Sloughing off the final olive-drab layers, downy-white flowers unfurled upon the Bradford Pear as the Redbud’s ethereal blooms cast a cheery glow unto the scene. Swelling buds and spring ephemerals dotted the landscape as the grass grew green and lush. Nature was fully engaged.
It’s no coincidence that we celebrate Earth Day this Saturday, April 22nd. It’s a day to celebrate earth and demonstrate our support for her well-being. In some ways, it’s become synonymous with the whole green movement, more specifically the global climate change initiative. No matter where you stand on the whole global warming/climate change debate, Earth Day is a great day to honor nature and appreciate all her diversity and splendor, and we’ve put together a few, reasonable and meaningful ideas to help you celebrate all year long:
Start a Garden
It doesn’t have to be anything grand or complicated. Consider planting in containers or raised beds. It need not take up much space or require tons of time or money. Basically, plant something – anything. Perhaps you have a favorite flower, vegetable, or herb. Give it a go. Look to natives, and pollinator friendly plants. Share/swap plants with friends and neighbors. It’s eco-friendly and cost effective.
Compost
Start turning garden and select kitchen waste into gardening gold! Start a compost bin or pile. Some municipalities even offer community composting. Did you know coffee grounds can be reused in the garden? Consider adding them to your compost or as a very thin layer of mulch (no more than 1/2″ deep). Coffee grounds have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
Plant a Tree
Trite? Perhaps. Incredibly valuable and symbolic? Yes! Look to native trees and/or shrubs. They provide food and shelter for local wildlife, and so much more.
Consider On-Line Billing
Save paper/waste by electing to receive your bills electronically. It’s also more efficient and saves money and time. Sweeney’s offers both on-line billing AND payment!
Go Native
Consider adding Native plants to your yard/garden. Native plants generally require little to no maintenance, so no supplemental watering or chemicals are needed, and local wildlife are drawn to them.
If nothing else, take a stroll through your local woods or park. Pick up trash when possible. Be awed and inspired by earth’s varied beauty and bounty, and as always, reach out to Sweeney’s with your inspirations and aspirations, and we’ll make them a reality! We proudly serve the communities of Villa Park, Elmhurst, Oakbrook, Oakbrook Terrace, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Wood Dale, Itasca, and more!
Sweeney’s: A Plant Based Company
Plant of the Week
Rose (Swamp) Milkweed
Showy pink flowers with a light vanilla scent bloom early to late Summer. It is considered a food plant for Monarch butterflies larvae, and a nectar source for adults. Prefers full to partial sun and moist soil. Grows 3-4′ tall and 2-3′ wide. Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Deer resistant. Native.
“This grand show is eternal. It is always sunrise somewhere; the dew is never all dried at once; a shower is forever falling; vapor is ever rising. Eternal sunrise, eternal sunset, eternal dawn and gloaming, on sea and continents and islands, each in its turn, as the round earth rolls.”
― John Muir
Best wishes,
Kim Sweeney