Qunintissential Valentine--Free

What could be more classic (and just a little cheesy) than red carnations and a love song by Marvin Gaye? Well maybe a dozen roses, box of chocolates, romantic dinner, etc. but those ain't free and this is.

So print out the picture of the carnation (dripping red dye not included) and download "Let's Get It On" for free from Amazon here
. But the offer is only good today and tomorrow, so act fast.

Happy Valentines to all those who love plants!




Image thanks to Woodsey at Stock.xchng

100th Post Goes to the Birds

It might have been months ago if I were more consistent , but instead it is now: THE ONE HUNDREDTH POST for Dry Ideas. And what other activity could be more complimentary than the act of counting? Counting birds.

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)is an annual event engaging bird enthusiasts of all ages to take a realtime snapshot of a where birds are located in the North American continent. This years count is next weekend, February 13-16 and requires as little as 15 minutes of time. Learn more at their site.

These two birds, the female and male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), haven't been considered western birds, but their numbers are increasing along the front range of Colorado due to the increase in treecover brought about by residential landscaping over the last one hundred years. You may hear them before you see them, but nothing says winter like the image of the bright red male contrasted against white snow. Last year, in the 2008 count, Northern Cardinals were the most reported species in the count followed by the Mourning Dove and the Dark-eyed Junco.

All-in-all, songbirds across the country are declining in numbers. Audubon reports common birds are becoming less common, with some species seeing a reduction of 80% over the past 40 years. Audubon provides information on how to help.

Photos compliments of the Wikimedia creative commons through Mayflower.

Sustainable Landscaping Symposium 2009

Passion to Action – Sustainable Landscaping Symposium 2009

“Muddy Waters: Who Owns the Rain?”

Thursday, February 12, 2009

8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Denver Botanic Gardens

Presented by Front Range Sustainable Landscaping Coalition and Denver Botanic Gardens

Water is the greatest challenge in creating sustainable Colorado landscapes, homes and communities. Rainwater and greywater are potential sources of water, but can they be used legally in Colorado? And if so, how? This full day will include:

• Brad Lancaster, author of Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, will share how rainwater gardens transformed his home and community in Tucson, and provide detailed information on rainwater systems for Colorado.
• A panel discussion of Colorado water law, the legality of rainwater and greywater use, and possible changes to existing law. Moderated by Paul Lander, Executive Director of Colorado Waterwise Council, with Beorn Courtney, PE; Bart Miller, Water Attorney; Mike Vail, greywater specialist; Jenny Fifita, Reclaimed Water System Analyst; and Zach Johnson, ASLA.
• Lunch-time roundtables hosted by the panelists and speakers
• Michelle DeLaria, stormwater BMP scientist with Denver Urban Drainage, will present the effects of land development on waterways and the use of Low Impact Development (LID) or stormwater runoff reduction and infiltration techniques to reduce harm to waterways. She will discuss using LID techniques to protect long-term environmental, economic and social value.
• Keith Bowers, president and founder of Biohabitats, a pioneering ecological restoration company, is a landscape architect with a deep interest in sustainable landscaping. He’ll explore ways in which use of rainwater and greywater in the landscape can create and preserve vital habitat on site and downstream. Keith will discuss how restoring ecological functioning to all of our landscape is the fundamental path to sustainability, and how healthy soil is crucial to all restoration work.

To Register at Denver Botanic Gardens