The Role of Community in Sustainability

In trying to create a community of students with the common goal of incorporating sustainable lifestyle habits into college living is a learning process. Faced with daunting obstacles like student's schedules and modest to non-existent incomes, completing even small projects is often a semester long task. Of course, I think the goal is worthwhile and plays an important role in the community at large, but, some days I just feel like nothing is getting done.

Due to the nature of my self, I tend to compensate for that feeling by taking on more projects myself. However, today I was reminded of an invaluable lesson: You can't do everything alone.

I attended Alchemical Nursery's film screening: Vision's of Utopia at the Wescott Bulb Festival. After the movie we had a panel discussion featuring a number of representatives from local community living establishments that included AntHill in Rochester, the Bread and Roses House in Syracuse, Common Place Land Trust, and the New Environment Association in Syracuse. It reminded me that other people are in a similar boat, facing similar problems, and creating really cool solutions. It is important take the time to get together and discuss. Its important to be aware of the resources already available in the community and the infrastructure in place.




I think community plays an important role in furthering the movement towards a more sustainable lifestyle and we're lucky to have many local communities already so active. I hope this year we prioritize involvement with the existing community to richen our smaller student community. - Elizabeth

And a nice flower picture, the Epiphyllum oxypetalum which recently bloomed in the ESF greenhouses.

What an excting year ahead!

Allow me an organizational post to inform anyone who did not come to our meeting.

 This fall is full speed ahead with cold frame creation. Later this week the second garden bed will be filled with compost and planted with spinach and beets and other winter veggies. October 3rd we are planning on spending the day foraging for materials for coldframes, raised beds, and stone herb spirals. We'll be looking to gather lumber, stones, glass, plastic, and insulating material for these projects...so check your basements and attics!

Some neat fungus growing in our yard

The rest of the yard will be converted to barley and wheat fields this fall, and perhaps include hops soon after. What is more eco-friendly than home brewed beer??

Gail has spearheaded a project in the Morningside Community Gardens growing flax for research into sustainable linoleum products. This weekend we'll be putting a fence around the fields to deter deer browsing. We can expect to harvest the flax sometime around October 15th.

Early in Novemer we will be putting on a Household Compost Tumbler Workshop where we will build small compost tumblers to take home and put in your apartment, so you won't want to miss that!

At the start of next semester we will do the unthinkable and write a constitution to qualify for funds from ESF. Woo-hoo! If you come help, I promise to bake gingerbread cookies. We'd also like to write a grant to get funding for building an unheated greenhouse on our property! Just imagine the possibilities!

Wildflowers blooming in the backyard

I'm excited for this year, and I hope you are too. If you haven't come by yet, please come by soon...and if you would like to be included on our e-mail update list please send me your contact information at eamurp02 AT syr DOT edu.

Elizabeth

Excited to be back in 'the city'?

Sungold

I know our garden is, because it's finally getting love and attention again. I even watered it today. The garden is feeling so spoiled all of our tomatoes are ripening at once! I planted my two favorites, Sungold, a hybrid cherry which is the sweetest tomato ever to be, and brandywine, a heirloom which is the epitome of tomato. So far from the garden we've had the aforementioned tomatoes, green beans (slightly overripe) and cantaloupe (slightly underripe). Garden cantaloupe are one of those fruits that are so incredibly delicious fresh from the garden compared to the grocery store. The vine is still blooming, so maybe if the frost holds off we can get another two or three to ripen.

Cantaloupe blooms

As the summer garden gives its final harvest, seeds for the fall garden were sown this morning. Its the fall garden in Syracuse that I love most. Whenever the sun hasn't been out for days, and another 2" of snow fell last night, I can sneak out into the yard in the morning, brush the snow of the glass and see little green plants growing seemingly contentedly, albeit slowly. They are my constant reminder of springtime and sunshine. They are also very delicious.

New plants for this year's winter garden include scallions, napoli carrots, broccoli and parsley. All of my new plants are varietys successfully grown for many years by Eliot Coleman in his unheated greenhouses in Maine. Like last year I'm also planting a cold hardy lettuce mix from Johnny's (all seeds are from Johnny's), spinach (which I still have to get, actually), and radish.

Think roasted potatoes....

As non-garden news, I hope you'll save the date! September 19th at 5:00 pm you're cordially invited to come eat dinner, discuss goals, fund raising, cold frames, native gardens, flax and bamboo, and play music at our humble abode (821 Comstock Ave). See the phlox in the native garden, the cosmo's and the veggies in the back... it'll be grand and we'll have at least one dish from the garden!

Cosmos in the back

Summer Flax Project

Hi All,
A small group has been working hard this summer to cultivate 2 flax fields in the Morningside Community Gardens! One plot is brown flax and the other is golden flax. The flax will hopefully be harvested early this fall. Flax is useful for its oils and fibers. The oil can be used in a variety of foods, lotions, and soaps. The fibers can be used for multiple grades of fabric.

Summer Perennials & Back To School

Miniature Iris

         Try as I might, every year I come to the same conclusion: the flowers on summer perennials just don't do it for me. All of my favorite flowers - hellebore, peonies, iris, wisteria,  tulips and poppies- bloom before school gets out. Come September I'm tired of the usual garden flowers. Echinacea, rudbeckia, and phlox have been dominating gardens for a month. I succumb that they are, respectfully, the drought resistant carriers of the garden. Until this week we've not recieved much rain, and I've done very little watering (conserving resources....)

        The giant sunflowers of late August are eye-catchers and so are always welcome company walking down the street. But once a plant dies in your garden for two consecutive years there exists an unwelcome jealousy of neighbors with a small army of sunflowers standing watch in their yards.

        My favorite plants of August, the dahlia's never fail to make my heart skip a beat. But their fussy behavior (dig me up and take me inside every winter) and high investment costs prevent me from growing them. Hence, I go visit gardens to see them, and remind myself that although my favorite flowers bloom in the spring, summer foliage fills the garden so well and wins me over in the end... I love a garden in August.

Perennial garden at Frelinghuysen Arboretum, NJ

       This weekend is back to Syracuse for many of us who've been away and the return of friends for those who stayed  the summer. Which means we'll probably have a barbeque/work day/meeting/party sooner rather than later. So stay in touch & see you all soon!

Elizabeth
   

'Gardeners' Gone Bad

I use the terms gardeners loosely. As we have some folks who come and mow our lawns, but never do any actual landscaping.

That is, until last night. When I came home and they had decided for some bizarre reason to mow, I assume, as they have no other landscaping equiptment, the small garden along the edge of the above ground pool.

Why? I have no idea. The area looks less weedy than many other areas of the yard that they ignore week after week. As a matter of fact, MY VERY FIRST SUNFLOWER had just burst into bloom two days ago.What did they do after they destroyed all of my sunflowers and cosmo's? They left them laying in the grass to remind me of the devastation every time I look outside the window.

Its one of those weeks when forces beyond my control have quelled my desire to be in the garden. The birds will be sad too as I had save the sunflowers & cosmo seeds for birdseed.

Lovely Liverworts

I stumbled across a thriving population of complex thalliod liverworts on a friend's brick patio this weekend that I had to share.

Liverworts are a Bryophyte in the phylum Heptophyta. This population seemed to be spreading clonally, more specifically by gemmae. Gemmae are bundles of cells that reside in small gemma cups on the liverwort's body that are dispersed via rain droplets and produce clones of the parent plant.

Distinctly featured here, and the factor leading me to believe my population was genetically identical, was that all the plants in the area possessed archegoniophores, those palm tree like structures protruding from the leafy plant body.  Archegoniophores are female reproductive structures, and without a male antheridiophore in sight I'm afraid these liverworts have very little hope of being fertilized.

I think these relatives of the mosses are pretty neat, and I like that they flaunt their sex all over the place. They are putting on a lovely show if you'll only get down and notice!

PS- apologies for the picture quality. All are taken with my cell phone as my camera broke while traveling. One will have to wait until I am steadily employed, my birthday, or someone else wants to be my photographer for improved pictures. I hope you bear with me!

Enjoy the end of summer,

Elizabeth

Transplanting Pinguicula 'Aphrodite'

I acquired a Pinguicula 'Aphrodite' from Sarracenia Northwest last November and, after it flowered about six weeks ago, I decided to transplant the two offsets into their own container.  As a college student, there is little funding available for proper pots, so housemates are recruited to save all plastic tubs that have potential to hold plants in their future. An Italian ice cup was boiled for a couple minutes to sterilize it before it becomes a home to my butterwort.

In order to be plant-ready the cup needed several holes poked through the bottom to ensure good drainage. Then it was filled with pre-packed soilless butterwort media that was wet BEFORE the transplants were planted. It is important to pre-wet the media both to ensure drainage in the cup and to ensure the media itself is fully saturated as soilless media are often hydrophobic initially and sometimes need encouragement to properly moisten.

Gentle squeezing separated the baby butterworts from the parent plant. The parent plant was left in its initial pot and given some extra potting soil. The offsets were very carefully put into their own pot, watered again, and put back in the window to sun!

NOTE: these guys are excellent fly catchers, an easy to grow, wonderful carnivorous addition to any college household!

Welcome to the Native Plant Garden!

Thanks to Kerri for acquiring a $300 donation from ASLA to purchase these native northeast plants in four garden beds at the front of the EcoHouse property!

Hepatica

Sustainable Contests

The Eco-House is growing and evolving into a beautiful example of sustainable living!  I came across a sustainable construction contest that made me think of the Eco-House.  It's a great way to get some recognition and inspiration.  Check out the website at 2010 Green Home Challenge.

And the sponsoring organizations are cool too!  Check out Cali Bamboo and Surfrider Foundation.

Oh, Hey Spring!

I know its been a while, but we're still here and lots has been happening (as seems to be the case with every spring).

Flowers!

Living at the EcoHouse is such a treat. Not only do we have the vegetable garden, the 50 or so bulbs planted last season, and the perrenials Jenny brought to the house in the fall, but we have all the flowers planted by the previous owners of the house to discover!

6-credit Summer Practicum: Sustainable Farming and Local Food Systems

This class is in Ithaca this summer but sounds absolutely fabulous. I hope someone can take it and share with us!

Whats Going On!

Don't let April Showers get you down! Take a break from school work (I know I need one...) and get outside and garden. Enjoy the spring bulbs creeping out of lawns everywhere. Take a walk and notice the crocus, snowdrops, and violets quietly bringing color back into the gardens. Maybe pick up a peice of trash or two...I've noticed the snow melting has left quite a few paper cups and plastic bags laying around. Or, for even more fun, come to an event!

Before you go

Syracuse has had such a lovely spell of weather. The last four days have had high temps at or above 50F. Perfect gardening weather. Of course, there is still a bit of snow on the ground but its no bother. Clean up in the cold frame revealed some very happy spinach that has put out a burst of growth in the sunny weather. I've started some Romain and Black Seeded Simpson in side that will go in the cold frame as soon as we return to school. I also popped some radish seeds directly outside. We'll see if they decide to grow.

While cleaning up the perimeter of the yard I noticed the heads of bulbs peaking through the leaves. I have to say, the only thing more exciting than seeings your own bulbs blooming is anxiously awaiting the blooms of unknown bulbs. Whenever I move to a new house I am always torn. How much do I plant? I know I am going to be moving again shortly. Is it worthwhile to plant something that I will only see for a season, maybe two? Now that I get to  inherit garden plants I know how much fun it is to discover plants left behind. I expect to find daffodil and crocus bulbs in the beds but there are quite a few bulbs that are new to me. Do you know what they are? 

Hope that everyone has the chance to enjoy this much needed break! When we return we'll plant some peas, clean up the yard, and get going on LAND|scape club's native plant garden!

Until then,

Elizabeth

Meeting Recap - March 7th

Hey Eco-House,

There were a few people who weren't able to make it to the meeting yesterday, so I thought I could send out a recap of what we talked about and our goals for the next few months.

Native Plants Garden

-We have received a $300 contribution from the American Society of Landscape Architects for the  purchase of materials and construction of the Native Plants Garden

-Brad is typing up a general letter asking for plant and material donations from local nurseries.  He send out a  rough draft of this for review.

-Mike, Steve, and Kerri will measure the dimensions of the garden site and create a base map.

Fundraising

-We are planning a recycled crafts sale for Earth Week

-Tin candle holders, Aluminum can earrings, etc...

2010 Upstate NY Permaculture Gathering

-Saturday, March 13th 10:00am-5:00pm

-Contact: Elysa Sigielski at emsmigie@syr.edu

Calendar

-March 13th: Permaculture Gathering

-April 11th: Eco-House work day

-April 18th: Recycled Crafts Party!!

-April 25th: Native Plants Garden planting/ construction

*Join the new facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=352563258323

Happy Sustainable living!!

Kerri

Meeting Recap

This past Sunday's meeting focused on our semester plans.

Karie and the LANDscape club are working on a proposal to submit for a New York Native Plants garden for the front of the EcoHouse property. The garden would function as a showcase of native plants, an educational tool, and an opportunity to implement native plant elements into a challenging landscape design. Ideally, this garden will focus on native plants with high wildlife value, medicinal properties, are edible, and/or are locally threatened. A list of desired plants will be coming soon!

The Ecohouse will also be building a low budget, super efficient composting system for the house and community. With access to two 55-gallon drums we will be able to build a rotating compost tumbler that can manage a significant amount of waste rather quickly. The bins will have a few holes to allow for drainage and gas exchange. Creating a system where the bins can be rotated allows for easy mixing that speeds decomposition time. Plus, the enclosed plastic bins will prevent field mice and raccoons from dragging kitchen scraps around the yard. Also planned is a personal size composter made of a kitty litter container on a smaller but very similar rotating set up! The tumbleweed composter is of similar design plan to our future cmoposters but is available for purchase.

Next meeting, March 7, we will discuss materials and measurements for the composter and make a materials list, probably chat a bit more about the native plants garden, and reveal the plans for this seasons vegetable garden.

While you're waiting you can prepare yourself for spring by checking out the beautiful indoor flower arrangements and decorations at We Like It Wild.

Until then, be well,

Elizabeth

March Madness!

Gardening madness, of course.

March tends to be quite the month for gardening events and seminars. Its also a good time to begin starting indoor seedlings while anxiously awaiting mild enough weather to plant peas, radishes and leafy veggies outside.

There are LOTS of events in the area next month relating to gardening, permaculture, and small farming...so if you happen to find yoruself with some free weekend time check these out!

This Saturday, February 13, from 10:00am-1:00 pm, Syracuse Grows is presenting Gardening in Syracuse on the first floor of the Bob Cecile Community Center. It is free to the public and is offering three fantastic workshops.

The 3rd annual NYS Small Farms Summit will be held in Ithaca on March 3rd from 9:30-3:00 pm. It is free and open to all!

Alchemical Nursery will be hosting the 2010 Upstate NY Permaculture Gathering on Saturday, March 13 from 9:30am - 5:00 pm at The Gear Factory, 200 S Geddes Street, Syracuse. For more information see their MeetUp site.

And, the event I am most excited for is CNY Blooms, the Syracuse garden show! The weekend of March 3-7 at the OnCenter. Tickets are $10. I haven't found an updated speaker schedule, but based on last years presentations I expect this year's event will be just as worthwhile.

I know I'll be at CNY Blooms on Friday, so if you are too be sure to say Hello! And should you attend one of these events, or another fabulous gardening function be sure to share.

Be well,

Elizabeth

Hydrofracking Public Meeting on 2/10

Over 12,000 citizens and organizations wrote comments on the dSGEIS to NYS DEC. Untallied thousands wrote letters, made phone calls and signed petitions opposing hydro-fracking to NYS DEC, Governor David Paterson and government representatives. There were no formal DEC Public Hearings on the dSGEIS in Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo and Utica. Hundreds of farmers and other land owners have leased their land to gas companies without being informed of the use of horizontal drilling and high-volume hydro-fracking and its severe consequences.

There is a growing grassroots movement across NYS and the nation to ban hydro-fracking. Within this context, citizens are creating a Citizens’ Community Forum on Hydro-Fracking. We have invited a variety of local through federal representatives. Guests/Representatives will open the event with brief comments. Then there will be time for citizens to voice their concerns.

Confirmed Guests are:
Lee Macbeth, Syracuse Watershed Control Coordinator
Ken Lynch, Region 7 DEC Director
Dave Valesky, State Senator
Daniel Young, Regional Representative for Governor Paterson
Mark Dunau, Northeast Organic Farmers Association and Delaware County Farm Bureau
Local landowners who have signed leases

Concerns will go under the following categories:
Environmental
Human Health 

Fossil Fuel versus green, sustainable energy
Climate Change
Economic
Rural and agricultural

-Gail

Spring Semester Schedule

Greetings all!

Though many of you have received this semester's meeting schedule via e-mail, I am also posting it here both as a reminder to members and invitation to any one who is not yet on our e-mail list!

This semester our 'big project' is building an outdoor composting system to handle all of our household, yard, and garbage waste, as well as any of our member's compost contributions. A good system will be able to handle the needed volume, keep out mice, rats, raccoons, and opossums, and resist weathering for as long as possible. This semester's meetings will focus on designing, fund raising, and building the compost bin. Meetings will be Sunday evenings at 5:30 pm at the EcoHouse: 821 Comstock Ave, Syracuse.

February 21: Materials & design discussion     

March 7: Fund raising event ideas discussion

Weekend of March 28: Fund raising Event

April 11: Construction (weather permitting)


So, mark your calendars! All are welcome, please join us to share your ideas and experiences!

Other events may arise, such as field trips, lectures, and/or side projects. If you would like to be added to our e-mail list just leave a comment!

Be well,

Elizabeth

When the Growing Gets Cold

Coming back to the Ecohouse after a brief winter hiatus I was anxious to see how the cold frame was holding up! So anxious, in fact, that while doing snow removal with the broom I shattered a window. Alas, the lettuce and radishes looked like they had quit some time ago but the spinach was chugging along and looked no worse than when I left. Today, the first sunny day in Syracuse in quite some time, I did a real inspection of the garden. It seems that what everything really wanted was a drink. So, now that everything is watered and should be getting a couple days of sun I'm hoping to see some perky plants out in the snow. We'll see.












Just in case the out door garden doesn't make it, we've got a constantly growing collection of plants inside. My favorites are my carnivorous plants that just may be the coolest things I've grown yet. My highland Nepenthes is the show stopper with its gorgeous pitchers but I've got a soft spot for the two Mexican Butterworts whose flowers I'm anxiously awaiting.

Also inside are rosemary and thyme plants, a burgundy ficus, aloe, a Christmas tree, an African violet, chamomile, and an aerogarden that I just planted with parsley, chives, catnip, nira chives, cress, and mitsuba.

I do believe we're having a meeting this Sunday evening, so I will hope to see everyone there!

Be well,
Elizabeth

Hydrofracting in NY?!? Rally in Thornden Park Water Tower 5:30pm 1/19/09

The first day of classes -- and there is already an opportunity to come together and raise our voices to protect the environment.   A rally to urge lawmakers to ban hydrofracting in CNY is being held at 5:30pm at the water tower in Thorden Park.  Some of us are meeting at 5pm at the ecohouse to go together.  Hope you will join us.  In Sunday's Post Standard 1/17 (front page section B) there is an good overview of the issue, which includes where different state representatives and senators stand on the issue.  Many are undecided. Many are calling for more information on the impact of natural gas drilling - on one hand the danger to watersheds and on the other hand the effectiveness of protection through regulation.  Do you have knowledge to share on the subject?  Please comment!

One idea we will discuss at our planning meeting on Sunday, January 24th is whether we want to plan a field trip to Pennsylvania to view a hydrofracting site.

Gail