| Project Energy: Warmer Climate Changing Gardens
(WCCO) As the first signs of spring are popping up all around southern Minnesota, our changing climate is making gardeners wonder what is right to plant. For master gardener and horticulturist Nancy Rose, the recent warm winters along with crazy cold springs are all a part of the joy of gardening. "Any Minnesota gardener certainly knows that we have odd weather conditions practically every year," Rose said. Those odd weather conditions usually mean keeping the mulch on a little longer and waiting until after the final frost date to plant most things, but the types of plants we garden with here in Minnesota could be changing now that the climate is changing.Minnesota's cold winter temperatures put us solidly in the zone 4 on the "hardiness map", but just recently, a national organization change the map based on a warming climate.
School pupils proves first class at wildlife gardening
A PRIMARY school in WGC has been enjoying a wildlife garden 'makeover', thanks to Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust (HMWT).Our Lady Catholic Primary School in Woodhall Lane has been taking part in a six week pilot project to demonstrate how practical wildlife gardening can work alongside the national curriculum through the trust's 'Schools Wildlife Watch' programme.Sandie Taylor, Wildlife Watch co-ordinator for the trust has been working with Our Lady School and a group of 20 children, from four to nine years of age to overhaul their garden and to turn it into a haven for wildlife. The project started in late February, when the group re-stocked the pond with native plants, and by early March there was already frogspawn in the pond. .
Upcoming concert information
Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster or at the venue box office. Call (248) 645-6666 or log on to www.ticketmaster.com. On sale today Champion Cage Fighters, The Palace of Auburn Hills, May 26, $20 and $35. On sale Saturday Def Leppard with Styx, DTE Energy Music Theatre, July 24, $28 lawn and $55 and $75 pavilion. Dave Matthews Band with Pete Yorn, DTE Energy Music Theatre, Aug. 23, $40 lawn and $65 pavilion. Cancellations Supernanny Live!, scheduled to be at the Fox Theatre on May 10, has been canceled. Refunds are available at the point of purchase. The Veronicas' tour, including their June 12 date at the Magic Stick, has been canceled. Refunds are available at the point of purchase.
Landscaping shouldn't be overlooked in home design
With great excitement, new-home builders thoughtfully choose flooring, hardware and trim to make indoor living spaces fit lifestyles. My observation has been the final process -- landscaping -- frequently receives the least attention because of burnout and budget strain. Julie Moir Messervy, award-winning author and landscape designer, says a home should be more than just the house: It is the whole property, and recognizing that is the first step to a successful design. Inviting the outdoors in Meservy, who will give a Yost Garden Lecture at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park Tuesday, draws upon her Japanese garden design experience when she seamlessly opens spaces from inside the home to the outdoors. Using architectural pieces to capitalize on views and creating outdoor rooms is only part of what make the spaces homey.
Tax worth approving
THE owners of property in Baldwin Park - and that includes about 13,600 homeowners - have an important and unusual election coming up. That's right, unusual election, because beginning this week, each property owner is being mailed a ballot asking him or her to approve a $27.78 annual increase in a citywide Lighting, Landscape Municipal District assessment. This election is for property owners only - that includes 13,634 homeowners and 985 owners of commercial properties. Also, the election is being carried out by mail; a property owner can mail back his completed ballot or hand carry it to City Hall. The deadline is June 6. It's important because, well, all elections are important! Elections form the fulcrum of our country's democracy and are a substantial part, a tangible example, of the concept of freedom.
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