Tending my vegetable garden falls second next to growing fruit trees. I planted my first fruit trees in 1975 when I was in the eighth grade and my fruit tree fetish has grown dramatically since. I now have over 80 fruit trees growing at the Urban Farm, with a goal of having fresh fruit every month of the year. There is nothing better than picking a fresh peach, apricot or orange that is so juicy it drips down your chin.

When it comes to my yard I realize I can be a little extreme, but don’t let my yard overwhelm you. I have spent the last 20 years recreating my Urban Farm into an edible paradise AND I didn’t do it overnight. I did it one step at a time. In this week’s “Your Guide to Green” article, I explore the trees that live in my yard which is in Phoenix Arizona. If you don’t live in Phoenix check with your local cooperative extension office for the trees that grow and produce in your area.

In the meantime, we have an excellent resource available on our site. Benefit from the many tips in The Backyard Orchardist, written by a professional horticulturist and experienced fruit grower. Complement your orchard with berries, too! The Backyard Berry Book will teach you how to enjoy “farm fresh” berries….from your condominium terrace to your expansive backyard. Nothing like fresh berries on cereal in the morning.

Greg

Technorati Tags: apricot, berries, book, fruit, garden, growing, guide, orange, peach, reference, trees, vegetable

Weekly Innovation – Earth Day in Retrospect

So Earth Day has come and gone and as in past years I saw a huge spike in interest and attention paid to the environment. With the official party now over, it seems that “the environment” has moved to the side as more dominant issues are discussed around coffee tables and in the media.

The nice thing, however, is that we can all live Earth Day…everyday, and very simply. There are many choices that we make everyday that cumulatively make a huge difference.

Two years ago this month I took the Billion Bag, Bottle and Bulb Challenge and have essentially eliminated the use of all plastic bags and bottles from my life.

I purchased cloth bags and keep them in my car for the grocery store and a stainless steel water bottle that I refill. These two things alone save literally thousands of items from landing in the recycle bin or worse yet, in the landfill. Amazingly, 95% of all plastic bottles never get recycled.

So in the spirit of living Earth Day everyday. Addie Gross explores 10 things that you can do to live a greener everyday. Some of it you probably already know and other parts may surprise you. Enjoy.

Greg

Technorati Tags: CFL's, Earth Day, junk mail, laundry, picnic, plant, recylce, tree, water bottle, work