Sustainability Interest Group - Last-Minute Halloween Ideas
Lucy, Burke@CalRecycle
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Grass Roots Circular Economy and Climate Action |
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Join the Sustainability
Interest Group at CalEPA to discuss sustainable |
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Or call in (audio only) +1 916-619-7284, 955660965# United States, Sacramento Phone Conference ID: 955 660 965# Find a local number | Reset PIN
(Sending this out early due to vacation next week) |
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Last-Minute Halloween Ideas |
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
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Are you dreading the pressure of dressing up for Halloween for the office? Looking for last-minute decoration ideas? Want to recycle, swap, or share one of your old costumes with the group? It’s scary how wasteful fast fashion can be, so come share your best DIY costume or homemade decoration tips and tricks!
We’ll watch a few videos to get into the spirit of Halloween and then share ideas, old costume photos, and decoration tips that hopefully will help us avoid buying those pre-packaged costumes last minute (or at least next year). |
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Discuss “Total Garbage” with Author, Edward Humes |
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
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Help celebrate America Recycles Day this week by joining the discussion with Edward Humes, author of his latest book, Total Garbage, How We Can Fix Our Waste and Heal Our World. In Total Garbage, you’ll find the story of game changers and ordinary people doing extraordinary things to tackle waste and all the health, environmental, and economic costs it drives. And they’re showing the rest of us how.
Edward Humes will talk about the single mom in Maine who has taken on multinational beverage and snack food giants to reinvent our broken recycling system and force producers of plastic pollution to clean up their mess instead of making taxpayers foot the bill. That led to California’s Packaging EPR program, which has been called one of the most significant pieces of environmental legislation passed in decades in terms of impact, scope, and costs. He’ll talk about the residents of a community where people rarely use their gas-powered cars; a farm town in Minnesota that has partnered with the local university to go all-in on renewables; restaurant chefs in Pennsylvania and California who are championing a more efficient, healthy, less wasteful way to cook; and the former financier in Los Angeles who wants to turn your water-wasting lawn into an urban microfarm.
Edward Humes is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author of 17 nonfiction books including Garbology, Door-to-Door, and The Forever Witness. He lives with his family in Santa Barbara, grew up in Philadelphia, and graduated from Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass. |
Plastics / Packaging
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Phys.org, October 16, 2024
Nano- and microplastic particles (NMP) are increasingly polluting urban and rural landscapes, where bees and other beneficial insects come into contact with them. If insects ingest plastic particles from food or the air, it can damage their organs and cause changes in their behavior, preventing them from properly performing ecosystem services such as pollination and pest control.
Plastic pollution thus poses considerable risks to biodiversity, agricultural production, and global food security. These are the main findings of a new review in the journal Nature Communications, which was conducted by an international team including researchers from the University of Freiburg. |
Organic Waste
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Yes, people are paying $33+ a month to send their food waste through the mail |
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Manteca Bulletin, October 14, 2024
There are more than 10,000 households out there plunking down $33 to $45 a month to use the United States Postal Service to ship food waste. That is after departing with around $300 for a device that dehydrates food waste overnight. In doing so, it removes odor and water making it possible to accumulate food waste grinds. The grinds, when a certain amount is reached, is then shipped in a prepaid box to the San Bruno-based company south of San Francisco. |
Organic Waste
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Guardian, October 8, 2024
In traditional societies, little to no food goes to waste. Every edible part of an animal or plant is utilized. Researchers found that the members of a Maasai cattle herding community in northern Tanzania were outraged at the thought of intentionally wasting food, calling those who would do so “lunatics”. Some even said it was worse than killing a person, because murder leads to one death, whereas wasting food could result in several. |
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Sacramento Area Landscape Rebate Programs |
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· State of California Turf Replacement Program · Sacramento County Water Agency Cash for Grass o $2000 rebate · Sacramento Suburban Water District Rebate includes:
· Sacramento City’s River-Friendly Landscape Rebates cover a maximum of: o $3,000 at $1.50 per square of grass converted on the front, side and back yard o $400 for materials used to convert to drip irrigation for front, side or back yard o $400 for adding EPA WaterSense Labeled Smart Irrigation Controller. · Carmichael Water District Turf Replacement Rebate · Citrus Heights Water District Rebate Program
· Folsom Cash for Grass Turf Replacement Rebate
· Placer County Lawn Replacement Rebate Program · Roseville Cash for Grass Utility Rebates · West Sacramento Smart Controller Rebate and Water Wise House Call · Woodland Mulch Rebate · Yolo County Water Conservation Rebate Program |
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See the edible low water use plant example found in the City of Sacramento’s River Friendly Landscape Plant List below.
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Bamboo |
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Size: 19 ft. x 19 ft. Water Requirement: Low Type: Shrub Edible Uses: Young shoots - cooked. They can also be eaten raw and have very little bitterness. They are said to be the sweetest of the genus. The canes are about 0.6 inches in diameter. In China, the new canes are 0.8 – 2 inches in diameter. The shoots are harvested in the spring when about 3 inches above the ground, cutting them about 2 inches below soil level. Seed - raw or cooked. The seed is only produced at intervals of several years, it can be eaten in all the ways that rice is used and can also be ground into a flour and used as a cereal.
Physical Characteristics: This evergreen grows at a fast rate. It can be difficult to remove the rhizomatous roots once they establish and spread. May be best grown in containers or a contained area. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Known Hazards: None known.
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October Gardening Tips |
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Deadhead your basil |
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If you want your basil plant to focus on growing more bushy leaves, nip it in the bud by pinching off the flowering part of the plant. It will also spread that wonderfully aromatic basil smell that distracts pests from your tomato plants among others. Add basil leaves to salads or pizza for a tasty flair or save them to make your own pesto! |
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Prune tomato low branches and suckers |
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To avoid introducing disease, prune low branches that are close to touching the ground. Also, if your tomato sprouts a branch angling up at a 45-degree angle between the main stem and a horizontal branch (bottom right photo), cut off that sucker for indeterminant tomato plants and below the first flower node for determinant tomato plants. It will only draw unnecessary resources away from your tomatoes otherwise. |
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Tomato Hornworms |
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Look for young tomato hornworms on the underside of tomato leaves and get rid of them.
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Zucchini Harvesting |
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To harvest your zucchinis before they get hard (and may then only be best shredded into zucchini bread), harvest them when they are no more than eight inches long. |
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Prune your Zucchinis |
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Prune Zucchini to increase air flow, increase production, and prevent powdery mildew and prevent blossom end rot. |
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Attract Ladybugs to Reduce Aphids |
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Attract ladybugs to help reduce aphids by planting dill, coriander, golden marguerite, and Queen Anne's lace. |
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Look for Snails |
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You’ll find snails hiding in your tender, young foliage in the evenings beneath plants and piles of lumber – get them before they start eating. |
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Place Mulch Around Trees |
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Add three inches of mulch under your fruit trees and shrubs to keep weeds down. Keep a six-inch ring of mulch away from the trunks to avoid rot. |
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Avoid Pest Problems |
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Clean up and discard your unwanted fallen fruit and vegetables. Pests can thrive and survive in them through next year. |
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Plant Cover Crops |
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Add nitrogen to your soil for next year’s garden by planting a cover crop such as fava beans, vetch, or clover. |
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Plant Trees |
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This is a great time for planting new trees and shrubs. They will have the fall and winter to establish themselves. |
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Spread Compost Material |
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Now is a good time to spread your compost material around your beds before planting winter crops. |
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Plant Garlic |
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Guidance varies but September to December is a good time to plant bulbs. Planting earlier in the season tends to result in a higher yield at harvest. The way to be sure is to use a soil thermometer. When the soil temperature is 60° at a depth of 4 inches, then plant your garlic. Be patient, it can take 9 to 10 months to harvest. See the UCCE Master Gardener guidance for more. |
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Plant Lettuce |
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Plant a short row of lettuce every two weeks until mid-October. The loose leaf varieties do best in Sacramento, including Green Ice and Ruby. |
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Check out the companion plants along with the harvest and plant guide below for plants to plant by seed or transplant. Consider companion planting caveats when compared to intercropping. |
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Plants to Avoid |
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Cucumbers, Spinach, Lettuces, Peas, Mint, Parsnips, Beans, Chervil, Dill, Oregano, Peppers, Tomatoes, Onions, Garlic, Shallots, Kale, Cabbage, Broccoli |
Melons, Pumpkins, Corn, Sunflowers, Potatoes, Kohlrabi, Turnips |
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Onions, Shallots, Garlic, Beans, Celery, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Mustard Greens, Kale, Cabbage, Spinach, Chard, Radishes, Cucumbers, Sage, Thyme, Mint |
Tomatoes, Corn, Peas, Pumpkins, Melons |
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Eggplants, Lettuce, Leeks, Cabbage, Kale, Cauliflowers, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Collard Greens, Kohlrabi, Strawberries, Peas, Radishes, Beans, Asparagus |
Corn, Potatoes, Fennel, Sunflowers, Pumpkins, Melons |
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Corn, Cucumbers, Beans, Celery, Carrots, Eggplants, Radish, Peppers, Tomatoes, Turnips, Mint, Cilantro, Spinach, Lettuce, Potatoes, Parsnips |
Garlic, Onions, Shallots, Leaks, Chives, Gladioli, Scallion |
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Carrots, Lettuce, Marigolds, Celery, Peas, Potatoes, Parsnip, Cabbage, Parsley, Eggplant |
Beetroot, Onions & Garlic, Kohl rabi, Sunflowers and Jerusalem Artichokes |
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Sacramento Area Planting and Harvest Guide |
Also see the UC Sacramento Vegetable Planting Schedule
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This group is about sharing bountiful vegetable gardens with others. |
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Contact Will Cannady for more information. |
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In 2019, Martha Hogan started a local @cityofwestsac Facebook group called #WestsacCropSwap. They share and swap fruits and veggies home grown LOCALLY that would otherwise go to waste. If you know of families that may be in need of healthy fruits or veggies please have them reach out. |
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Sacramento |
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Folsom |
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Citrus Heights |
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Rancho Cordova |
Check out what you can borrow from the Sacramento Library in these categories:
Arts & Crafts ● Electronics & Technology ● Games & Hobbies ● Health
Kitchen Equipment ● Musical Instruments ● Recreation ● Science and Maker
Tools ● Video Games ● Yard Games
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Oak Park What: Free repair: bikes, clothes, lamps, tools, small appliances, knife sharpening. Plus, coffee, tea, snacks, beans & rice When: 11am-2pm, 2nd Saturday of every month Where: Community Shop Class, 3818 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento (turn into parking lot behind Trips For Kids Bike Shop)
West Sacramento What: West Sac residents can repair their bikes, clothing, and electronics for free. When: 10am-1pm, last Saturday of every month Where: Arthur F. Turner Library at 1212 Merkley Ave, West Sacramento. |
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Check out the Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates (SABA), which supports bike infrastructure and safety through advocacy, their Bike Valet program, Ride Ready Repair, BikeMatchSac, bicycle safety at night through Lights On, skills training, and Support for Businesses. |
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Did you know you could get $20 per month for reducing the number of cars on the road and biking in 11 times per month by completing the Bicycle Commuter Program Quarterly Self-Certification form? Check out the Bicycle Commuter Program FAQ for more information. |
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Don’t Change Your Car’s Motor Oil Too Soon - Check Your Number |
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Use CalRecycle’s Check Your Number website to find the manufacturer-recommended oil change intervals for most vehicles (2000 - 2021).
Used oil can contain such contaminants as lead, magnesium, copper, zinc, chromium, arsenic, chlorides, cadmium, and chlorinated compounds (CalRecycle). The “every 3,000 miles or every three months” rule is outdated because of advances in both engines and oil. Many automakers have oil-change intervals at 7,500 or even 10,000 miles and six or 12 months (Consumer Reports). |
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Fuel economy is reduced by 0.2 percent for every 1 pound per square inch (psi) your car is underinflated. That means you could save up to 3 percent in gas mileage, according to the DMV, which is naturally a little more environmentally friendly, too. |
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Save Electricity, Save Money |
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…and save the Planet by running your dishwasher, washer, dryer, or EV charger in off-peak times (typically avoid 4-9pm). Depending on your electricity provider, download, print, and keep handy the rate details schedule from SMUD (like below), PG&E, VCE (Yolo County), or Roseville Electric.
SMUD Rate Schedule
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Super Trees! |
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Consider planting any of these Super Trees! They’re water-wise for the Sacramento area—all but the loquat tree are on the City of Sacramento’s River Friendly Landscape Plant List, they have edible fruit (pomegranate or strawberry) or flavorful leaves (sweet bay), they attract beneficial wildlife, provide cooling shade in the summer, most let warming light through in the winter, and all but the olive have fruit and are free to SMUD customers (subject to availability). Check out SMUD’s Free Shade Tree Program and Free Tree List. |
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Up to 10 Free Trees |
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The Sacramento Tree Foundation will give you up to 10 free trees for your yard. Check out the Shady 80 recommended trees for a cooler Sacramento region. You can also volunteer to help the City plant 25,000 new trees per year through 2045. |
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Free Wood Chips |
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Adding wood chips to your yard each year will lead to healthier plant growth by reducing weeds, cooling the soil in the summer, conserving water, and slowly adding organic matter as it breaks down. You can get free wood chips by signing up for ChipDrop or you can search for tree trimmers in your area, then call or complete their website form to request free wood chips the next time they cut down and shred a tree in your neighborhood. SMUD customers can also pick up wood chips. ChipDrop may give you up to 20 cubic yards, which could cover 9 inches of a standard ranch-style home/property; more than the recommended 4 to 6 inches. To prevent nitrogen depletion or spreading diseases, only apply as ground cover in shrub beds, natural areas, and around trees while keeping the mulch away from the tree trunks and vegetables or annual flower beds. |
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Debbie Arrington is a master rosarian. Kathy Morrison Hellesen is a UCCE master gardener. Together they have more than 60 years of gardening experience in California, most of that in Sacramento's grower-friendly climate. They believe all gardening is local. They both love to cook what they grow. They also are longtime journalists (at the Sacramento Bee and elsewhere) who believe Sacramento deserves local gardening coverage. |
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Take a Plant, Leaf a Plant *Free* Sacramento (Map) |
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Consider donating or volunteering for Harvest Sacramento |
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Resoil Sacramento |
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ReSoil Sacramento advocates for three things that we can do to address our changing climate: 1) compost, 2) grow our own food, and 3) build regenerative, climate-resilient landscapes. Check out the latest and get involved. |
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Consider Donating Extra Produce at any area food pantry |
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Consider forwarding this email to invite a friend or colleague to:
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Note: |
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1) Every pound of homegrown vegetables you grow can cut 2 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions when compared to the store-bought counterpart, although what you eat matters more (e.g., fruits, nuts, and vegetables) than how it’s transported. 2) A single home compost bin diverts approximately 646 pounds of waste from landfill each year. |
