Sustainability Interest Group - Urban Foraging – Acorns
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
*** last meeting’s Fair Oaks EcoHousing video is coming soon...*** |
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Urban Foraging – Acorns |
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
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As the “Farm to Fork Capital” and former “City of Trees,” Sacramento is rich in opportunities to forage for a surprisingly large number of edible fruits, berries, nuts, seeds, sap, and flowers. Join CalRecycle’s Jeff McDaniel as he (virtually) walks us through an often-overlooked urban foraging opportunity – acorns! He will introduce how to find, harvest, process, and prepare acorns for some tasty meals!
Jeff McDaniel (CalRecycle) is an environmental scientist working in the Business Assistance and Market Development section of the Division of Circular Economy. He enjoys caring for trees and sharing his knowledge as a consulting arborist and passing down his urban foraging lifestyle to his kids. |
Textiles
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California enacts landmark textile recycling law to curb landfill waste |
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CBS 8 San Diego, January 13, 2025
California is taking steps to address the growing problem of textile waste in landfills with the passage of Senate Bill 707, signed into law at the end of 2024.
The Responsible Textile Recovery Act requires manufacturers to develop plans for managing discarded textiles, a practice already embraced by resale shops like Thrifty Threads in Encinitas.
The bill mandates that certain apparel and textile producers establish a Producer Responsibility Organization to fund reuse, repair and recycling programs in California. This initiative aims to combat the estimated 1.2 million tons of unused textiles dumped in California landfills in 2021.String lights are made of copper, glass, plastic, and, in the case of LED lights, semiconductor materials, all of which can be reused or recycled. However, they also contain non-biodegradable materials and sometimes toxic components, such as lead, which can leach into the environment if improperly disposed of. Recycling ensures these valuable materials are reused while harmful substances are handled safely. |
Plastics/Packaging
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Voice of San Diego, January 13, 2025
Two-parter this week. We’re going to make a pit stop on the topic of San Diego’s non-compostable, compostable product market. And then finish off with what new San Diego City Council President Joe LaCava told me about his upcoming tenure as one of the region’s most powerful agenda-setters.
The plastic bag company I wrote about a few months ago wanted me to let you all know that they re-upped their certification with a European company, TÜV AUSTRIA, to produce compostable plastic bags. I reported back in September that California-based plastics company, Crown Poly, didn’t have valid certificates from the company that was supposed to verify its compostable bags claims. Yet the bags– which can be found at Trader Joe’s, Lazy Acres and other granola grocery stores – still marketed that they were compostable in both backyard and commercial facilities. |
Organic Waste
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‘Sell-by’
dates on food are useless. |
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San Francisco Chronicle, January 13, 2025
There are two types of people when it comes to food: The ones who throw things away the second it seems like the vibes are off, and the ones who say, “Don’t throw that away! I’ll eat it!” Many people in the former camp — without naming names, there is one in my household, and it’s not me — believe the sell-by, use-by and best-by dates on food packaging all mean the same thing, and that meaning is “this food turns into poisonous radioactive waste on this date.” The misconception that the date on the food indicates safety is a common one — 84% of consumers discard food near its package date at least occasionally, according to one study. And it contributes to America’s widespread food waste problem: According to the FDA, around 30% to 40% of all food in the United States gets thrown away, or about 20 pounds per person per month. Six million tons get tossed every year just by Californians. Organic waste is the second most common component in our landfills, and food makes up most of that. |
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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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Skunk Bush |
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Photo credit: Stan Shebs
Size: 6 ft. Water Requirement: Low Type: Shrub/California Native
Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit can be eaten fresh, dried, mixed with cornmeal, or made into a jam. The fruit is small with very little flesh, but it is produced in fairly large panicles and so is easily harvested. When soaked for 10 - 30 minutes in hot or cold water it makes a very refreshing lemonade-like drink (without any fizz of course). The mixture should not be boiled since this will release tannic acids and make the drink astringent. The fruit is about ¼ inch in diameter.
Physical Characteristics: This deciduous shrub grows at a medium rate and is not frost tender. It is in flower in April. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). It is pollinated by bees. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral, and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Known Hazards: There are some suggestions that the sap of this species can cause a skin rash in susceptible people, but this has not been substantiated. |
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January Gardening Tips |
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Prune – Perennials, Shrubs, or Trees |
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Hold off until February before pruning any perennials, shrubs, or trees injured during December's nearly freezing mornings. Any open wounds may invite further disaster if it gets colder again with snow at higher elevations and any rain. |
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Pruning Deciduous Fruit Trees, Grapes and Roses |
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January is a good time to prune deciduous fruit trees, grapes and roses. |
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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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Start Tomato and Pepper Seeds Indoors |
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Find a good sunny window or fluorescent light to keep them going until spring. |
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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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Broccoli, Kale, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Tomatoes, Lettuce, Strawberries, Peppers |
Peas, beans, sage, asparagus, other onions, garlic, leeks, shallots |
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Beets, Carrots, Cole crops, Eggplant, Peppers, Potatoes, Tomatoes |
Asparagus, peas, beans, sage, parsley and strawberries |
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Basil and other herbs, Carrots Cucumbers Squash as part of a three-way companion partnership |
Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, potatoes, corn, fennel, and eggplant |
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Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Bush beans, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chard, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Onions |
Pole beans, field mustard, and charlock (wild mustard) |
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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. |