I have personally been taken aback about where the green movement has gone in the past year. It seems to me that every big box store and major corporation has jumped on the bandwagon, which in many cases is a good thing. However there are those that are doing what is widely known as “green washing,” a practice of framing their products to look green when in reality they may not be.

SO, that has me thinking — What IS the future of green? I have some answers but literally have more questions. So I have decided to hold a series of old fashion salons to discuss it. These salons will be an open forum facilitated by me and perhaps others. For those of you who RSVP I will have a little reading and thinking for you to do prior to attending.

Please note that I am looking to create a happy conversation that builds into a positive future. This is not a place to complain or blame. The sessions will be recorded for transcription as I intend to use this content for future writings, therefore I will ask that you sign a release for me to do so.

* Each session stands on its own so you only need to attend one.

* Seating is limited to 30 people - please RSVP to Courtney@yg2g.com.

I am looking forward to participating in this discussion and hope you can make it.

Greg Peterson
The Urban Farm
The Future of Green?

* July 6 or Aug 3 at
Changing Hands,
6428 S McClintock Dr, Tempe, AZ 85283,
McClintock at Guadalupe
6 pm to 8:30pm

* July 10 or Aug 14 at
Creative Living Fellowship,
6530 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85014
6 pm to 8:30pm

A quick review of last weeks article: On average up to 90% of our household municipal water that goes down the drain is actually greywater ready, we just need to get it to the landscape. Additionally, we can harvest and infiltrate thousands of gallons of rain and runoff into the soil around our home (and, by extension, the community’s watershed) over the course of our annual average rainfall. These two water sources can provide a significant amount of our landscape irrigation needs.

By shifting to living within our greywater and rainwater “budget” we can make a significant impact on our local sustainability and landscapes. As a result, we can enrich the land, create a beautiful home and neighborhood environment - and give back more than we take!

Both of Brad’s books:

Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands Vol. 1

Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond Vol. 2

are available at our YourGuidetoGreen.com online store, as well as the book Create an Oasis with Greywater. Along with our theme of showers from the sky, we’re offering you our Eco-Shower Bundle, which both the kids and your pocketbook will love!

Enjoy the rain and hey, if you enjoy reading these weekly tips and articles please forward them to a friend (use the “Share” box below and click “email”.

You can also get them hooked on our 15 Essentials for Living a Green Lifestyle ”quickie” email series. See the green “Subscribe” box in the column to the right

Technorati Tags: diversion, garden, gardening, greywater, harvesting, rain, rainwater, systems, water

Rainwater typically is harvested from a roof and directed via gutters into the ground surrounding the structure. However, any flat hard surface can be designed to direct the water from where it lands to where you want it. As an example, my concrete driveway is slightly sloped to the south and drains the rainwater into the garden bed.

In this week’s article, Brad Lancaster begins the exploration of how we go about installing rainwater harvesting systems. Remember that many of the methods can also be overlaid on greywater systems as well. He also outlines his eight principles to a successful water harvesting system. Here are the first four:

1. Conduct a long, thoughtful observation
2. Begin at the top and work your way down
3. Plan and manage an overflow route
4. Harvest rain as close as possible to where it falls

…and for the rest check out his full article.

Our featured book, Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands Vol. 1, shows you how to select, place, size, construct, and plant your chosen water-harvesting “earthworks”. Along with our theme of showers from the sky, we’re offering you our Eco-Shower Bundle, which both the kids and your pocketbook will love!

Enjoy the rain and, as always, have a great green day! And hey, if you enjoy reading these weekly tips and articles please forward them to a friend. You can also get them hooked on our 15 Essentials for Living a Green Lifestyle ”quickie” email series.

Technorati Tags: diversion, garden, gardening, greywater, harvesting, rain, rainwater, systems, water

For the longest time after I went to my first permaculture class in 1991 I understood the notion of water harvesting to be one where I had to collect and store the water in some kind of container. The part that I missed was that a perfect storage container for the water is FREE… it’s the ground around my home. That’s right, don’t build tanks, put gutters in place to put the water in the ground where you need it. Our articles over the next three weeks will share many strategies about just how to do this.

This week’s article, called Greywater Turned Green, explores the many aspects of greywater. But before you go there, here are some quick greywater answers.

• Greywater is the water that goes down your shower, washer and sink (not including the kitchen.)

• Blackwater, which is not usable in our landscape, is the water that goes down the toilet and kitchen sink.

• Don’t ever store greywater, as it begins to smell very quickly.

• Greywater is legal in some states. Check with your local municipality for the regulations in your area.

• To see Arizona’s regulations click here

We also have two fantastic books on the topic. Create an Oasis with Greywater gives you the inside scoop on irrigating with household wash water while relieving septic tank strain and doing it all chemical free! Plus Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands Vol. 1 shows you how to select, place, size, construct, and plant your chosen water-harvesting “earthworks”.Most of all have fun with your greywater. Have a great green day.

Greg

Technorati Tags: blackwater, books, greywater, permaculture, rain water, regulations, resources

And often when we travel we seem to have an “It’s vacation” mentality that usually does not include conserving. From the gasoline we burn to the extra long showers we take in our hotel rooms, to the land we affect in our comings and goings, the impact can be enormous.

In this week’s article we explore the top three areas that make the biggest impact when we are traveling.  We explore tips from turning off your water heater at home (creating a huge savings) to using public transportation and walking on the vacation end.  Oh and my favorite…take a sailing cruise.

To help out with making your vacation even more green, be sure to bring along some stainless steel 32oz. sport bottles that you may fill with water from a safe source. Carry it with our Insulated Bottle Carrier Tote

We even have a stainless steel kid version! And for your infant/toddler, the Foogo 7oz Leak-Proof Sippy Cup is your best bet.

Naturally-derived insect repellants, suntan lotions, and balms, are also easier on your body and the environment. Our Outdoor Adventure Kit and Kids Outdoor Kit are your cost-effective green adventure companions.

Greg

Technorati Tags: bottles, conserving, Ecotourism, gas, impact, stainless steel, summer, transportation, vacation, water heater

When it comes to my yard I realize I can be a little extreme, but don’t let my yard overwhelm you. I have spent the last 20 years recreating my Urban Farm into an edible paradise AND I didn’t do it overnight. I did it one step at a time. In this week’s “Your Guide to Green” article, I explore the trees that live in my yard which is in Phoenix Arizona. If you don’t live in Phoenix check with your local cooperative extension office for the trees that grow and produce in your area.

In the meantime, we have an excellent resource available on our site. Benefit from the many tips in The Backyard Orchardist, written by a professional horticulturist and experienced fruit grower. Complement your orchard with berries, too! The Backyard Berry Book will teach you how to enjoy “farm fresh” berries….from your condominium terrace to your expansive backyard. Nothing like fresh berries on cereal in the morning.

Greg

Technorati Tags: apricot, berries, book, fruit, garden, growing, guide, orange, peach, reference, trees, vegetable

So Earth Day has come and gone and as in past years I saw a huge spike in interest and attention paid to the environment. With the official party now over, it seems that “the environment” has moved to the side as more dominant issues are discussed around coffee tables and in the media.

The nice thing, however, is that we can all live Earth Day…everyday, and very simply. There are many choices that we make everyday that cumulatively make a huge difference.

Two years ago this month I took the Billion Bag, Bottle and Bulb Challenge and have essentially eliminated the use of all plastic bags and bottles from my life.

I purchased cloth bags and keep them in my car for the grocery store and a stainless steel water bottle that I refill. These two things alone save literally thousands of items from landing in the recycle bin or worse yet, in the landfill. Amazingly, 95% of all plastic bottles never get recycled.

So in the spirit of living Earth Day everyday. Addie Gross explores 10 things that you can do to live a greener everyday. Some of it you probably already know and other parts may surprise you. Enjoy.

Greg

Technorati Tags: CFL's, Earth Day, junk mail, laundry, picnic, plant, recylce, tree, water bottle, work

Greg Peterson will present his lecture, “Living Green…Just What Does it
Mean?” Join Peterson, of “Your Guide to Green” for a dynamic discussion
about how easy it really is to go green. He points out how inundated
we are with so many shades of green these days. So what “should and
shouldn’t” we do? Peterson is a regionally acclaimed green living and
sustainability innovator with a mission to “inspire people to embrace their
own greenness.” A resident of Phoenix for the past 40 years, he received
his Masters degree in Environmental Planning in December 2006, and his
Bachelors degree in Interdisciplinary Studies at ASU in 2004.

Technorati Tags: Greg Peterson, Living Green, The Urban Farm, What does it mean?

Then I went to work and chopped and sautéed the veggies in butter, scrambled and cooked the eggs.  Tossed the veggies on top and viola one healthy omelet FREE from the yard.

I want to thank my friend Kelli (http://www.africankelli.com/) who I had dinner with last evening for the inspiration on this one.  She is doing great community work her in Phoenix building community gardens.

Hi all,

I’ve been busy writing (look for a little book soon, woohoo) and working on several projects that will come to fruition the first half of the year, plus I have several speaking engagements that you might be interested in attending.

•  First and foremost I have recently completed my first FREE educational email series called 15 Essentials for Living a Green Lifestyle.  In it I explore 15 easy things we can all do to live green and save money.  Please check out http://www.UrbanFarm.Info

•  With Earth Day right around the corner have you been looking for those last minute “argh I could live a greener life products?”  My team has been researching and we have found a whole plethora of money saving, healthy, reduce your footprint products.  Check out http://www.YourGuideToGreen.com

•  Next I have been consulting on a really cool art project called The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Project.  The opening for this event is tomorrow, April 11th, the creator of the project will be giving a lecture on Monday evening April 13th and I’ll be giving a lecture in conjunction with this project on April 25th.  See below for all the information on the event.

This project is very interesting and Margaret the creator offers a very interesting connection from mathematics to the coral reefs.  I saw her speak a few months ago and was very inspired.

Hope you are busy planting your gardens and have a great weekend.

Greg Peterson
The Urban Farm
Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/YourGuide2Green

PS.  If you go to my blog there is a free desert gardening calendar that you can download.  http://www.UrbanFarm.org

**************

What is the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef ?

Created by the Institute for Figuring (IFF), this monumental crochet installation remarkably resembles a living coral reef. The project not only celebrates the craft of crochet and feminine handicraft, but also serves to raise awareness of the potential connection between global warming, our everyday choices and the gradual disappearance of these beautiful underwater gardens. The simple crochet technique used to create this coral reef creates hyperbolic curves and mimics the growth of many marine life forms.

— Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Opening Reception
Saturday, April 11th from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
The Gallery @ the Scottsdale Civic Center Library
*Installation will be on view until July 11, 2009

• All are invited this exciting first glance at this fun and unique exhibition. Guests are encouraged to create and wear hyperbolic fashions, and prizes will be awarded for the most creative wearables. Refreshments served.

— Lecture by Creator Margaret Wertheim
Monday, April 13th from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Auditorium at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library

• Margaret Wertheim, co-creator of the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Project, is a science writer by profession and the author of several books on the cultural history of physics. Wertheim and her twin sister Christine are co-founders and directors of the Institute For Figuring. Both sisters have had a lifetime interest in feminine handicrafts, exploring everything from knitting and crocheting to dress-making and embroidery. Wertheim is an Op-Ed contributor to the Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, New York Times, New Scientist, the Guardian and many other publications. She is also a contributing editor to Cabinet, the arts and science quarterly.

— Lecture by Greg Peterson: Living Green…Just What Does It Mean?
Saturday, April 25 2009 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Library Auditorium
*Reservation Recommended

•  Greg Peterson will present his lecture, “Living Green…Just What Does it Mean?” Join Peterson, of “Your Guide to Green” for a dynamic discussion about how easy it really is to go green. He points out how inundated we are with so many shades of green these days. So what “should and shouldn’t” we do? Peterson is a regionally acclaimed green living and sustainability innovator with a mission to “inspire people to embrace their own greenness.” A resident of Phoenix for the past 40 years, he received his Masters degree in Environmental Planning in December 2006, and his Bachelors degree in Interdisciplinary Studies at ASU in 2004.

Technorati Tags: About The Urban Farm, gardening, Green Consulting, Greg Peterson, hyperbolic Coral Reef Project