CCN Article - Outdoors - Outdoors

By: Debbie Nelson Master Gardener 07/01/2010

Plants that have been moved by human activity to an area where they do not normally grow are referred to as "non-native" or "exotic" plants. Not all non-natives are bad but when they cause ecological or economic problems they are termed invasive or exotic species. Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), burning bush (Euonymus alatus), Norway maple (Acer platanoides), amur maple (Acer ginnala), Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii), butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) and common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) are examples of plants released by the horticulture industry as ornamental plants that have escaped from controlled cultivation and now survive as invasive species. You might be surprised to find some of these on the list of invasive species, but one you should be very familiar with is buckthorn and that is because in 1999 it was declared a noxious weed by the state of Minnesota.

July 2010 Beware of planting invasive species

Now in its third season, the Camden Farmers Market opens on Thursday, July 8. Held at The Warren-An Artist Habitat's parking lot (44th and Penn N), this market features locally grown produce every Thursday. The popular "Best of the Market" boxes will return also this year - $5 for a selection of veggies. Look for special events, starting with an opening celebration with cookies from the Cookie Cart and lemonade on opening day. Local businesses and organizations are welcome to promote themselves at the market (no order taking and sales are allowed at the market). Call 612-703-9609 for space availability. Photo by Duane Atter.

July 2010 Fresh veggies and fruit coming soon

Annoyed by junk mail? It is not only a personal irritant - having to spend the time sorting and managing - but it also has a real impact to the environment. Especially when you consider that 100 million trees are required for just one year's worth of junk mail. Manufacturing the mail involves more than trees of course; lots of water and ink are used for processing, and both may contain heavy metals and volatile organic compounds (chemicals that contribute to ground level ozone formation-smog and respiratory problems). All of the manufacturing and the final delivery of the product to your mailbox require petroleum. If we chose to eliminate just one day's supply of junk mail we would save enough energy to heat 250,000 homes. That is more homes than in all of the city of Minneapolis. 

July 2010 Reduce unwanted mail

Learn how to reduce your energy use and save money. The Center for Energy and the Environment is introducing Community Energy Services, a partnership with the City of Minneapolis, CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy to the Folwell, McKinley, Webber-Camden, Shingle Creek and Lind Bohanon neighborhoods.

July 2010 Save energy and save money