There are 7 areas the Juice Joint focused on to achieve this certification including: Water Efficiency, Waste Reduction and Recycling, Sustainable Durable Goods & Building Materials, Sustainable Food, Energy, Reusable & Environmentally Preferable Disposables, and Chemical and Pollution Reduction. To start, the Juice Joint racked up many points towards their Green Restaurant status by using no city trash pickup! All of their juice pulp goes to Howdy Farm for composting while the rest of their waste is recycled at Brazos Valley Recycling. Additionally, the Juice Joint’s furnishings are 95% repurposed. For example, their outdoor furniture came from another restaurant and was repurposed and painted with beautiful colors and designs. To add, the Juice Joint is a Styrofoam free establishment and uses compostable cups for all their juices and smoothies. To earn points in the chemical and pollution reduction category, the Juice Joint avoids using harmful cleaning chemicals by using environmentally friendly yet effective options like water and vinegar. As for water conservation, stop by in the near future to see rain barrels as part of phase two of their green initiative.
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Stop Them from Ruining your Harvest!There are many pests that torment gardens, but squash vine borers (scientific name: Melitta curcurbitae) may be one of the trickiest to detect. They are a species of moth, yet resemble a wasp, and often attack various squash and gourd species. What makes them so elusive is that they lay their eggs at the base of plants before the summer and the larvae hatch and inhabit the inner stem of the plant. Slowly, they eat away at the inner stem and block the flow of water from entering the plant. Damage to the plant usually is undetectable until it begins to wilt during the summer season, at which point it is too late to save it. SO, what can be done to prevent these pesky critters without using harsh insecticides? A couple actions can be taken to prevent your crops from being devastated by these pests:
Detecting squash borers in early June is key; you have to put an end to the squash borers over-running your plants before their lives even begin. This can be done by physically watching and removing them, but that is obviously tedious and time-consuming. An alternative is to fill a yellow dish, pan, bowl, etc. with water (Try not to spill it like I did) and place it near your garden. Because squash borers are attracted to the color yellow, they will try to get a closer look, and end up getting stuck in the water. Sources:
1. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/insects/caterpillars/squash-vine-borer.aspx 2. https://muddyfingersmeg.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/insects/ 3. http://insects.about.com/od/insectpests/ig/12-Worst-Veggie-Garden-Pests/Squash-Vine-Borer.htm 4. http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/insects/find/squash-vine-borers/ 5. https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef314 Written By: Jackie Parker It’s a known fact that college dorms and apartments aren’t exactly the most spacious when it comes to living area. Frequently, students don’t have access to a back yard or balcony, so the possibility of growing a full-blown garden outside is slim to none. Luckily, there are plenty of plants that flourish indoors simply with sunlight and water. Growing indoor plants is a practical way to save money and cultivate nutritious food! - See more at: http://www.foodieoncampus.com/5-nutritious-plants-grow-dorm-room/#sthash.QVgbBKw8.dpuf Channel your inner gardener and try growing these 5 edible indoor plants: MicrogreensDon’t mistake microgreens for garnishes! Many researchers are quickly realizing that these premature green leafy vegetables pack almost 3-4 times the vitamin and mineral content than their mature counterparts. If you have a windowsill, a shallow container, humus soil, and microgreen seeds, you can easily grow these tiny power veggies. Plus, you will save a ton of money, as microgreens in the grocery store are extremely pricey! Salad GreensWait, what? You can grow lettuce, spinach, and kale at home? Yes! Iceberg, arugula, spinach, and romaine lettuce will shoot up easily indoors with the right setup. Simply google and you will find instructions. In addition to their crisp, refreshing taste, these salad greens are loaded with vitamins A, C, and K. Scallions (AKA, Onion Greens)The next time you go to the grocery store, buy some scallions! Then, cultivate a new batch by placing the white bottoms (the bulb portion) into a glass with about an inch of water. The water in the glass should be changed daily; when the shoots appear, place them into a pot of soil and let the show begin. Scallions provide vitamin K and could also have cancer-preventing properties. GingerTo grow your own ginger, put the root in warm water overnight, then point the eye bud towards the top of your container and cover it with 1-2 inches of rich soil. This plant needs consistent warmth and moisture, and after a few weeks your ginger will start to grow, so be patient! This technique also works for turmeric. Ginger is a staple for cooking and a natural remedy for common ailments like digestion issues, nausea, flu symptoms, muscle pain, and menstrual cramps! CarrotsYou will be amazed at how simple growing carrots indoors can be with the proper soil, the right amount of moisture, and exposure to sunlight. Carrots are always a great snack and a perfect addition to dinner recipes. They’re also packed with vitamin A and carentenoids. Radishes and potatoes can be planted in a similar fashion! So, take advantage of your vacant windowsills and recycle old containers to grow your own food! You’ll soon find how rewarding it is to grow your own nutritious food. And don’t forget that there are tons of other plants that can be grown indoors… maybe college is the time to earn a degree and a green thumb!
Small Centerpiece Floral arrangment Spring season is here, and you know what that means! Flowers are BLOOMING!!! Yes, we have bluebonnets, milkweed, roses, sage, and many more growing at the Howdy Farm. Come out and take pictures at the HOWDY FARM and share your experiences on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tamuhowdyfarm/. This is a small centerpiece floral arrangement that brightens up any gloomy or regular day. You can put the arrangmnet anywhere in the house. Keep on reading, if you are interested in finding out how to create this beautiful piece. In this arrangement we used: 3 Knock out Roses 3 Calendula 1 Milkweed 2 Salvia 1 Sweet Pea 1 Purple Petunia 2 Citronella Geranium 2 Canna Lilly Glass Container Ribbon or similar material (optional) We will start with the Canna Lilies. Once they are in the container, you will want to tuck in the corners, so they look like this. The next step is to add on the purple flowers. The purple-blue salvia adds hierarchy to the design, stepping down to the sweet pea then purple petunia. Try to arrange it where the salvia and petunia are spread out evenly from each other, and the sweet peat are arranged in the center. Fun Fact! Did you know that fresh leaves or juices squeezed from Salvia leaves can be used to soothe insect bites? Next, we will add the orange/yellow flowers! The orange Calendula and milkweed are placed in opposite corners and in between the purple flowers. The other 2 yellow Calendula is put positioned on the other 2 corners , opposite of each other. Fun Fact! Did you know Milkweed attracts butterflies? On the final step, we will add the 3 Knock out Roses to form a triangular form. To fill in any empty spots, add the 2 Citronella Geraniums. The leaf texture will accentuate the design even further. You Are Done! In just a few steps, you have created a vibrant floral arrangemnet that brightens up any room.
Fun Fact! Did you know that Citronella Geraniums have a citrusy scent, which is known to repel mosquitos? We hope you enjoy making your flower arrangements!! |
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