a teddy bear pattern and transform your old camel coat into an adorable creature.

Now for reinventing hats and shoes. Enjoy your next exotic island destination without a sunburned head.

To make a snorkeling cap: cut the tattered brim off a baseball hat, hem the raw edge and attach a chin strap.

Welcome Spring with a bird house. Cut a 2” hole in the top of a straw or fabric hat. Use a glue gun to adhere a small stick in the hole to form a perch. Hang the hat from a tree and wait for the birds to coming a calling. Shoes can find new life in the garden too. Tuck a leafy plant in a funky old boot, or a pretty primrose in high heeled pump for cute garden art.

With a little ingenuity one can always recycle, reuse. Enjoy your Spring clean up!

Teri Southworth of Bottle Bay, Id

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2012 Seeds are in stock now. Standard Varieties, Heirloom Varieties, Organic Seeds, Common and Unusual.

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Recycled Wood Our Part to Make It Green

By Mark Polon On the North side of town sits a small shop. People drive by it every day and most do not know what goes on inside.

Joe Richart, a retired disabled veteran, takes old used wood, which is donated from a local company, and a love to build and create toys, benches, tables, shadow boxes, planter boxes and other things. He makes his own plans and designs. He cuts, sands, nails and glues.

Yes, the wood is recycled and old, but he hopes it brings joy to those who buy his things, or to whom he gives gifts.

But that is only half of the shop. He also makes swords and knives out of old metal. He cuts the blades and shapes each one individually. He grinds them and sharpens them himself. Everything he does he does is out of his love for working with his hands. All of his materials are donated; most are used or scrap that would have otherwise been thrown away.

Mark Polon helps Joe at his shop. Mark has joined Joe in a love of recycling and wood art for all to enjoy.

What is old to me Becomes new to you Recycle, Re-use, Re-new I give to you, recycled You give it use, re-use You say to all it is not old it is Re-newed Recycle: a gift to the Earth we all can enjoy!

6 • GreenLivingMonthly.com • April 2012

Green Hunting Shedding light on a new outdoor hobby

By Brian Brunner A relatively new hobby/pass time that has attracted an incredible number of people over the past 10 years is “Shed Hunting.” Rustic, lodge or cabin décor as it’s called quite often features antlers from game animals in lamps, chairs, chandeliers, wine racks, etc., for that “outdoor” appeal. It has become such an obsession with some folks in some areas, that rules & restrictions have been implemented to protect the animals that “drop” these seemingly priceless treasures. This is at a point when they are at their lowest body fat levels to survive till the snow melts and forage/nutrition returns to their grazing areas. Any disturbances that cause them to leave or move about unnecessarily drains them of critical energy reserves to survive.

In Washington several wildlife areas have been restricted to public access for “shed hunting” such as the LT Murray Wildlife Reserve and the Quilomene area northeast of Ellensburg. It is illegal to remove antler sheds from any of our National Parks such as Yellowstone or Yosemite. There are no restrictions on removing sheds from National or State

Forest lands, unless specific closures are in effect for certain areas and dates.

Another fallout of this attraction is to market antler pieces as “pet” chews or toys in pet stores. Although seemingly harmless, in the mouth of the wrong pet they could be a serious health risk. The antlers have a very hard, tough outer layer about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick that is brittle. The inner core is very porous and crunchy/crumbly which carries the blood and nutrients when it is growing, not a problem for dogs. They are very popular in pet stores as dog chews/toys, and for small dogs who don’t have the crushing power of mals probably work fine. For larger dogs with powerful jaws they can produce some very sharp/hard/brittle shards of bone essentially. Not unlike feeding your dog a cooked chicken leg bone, but much heavier and sharper.

My personal experience with my lab that started chewing on one made me aware of the risks of this seemingly harmless chew toy in the mouth of the wrong dog.

If you choose these as your dog’s chew toy, supervision is required. Remove it immediately if your dog begins to shred or swallow any pieces.

April 2012 • GreenLivingMonthly.com • 7

Spring into Fashion ...

It’s that great time of year when we can shed those extra pounds of heavy clothes and boots and opt for lighter, more colorful wear. What we wear says a lot about us. And no one can deny that when we dress well (at least in our minds) we feel good and portray a certain confidence.

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Everyone has a personal style in what they wear. From elegant to business dress, to sporty to shabby, to vintage to trendy. It’s part of what makes us unique and individual. What we wear tells others much about us. We can see that in uniforms. A police officer, a doctor, a military person, an airline pilot, a priest...all evoke certain impressions in us. It’s the same with the clothes you wear.

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What you eat, what you wear, what you do, all reflect who you are. So, be creative...dressing is like painting a self-portrait...and you can make it as beautiful or as wild and crazy as you are!

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Sustainable gardening is much like purposeful wildcrafting; planting indigenous seed in its natural environment.

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Though we’ve progressed exponentially with equipment, ingenuity and planning, the “fruits of our labor” are still the same. Plant a seed and something wonderful will grow. It’s not so different from the template of Life itself.

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Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Natural Health

So what can we do about this?

Well, you can’t escape much of the toxicity that has been unleashed on our world environment but you certainly can limit what you can control in your personal environment. Choosing organic, local food, clean non-bottled water, non-toxic cleaning products, non-toxic clothes and bedding are extremely beneficial first steps . Cutting down the amount of garbage that flows in brings great benefit to your overall health by decreasing the toxic burden. Lessening the load the body has to deal with enables it to put more energy into keeping you optimally healthy. The next thing we can do to facilitate our optimal health is to support our body’s ability to detox. There are many, many, many systems, formulas, plans, supplements, herbs, and teas for detox. I’m not going to talk about any of these because they can cause harm and should only be embarked upon with the guidance of a

Spring Cleaning By:Dr. Alycia Policani ND Var- the Scandinavian word for Spring, has its roots in the same word used in “Vernal” Equinox - the first day of spring. It means that things are becoming green. The days are lengthening and warming. And here in North Eastern Washington, the earth is emerging from under its mantle of snow and ice (some years, more than others). Basically, the metabolism of our very environment is ramping up and getting ready to leap forward with new life. For you Disney fans, twitterpated, so to speak. The crazy thing about our bodies (yes, inject some sarcasm into my tone) is that they are a microcosm of what is occurring on our planet. What this means is that the metabolism of our bodies is ramping up, coming out of storage and eagerly moving forward to get rid of the old and take in the new. Just like Mother Earth.

If you think back to our pre-refrigerator and electricity heritage, we would spend most of summer and fall hunting, gathering, preserving and storing to get us through the winter.

Our bodies are also programmed to store during this period of time. And they will hold on to every last bit with a death grip to ensure we make it through the winter. All of us know this to be fact, if we gain weight over the holidays and then attempt to lose it starting in January. Doesn’t usually work out that well. But spring time is the beginning of the season of plenty and our body gears up for some airing and cleaning on a cellular level. As I am sure you have surmised by now, yes, spring time is the time to cleanse.

You can think of the toxicity that builds up in our bodies in three basic forms.

First we have normal cellular toxins. Basically the garbage that is produced everyday by our cells going about their normal business. Your body usually knows exactly what to do with these substances and disposes of them accordingly. Second we have environmental toxins. These are typically man made or toxic natural substances put into our food, water, air and soil. Everywhere they should not be. Again, this is usually due to man and not nature. There is a growing body of evidence supporting these toxins, which are being called “obesogens”, as a large causative factor in the disease of obesity. Toxins such as high fructose corn syrup, heavy metals, and BPA, are unknown to the body’s detox systems. So in an attempt to deal with them in a manner that will cause the least harm, your body will store them.

The problem with this method is that these substances continue to accumulate in the body’s tissues for years, finally reaching levels that can lead to disease. The third type of toxin is also man-made. The body, in an attempt to rid itself of some of the accumulated junk, starts up an inflammatory process in the tissues. Think of it as brush burning. We then take a Tylenol or Advil to deal with the discomfort that ensues. This shuts down the inflammatory process which leads to less pain but results in a toxin that the body, again, does not know how to process. And the viscous circle spins around.

12 • GreenLivingMonthly.com • April 2012

physician. What I will speak to is the idea of emmunctaries. Emmunctaries are the major routes of elimination used by our bodies naturally for waste removal. These include respiration, perspiration, urination, defecation and lymphatic flow. By enhancing these processes you can greatly aid your body’s ability to cleanse itself, as it was designed to do. By simply exercising to improve lymphatic flow, taking saunas to increase sweating, drinking plenty of water, meditating and performing deep breathing exercises and eating a healthy high fiber diet; we can safely and effectively aid our bodies in their quest to bring us optimal health and quality of life. So, when the itch strikes you to clean out the garage so you can park the car in it, turn on some good music, bring out a large container of drinking water, dance around and take the opportunity to work up a sweat.

Brings a whole new meaning to multi-tasking. Happy Spring Cleaning!

Dr. Alycia Policani graduated from Eastern Washington University in 1996, with a B.S. in Human Biology and went on to National College of Naturopathic Medicine, where she achieved her doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine in 2000. She has ten years of experience in private practice as sole proprietor of Evergreen Naturopathic (509) 755-5100 Dr. Policani practices as a primary care physician with emphasis on women’s health, menopause, and thyroid disease, using science based natural medicine. Dr. Policani grew up in Spokane, pursuing many outdoor activities that allowed her to develop a deep appreciation for nature, ultimately leading her down the path to naturopathic medicine. When she is not at the office you can find her horseback riding, gardening, hiking or travelling with her husband and son.

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REI Dishman Hills Service Day– April 22 2011

What: Annual REI Service Project in partnership with the

Dishman Hills Natural Area Association When: Sunday, April 22, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Where: Dishman Hills Natural Area, Camp Caro,

625 S. Sargent Road, Spokane Valley Who: Community Volunteers Sunday, April 22 marks the third REI Dishman Hills Service Project at Camp Caro just south of Appleway at 625 S. Sargent Road. Last year’s event drew nearly 340 volunteers who spent several hours doing trail restoration and clean-up, noxious weed removal, tree planting and a number of other much-needed projects in this great local natural area. This year promises to be just as positive! At this year’s event, we will be doing native plant restoration and clean-up in the empty lot in front of the Camp Caro area, cleaning and maintaining the 8th and 12th Avenue trailheads, planting native shrubs, maintaining existing trails, removing garbage, and several other projects, most centrally located around the Camp Caro area. The work will wrap up in the late afternoon with live music and free food.

In order to complete the work, the Dishman Hills Alliance needs volunteers! Imagine bringing a group of volunteers from your non-profit, church, youth group, business, or family! Spend a few hours in the fresh air and (hopefully) sunshine with friends and family doing something good for the outdoors and getting some positive exposure in the community for your business or organization. Everyone should bring work gloves and a re-useable water bottle. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring tools such as shovels, rakes, trowels and pulaskis.

Please post this information for your friends, students, colleagues and neighbors.

Thank you for all your participation in our community. Register at the REI web site below in order to reserve your t-shirt. The check-in starts at 12:30 p.m. and work goes from 1-4 pm. http://www.rei.com/event/32772/session/41035 To participate in a full weekend of trail work and community service, join with the Washington Trails Association at www.wta.org.

Participating Partners:

Avista Utilities B Radicals Dishman Hills Natural Area Association Earthworks Recycling Embroidered Sportswear, Inc. Gonzaga University Inland Empire Back Country Horsemen Inland Northwest Trails Coalition Lands Council Pizza Rita

Spokane County Parks & Recreation Spokane County Conservation District Spokane Sierra Club Inner City Outings Virtual Vortex Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Washington State Department of Natural Resources Washington Trails Association Zip2Water

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ORGANIC READING

Regional Garden Books

Kids’ Corner

Gardening Delights from Lone Pine Publishing

By Linda Bond,

Aunties Bookstore There’s something tantalizing about a new book; especially one with a lovely cover. When I saw my first Lone Pine “gardening for Washington and Oregon” book, I fell in love.

No matter what kind of gardening you want to pursue, they’ve got a book to help you do it right. Let me give you an example.

Water Garden Plants for Washington and Oregon by Mark Harp and Alison Beck features 288 pages of information, with color photos throughout. Sixty pages are devoted to the “how-to” of water gardening, including “instructions for establishing a water feature, …..installation, maintenance and understanding the pond ecosystem.” They’ve included tips for selecting and planting water garden plants, and an extensive discussion of potential pests and problems. Hundreds of water garden plants are described in terms of flower and foliage colors, height and spread, as well as light and nutrient needs.

A quick reference chart and index of plant names rounds out this informative guide.

Additional titles in the series cover such topics as Edible Gardening, Herbs, Container Gardening, Best Garden Plants, and their latest release: Vegetable Gardening for Washington and Oregon by Marianne Binetti and Laura Peters. This is a great guide for veggie growers who would like to add a new perspective to their seasonal gardens. Of particular interest in these days of wacky weather are the tips given throughout the book, including how to extend the growing season. And how’s this for a little added flavor under the topic of beets: “Never fear if you get beet juice on your clothing; it won’t stain. Dyers have been unsuccessfully trying to find a fixative for beet juice for centuries. Chemists inform us that the red molecule in beets is very large and doesn’t adhere to other molecules, so a fixative is unlikely ever to be found.” Gardening tips and a trivia boost as well!

With prices ranging from $15.95 to $24.95 and dirtresistant covers, this series forms a collection that any serious gardener will want in the library. These books are found in all major bookstores and are also available for order from Lone Pine Publishing.

The next time you visit Auntie’s Bookstore, be sure to enter our drawing for a book from this series. You have until 6 p.m. on April 30th. You must be able to come to the store to pick up your free book, and you must be 18 years of age or older to enter. The winner will be drawn on May 1st and receive a call.

May your gardens flourish!

14 • GreenLivingMonthly.com • April 2012

Easter

by Jaiden Easter is one of my favorite holidays. Making Easter eggs, searching for them too, eating chocolate bunnies, there are many things to do. But the most important thing to do is celebrate Easter because it was the day, long ago when Jesus rose from the grave.

Friday, April 20th

• Small Farm Tour in Boundary County • Story of Stuff’ Film Festival at the Pearl Theater

Saturday, April 21st

• Earth Day Fair at the Boundary County Fairgrounds Sustainable living ideas, green products, great local food, kids craft corner, live music and a wide variety of vendors!

Earth Day Fair Weekend Celebration!

Bonners Ferry, Idaho

Sunday, April 22nd

• Nature Walk at the Kootenai Wildlife Refuge • Mammals of the World-a Skeletal Presentation For more information about the weekend events, visit www.bonnersferrychamber.org

APRIL APRIL CALENDAR CALENDAR OF OF EVENT EVENT Chris Ellis • 509.981.3839 Editor, Green Living Monthly greenlivingmonthly.com chris@greenlivingmonthly.com or mirshka214@yahoo.com AT SPOKANE PUBLIC MARKET

FUNKY JUNK ANTIQUE SHOW April 14 & 15, 10a - 4p 24 W. 2nd Avenue We’ll still have the affordable mix of junk you love; vintage, antique, industrial, shabby, salvaged, created, repurposed and more all in a funky urban setting, and right next to a market bursting with fresh produce, fresh treats, and of course, coffee! So come and get your spring started right~$2 entrance fee

AT REI

BACKPACKING BASICS Thursday, April 5, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

REI will take the mystery out of Backpacking as we share our knowledge in this show and tell session. We will cover backpacking essentials: choosing a pack; selecting proper clothing; and the right footwear; and understanding the basic gear you need to reach your destination.

No experience necessary!

LIGHTWEIGHT BACKPACKING BASICS Thursday, April 12, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Do you want to try backpacking but worry about carrying a heavy pack? Or, are you a backpacker who wants to lighten your load? An REI backpacking expert will provide excellent tips on lightweight backpacking techniques. Included is information about shelters, backpacks, food choices, and fuel efficiency.

UNVEIL THE TRAIL Saturday, April 21, 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Join us as over 300 community volunteers and our Adopt A Mile groups come out to prepare the 37 mile long Centennial Trail for the 2012 season. For more information, visit www.spokanecentennialtrail.org.

REI DISHMAN HILLS SERVICE PROJECT Sunday, April 22, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Spend Earth Day with us, giving back to the Dishman Hills Natural Area. This lo-

cal gem is located only a few minutes from downtown on a bus route and there are not parking permits required.

This fun project offers something for everyone—habitat restoration to trail work to trash removal!

Register or find out at rei.com/spokane Beginning Bike Maintenance Thursday, April 26, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

This class is designed for anyone who owns a bike and wants to learn how to keep their bike running for years to come. This class demystifies the challenges of keeping your bicycle in good working order. Our experienced staff will explain basic maintenance—everything from removing the tire to keeping the drive train clean and functioning correctly. This class is free to attend and space is limited.

Register at www.rei.com/spokane.

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INTRO TO GROWING POTATOES IN SPOKANE - Saturday, April 7th from Noon to 2:00 p.m.

Cost: FREE. No Preregistration Required - Stop by anytime between noon and 2:00 p.m. Learn more online at www. sunpeopledrygoods.com Darcey Byrne will be available to answer questions about growing potatoes here in the Spokane region. With a lifelong love of gardening she will share her success of backyard potato growing.

COMPOSTING 101 WORKSHOP Saturday, April 7th from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Cost: FREE. Preregistration Required - only 25 spaces available. Register at the store or online at www.sunpeopledrygoods.com This is a FREE workshop sponsored by the Spokane Regional Solid Waste System’s Master Composters/Recyclers Program!

Marilyn & Chris Carothers, local urban homesteaders and Master Composters/ Recyclers, will lead the group through the best ways to do outdoor composting covering hot and slow composting

**For additional information about any of our events, please contact Juliet at juliet@sunpeopledrygoods.com

techniques, and all the basics you need to turn your kitchen waste into compost gold!

PLANTING TOMATOES FROM SEED WORKSHOP - Saturday, April 7th from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Cost: FREE. Preregistration Required - only 25 spaces available. Register at the store or online at www.sunpeopledrygoods.com Come learn seed planting secrets! These skills and techniques will allow gardeners to avoid those tall, spindly tomatoes and get strong, stout stalks. WSU Master Gardener, Marilyn Carothers, will present a wonderful “show-n-tell” class with power point presentation, “handson” activities, demonstrations, and displays so you can become a master tomato gardener! Take home your very own seed-planted tomato!

INTRO TO CHICKEN KEEPING WORKSHOP - Saturday, April 14th from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Cost: $20. Preregistration Required only 18 spaces available. Register at the store or online at www.sunpeopledrygoods.com Paul and wife, Susan, grew up around chickens. They have many years of practical experience and learned by doing and refining what their parents and grandparents taught them. They have tried many different breeds and methods. Topics will include: Summery of chicken keeping regulations in the Spokane area, housing, breed selection, feeding and caring for chickens, raising baby chicks, and egg production.

RAINWATER COLLECTION 101 WORKSHOP Thursday, April 19th from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.

Cost: $5. Preregistration Required only 15 spaces available. Register at the store or online at www.sunpeopledrygoods.com Dan Borba has been making rain barrels since 1999 and when he began to realAprilof2012 ize the unbelievable amount water•

coming off a roof (one inch of rain falling on a 1,200 square foot roof is equal to over 600 gallons of water) he wanted to tell people about it. Since then he’s sold over 4,000 rain barrels, mostly in western Washington, and in the last few years as interest has increased has begun teaching classes on how to assemble, install and generally use a rain barrel. He likes to think of his small business not in terms of maximizing profit but as a way to serve the community and help others to see the abundance of nature. Harvesting the rain is easy and fun and does not require expert help.

ALL ABOUT BIRDS WORKSHOP FOR KIDS! - Saturday, April 21st from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Cost: $19. Preregistration Required only 15 spaces available. For ages 6 to 12. Register at the store or online at www.sunpeopledrygoods.com Join Kendra Robinson-Harding of Discovery Education NW for a fun-filled handson workshop designed just for children.

Learn all about Spokane’s local feathered friends, including how to identify local species, what they eat and where they live. Each participant will make their own amazing bird feeder to take home! Class fee includes take home materials.

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AT BONNERS FERRY IDAHO Friday, April 20th, Small Farm Tour in Boundary County, ‘Story of Stuff’ Film Festival At The Pearl Theater, At Boundary County Fairgrounds Saturday, April 21st, Earth Day Fair Sustainable living ideas, green products, great local food, kids’ craft corner, live music and a wide variety of vendors!

Sunday, April 22nd, Nature Walk at the Kootenai Wildlife Refuge, Mammals of the World-a Skeletal Presentation. www.bonnersferrychamber.org GreenLivingMonthly.com • 15

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