About Betsy Franz
Betsy Franz is a freelance writer focusing on Green topics, nature, wildlife and the environment.Her motto: "I don't just hug trees. I fondle flowers, caress critters and play in the dirt!"-
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Category Archives: Landscapes
Benefits of Raised bed gardening
Several years ago, our friends Jon and Kim Hindman of Wyoming showed us their snow covered back yard and said “And this is where we intend to build our raised bed vegetable gardens.” They had the whole thing planned on paper and as the luscious smells of the home cooked meal they were preparing wafted through their cozy home, I could almost envision the joy they would get by adding homegrown herbs and veggies. Jon and Kim being who they are, I wasn’t really surprised that they got the gardens built, planted and harvested in what seemed like an incredibly … Continue reading
Posted in Frugal Living, Landscapes
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Pets and Pesticides
In my mind, there are many reasons to NOT let domesticate animals roam free outside, including possible harm to both the pets and wildlife and inconvenience or property damage to fellow homeowners. (As a gardener, there are few things as unpleasant as running your fingers through your beautiful soil and finding a pile of newly deposited cat poop). But since this is an eco-friendly blog, I have decided to focus this message on pets and pesticides (and other garden chemicals). Let’s face it. If there is a chemical on the ground, it is very likely that it will end up … Continue reading
Posted in Landscapes
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Eco cool remodel tool
I found this really cool….I mean ECO-Cool…Remodel Tool through an article on Treehugger.com. The Eco-Cool Remodel Tool is one of several green tools on the website for King County, Washington’s Solid Waste Division’s website. This neat web-based Tool lets you select an area of a model green home to reveal ideas and tips for environmentally friendly renovations. You’ll find tips and resources ranging from selecting healthy paint products, to what you should consider when replacing your furnace, upgrading your kitchen or landscaping your yard. Just move your mouse over any area of the home and then click on a globe … Continue reading
Posted in Energy, Green Living, Landscapes, Water
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Eco-friendly landscapes protect fish and other waterway wildlife
There have been a large number of manatee and pelican deaths in the waterways where I live in Brevard County, Florida lately. Since July 2012, a total of 220 manatees have died in the lagoon in Brevard County, about 100 of them under mysterious circumstances; and since February 2013, between 250 and 300 dead pelicans have been found in the same area. In fact, when we went out fishing a few weeks ago, there was a large dead manatee floating in the water near the boat dock. This weekend, we were happy to see a lot of LIVE manatees and … Continue reading
Posted in Landscapes, Nature
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Eco Friendly Landscaping Quiz
Whether you do your own landscaping or hire a professional, having a basic understanding of environmentally friendly principles will help you make the right choices for an eco-friendly landscape. Created by Betsy S. Franz ©2010 1) The best plant choices for your landscape are: A. All native plants B. Selected for your particular site conditions C. Drought tolerant D. Beautiful and exotic 2) You can save water in a landscape by: A. Using rainbarrels B. Adding mulch C. Grouping plants by their maintenace needs D. All of the above 3) At what height should you mow your lawn? A. It depends … Continue reading
Posted in Landscapes
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The psychology of “green” gardening – is taking care of the planet good for the soul?
“Peter Rabbit’s experience aside, gardeners are probably nicer people,” Richard Ryan, PhD. Professor of Psychology, Psychiatry and Education at the University of Rochester We all know the benefits that environmentally friendly gardening can have on the planet: less pollution less waste of our valuable water supplies and improved habitat for local wildlife, to name a few. And of course, what’s good for the health of the planet is good for our own health, as well. But when I ran across some new studies that indicate that gardening is good for the soul, I was determined to help find out if … Continue reading
Posted in Green Living, Landscapes
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Free Admission to many Gardens during National Public Gardens Day
If you are looking for a great way to spend quality time with your mother for Mother’s Day, consider taking mom for a walk through a botanical garden during National Public Gardens Day. National Public Gardens Day, which is always celebrated on the Friday before Mother’s Day, is a day set aside to raise awareness of America’s public gardens and their important role in promoting environmental stewardship and awareness, plant and water conservation, green spaces and horticultural education in communities nationwide. Free admission to many participating gardens is available through an offer at Better Homes and Gardens. Here are some of the many … Continue reading
Posted in Landscapes
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72,000 ladybugs released inside Mall of America for Earthday Lesson
I have long professed my love for ladybugs, so I really enjoyed this ingenious Earthday lesson in which a third grade class helped release 72,000 ladybugs inside Mall of America (MOA) in Minnesota as a form of all-natural pest control. To me, the coolest part of this eco-friendly project was the fact that it got kids up close and personal with protecting the planet. Here’s how it worked: The Bloomington, Minnesota mall is so huge that it could hold seven Yankee Stadiums. It also has more than 30,000 live plants, including about 400 trees, which act as natural air purifiers for the indoor … Continue reading
Posted in Landscapes
Painting the Town Green – How to Influence Others on Earth Day and Everyday
“People don’t resist change, they resist being changed.” – Peter M. Senge As eco-friendly gardeners, or as any environmentally concerned citizen, how do we educate, encourage, motivate and influence others, without offending, angering or annoying them? This, of course, is the answer we all want and need, and it is probably the obvious one: The best way to influence others is to think of what it takes for something to influence us. What would it take to get you to change YOUR mind about something? Certainly not criticism or condemnation. What, then? What would encourage you to learn? To change? … Continue reading
Posted in Green Living, Landscapes