Butterfly Gardening

Steve Hoogenakker has 20 years in the landscaping and leadership field. He can be reached by email at Steve@Landscape.Pro.

Steve Hoogenakker, MHA, CAI, CIC Midwest, MNLA, PLANET, MTGF, Showcase Landscape, Minnesota. Delano, Minnesota

(ArticlesBase SC #716184)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Rain Gardens, an Easy Way to Save Your Corner of the Planet

The Raingarden: Your easy contribution to cleaner water

By Steve Hoogenakker, Showcase Landscape.

Many folks are not aware that the rain that runs to our storm sewers does not go to the municipal plant for treatment. It used to, but as growing communities increased pressure on treatment plants, cities nationwide disconnected storm sewers and routed them directly to the nearest lake or stream. In Minnesota, pride in our natural resources is strong, and residents are willing and eager to do their part to protect water quality.

Raingardens are a fabulous way for Homeowners and Townhome Owners to protect water quality. It is a garden or landscaped area with a very slight depression (usually 6-8 inches). A raingarden is designed to capture stormwater from rooftops, driveways and even streets, allowing it to soak into the ground along the deep root channels of beautiful plants (some native and some conventional).

Some of the benefits to CICs include an aesthetically appealing landscape feature, increased bird and butterfly activity, and credit for reduction of stormwater -which some cities are beginning to charge fees for! The list of benefits to the environment is long.

The current system of storm sewer pipes contributes largely to flooding and poor water quality in all water bodies. The water runs off so fast, our natural systems cannot absorb it. Prior to urbanization, stormwater soaked into the ground. Some of it made it all the way down to aquifers and some of it flowed slowly and laterally through the ground to lakes and streams. By the time rainwater reached a surface water, it was scrubbed clean by soil and microbes and cooled to the temperature that fish and other aquatic critters enjoy. Gutters and pipes allow over-heated stormwater to flush all the pollutants that collect on impervious surfaces to water bodies that are not able to treat or absorb the impurities nor are they able to accept the sheer volume – leading to serious flooding. Raingardens begin to repair the natural mechanism that slows, cleans and cools stormwater.

What about all the stormwater ponds that CICs have, aren’t those meant to protect water quality? The quick answer is, yes, they were originally intended as an answer to the Clean water Act mandate that stormwater be treated on site in new construction over five acres. They do keep stormwater and pollutants out of local lakes and streams, unfortunately they merely collect and concentrate those pollutants. They, just like natural ponds, do not have the capacity to treat stormwater. In addition they often become eyesores.

To intercept the stormwater that is piped directly into storm ponds (and would not be served by a buffer), raingardens can be installed in the path of down spouts and near the curb with curb cuts. These curbside raingardens allow water from streets to flow into the garden. They are designed to over flow back into the street if their capacity is exceeded, not into the lawn. All raingardens are designed to be dry within 24-36 hours after a storm to keep mosquitoes from breeding in them. Mosquito larvae need seven to twelve days of standing, stagnant water to mature. Raingardens actually act as ‘traps’ when mosquitoes lay eggs in them and the water drops since they cannot mature! In contrast, raingardens provide vital habitat for many desirable critters like birds and butterflies.

The city of Burnsville recently studied the effectiveness of raingardens. They installed 17 residential raingardens to capture street and roof runoff and measured an 82% reduction in runoff in 2004! They measured a 90% reduction in 2005 and a 93% reduction in 2006- illustrating that as the plants mature (and the root structures create more channels) the infiltration rate increases! The city of Maplewood has actively employed raingardens in city street reconstruction projects for over 10 years! Cities across the country are embracing simple raingardens to address serious stormwater problems including Kansas City, MO (with its 10,000 raingarden program launched in 20060, Portland OR and Chicago IL. The ‘ground work’ has been laid and practitioners have learned how to make raingardens work and look beautiful!

With both raingardens and shoreline plantings, proper plant selection and installation and maintenance are critical to their success. There is a wide pallet of colors and textures that will tolerate the water fluctuations common to these landscapes. Raingardens can be designed to be virtually indistinguishable from conventional gardens and landscapes while performing an important community service! Be sure to consult a contractor that is familiar with native plants and shorelines when pursuing projects like these.

Even if raingardens and ponds are not part of your landscape, a native garden can achieve environmental goals and can be incorporated into any plan. A simple butterfly garden can bring bright bold colors and delightful wildlife to an outdoor living space. They require less water and no fertilizers or weekly mowing and in that way, conserve water and other resources as well as protect water quality!

If your CIC is searching for ways to help the environment, they need not look far. Take a close look at how stormwater is ‘treated’ in your community as ask, ’is there a better way?’.

Steve Hoogenakker is landscape consultant/contractor with 20 years experience working with cic properties and can be reached at 763-213-2410 or Steve@Landscape.Pro. This article can be reprinted as long as all Steve’s contact information is included in the article.

Retrieved from “http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/rain-gardens-an-easy-way-to-save-your-corner-of-the-planet-716184.html“

(ArticlesBase SC #716184)

Steve Hoogenakker -
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Steve Hoogenakker

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Article Tags:
minnesota, rain garden, clean water, steve hoogenakker, pollution, storm water runoff, showcase landscape, steve landscape pro, going green, delano, mha, cia, cicmidwest, mnla, teri hoogenakker, kirsten hoogenakker, paul hoogenakker, gerrit hoogenakker

How To Maintain A Water Garden or Ecosystem Pond

Learn how to Maintain A Water Garden or Ecosystem Pond. Visit our website for more videos, tips, and information on building and maintaining water gardens at http://www.aquascapeinc.com (04:28)

Building a Water Garden – Garden Girl TV

Patti, the Garden Girl, builds a water garden in one of her raised beds. Distributed by Tubemogul. (03:25)

How to Build a Water Garden

Patti, the Garden Girl, builds a water garden in one of her raised beds. (03:25)

What To Look For In A Backyard Water Garden

Dave talks with Tom Frost of MetroWest Water Gardens about plants that do well in ponds. (02:42)

Building a Raised Bed Water Garden

Patti Moreno, the Garden Girl, installs a pond inside a raised bed in her garden.

For more info: www.gardengirltv.com or www.urbansustainableliving.com Distributed by Tubemogul. (03:26)

Homemade Greenhouses to Assist Your Garden Production

A tailor-made greenhouse is probably something every gardener or vegetable farmer dreams he had. The genius concept of artificially creating an optimal environment for plant growth is something that has been known to be around since the Roman era. Of course, we may think of greenhouse construction as simply throwing up a frame and stretching some see-through plastic sheeting over it, but there’s more to it than just that.

By:
freehandymanl

Home Improvement>
Gardeningl
Nov 27, 2010

Do-It-Yourself Pond Filter

A pond will not be able to last without a pond filter. Good thing there are available pond filter of various types. However, if you are not ready to spend a lot on your pond, you can basically make your own pond filter.

By:
laral

Home Improvement>
Gardeningl
Nov 27, 2010

Five Things to Ponder When Starting your Pond

We often think that building a garden pond is very easy. The truth is, there is more to just putting water in a hole and adding fish.

By:
laral

Home Improvement>
Gardeningl
Nov 27, 2010

Plants in Ponds

Plants in our ponds are not there just for beautification. They perform some roles that can help out in maintaining the balance in our ponds.

By:
laral

Home Improvement>
Gardeningl
Nov 27, 2010

Salt Promotes Pond Health

Although often overlooked, pond salt is very important in order to keep the pond in its pristine condition.

By:
laral

Home Improvement>
Gardeningl
Nov 27, 2010

Salt Brings Out Balance in Ponds

Nitrite toxicity being a common factor for fish death is one problem for pond enthusiast but with pond salt, they need not worry anymore. Pond salt can help combat the growth of bacteria in the water and can help maintain fish health.

By:
laral

Home Improvement>
Gardeningl
Nov 27, 2010

Why Does Pond Water Become Murky?

Murky pond water can be caused by a number of things which is equivalent to a number of solutions.

By:
laral

Home Improvement>
Gardeningl
Nov 27, 2010

Keeping Water System Clean

A pond is both a pleasurable hobby and a troubling burden. Pleasurable in the sense that it looks relaxing and tranquil. Troubling because cleaning this type of water system is not easy as it may seem.

By:
laral

Home Improvement>
Gardeningl
Nov 27, 2010

Rain Gardens, an Easy Way to Save Your Corner of the Planet

By:
Steve Hoogenakkerl

Home Improvement>
Gardeningl
Jan 09, 2009

Preparing your Lawn and Landscape for Spring Part Two – Townhome Association and Commercial Landscape

Commercial Landscape and Townhome Associations.
Preparing your lawn and landscape for Spring. Part Two. The Garden and Trees

By:
Steve Hoogenakkerl

Home Improvement>
Landscapingl
Feb 21, 2008

Preparing your Lawn and Landscape for Spring Part One

YOUR LANDSCAPE – WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW COULD KILL MILLIONS

That’s right. As a homeowner, you’re responsible for millions of living organisms. You’re the “Jack Bauer” of the show “24” protecting millions of innocent lives!Grass plants, ornamentals, trees, annual flowers and shrubs. Your decisions also affect insect and biotic populations. Most importantly, you’re in control of how your landscape affects you and your family personally. make the most of your living investment.

By:
Steve Hoogenakkerl

Home Improvement>
Gardeningl
Feb 21, 2008

Customer Service, Upside Down, Backwards and Green Side Down Part II

If you don’t love customer service, then DON’T do it. If you aren’t in LOVE with the idea of valuing people over nearly all else, then I suggest you hire someone who does.

If you aren’t good at this, and you hire someone who is passionate about it, you can double your profits, guaranteed

By:
Steve Hoogenakkerl

Business>
Customer Servicel
Oct 18, 2007

How to Handle Critical Conversations – Part III

A skilled professional will find a way to get all of the free flow of relevant information out into the open, It’s the principle of the “Shared Pool of Meaning”. This is the synergistic pool of ideas and feelings of the entire group

By:
Steve Hoogenakkerl

Business>
Leadershipl
Oct 18, 2007

How to Handle Critical Conversations – Part II

Crucial conversations have a way of taking us off of our game. “Once we name the game, we can stop playing it.” If our goal is to get residency rates over 95% and we’re in disagreement about billboards, newspaper ads, or internet ads to get there, then the name of the game is “Residency rates over 95%.” If the other party says “You are wrong about the newspaper ads just like you were wrong about which landscaper you hired.” That’s a primal instinctive defense,

By:
Steve Hoogenakkerl

Business>
Leadershipl
Oct 18, 2007
lViews: 585

South High School Needs our Help! Glass and Rocks in the Football Field

I came across this article two weeks ago after hearing about it on KSTP AM Radio. Out of funding, South High School is in danger of injuring students. They want to make the High School experience a positive one, we think the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association MNLA along with it’s members can and will help.

Minneapolis South senior defensive end Zeke Shepherd plays on a football field with no lights, no electricity, no rest rooms, no ticket booth, no concession stand and no press box. He is not without shame.

By:
Steve Hoogenakkerl

Education>
K-12 Educationl
Oct 04, 2007

Easy Methods to Increase Productivity and Free Up Time for Family and Friends

Time and Life-Robbing Mistakes to Avoid. Watch Your Productivity Soar
40 quick tips to free up time for the important things in life that really matter

By:
Steve Hoogenakkerl

Business>
Ask an Expertl
Sep 29, 2007

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The Beauty of a Butterfly Wedding

on November 25, 2010 By Matt In Butterfly Gardening Leave a comment

The Beauty of a Butterfly Wedding

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Home Page > Home and Family > Holidays > The Beauty of a Butterfly Wedding

The Beauty of a Butterfly Wedding

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The Beauty of a Butterfly Wedding

By: Ryan Dube

About the Author

Ryan Dube has been freelance writing for over 10 years for publishers both online and offline and has covered topics including the paranormal, finance, relationships, and more. Learn more at Invisible Inc.

(ArticlesBase SC #561359)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – The Beauty of a Butterfly Wedding

One of the most beautiful wedding themes you can use is the butterfly wedding. Even more impressive is the wedding where there’s a butterfly release.

A Butterfly Wedding Theme

The first consideration when you are thinking about having a butterfly wedding where you will be releasing hundreds or thousands of butterflies is to do a complete butterfly theme for the wedding. This is where people get into trouble. Overdoing the theme where everything is “butterfly” oriented becomes tacky very quickly. This is why, even though a butterfly theme can form the foundation of a truly wonderful wedding, it’s very important to keep the theme very low key.

When you are planning to release butterflies, that is often enough so that butterfly images aren’t really needed on things like napkins of table cloth. By simply complimenting the “thought” of butterflies with things like wedding colors that compliment the species of butterflies that you purchased, or flowers throughout, guests will quickly recognize the theme and will appreciate the taste and style with which it was accomplished.

Alwasy pick your flower arrangements to compliment the colors of the butterflies you’ve selected. It is easy to obtain pictures of the butterflies online, even from the breeder where you order the butterflies for release. Make sure the bridesmaid’s dresses are complimentary. The groom and groomsmen will almost always be complimentary, because most butterfly wings have black in them.

Also, have your wedding in a location that makes sense to release butterflies. Either a butterfly garden, or any outdoor wedding would make a beautiful ceremony that is centered upon the beautiful transformation and release to the freedom and independence represented by the butterfly. Also make sure that the photographers for your wedding are aware that you’re going to be doing a butterfly release. They will surely want to prepare their cameras for the unique photo opportunities such an event provides.

Releasing Butterflies at a Wedding

Releasing butterflies at a wedding is becoming an increasingly popular way to create a unique and memorable ceremony. It is extremely easy to purchase a variety of species of butterfly online, simply conduct a web search for “butterfly release.”

The butterflies require very little to stay alive, so they are shipped to you in special “cooler” boxes, which they can be released from directly, or transferred to a larger “release basket” where they can be released. Instead of the traditional rice or birdseed, releasing a large group of butterflies at once creates a beautiful scene that both adults and children will love.

When the butterflies arrive, they’ve been cooled so that they enter a partial hibernation mode, where they get sluggish. They should be kept in these coolers until the ceremony. About 90 minutes before they are going to be released, you should transfer them to a warmer location so that they can perk up and become more active, otherwise many of them may not immediately launch into flight.

Calculating Butterflies to Buy

If you have never purchased live creatures before, it can feel a little strange. However, it is very common. People around the world release live butterflies into the wild for a variety of reasons. The butterflies are not hurt when they are shipped, in particular because they are placed in a cooler container that reduces their energy levels. It is a perfectly safe transition from where they are breeded to where you will be releasing them.

Most experts suggest having one butterfly for every two guests for good effect. In other words if you have 200 guests at your wedding, it’s a good idea to purchase 100 butterflies. You can either have guests release the butterflies, or release them all at once from a basket. Make sure to indicate your intentions when you order the butterflies from the breeder, because the breeder may have their own advice about what works best.

Is it Too Expensive?

Compared to other wedding costs, purchasing live butterflies is very inexpensive. One dozen butterflies is typically $90. The typical butterfly is either Monarch or the Painted Lady. Releasing these butterflies is considered perfectly normal for the butterflies and for the environment, and it will create one of the most memorable wedding ceremonies your guests will ever attend.

Learn everything you could possibly want to know about butterflies at TypesOfButterflies.net.

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Article Tags:
butterfly wedding, releasing butterflies, butterfly, butterflies, wedding