Sustainability Interest Group - Sustainable Holiday Decorating
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
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Sustainable Holiday Decorating |
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
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Let’s set some time aside to decorate for the holidays sustainably using natural or reused materials. Maybe I’ll actually finish my wreath this year. Check out some of the ideas from years past for inspiration and enjoy some time aside to listen to some holiday music, sip a little hot cider, chat about your winter garden or the one you wish you had and challenges pruning, and celebrate the holidays in style this year!
We will probably skip the meeting on December 23rd this year since it’s so close to Christmas so let’s get all our holiday cheer into this meeting. |
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Discuss “Fair Oaks EcoHousing” with the Development Consultant and Founding Resident |
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
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Living sustainably at home, from replacing your lawn with native plants to retrofitting rain barrels can be a challenge. But if you could start sustainable living from scratch and build the kind of community you wish you could have, Fair Oaks EcoHousing just might be the example you were looking for. Let’s start off the new year learning how sustainable community living can be.
Studies suggest cohousing can improve physical and mental health through social support, sense of community, and physical, emotional, and economic security, at a time when one third of Americans describe themselves as seriously lonely. Cohousing residents actively participate in the design and operation of their neighborhood, are typically made up of 10 to 40 attached or single-family homes with traditional amenities and a private kitchen, and commonly share space and resources for cooking, laundry, and recreation.
Katie McCamant is a cohousing development consultant, architect, founding resident of cohousing developments in Emeryville and Nevada City, nationwide cohousing community development consultant, and coauthor of the authoritative book on cohousing, Cohousing: A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves, which introduced this housing model to North America.
Marty Maskall is a retired web designer, author, publisher, and the founding resident of Fair Oaks EcoHousing, which was resident-ready by summer 2020. |
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
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In our last meeting, Edward Humes talked about his latest book, Total Garbage, How We Can Fix Our Waste and Heal Our World. dives into how plastic waste, our energy sources, home sustainability, food sources, and the car of the future are total garbage! |
Organic Waste
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California bans food ‘sell by’ dates. Will it save money without getting you sick? |
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Los Angeles Times, December 4, 2024
With the exception of infant formula, date labels on packaged food are not federally regulated or required, leaving it up to manufacturers and the state to determine what labels are necessary. An old state law suggested putting dated labels on foods to help consumers know when their food has gone bad, instead of confusing, grocer-focused “Sell by” labels. A new California law requires them in an effort to reduce the food waste that Californians produce — 6 million tons of it every year, according to the state Department of Food and Agriculture.
The goal of Assembly Bill 660, written by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), is to bring uniformity and common sense to dated food labels for consumers. |
E-Waste
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Waste 360, December 5, 2024
Roughly 88 percent of Americans hold onto old electronic gadgets they no longer use. That’s about 1.3B devices with a total worth about $67B stashed away in homes at this moment, estimates buying and selling platforms SellCell.com and SellMobile.com.
The companies released a report based on a survey of 2,000 participants that compares the electronics “hoarding” habits of consumers in the U.S. to those in the U.K., two of the world’s largest electronics markets with both high adoption and disposal rates. |
Textiles
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Can anything slow fast fashion down? Lawmakers are giving it a go |
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Los Angeles Times, December 4, 2024 | Video
Fast fashion brands like Brandy Melville, Shein and Zara have found success selling runway-inspired, trendy clothes at affordable prices. But so few of those clothes ever get recycled. And that has a huge environmental impact. L.A. Times China correspondent Stephanie Yang wrote about how some governments are trying to slow down the fast fashion industry. |
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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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Judas Tree |
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Photo credit: מאוסף התמונות של אורנה לוטן Size: 39 ft. x 32 ft. Water Requirement: Medium Type: Shrub/Tree Edible Uses: Flowers - raw. A sweetish-acid taste, they are a nice addition to the salad bowl. The flower buds are pickled and used as a condiment. Seedpods – raw.
Physical Characteristics: This deciduous tree is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by bees. It can fix nitrogen. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral, and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Known Hazards: None known. |
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December Gardening Tips |
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Rake and Remove Only Some Leaves |
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Experts say raking and removing leaves can be worse for your yard – and for the planet, too. Mow and mulch and/or leave some in your yard to help fertilize your grass and other plants, provide shelter for animals (though beware of facilitating a rat habitat), and even reduce emissions from landfills. Your leaves are not likely to “smother” your grass since there is enough stored energy in the turf that it will not die unless the turf is not well established, or you have a lot more than a good four to six inches of leaves. Especially if your HOA requires it, you prefer it aesthetically, or for safety over concrete (slips and falls), you can also rake and bag the leaves to use for a good nitrogen layer in your compost over time. However, one study suggests leaving leaves, leaves biogenic persistent free radicals especially if toxic, and if leaf litter has degraded over multiple wet and dry cycles. |
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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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Add Leaf Curl Leaves to Compost if… |
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If your peach or nectarine trees had leaf curl this year, you can add the leaves to your compost bin if you add lots of green material to your bin to get the temperature up over 120 degrees to kill the fungus. To achieve this or higher temperatures and to ensure cooking of the fungus you could also add steer manure (about 6 to 8 cups per bag of leaves) to add about 10 - 15 degrees temperature to the bin. A 20-inch stem compost thermometer is ideal. The bin needs to stay this hot for 24 hours to cook the fungus. |
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Spray for Peach Leaf Curl |
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Spray your deciduous fruit trees this month for peach leaf curl – check your local nursery for the right spray for your particular fruit tree variety. |
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Begin Winter Pruning |
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After most leaves have fallen, and tree structure is visible: remove crowded, crossing, and unwanted branches. |
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Protect citrus from frosts and damaging freezes |
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Have supplies ready: sheets, blankets or frost cloths, lights (old fashioned ones that get warm), wraps for trunks, thermometers, stakes or framework to hold covers off foliage. Frost cloths come in different weights that can provide 4° to 8° of protection. Because the frost cloth allows some light and air to penetrate, it can stay on plants for a few days at a time. Frost cloth can lay directly on plant foliage. |
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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. to avoid stem rot, plant the top of the root ball so it is about an inch above the soil line to allow for settling. |
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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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Dried Hachiya Persimmons (Hoshigaki) |
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As temperatures drop below 50°F, you can cut down any Hachiya persimmons with the stem still attached so you can hang it by the stems. Use a vegetable peeler to peel the skins and massage it over the next 6 weeks to get the sugars to come out.
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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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Lettuce, Radish, Spinach, Cucumbers, Shallots, Onions, Chard, Garlic, Potatoes, Celery, Dill, Mint, Basil, Thyme, Rosemary, Beets |
Eggplant, Tomatoes, Peppers, Mustard, Beans, Melons, Strawberries, Asparagus, Pumpkins, Corn |
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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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Beans, beets, celery, onions, peas, potatoes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, kale, kohlrabi, rutabagas, turnips |
Lettuce, strawberries, tomatoes, rue |
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Beets, carrots, parsnips, strawberries, radishes, onions, asparagus, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, peas, spinach, tomatoes, sunflowers |
Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower |
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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. |