Winter is here and in full effect...the salmon run has all but stopped for the season, and with it the fieldtrips to Carkeek Park. I took my last group of middle-schoolers on a romp around the woods this afternoon in search of the PACNW iconic fish. We saw several carcasses, their eye-balls excavated by well fed crows and gulls, and two tails of two live ones peeking out from beneath a log, gently sweeping away the sand and silt from what seemed to be a perfect nesting site. Good luck little fellas.
The salmon sighting however, although really cool and very fortunate, was a side note for both me and the kids. What really had us talking was the wintery wonder land that has descended on Seattle over the past week. Carkeek, being set in the valley carved out by Piper's Creek, is a low spot on the map. The sun's shallow winter track barely allows for any direct light in some parts, and as a result, the hoarfrost that my fellow naturalist, Stephanie, calls "ephemeral formations" isn't all that ephemeral. It sticks around and grows through nightly accretion and produces some of the craziest looking miniature ice kingdoms. If you've ever grown a crystal on a string, or made rock candy, you can picture exactly what I'm talking about.
So in honor of my students today who toughed it out, frozen toes and all - a brief post on that magical stuff that meteorologists call hoarfrost:
Hoarfrost is also called radiation frost because it forms when heat radiates from the ground and is lost into the atmosphere. This has been happening a lot around here lately because we've had such clear nights. Without any clouds to trap that surface heat that collected throughout the day, the air quickly cools as the sun goes to bed and the ground quickly freezes.
Cold air has less ability to hold water vapor than does warm air. So as air cools, any water vapor present is forced to condense, and becomes liquid. The point at which this happens is the dew point (or in this case, the frost point). The colder the air, the lower the dew point, so even mostly dry air will deposit frost if it gets cold enough. For example, tonight's forecast has the dew point at 11°F. Now even though the air temperature will only reach about 20°F, those low lying areas (like Carkeek Park) where cold dense air will sink and collect will be much colder at ground level and hoarfrost is sure to form.
The good news from a gardeners standpoint is that it won't be very soggy for the next few days. The bad news or coarse is that the ground is impenetrable. I can't believe I'm saying it, but I could go for a little cloud cover soon. If this cold snap lasts any longer, Clara and I may have to get another dog to keep us cozy.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Christmas tree ethics.
I've been asked several times by several different people over the past couple weeks how I feel about x-mas trees...from a tree hugger's point of view. I've gone back and forth over the years but after a quick few minutes on the world wide web, have reached a definitive stance: cut-tree, good; artificial tree, bad; live-tree, admirable but foolish. Allow me to share some tid-bits and explain my reasoning.
Brief History:
The Christmas Tree tradition, much like Christmas itself, is rooted in pre-Christian paganism. The Roman celebration of Saturnalia was spread and adopted by most inhabitants of western and northern Europe. It was a wild party that coincided with the winter solstice (Dec. 21st), and became so entrenched into local custom that when Christianity moved in, the church, instead of trying to squash it, simply borrowed the tradition and tweaked it for their own purposes. It is believed that the tree thing began in Germany in the 16th century and soon spread to England and then America by the mid 1800's.
Side note: In Russia, after the October Revolution of 1917 when the Soviets took control, Christmas trees were banned until 1935 when they returned to the scene but as "New-Year Fir Trees". It's purpose was/is entirely secular, and ornaments hung were comprised of national pride symbols, not religious ones (bears, cosmonauts, vodka...). The star on top was no longer the star of Bethlehem but the Red Star of the Soviet Union.
Cut-trees:
Firs are the best and most common trees used because they retain moisture longer than most after being cut and as a result hold their needles longer. Douglas firs, although not true firs, are especially common in these parts, and while they won't hold their needles as long as a noble or grand fir, they have the added bonus of being very fragrant.
In the past, Christmas trees were wild harvested from nearby forests (think Christmas Vacation starring Chevy Chase), but today practically all are grown and harvested from Christmas tree farms, where they are treated much like any other crop. According to the most recent USDA agriculture census, there are 21,904 Christmas tree farms spanning 447,006 acres in the US. In 2005, approx. 27 million cut trees were sold totaling $485 million in revenue. Oregon led the way with $126 million (WA was 3rd behind NC).
Trees are generally grown from seed by nurseries for a couple years then sold to tree farms where they are planted, tended and cut after reaching a desirable size at 8 - 12 years of age.
Cut trees are said to be "carbon neutral" b/c the amount of CO2 they release as they decompose was offset by the amount they captured during their short life spans.
Discarded trees are often used by coastal states (such as VA) to curb beach erosion and help restore dune ecosystems and shorelines. Discarded trees may also find their way to landfills where they are composted with the rest of the yard waste.
Tree farms are said to provide wildlife habitat and other ecosystem functions such as oxygen production, storm water/soil retention, etc. in areas that could otherwise be developed into strip malls, but I don't buy that argument b/c tree farms are generally out in the middle of nowhere, and I guaren-damn-tee you that if a developer approached a Christmas tree farmer with an offer to buy, said farmer would take the money and run. Christmas tree farms earn approx. $1800/acre.
Artificial trees:
Yet again, the Germans were the pioneers in this field. As a response to rampant deforestation, progressive Germans of the late 1800's created artificial Christmas trees using goose feathers dyed green for the branches.
Styles evolved to use various other materials including wire bristle-brushes, aluminum, and most recently fiber-optic cables, but the most common material by far is PVC made from recycled plastic.
Side note: Up until 2005, lead was the most common stabilizer used in manufacturing these PVC Christmas trees. After about 9 years, the PVC begins to degrade creating potential health risks as the lead leaches out. China, the leading exporter of fake trees (worth $28.6 million last year), banned this use of lead after receiving pressure state-side, and has since switched to tin, which is apparently less harmful.
Sales of artificial trees between 2001 and 2007 jumped from 7.3 million to 17.4 million.
A Life Cycle Assessment study done by Ellipsos Inc. (a sustainable development firm) found that a natural tree will generate 3.1 kg of greenhouse gasses whereas the artificial tree will produce 8.1 kg per year.
Live tree:
I used to think this was the best option, but have since come to view it as torture. I love the idea of buying a new live tree, root-ball and all, every year, using it as a Christmas tree for a few weeks and then planting it in a nice spot where I, and everyone else can continue to enjoy it. In fact I used to day-dream about one day moving back to the family farm and slowly lining the drive-way in this manner - a phrenological passage of time. But knowing what I know now about trees and plants in general it seems cruel to take a tree in the midst of winter dormancy, stick it inside my 65 degree sauna of a living room, tricking it into summer mode only to stick it back outside to endure the harshest part of winter. Stress not only kills people, but trees as well. I try to avoid stress at all cost, and as a tree-hugging dirt worshiper, am determined to do the same for the plants in my life.
So don't stress out over your Christmas Tree this year, but instead think about how you can relieve the stress of those around you and support your local growers.
-The Soggy Gardener
Brief History:
The Christmas Tree tradition, much like Christmas itself, is rooted in pre-Christian paganism. The Roman celebration of Saturnalia was spread and adopted by most inhabitants of western and northern Europe. It was a wild party that coincided with the winter solstice (Dec. 21st), and became so entrenched into local custom that when Christianity moved in, the church, instead of trying to squash it, simply borrowed the tradition and tweaked it for their own purposes. It is believed that the tree thing began in Germany in the 16th century and soon spread to England and then America by the mid 1800's.
Side note: In Russia, after the October Revolution of 1917 when the Soviets took control, Christmas trees were banned until 1935 when they returned to the scene but as "New-Year Fir Trees". It's purpose was/is entirely secular, and ornaments hung were comprised of national pride symbols, not religious ones (bears, cosmonauts, vodka...). The star on top was no longer the star of Bethlehem but the Red Star of the Soviet Union.
Cut-trees:
Firs are the best and most common trees used because they retain moisture longer than most after being cut and as a result hold their needles longer. Douglas firs, although not true firs, are especially common in these parts, and while they won't hold their needles as long as a noble or grand fir, they have the added bonus of being very fragrant.
In the past, Christmas trees were wild harvested from nearby forests (think Christmas Vacation starring Chevy Chase), but today practically all are grown and harvested from Christmas tree farms, where they are treated much like any other crop. According to the most recent USDA agriculture census, there are 21,904 Christmas tree farms spanning 447,006 acres in the US. In 2005, approx. 27 million cut trees were sold totaling $485 million in revenue. Oregon led the way with $126 million (WA was 3rd behind NC).
Trees are generally grown from seed by nurseries for a couple years then sold to tree farms where they are planted, tended and cut after reaching a desirable size at 8 - 12 years of age.
Cut trees are said to be "carbon neutral" b/c the amount of CO2 they release as they decompose was offset by the amount they captured during their short life spans.
Discarded trees are often used by coastal states (such as VA) to curb beach erosion and help restore dune ecosystems and shorelines. Discarded trees may also find their way to landfills where they are composted with the rest of the yard waste.
Tree farms are said to provide wildlife habitat and other ecosystem functions such as oxygen production, storm water/soil retention, etc. in areas that could otherwise be developed into strip malls, but I don't buy that argument b/c tree farms are generally out in the middle of nowhere, and I guaren-damn-tee you that if a developer approached a Christmas tree farmer with an offer to buy, said farmer would take the money and run. Christmas tree farms earn approx. $1800/acre.
Artificial trees:
Yet again, the Germans were the pioneers in this field. As a response to rampant deforestation, progressive Germans of the late 1800's created artificial Christmas trees using goose feathers dyed green for the branches.
Styles evolved to use various other materials including wire bristle-brushes, aluminum, and most recently fiber-optic cables, but the most common material by far is PVC made from recycled plastic.
Side note: Up until 2005, lead was the most common stabilizer used in manufacturing these PVC Christmas trees. After about 9 years, the PVC begins to degrade creating potential health risks as the lead leaches out. China, the leading exporter of fake trees (worth $28.6 million last year), banned this use of lead after receiving pressure state-side, and has since switched to tin, which is apparently less harmful.
Sales of artificial trees between 2001 and 2007 jumped from 7.3 million to 17.4 million.
A Life Cycle Assessment study done by Ellipsos Inc. (a sustainable development firm) found that a natural tree will generate 3.1 kg of greenhouse gasses whereas the artificial tree will produce 8.1 kg per year.
Live tree:
I used to think this was the best option, but have since come to view it as torture. I love the idea of buying a new live tree, root-ball and all, every year, using it as a Christmas tree for a few weeks and then planting it in a nice spot where I, and everyone else can continue to enjoy it. In fact I used to day-dream about one day moving back to the family farm and slowly lining the drive-way in this manner - a phrenological passage of time. But knowing what I know now about trees and plants in general it seems cruel to take a tree in the midst of winter dormancy, stick it inside my 65 degree sauna of a living room, tricking it into summer mode only to stick it back outside to endure the harshest part of winter. Stress not only kills people, but trees as well. I try to avoid stress at all cost, and as a tree-hugging dirt worshiper, am determined to do the same for the plants in my life.
So don't stress out over your Christmas Tree this year, but instead think about how you can relieve the stress of those around you and support your local growers.
-The Soggy Gardener
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
To rake or not to rake, that is the question.
No teaching today, just a little soggy gardening. As the salmon run at Carkeek begins to wane, so to do fall fieldtrips to Pipers Creek. More signs of fall moving into winter: the many shades of grey, the many kinds of rain, and that bite in the air that makes some reach for books, blankets and warm beverages, and sends others into daydreams of a good snow season in the mountains.
On a related topic, I decided today that Seattlites should borrow a page from our Inuit neighbors to the north who, according to urban legend, use up to 100 different words to describe "snow". Why not do the same for the many variations of rain we experience here in Seattle? For example, today started out as a "Seattle steam bath" and switched over to a "light mist" mid-morning before tapering off by lunch-time. That's about a 2 on the Soggy Gardener scale. When they figure out how to waterproof iphones, I foresee another great and useless app hitting the market. Simply stick your iphone outside screen-up for 1 min. to allow the number of raindrops to register, and presto, instant weather report and outfit recommendation. A high-tech version of the "weather rock" if you will.
So I gardened with Rick and his 15 years-old daughter Anna today. Anna is in town for Thanksgiving, and unlike many kids her age in her situation, she sees going to work with dad as a double bonus: A) I get to hang out with dad all day in the light mist, and B) I get to make a little money of my own so I can go buy that new Greenday album - yes, shockingly, kids these days are still listening to Greenday. Not only has music changed very little since I was Anna's age, but I must say, it was reassuring to find out that 15 year-olds still know everything. In this current climate where a general feeling of uncertainty hangs in the air like a fog over the Bay, it was refreshing to spend time with someone who has all the answers. Rick is a good dad and Anna is a good kid, and I'm happy to know them both.
But onto the topic at hand...to rake or not to rake. I can't help but ask myself that every time I make a pile of leaves. The ecologist inside of me feels snubbed. Aren't those leaves simply adding needed nutrients back into the soil, while creating habitat for micros/macros and mycelia to do their thing? The organic farmer inside of me feels a little confused. Isn't that mat of organic material serving as a pretty good mulch, keeping down weeds, soaking up moisture, and offering protection from frost? But in the end, the horticulturalist/landscape gardener wins out...cleanliness is next to godliness, and the less decaying material near your plants the fewer potential diseases your plants will come in contact with.
The best course of action is probably to do what my good friend/client, Hellmut does (or has me do). At Hellmut's, we gather as many leaves as we can from his property (mostly big leaf maples), distribute them over his lawn, chop them up and collect them with his bag mower, and then dump them into his compost bins. Because Hellmut has a lot of acid loving evergreens such as Rhododendrons, we incorporate used coffee grounds into the leaf/grass mixture. In a few short months, when the sun returns and the plants start to really feed again, we will have superb compost ready for them. It's a beautiful and practically closed system that has been feeding Hellmut and his cadre of Mt. Beavers, moles and voles for 30+ years.
When I think about Hellmut's system and compare it to what has become the conventional one, I get a little bummed out. In the conventional system, we show up in our big fuel inefficient truck, attempt to sterilize the garden beds by removing anything that might attract a decomposer, load up said truck (making it even less fuel efficient), haul it off to the transfer station where it get's picked up by an even bigger, less fuel efficient truck, and hauled even farther away to a dump where bull-dozers, conveyor belts and huge sheets of plastic will be used to produce compost that will then be put into plastic bags and trucked to a garden center (kind of) near you. You can then get in your vehicle, go pick some up for $5-10/cu. ft. and bring it back to spread on your nutrient deprived garden. Just don't forget to wear gloves, because lord knows how many cigarette butts, staples, bits of glass, etc. got thrown into that yard waste bin.
Perhaps in the post-petroleum world that Anna and her friends will inherit, they, learning from their father's and mother's mistakes will come up with more sane ways of doing things. Perhaps they will borrow the wisdom of Hellmut and his generation and take to heart the words of "waste not want not". Perhaps every new house will be built with a bio-digester that will transform not only fallen leaves, but dog poop, food scraps and trash as well into methane that will run the heat and electric. I guess every generation sees a better future for the one it helps to raise, and so as I prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving this year I would like to thank, not chastise, the Baby Boomers and Gen X'ers out there in the blogosphere for doing their best and showing us both the right ways and wrong ways of doing things.
[one correction to be made from my last post: I was at Greenlake again yesterday, this time with Mo, and the deciduous conifers down there at the North end are not dawn redwoods, but really really big bald cypress.]
On a related topic, I decided today that Seattlites should borrow a page from our Inuit neighbors to the north who, according to urban legend, use up to 100 different words to describe "snow". Why not do the same for the many variations of rain we experience here in Seattle? For example, today started out as a "Seattle steam bath" and switched over to a "light mist" mid-morning before tapering off by lunch-time. That's about a 2 on the Soggy Gardener scale. When they figure out how to waterproof iphones, I foresee another great and useless app hitting the market. Simply stick your iphone outside screen-up for 1 min. to allow the number of raindrops to register, and presto, instant weather report and outfit recommendation. A high-tech version of the "weather rock" if you will.
So I gardened with Rick and his 15 years-old daughter Anna today. Anna is in town for Thanksgiving, and unlike many kids her age in her situation, she sees going to work with dad as a double bonus: A) I get to hang out with dad all day in the light mist, and B) I get to make a little money of my own so I can go buy that new Greenday album - yes, shockingly, kids these days are still listening to Greenday. Not only has music changed very little since I was Anna's age, but I must say, it was reassuring to find out that 15 year-olds still know everything. In this current climate where a general feeling of uncertainty hangs in the air like a fog over the Bay, it was refreshing to spend time with someone who has all the answers. Rick is a good dad and Anna is a good kid, and I'm happy to know them both.
But onto the topic at hand...to rake or not to rake. I can't help but ask myself that every time I make a pile of leaves. The ecologist inside of me feels snubbed. Aren't those leaves simply adding needed nutrients back into the soil, while creating habitat for micros/macros and mycelia to do their thing? The organic farmer inside of me feels a little confused. Isn't that mat of organic material serving as a pretty good mulch, keeping down weeds, soaking up moisture, and offering protection from frost? But in the end, the horticulturalist/landscape gardener wins out...cleanliness is next to godliness, and the less decaying material near your plants the fewer potential diseases your plants will come in contact with.
The best course of action is probably to do what my good friend/client, Hellmut does (or has me do). At Hellmut's, we gather as many leaves as we can from his property (mostly big leaf maples), distribute them over his lawn, chop them up and collect them with his bag mower, and then dump them into his compost bins. Because Hellmut has a lot of acid loving evergreens such as Rhododendrons, we incorporate used coffee grounds into the leaf/grass mixture. In a few short months, when the sun returns and the plants start to really feed again, we will have superb compost ready for them. It's a beautiful and practically closed system that has been feeding Hellmut and his cadre of Mt. Beavers, moles and voles for 30+ years.
When I think about Hellmut's system and compare it to what has become the conventional one, I get a little bummed out. In the conventional system, we show up in our big fuel inefficient truck, attempt to sterilize the garden beds by removing anything that might attract a decomposer, load up said truck (making it even less fuel efficient), haul it off to the transfer station where it get's picked up by an even bigger, less fuel efficient truck, and hauled even farther away to a dump where bull-dozers, conveyor belts and huge sheets of plastic will be used to produce compost that will then be put into plastic bags and trucked to a garden center (kind of) near you. You can then get in your vehicle, go pick some up for $5-10/cu. ft. and bring it back to spread on your nutrient deprived garden. Just don't forget to wear gloves, because lord knows how many cigarette butts, staples, bits of glass, etc. got thrown into that yard waste bin.
Perhaps in the post-petroleum world that Anna and her friends will inherit, they, learning from their father's and mother's mistakes will come up with more sane ways of doing things. Perhaps they will borrow the wisdom of Hellmut and his generation and take to heart the words of "waste not want not". Perhaps every new house will be built with a bio-digester that will transform not only fallen leaves, but dog poop, food scraps and trash as well into methane that will run the heat and electric. I guess every generation sees a better future for the one it helps to raise, and so as I prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving this year I would like to thank, not chastise, the Baby Boomers and Gen X'ers out there in the blogosphere for doing their best and showing us both the right ways and wrong ways of doing things.
[one correction to be made from my last post: I was at Greenlake again yesterday, this time with Mo, and the deciduous conifers down there at the North end are not dawn redwoods, but really really big bald cypress.]
Friday, November 20, 2009
Greenlake w/ Josh
So as expected, the inspiration for this post comes from an unexpected place. Yes, I tromped around Carkeek Park w/ a group of 4th/5th graders this morning, and yes, I did a little gardening this afternoon, but neither venue triggered anything worth sharing - probably b/c I started this blog and was looking for it.
But then! While on a jaunt with the dogs and Josh to Greenlake! The sun was setting, the wind was howling, white caps frothed in our direction, and the smell of maple syrup was all around us. I followed my nose down to the rusty colored carpet of dawn redwood needles at our feet. It got me thinking about the paradox of deciduous conifers. So I did a little googling. Here are the tid-bits:
#1: There are only a handfull of deciduous conifers out there. 14 larches, 3 cypresses, the dawn redwood, and the ginko (though it's more of a cycad than a conifer).
#2: Evergreen needles and leaves have a higher carbon-nitrogen ratio than deciduous ones. In an evergreen forest, this creates a more acidic soil that is low in nitrogen content. Such soil conditions favor the growth of more evergreens (that can absorb nutrients year round) and make it difficult for deciduous plants to set up shop.
#3: Evergreens, b/c they keep their foliage for longer stints, are more susceptible to getting sick from long term exposure to air pollution, and therefore may not make the best street trees.
And now that you're all asleep, here are a few pics that Isiah took on our Larch March 09. One thing is for sure about these botanical oddballs - their fall color can be breathtaking.
But then! While on a jaunt with the dogs and Josh to Greenlake! The sun was setting, the wind was howling, white caps frothed in our direction, and the smell of maple syrup was all around us. I followed my nose down to the rusty colored carpet of dawn redwood needles at our feet. It got me thinking about the paradox of deciduous conifers. So I did a little googling. Here are the tid-bits:
#1: There are only a handfull of deciduous conifers out there. 14 larches, 3 cypresses, the dawn redwood, and the ginko (though it's more of a cycad than a conifer).
#2: Evergreen needles and leaves have a higher carbon-nitrogen ratio than deciduous ones. In an evergreen forest, this creates a more acidic soil that is low in nitrogen content. Such soil conditions favor the growth of more evergreens (that can absorb nutrients year round) and make it difficult for deciduous plants to set up shop.
#3: Evergreens, b/c they keep their foliage for longer stints, are more susceptible to getting sick from long term exposure to air pollution, and therefore may not make the best street trees.
And now that you're all asleep, here are a few pics that Isiah took on our Larch March 09. One thing is for sure about these botanical oddballs - their fall color can be breathtaking.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
When the cats away, the mice get bored.
Greetings blogosphere,
As the title of the post suggests, I write to you mostly out of boredom. I say "mostly" b/c truth be told I've been thinking about starting up this blog for months now. With Clara away in NYC, and Devo now in L.A., it seems I've finally found the proper motivation.
What will you find at The Soggy Gardener? Good question. We'll see how it goes, but my vision is a simple one. As a part-time EE teacher (environmental education), part-time gardener, I spend most of my day outside, which in Seattle during the winter means I'm often soggy. Somehow I don't mind, though, and I've actually grown to enjoy it.
The thing that keeps me going is the variety. While there is a certain routine to teaching about salmon and watersheds day in and day out, and a definite monotony to raking up wet leaves on such a regular basis, every day brings something new and often interesting.
This blog, therefore, will be my public journal where the more interesting tid-bits of my daily routine will find an outlet. Some, I'm sure, will lean heavy on my experiences tromping around the woods with kids, while others will be more garden/plant based. Others, no doubt, will be completely random rants, digressions and observations. Like I said, oh magnanimous blogosphere, we'll see how it goes. So stay tuned, and enjoy.
Yours truly,
The Soggy Gardener
As the title of the post suggests, I write to you mostly out of boredom. I say "mostly" b/c truth be told I've been thinking about starting up this blog for months now. With Clara away in NYC, and Devo now in L.A., it seems I've finally found the proper motivation.
What will you find at The Soggy Gardener? Good question. We'll see how it goes, but my vision is a simple one. As a part-time EE teacher (environmental education), part-time gardener, I spend most of my day outside, which in Seattle during the winter means I'm often soggy. Somehow I don't mind, though, and I've actually grown to enjoy it.
The thing that keeps me going is the variety. While there is a certain routine to teaching about salmon and watersheds day in and day out, and a definite monotony to raking up wet leaves on such a regular basis, every day brings something new and often interesting.
This blog, therefore, will be my public journal where the more interesting tid-bits of my daily routine will find an outlet. Some, I'm sure, will lean heavy on my experiences tromping around the woods with kids, while others will be more garden/plant based. Others, no doubt, will be completely random rants, digressions and observations. Like I said, oh magnanimous blogosphere, we'll see how it goes. So stay tuned, and enjoy.
Yours truly,
The Soggy Gardener
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