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 Photo by Ron Forth
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Home&Garden departments summer 07
Dear Reader, It’s great to live in a place with seasons, don’t you agree? When I was a sixth-grader growing up in Southern California, a dusting of snow disrupted the entire school, as students and teachers alike ran outside to melt flakes on our tongues and skip on the white stuff. I’d never seen snow until that moment, but I knew then and there it was something I wanted to have in my life. Now that summer has arrived, greenery is a welcome change from this winter’s white, and I am blessed to have wildflowers and mountaintops outside my door. But with blessings come responsibility. We hear so much (finally!) about global climate change, carbon emissions, chemicals in the environment and toxins in the air. It’s quite frightening, and I fear for the world our children and grandchildren will inherit. On the other hand, we all have the ability—the responsibility—to influence the dire predictions espoused each day on newscasts. I got to thinking about what I could do, but how much of an impact can one person make? I considered it more, and here’s what I came up with: I’ve never been a fan of better living through chemicals, so my yard and pantry are organic. But I could do better and start composting organic waste instead of trashing it. Since deer eat anything I grow at home, I’m starting to patronize the Farmers’ Market instead. Eating locally is lighter on the land than buying food from the grocery store, because food doesn’t have to be trucked or shipped thousands of miles from farms to supermarkets. The biggest obstacle to my pledge to protect the planet is my car. I can’t afford a hybrid, but I could take the bus more often, and walk or bike to work now and then. I’m going to do that, and I hope every one of you will start to to do at least one thing differently to help preserve and protect this beautiful place we’re privileged to call home. This magazine is full of ideas to get you started. For example, if you’re planning on installing AC this summer, read about evaporative coolers in "Cool Solutions." You might consider this alternative, which leaves a much lighter carbon footprint than traditional AC, with the added benefit of humidifying the air. Water is a precious resource, so it makes sense to turn a lawn into a xeriscape. Go to "The Myths and Magic of Xeriscaping" to learn about the many misconceptions of these low-water landscapes before you plant. There are also many native and adapted plants that require absolutely NO supplemental water and thrive fabulously here. For a list of these, go to "From Dull to Delightful." And just the simple act of planting ANYTHING adds precious oxygen to the atmosphere. We applaud the efforts of Richard Doerr in "Paradise Regained," a gardener who went over the top to create a paradise in Boulder County. If you’re in need of more down-to-earth inspiration, read about an entire community that went completely off the grid in "Sustaining Life in the Desert." Or sign up for our free Boulder County Home & Garden Newsletter. The current newsletter highlights green-building strategies. There are many more “no brainer” ways to live greener; go to “It’s Easy Bein’ Green” for a list of them. More than earthly concerns are represented in this issue, of course. But in between barbecues ("Grill Skill"), lawn games ("Summer Socials") and all the other fun summer has to offer, please make a commitment to change at least one way you tread through life. I thank you, the planet thanks you, and above all, the children thank you.
Sincerely,
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