Let's remember hurricanes and the importance of gardens

Just wanted to write what great news the Election result is for Mr Obama,and all of America. Such a happy day! Of course, it's  a long road ahead too, but at least there is hope for the health care policies that have been introduced, and for laws that will make America a fairer country for all.  I was just having a think whether or not the Democrats policies have anything interesting in store for landscapes and gardens (anything blooming, new and bold). I had a quick look but the usual topics being covered were 'oil', renewable energy, 'gas' policies and such like.  Now what do the topics all have in common - they are resources and they all come from the ground. This set me thinking about all things topical, including the recent Hurricane Sandy that TreeHugger blog is saying has broken all manner of climatic records.

What people forget is how important gardens are in the context of storms, heavy precipitation and hurricanes. Gardens provide permeable surfaces which help absorb stormwater which otherwise pools in our laneways and roads. Stormwater drains are limited by their capacity to accept these water flows, as we see with any flooding event.

So let's be bold about gardens, parks, and any other form of plantable surface, including rain gardens, verge gardens, community produce gardens, and roof gardens.   They are all bound to help out in a serious storm by helping to absorb water overflows and divert the rain away from homes and public buildings. Also, gardens provide us with oxygen, clean out carbon dioxide, provide shade and mitigate the heat island effect - the benefits of gardens are endless. (I have spoken a lot about water sensitive urban design in my early posts and the benefits of gardens over built up areas).


Rainwater Fact: According to a site The Groundwater Foundation (a U.S site), compared with a conventional lawn, rain gardens allow for 30 per cent more water to soak in to the ground.

http://www.groundwater.org/ta/raingardens.html


And finally, watch this video which might have had some influence on why Mitt Romney didn't win the election:

http://grist.org/politics/the-most-brutal-ad-youll-see-this-election/

Moreland bluestone lanes

Brunswick's blue stone laneways have been saved for now thanks to local campaigning, which is great news for the local groundwater and stormwater drains.

What some people may not realise is that we need to increase our absorption of rainwater rather than creating more non-permeable surfaces which concrete usually is, unless it's been manufactured in a particular way, so as to absorb water.  When water runs off hard surfaces it inevitably carries pollution which consists of organic material, hydrocarbons, nutrients and pathogens which upset the chemical balance of our rivers and creeks, and leading to our wildlife becoming sick or perishing.  The groundwater needs replenishing, too, and even if the Council wanted to replace the lane ways they can do so by replacing the blue stone with materials which contribute to stormwater filtration.  Otherwise why not just save themselves the trouble and keep the blue stones, as they are so charming and really in keeping with the local area.

So far the heritage and cultural aspects appear to have been the main factor that I can see in the debate.  (This is one of those campaigns I would like to have joined just haven't been able to make the time.)

Moreland Council have probably been concerned with the maintenance of these lanes, as time goes on.   But ultimately whatever surface is there will need to be maintained.So, we don't need to get blue over bluestone!!

We went on a community garden tour. 

Bore Water not so boring after all

Being naughty blogging during my online classroom about sustainable water use. A lot of this we have covered in water sensitive urban design, aka WSUD.

My teacher is talking about bore water, golf courses (clear-felling of vegetation), high salinity in our soil, and all the things that interfere with our water table.  One of the things affecting our ground water, in Melbourne is surprise, surprise ... the increase in urban impervious surfaces.  And one of the culprits,  sorry to say,  is the building of extensive outdoor structures which often (though not always) consist of surfaces which repel storm- water (also known as non-permeable surfaces). What happens is rain-water gushes off concrete, paving and decking and in to drains, creeks, eventually polluting our seas (fats, acids, contaminants, pathogens, hydrocarbons, nutrient load. Oh, when will she stop bleeting on, I hear you reply!).   What our groundwater needs is more permeable surfaces : recharging or replenishing - not vast amounts of water being flushed down our drains!  A major ground water complaint is the problem with house cracking and doors shifting which I know so well in my house, with the attendant expenses and security problems which ensue (doors/windows not closing properly).

Remember: it is the extensive garden with its vegetation and soils, which filters the rain-water, and replenishes the water table.

Our teacher reminded us that we have to be careful with how much water we harvest in rainwater tanks, and what water harvesting can do to our water table, especially if large volumes of water get stored over time, rather than being discharged back on to the soil.

So one day I will finish writing the A to Z of all the reasons not to build up our outdoor garden areas.
It appears we have most of the letters covered already.   (See previous blogs.)

And who would have thought ground water could be so interesting.   http://www.toplinenursery.com/images/sal_water_cy2.jpg This is an interesting link.

One more list

Wow, I'm really on a roll. This is my second blog for today! And this is another list to add to the last one. Oh dear, us greenies really love our lists don't we!

When keeping it real in the garden, I suggest you always bear in mind these dot points:

1. Air/Plant/Soil Protection (Contamination, Erosion, Compaction)
2. Stormwater (diverting away from drains to raingarden, standard garden, rainwater tank)
3. Biodegradability and reusability and recyclability of materials to avoid waste
4. Reduction in use of resources overall
5. Shade/Wind/Ventilation/Heat Island effect - permaculture aspects
6. Maintenance and overall social sustainability 
7. Companion planting (like conditions for like), appropriateness and longevity of plants
8. Do plants require fertilisation, pest treatment at regular intervals etc?
9. Habitats, habitats, habitats 
10. Watch out for environmental weeds which are our second most serious problem, aside from land-clearing. 

And that's all I can think of today.