Author Archives: BGGS Admin

By Anna Ackerman, writer, Bluegrass Greensource Blog 

Spring is bursting forth around our house. The daffodils are blooming, the roses are budding, the bush and tree branches are swelling at the tips, and the hens are laying again. We allow our hens to take a much needed break from laying during the short days of winter by not adding artificial light to their coop. It seems more natural for them, and we have plenty of eggs to hold us over. Plus, we want them well rested for the work we expect them to do in the spring: garden prep.

Every winter, we plant a cover crop in the garden, usually winter rye. It adds nitrogen back to the soil, and its roots penetrate the soil, keeping it light and fluffy. Then, every spring, we mow the rye down and till it under to replenish the soil. My dad has a 50-year old tiller that is always in some state of “repair” (usually in pieces on his workbench) – so depending on it to get the garden ready can be a gamble. The hens, however, are always reliable. They are anxious to stretch their legs and scratch for worms and hibernating bugs in the cold soil.

In just a couple afternoons, our three hens can turn a 10×4 foot plot. We have an open bottom pen, called a tractor. We put them in to keep them contained in one area, and also to protect them from the hawks in our neighborhood. They will spend several afternoons in one area of the garden before we move them to a fresh plot.

The best part is, while the hens are happily working for us in the garden, we can spend our time looking through seed catalogs and planning the summer crop; Heirloom Ground Cherries are looking like a good possibility in the garden this year!

By Deb Larking, Environmental Educator, Bluegrass Greensource

The February thaw always puts me in the mood for gardening.  But in recent years, with less time and energy for it, I have gravitated to pots for my herbs and straw bales for my tomatoes and peppers.

I start preparing my bales about two weeks before planting time.  So usually, mid-April.  Purchase wheat straw bales, and place them in a row where they will receive 6-8 hours of sun each day.  I put cardboard under the bales to prevent weeds.  The cut side should be up and the string binding should be around the outside of the bale.  Pounding in stakes at each end of the row and stringing wire between them helps support both the plants and bales.  Add soaker hoses and you are ready to go!

Next, condition the bales.  This process takes 10-12 days and is designed to jump start the decomposition process within the bales, providing a nutrient rich growing medium for the plants.  For the first three days, water the bales thoroughly.  On the fourth day, add a high nitrogen fertilizer (I prefer ½ cup fish emulsion) and water in.  Alternate fertilizing and watering only for the next six days.  The bales should get “hot” inside.  On day ten, switch to an organic 10-10-10 fertilizer to balance out the nutrients and water thoroughly.  Test to see if the internal temperature has cooled.  If not, keep watering daily until it does.  Now you are ready to plant!

I use two tomato plants per bale, or 3-4 pepper plants.  Cut a hole in the straw, add a little soil and the transplant.  Water it in, tie it up as it grows and use the soaker hoses as needed.  Basically maintenance free, the next step is to harvest and enjoy!  And the old bales go into the compost to fill my pots next year!

By: Chris Porter, Development Director, Bluegrass Greensource

Whether as a service animal or family pet, dogs are integral parts of our lives. With temperatures warming, dog owners will soon be re-emerging from their homes to get outside with their canine companions.

Today, many of Lexington’s apartment communities allow residents to have dogs. But if you manage or work at one of these many communities, you know that allowing dogs often means allowing some of the mess that dogs bring. In particular, you are likely familiar with the issues of dog waste on your property.

Uncollected dog waste is an eyesore and nuisance, but it is also an environmental issue. Each year, America’s 80 million-plus dogs produce more than 10 million pounds of waste. Given that 40% of dog owners do not pick up after their animals, it is no surprise that around 90% of the fecal bacteria found in our city streams is of non-human origin, mostly dog. Dog waste harbors harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites, including e. coli, giardia, and salmonella, and in just three days, waste from 100 dogs can contribute enough bacteria, nitrogen, and phosphorous to close 20 miles of a bay-watershed to swimming and shellfishing. Reducing the amount of uncollected dog waste is both an aesthetic and a health issue.

Whether you want to address environmental issues on your property, or reduce the number of complaints about dog waste that you receive from your residents, Bluegrass Greensource and the City of Lexington can help you address these issues.

The City of Lexington has made available to Fayette County apartment communities free animal waste stations that you can access and install on your property. Each waste station comes with all parts needed for installation, as well as a supply of bags for the trash can and small bags residents can use to collect the waste before disposal. In addition, you will be able to work with Bluegrass Greensource outreach staff who will perform a brief review of your facility and recommend tangible steps – in addition to installation of animal waste stations – that you can take to reduce the amount of uncollected waste at your community.

If you would like to access these resources, please call Chris at 859.266.1572, or get in touch by email at chris@BgGreensource.org.

By: Danny Woolums, Environmental Educator, Bluegrass Greensource

Who knew that Valentine’s Day is right around the corner? Considering the overabundance of Easter décor already at the local Kroger, I had forgotten the day even existed! But whether you’re celebrating Galentine’s Day Leslie Knope-style, spending a romantic evening with your partner, or enjoying a special evening with a spoon and a pint of Ben and Jerry’s, there are a lot of ways that you can show your love of the Earth this February!

Consider a Hike through the Woods!
Hug some trees while hugging your partner this month, and check out some of the beautiful wilderness Kentucky has to offer. From the Dupree Nature Preserve in Garrard County to McConnell Springs in Lexington, there are many places you can visit on a date to stay outside and off of screens or using electricity. And, consider this post from Harvard Health reminding us of the tremendous health benefits to hiking!

Shut off the lights. Light up a candle.
Besides the obvious increase in romanticism that comes with food by candlelight, consider the energy savings as well. Shutting off the lights in your house and turning off the screens are great ways to get your body ready for bed while also being romantic and energy-saving. And once you head to bed, turn down the thermostat! Let the coolness over take your house while you find other ways to keep yourself warm… like an extra blanket.

Come Make Candles!
If you’re worried about all of the things in candles or about the environmental impacts of transporting them, then come and learn to make your own! Bluegrass Greensource will be hosting a candle-making workshop on February 10th,  right here at our office. Our candle-wizard, Kyle Hager, will teach you the ins and outs  of sustainable candle making, and you’ll be able to enjoy knowing exactly what’s in your candle. It’s a great date and a skill that you can use for years to come.

Eat Local!
Besides the incredible benefit that eating local provides to our local economy, remember the eco-benefit as well. Eating local means less carbon pollution from transporting meat from South America or shipping in your cheese from France. Consider the local vineyards for your evening wine selection! Try out Lexington Pasta for some local sauce and noodles! Check out Marksbury Farms for some local beef! Dive into Boone Creek Creamery for some delicious cheese! I basically just planned your dinner for you, and I didn’t even leave Central Kentucky to get my supplies. Many grocery or liquor stores do a great job of designating what’s local and some Farmer’s Markets have indoor seasons during the cold months.

It’s easy to shrug off Valentine’s Day as an over-commercialized gimmick to increase consumption. But, there’s never a bad reason to love ourselves and the people around us. Enjoy yourself this February and remember to love the Earth every day as well.

By: Ashley Bryant Cheney, Program Specialist/Volunteer Coordinator,
Bluegrass Greensource

Bluegrass Greensource is partnering with UK Recycling to increase student recycling participation in residence halls. With UK’s campus-wide recycling infrastructure growing, continued education is key for recycling participation, especially among residential students. Bluegrass Greensource has implemented recycling education in three residence halls on campus through promotional materials and a peer education program. Students in the residence halls have been recruited as “recyclingchampions” to promote and educate their peers about recycling. The recycling champions have passed out flyers, given away promotional materials, and are planning recycling-based residence hall programming.

Initial results are promising; waste audits in residence halls show an increase in recycling rates and a more accurate knowledge of what materials can be recycled. Education in the three residence halls will continue through the end of this semester, and two more waste audits will take place this semester to track the program’s effect on student recycling habits.