Want to Fight Air Pollution? New Study Says Planting Hedges is More Effective Than Planting Trees

This new university study says that planting trees along the roadside is not the most effective way to combat urban air pollution.

By Jeanne Goddard

05 January 37 Views

15 Foods That Can Be Regrown From Scraps

There is nothing like fresh produce from your own garden, but, did you know that there are veggies that you can grow in the kitchen from scraps? I always have a mason jar of green onions regrowing above my kitchen sink. The technique is quite simple, writes the Mrs. Happy Homemaker blog.

By Jeanne Goddard

19 May 39 Views

Retired Parking Meters Raise Funds for Rainforests

Many people would be willing to donate a quarter for wildlife conservation, reckoned Norman Gershenz, a conservation biologist at San Francisco State University.

By Omar J.

19 February 38 Views

At Urban LA School, Nature Grows and Test Scores too

Biological diversity does not come easily in one of the most crowded and disadvantaged neighborhoods of Los Angeles County. One school, wanting only to beautify their campus, got an unexpected result after ripping out concrete and planting native flora. Kids' test scores in science rose sixfold.

By Renee Webb

21 April 42 Views

The Gangsta Gardener of South Central L.A.

A Los Angeles-based fashion designer is starting an urban garden revolution in his neighborhood in South Central Los Angeles. Instead of vacant lots -- the city owns miles and miles of these in LA county -- Ron Finley wants to help residents to plant a million tomato plants. He is co-founder of LA Green Grounds, a company that plants gardens at low-income homes as a part of a recovery system to transform neighborhoods.

By Jeanne Goddard

23 March 36 Views

Mexico City Roof Gardens Take Root to Combat Smog, Warming

In one of the world's biggest and most polluted cities, rooftop gardens are springing up in an effort to battle the smog, part of an initiative driven by Mexico City's government --mainly targeting schools and hospitals.

By Jeanne Goddard

22 June 38 Views

Brazilian Slum Landfill Turned into Park by Volunteers

A former landfill in a Rio de Janeiro slum has been turned into a park thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers. People came here to get rid of old refrigerators, stoves, tires and even their dead dogs, said Mauro Quintanilha, a musician and craftsman who started the initiative to create a green oasis out of the pungent garbage dump.

By Cindy McDaniel

14 June 37 Views

UMass Students Transform Campus Lawn into Permaculture Food Garden

Planting begins this month for a group of students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst who are pioneering a sustainable solution for campuses across the country. The UMass Permaculture Committee is transforming a 12,000 square foot conventional grass lawn into a sustainable permaculture garden for supplying fresh food to its campus community.

By Jeanne Goddard

22 April 48 Views

Paris Employs Sheep to 'Mow' Lawn at City's Gardens

Officials in Paris this week looking for a greener way to keep its lawns mowed, replaced the fleet of noisy gas-guzzling lawnmowers with a small flock of sheep that are grazing the city's open spaces. The scheme also cuts down on the need for chemical herbicides.

By Jeanne Goddard

06 April 31 Views

Chefs Name Gardens Top Restaurant Trend of 2010 - Sustainability and Healthy Options Also Hot

Gardens have been named the hottest trend in restaurants this year as more chefs involved with the 'eat local food' movement decide to grow their own tomatoes, herbs and other produce. Equally positive trends like sustainable seafood, locally sourced foods, smaller portions and gluten-free options round out the top five interests for chefs this year

By Jeanne Goddard

13 October 37 Views

Composting Project Puts 12 Tons of Dog Poop to Good Use

It's been almost three years since a grand experiment began in a dog park in Ithaca, N.Y., and the results are finally in. Dog dung poses public health risks if left on the streets, hurts the environment when left near trails and takes centuries to decompose in plastic garbage bags that end up in landfills. Now, the poop is being composted along with yard waste to produce valuable soil.

By Jeanne Goddard

07 April 37 Views

Too Many Tomatoes? Great Recipe Helps Clear the Window Sill

My favorite recipe beckoned yesterday, after bringing home a bag of season-ending tomatoes from the farmers market here in Virginia. A guaranteed show-stopper is my Tomato Tort recipe so I thought I'd share. Best of all, it is virtually impossible to mess up.

By Jeanne Goddard

05 October 39 Views

Recycling The Love: She's Delivering Leftover Wedding Flowers To The Elderly

This angel takes donations of leftover flowers and gives anonymous bouquets of love to patients and the elderly.

By Jim Stout

25 August 38 Views

Floating Garden Cleans As It Grows In One of Most Polluted Waterways In US

The Gowanus Canal has been polluted by garbage and industrial waste for years, but now a floating garden called "GrowOnUs" is filtering the river as it blooms.

By Tiffani Spengler

30 September 40 Views

Delivering Flowers for Old People in Nursing Home

Today a kind act touched two people's lives at an elderly home. My wife made two really special floral bouquets and we jumped in the car and drove them down to the home.

By Anastasia Spencer

29 November 34 Views