Recommended Reading

Check out Better Basics for the Home by Annie Berthold-Bond for green tips for your home and garden. This is my new favorite book -- I can make my own natural, non-toxic shampoos and other personal care products, as well as household cleaners, baby products, and so much more. The formulas are easy-to-follow and really work. Green, simple and much less expensive than many store-bought earth-friendly products.

Top 10 Problems Facing Humanity for the Next 50 Years

http://energysos.org/ricksmalley/top10problems/

Jim Cramer mentioned this list on his show, Mad Money (an unlikely venue for greenspeak, eh?) After a little googling I found the list -- along with some further explanation -- on this site. Read through it, consider what YOU are doing to address at least one of the 10 problems. Pass it along...

From the mouth of our babe...

Hi Everybody!

Thank you for welcoming me to the world. I have learned a lot about native plants, sustainable design and green living. My favorite plants are Salvias -- no surprise! Soon I'll write a post about them under the heading "Sage Says." Hope you will check back soon!

Sage

Award in Southlake!

Congrats to Chris R. in Southlake for her Yard of the Month award. We created the design and Keith Pulliam of Appealing Gardens Landscape (www.agscapes.com) implemented it. Some of you have seen her project's before and after pics in our presentations this year. I'll upload them -- as well as current pics -- here and to the portfolio section of our website ASAP.

Allen Sustainable Landscape Series

Gail Donaldson, Water Conservation Manager for City of Allen and Secretary of Dallas Irrigators Association, will be hosting a three-part sustainability series this summer at the Ron Gentry Training Center, 310 Century Pkwy, in Allen.

Part I – Irrigation for Sustainability (maintenance, drip basics, and controller scheduling)
Saturday, May 31, 2008, 10 AM to Noon
Guest Speaker: Byron Beall, Ewing Irrigation Products, Inc.

Part II – Design Basics for Sustainability (needs assessment and creating a plan)
Saturday, June 21, 2008, 10 AM to Noon
Guest Speaker: Dave Ilfrey, Native Dave Landscapes

Part III – Choosing Plant Material for Sustainability (perennials, shrubs, and trees)
Saturday, July 19, 2008, 10 AM to Noon
Guest Speaker: Brice Creelman, Shades of Green

Please Call or Email to Reserve a Space – Seats are Limited!
(Andrea Smith, 214-509-4553, asmith@cityofallen.org). Cost is $5 per session or $10 for all three.

Another award!

One of our projects has received recognition from City of Dallas as a "water wise" landscape. Congrats to Mathew and Caroline! Frequently we are asked about landscaping with native plants in shade. This project demonstrates successful ways to conserve water, preserve quantity and quality of local natural resources, restore habitat for birds and other wildlife, and celebrate the beauty of North Central Texas. Wanna see? This project will be featured on City of Dallas Water Utilities Water-Wise Garden Tour on Saturday, June 7th, 9am to 3pm. Here's a link for more info:
http://savedallaswater.com/waterwise.htm

We'll be there!

Allen Garden Club's Doing Great Things

http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/14838

I feel lucky

We meet a multitude of good and decent people everyday. Most read our blog, or know someone who does. Nearly all understand our mission and share at least some of our values. Every now and then someone calls who's just looking for a quote for any old landscape, but that's rare. Almost every caller is looking for a design or consultation focusing on native plants for the purpose of sustainability. Thank you all for allowing us to pursue our calling to help conserve, preserve, restore and celebrate Texas' natural resources.