GReen FLASH Newsletter

May, 2015

Welcome to our first GReen FLASH Newsletter, a collaboration between the Environmental Advisory Committee, Freeman Gardens Association, the Shade Tree Commission and A Lot To Grow.

We will offer gardening advice, eco-tips, happenings, and much more for our Glen Ridge community and beyond. We look forward to a great growing season together.

And to that end, we invite any comments, questions and suggestions you might have.

Sincerely,

GReen FLASH Team

CONFESSIONS OF A FORMER LAWN JUNKIE

I admit it. I once believed that my very life depended on maintaining a flawlessly manicured and weedless lawn. So for most of my adult life, I allowed pesticides and herbicides to be slathered on it to insure its perfection. Wasn't that what one did in suburbia? After all, ten times the amount of chemicals are used on lawns than in all of agriculture. But about a decade ago, it was all upended for me. Read more...

More information: Pesticide Fact Sheet

SPRING IS IN THE AIR: GARDEN TIPS FOR A NEW SEASON

Time in spring accelerates like a sports car, as the garden transforms itself in a few weeks from blankness to abundance. Of course, that transformation does not happen without a lot of help from the gardener. The following are a few tips to get the garden growing: Read more...

FREEMAN GARDENS ARE BLOOMING

Freeman Gardens is awake and blooming after its long, snowy winter's nap. The garden environment is a bit sunnier due to the loss of a large red oak tree, but visitors will soon be able to enjoy its replacement, a dawn redwood. The roses have broken dormancy and are leafing out nicely. Freeman Gardens is currently looking for 16 weeders-one for each bed-who can contribute a little weekend or evening time each week to keep the weeds at bay. If you are interested, contact Kevin Sherry at kesherr@aol.com.

2015 ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION

This year the Glen Ridge Shade Tree Commission is making an Arbor Day statement in cherry trees. Over 30 cherry trees, of several varieties, have been planted along Bloomfield Avenue between the Montclair border and Ridgewood Avenue, along with the intended planting of 1,000 trees in the borough in five years' time.