Dear Earth Talk: Now that autumn is here, the leaves are going to pile up in my yard again. Is it really that bad to burn them? Why is it illegal to burn leaves in so many places now? — Jeffrey Edwards, Westport, Conn. Burning fallen leaves used to be standard practice across North America, […]
Community & Lifestyle
Posted inArts & Culture
Unkindest Cut
Unkindest Cut Two passions started me on an exploration: A couple of years ago I received my great-grandmother’s diaries, which date from 1928 to 1971. I read them and learned about . . . well, you’ll see. And then I purchased a box of frozen tilapia fillets for my family, who had suddenly gone from […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Grow your own spinach
I have not-so-fond childhood memories of being force-fed cooked spinach topped with sliced hard-boiled eggs. As an adult, I still have trouble eating cooked spinach, but I do enjoy fresh spinach in a mixed garden salad. Spinach has gotten a lot of bad publicity recently. Because of the contamination scare, fresh spinach may be in […]
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Holy hyperbole, Family Man!
I work for a newspaper that has a circulation of 30,000. I have three co-workers on the editorial side, two so young, I could be their mother. Our “newsroom” is a basement. The “view” from my window is the backside of a Dumpster. I’m not bewailing these conditions. The kids I work with are supercool, […]
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Saving summer bulbs
Dahlias, cannas, caladiums, and gladiolus make great additions to our gardens, but the bulbs of these summer bloomers have trouble with Illinois’ harsh winters and need special attention in the fall. By digging and then storing tender bulbs in a warmer area for the winter months, you can save your bulbs from year to year, […]
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Mad cows and Alzheimer’s
Dear “Earth Talk”: Is there a connection between “mad cow” disease and Alzheimer’s disease? — Jon Luongo, Brooklyn, N.Y. Despite limited evidence, some researchers fear that just such a connection exists. In his 2004 book Brain Trust, biochemist Colm Kelleher argues that mad-cow disease (also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or BSE) has actually been […]
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Protecting new evergreens
You may plant an evergreen tree in your back yard in July expecting to see it looking perky in the middle of winter, but think again. Newly planted evergreens are more prone to dehydration through the winter, but with a little extra care your new tree will live to see spring. “Winter can be harsh,” […]
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Fall’s garden challenges
The gardening season is winding down, but there’s still a lot to do. “Early fall is a great time for lawn renovation,” says Ron Wolford, a horticulture education with the University of Illinois Extension. “There is less competition with weeds, and grass germinates quickly because of warm soil temperatures and cool fall weather.” To renovate […]
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When to save your seeds
Until the end of World War II, most gardeners saved their own vegetable and flower seeds because high-quality seeds were not always readily available. Today, affordable high-quality seeds are available at garden shops and in seed catalogs everywhere, and most gardeners prefer to buy fresh seeds each year from a reliable company. However, a few […]
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Gas attack
Dear “Earth Talk”: I’m going to be remodeling and was wondering: Are there floorings or wall coverings available that won’t aggravate my child’s respiratory problems? — Mary, Lake Zurich, Ill. For those with chemical sensitivities, the home is sometimes anything but a refuge. Volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde can “off-gas” from carpets, wallpaper, and […]
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Beyond tulips and daffodils
Looking for something different to add to your spring garden? Try fritillaria. Varieties of this old-fashioned spring-flowering bulb, which puts forth interesting bell-shaped hanging blooms in middle to late spring, range in height from 1 to 4 feet. Most fritillaria prefer a sheltered garden location in a partially shaded area. The unusual flowers will draw […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Buzzword
Dear “Earth Talk”: The term “sustainable” seems to be the new green buzzword. What exactly does it mean, particularly when applied to such things, say, as transportation or agriculture? — Steve Nezhad, Portland, Maine “Sustainable,” quite simply, is the positive result of conducting economic, social, or environmental activities in such a way that current needs […]
