May/June 2010 - Indiana Living Green

Clifty Inn offers scenic view of Ohio River in Madison.© Courtesy Indiana Department of Natural Resources/Outdoor Indiana

p u b l i s h e r

Lynn [email protected]

(317) 769-3456

e D i T O r

Jo Ellen Meyers [email protected]

C O N T r i b u T O r s

Thom England

Wendell Fowler

Jesse Kharbanda

Elizabeth Krajeck

Karen Mangia

Gillian Molnar

Marianne Peters

Ryan Puckett

Maria Smietana

C O p Y e D i T O r Joseph L. Bennett

s A l e s [email protected]

(317) 769-3456

g r A p h i C D e s i g N

Wilson Design (317) 624-9900

W e b D e s i g N

Margaret Hsu [email protected]

p r i N T i N g The Papers

Milford, Indiana

s u b s C r i p T i O N s

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b u i l D i N g / C O N s T r u C T i O N• Advice on crawl space maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

F A m i l Y / h O m e / e D u C A T i O N• University students major in green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20• Energy efficient washing machines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

g A r D e N• Water-saving tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

l O C A l F O O D s / b e v e r A g e s• Foodie couple’s 100-Mile Diet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8• Independent grocers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

T r A v e l / T r A N s p O r T A T i O N• Historic Ohio River getaways. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

F e A T u r e s• Book Reviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 • Business Service Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 • Eat Right Now . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 • Footprints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 • Green Finds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 • Green, Greener, Greenest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 • Green Marketplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 • Hoosier Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 • Publisher’s Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 • The Last Row . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

T A b l e O F C O N T e N T s

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ON THE COVER: Clifty Falls State Park in Madison, Indiana. © Courtesy Indiana Department of Natural Resources/Outdoor Indiana

greeN

greeNesTIndiana Living Green offers ways

for you to make a difference.

greeN 1. Use energy savings procedures with your current washer and dryer, including washing full loads in cold water with the properly measured amount of detergent. Set up an inside drying

area to partially dry towels, blue jeans, sweatshirts and other heavy items.

Toss them in the dryer when they are nearly dry.

2. Use native plants that are well adapted to Indiana’s weather and precipitation; they demand less water once estab-lished.

3. Take a peek at your crawl space and understand the need to manage it

correctly for both health and energy reasons.

greeNer1. If you are in the market for a new

washer or dryer, make sure it is Energy Star rated, and follow the manufactur-er’s recommendations for proper use.

2. Put in a rain garden in any low, water-soaked area and mulch garden beds to conserve water.

3. In older homes with vented spaces in the crawl space, keep them continu- ously closed as recommended in the

story on page 12, to conserve energy

greeNesT1. Grow tomatoes, lettuce, herbs or other

foods that you will enjoy. Feel the soil. Understand the process. Share or pre-serve the surplus.

2. Join the Meatless Mondays movement to protect the natural resources of the planet.

3. Be involved. Join an organization such as the Hoosier Environmental

Council, which educates and advocates on behalf of the planet.

greeNer

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This past April, the world celebrated the 40th Earth Day, and Indiana celebrated its 20th, holding true to the notion that Hoosiers are often slow to embrace change. Yet, Indiana’s celebration regularly attracts 25,000 people and is considered one of the nation’s most successful ongoing Earth Day events.

Steadily, Indiana is taking more strides forward, mak-ing the turn to green. This spring Slow Food Indy was the cover feature on The Snail, Slow Food USA’s online member magazine. Local food champion, Laura Henderson and urban farmer Matthew Jose along with Slow Food Indy will turn a portion of White River State Park into an urban edible garden. This “Growing Places Indy” program is only one of many changes in the local food scene in Indi-ana where farmers markets and urban farms are popping up faster than anyone could have imagined just a few years ago. Three Slow Food chapters are now established in Indiana: Bloomington, Fort Wayne and Indianapolis. Bloomington also has caught the at-tention of the local food movement with the prized capture of the national con-vention of the Consumer Cooperative Management Association’s 54th annual conference in June. Previous conven-tions were held in large progressive cities like Portland, Atlanta, Chicago and Boston. Bloomingfoods is honored to have been chosen to host the 400 national attendees. It’s not just food that has caught on

with Hoosier awareness. En-ergy, too, has been making

inroads into our sustain-able lifestyles. Ranking 23rd in the country, Indianapolis has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protec-tion Agency for Energy

Star qualified buildings, which use less energy and

release less carbon dioxide. The northern half of

our state is also making waves, er, wind. You may be surprised to learn that Indiana ranks 13th in the United States for existing capacity of wind power! If you are one of the many Hoosiers who are intrigued with wind farms on a large scale, or interested in small-scale installa-tions for residences, small businesses and schools, then check out WIndiana 2010 conference in July. (See info on inside back cover or at www.in.gov/oed/2413.htm). We are moving forward, steadily, and certainly faster than we moved toward that first Earth Day. Nonetheless, the road is long. Don’t be discouraged by twists, turns, bumps and thumps along the way. The trip is exciting — stay with us! And please remember to support our advertisers every chance you can. We can’t make it to green without them! n

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SUBMISSIONS: [email protected] • Fax: (317) 251-8545 Indiana Living Green 1730 S. 950 E., Zionsville, IN. 46077

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Making the turn

Although Indianapolis land-scape designer Wendy Ford has been appreciative of native plants for most of her life, she only recently developed a thorough understanding of their role in our environment. Inspired by Doug Tallamy’s book, Bring Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens, Ford has begun implementing these plants in her landscape designs for her clients and the public. “I’ve always enjoyed getting in touch with the land, including the history of my own yard,” in a geographic area that was formed during the glacial period, she said in a recent interview. A charter member of the Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society, back when people just had to have native plants, even if they were rangy, unattractive and not garden-worthy “because they were easy to take care of,” said Ford, owner of Landscape Fancies, LLC (www. landscapefancies.com) In the past several years, many North American native plants have been hybrid-ized to tame their wildness and bring out their best garden-worthy characteristics. For years, gardeners planted native plants for themselves, but now, they plant them for their beauty and to support birds, frogs, salamanders and other wildlife. “Tal-lamy cinched the case for me,” she said. For all her clients, Ford tries to work into her landscape designs as many native plants or their cultivars as possible. She’s found that by analyzing the type of garden, such as grassland, wood’s edge or wetland, she’s able to select species and cultivars to develop a plant community to complement particular ecosystems. Ford shares her knowledge through several volunteer projects, as well. She edits the Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Journal and maintains the Web site for the Indianapolis Museum of Art Horticultural Society. She also puts into practice what she’s learned for the public. In 2006, she re-ceived a grant from Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc., for the Traders Point Gateway project. It did not fit in the neighborhood, which is wooded with several creeks and streams. “It was very industrial looking with a chain link fence and piles of gravel. It was one large greenspace with lawn that needed mowing.” In the past three years, at least 130 volunteers have planted 200 native trees and shrubs at the Indiana Department of Transportation’s salt barn in Traders Point at 71st Street and Lafayette Road. Thousands of motorists transit through this location every day on I-65. As the plants develop, they are creating a complementary habitat for the area’s wildlife and reducing mowing duties for the state. “When I drive down the ramp from the Interstate, I’m always happy to see it growing. It gives me something to watch,” she said. n

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Native plants and wildlife go hand in hand

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Wendy Ford (left) discusses landscape plans with client Carol Michel.

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Organic Produce and Natural GroceriesDelivered to Your Door Year Roundwww.farmfreshdelivery.com [email protected]

Indiana Organic Gardeners AssociationLearn about organic gardening andshare the vision with other gardeners.www.GardeningNaturally.org

Made in Indiana! All Natural SoilEnhancers & Natural Fertilizers16 oz. concentrate only $9.99www.Organi-Gro.com 765-575-8130

Local Growers Guildwww.localgrowers.org [email protected]

Indianapolis Food, Farm and Family Coalitionwww.indyfoodfarmfamily.org [email protected]

Nature’s Crossroads Earth-Friendly SeedsCertified Organic Garden Seedswww.naturescrossroads.com 812- [email protected]

All natural handcrafted soapCURAT is clean. CURAT is green. Honest.www.curatclean.com or [email protected]

Rhythmic Aerobic TransportationTrikke-Indy.com317-298-3167

Local Goodness to your door, Year RoundKay Grimm/Sue Spicer 317.341.0474basicroots4u@yahoo.comwww.basicrootscommunityfoods.kaysue.org

Indy’s Premier Downtown Garden Center1230 S. Meridian St. 317-624-9344Rain barrels and composterswww.citescapes.com

Whole Foods Marketwholefoodsmarket.comIndpls. 706-0900, Carmel 569-1517Organic, local, fair trade & green goods

Finding Solutions to Indiana’sEnvironmental Challenges throughEducation and Advocacywww.hecweb.org

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We read the book Animal Vegetable Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver and were filled with enthusiasm and hope at the prospect of reducing our carbon foot-print through eating locally. We envisioned leisurely Saturdays shopping the farmers markets followed by bountiful dinners with friends and family. A small herb garden and a few tomato plants at home rounded out our romantic view. While we painted this picturesque existence, we were reminded of childhood when our families had vegetable gardens, visited local orchards and canned food. Subsequently, we began our lifestyle change in April 2008 because we be-lieved it would be better for the environ-ment, the economy and our health. We decided to pursue the following goals: (1) Consume foods from within a 100-mile radius of our home. (2) Purchase the few remaining staples (coffee, rice, olive oil, vitamins, cleaning supplies) from locally owned

businesses. (3) Preserve enough foods to live on through the winter without visiting the grocery store. Our journey was more art than sci-ence. We did not have a guideline for how much to purchase, how much to preserve or how much variety would create an optimal year of dining. We knew our Community Supported Ag-riculture membership would provide a large variety of foods for the summer and the opportunity to purchase ad-ditional foods for winter preservation. We enjoyed a delicious summer of dining in 2008. Each bite was a flavor explosion. We delighted in entertain-ing friends and having them ask us the “secret ingredient” in our sautéed broc-coli with garlic. (It’s the locally grown broccoli.) The joy of dining came to a screech-ing halt in August of 2008. If you’ve lived in Indiana for any length of time, you know that August is

peak produce season — corn, tomatoes, peppers, squash, zucchini and green beans. Every waking moment we were preserving something. We canned toma-to juice, froze corn and green beans and prayed for the zucchini to stop repro-ducing at night while we slept. Every counter was covered with produce. Ev-ery apron was soaked with tomato juice, and -- in moments of sheer exhaustion -- we dreamed of what it would be like to indulge ourselves in a trip to “the real grocery store” to buy tidily pre-canned and packaged products. We didn’t succumb to the pressure, we’re happy to report. By November, we looked proudly on our fully stocked deep freezer and our shelves lined with beautiful, home-canned tomato juice. It was like winning the Grand Prize Blue Ribbon at the state fair in multiple categories. Opening a jar of home-canned tomato juice on a snowy winter day is like inhaling the scent of summer. Each sip takes you back to a hot August day when you hungrily pulled a ripe tomato from the vine and devoured it in the privacy of your own yard. That memory somehow gives you the hope to perse-vere through the dark January days to the warmer days of spring.

It seemed like a good idea at the time. Then again, it usually does. The dawn of change is often filled with enthusiasm and hope. It’s typically followed by a period of deep disillusionment. Just think about those New Years’ resolutions.

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Living LaVida

In fact, it was nearing spring when we began to suffer from an affliction we now term “green bean-itis,” a condi-tion resulting from excessive green bean consumption. In our excitement to preserve food for the winter, we overlooked variety in favor of quantity. If a bushel of green beans is good, our logic went, two bush-els will be delicious. WRONG. After oven roasting, drying, frying, grilling, steaming and saucing green beans, we hit our limit. It taught us an important lesson that has served us well in our second full year of living locally — variety truly is the spice of life. When we finished this year’s preser-vation, we had 104 unique items ready to buoy us through the long winter. The August days were no less tiring, but the winter rewards were immense. Recently, we shared our experiences with our mothers, who both responded, “This is nothing new.” Ah, a slice of humble pie. Is that made locally? n

Karen Mangia fills her time between meals with a very full-time career in corporate America. Her small carbon footprint resembles a pair of treasured Jimmy Choos. Thom England is a full-time culinary instruc-tor at Ivy Tech Community College of Central Indiana. His free time is spent as a local foods evangelist.

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Summer is nearly upon us, and it’s the season of picnics, bike rides and paddling. While we embrace this season to unwind, a part of our minds must be think-ing decades ahead — to a world where the seasons that we take for granted may be markedly different for our grandkids and great-grandkids. It’s no hyperbole. Climate scientists predict that if our carbon emissions continue to increase at their present rate, Indiana’s cli-mate will be more like Texas’ by the end of this century. There is momentum in our country, in keeping with the American can-do spirit, to do something serious and significant about climate change, a challenge that scientists, from the National Academy of Sciences at the national level, to Indiana University and Purdue University professors at a local level, see as driven largely by man-made activity. Last June, for example, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to cut national carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050. Despite the polarized political climate in Washington, Democrats and Republicans are work-ing to forge a similar bill in the U.S. Senate. Where do Hoosiers stand in the fight to tackle global climate change? Un-fortunately, the loudest voices in Indiana have been very skeptical at best, and hostile at worst, about climate science and economics. In this atmosphere, U.S. Senators Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) and Richard Lugar, (R-Ind.), who ought to be central figures in the effort to forge a bi-partisan solution to this issue, have both expressed great reluctance to push for putting a price on carbon, a policy that economists believe is the cheapest and fastest route to cut carbon emissions in our country. Fortunately, citizens like you elect these officials, and if you speak up — and urge your fellow Hoosiers to do the same — then our senators might be moved to take the bold, foresighted leadership that is needed at this time. It is true that finding a solution that works for Indiana, a state with the highest carbon foot-print in the Midwest will be challenging. But it must be done for the good of the country, and its positive economic potential for Indiana is tremendous. We have abundant renewable energy resources, which emit no carbon. We have yet to tap into the billions of public and private capital available to get us out of our cars and into rail and transit, which emit significantly less carbon. We have an extraordinary manufacturing base that could be a leader in producing the next generation of zero-carbon emitting technologies. Climate action need not be viewed as a threat to Indiana’s economy, but rather as an incredible opportunity. One quick step that you can take is to sign up for Power Up Indiana (www.pow-erupindiana.org) where, with just a minute of effort, your message to Indiana’s U.S. senators in support of strong climate action can be heard. If we Hoosiers act and speak out, we can be a part of the national solution to help forge a new economic future for our state, and ensure that the summers ahead will be ones that future generations might be able to enjoy just as much as we do. n

Jesse Kharbanda is the executive director of the Hoosier Environmental Council. You can learn more about renewable standards at www.hecweb.org

t h e e n v i r o n m e n t bY Jesse KhArbANDA

Bringing about a season of change

LocalCSA Tips:• Find a CSA Indiana Living Green, http://bit.ly/bTC3li Going Local blog, http://bit.ly/9ZaUwx• Consider the variety of produce offered and the length of the season. • Choose a convenient delivery time and location.

Get started with these local foods:• Eggs• Milk and cheese• Fruit, especially apples, peaches, strawberries and blueberries

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The Blue Thumb Guide to RaingardensDesign and Installation for Homeowners in the Upper Midwest by Rusty Schmidt, Dan Shaw and David Dods, Waterdrop Innovations, spiral bound, $17.95

Raingardens are still misunderstood by many people, even experienced gardeners. Location, design, construc-tion and plant selection are critical to the success of their main purpose: to divert stormwater runoff. This excess rainwater creates drainage and erosion problems as it runs into a storm sew-ers or drainage ditches. A raingarden can turn this undesirable area into an attractive garden for wildlife, including birds and butterflies, as well as filter out pollutants for the benefit of communities downstream. Written by self-styled “certifiable raingarden geeks” in cooperation with the Blue Thumb Planting for Clean Water Program of the Rice Creek Watershed District in Minnesota, the guide covers USDA Zones 3, 4 and 5 which include all but southern Indiana. Nearly half the book discusses best plant choices with photos and detailed infor-mation, including light, soil and mois-ture requirements, along with wildlife appeal.

bOOK revieWsLimited availability online www.bluethumb.org/raingardens, but can be purchased directly from the Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District, 6960 S. Gray Rd., Indianapolis 46237 for $18, or mailed for an additional $3. For more info: (317) 786-1775.

The large size of the book and the durable water-resistant pages indicate it was designed to be used as an on-site reference. The guide is filled with drawings and pictures and is divided into chapters that make it easy to find answers to common questions, such as where to locate a rain garden, whether it breeds mosquitoes, what a percola-tion test is and how large a raingarden should be? The one drawback to such a great reference is the absence of an index. However, the chapter divisions are well highlighted. This is an excellent resource for conservation-minded gardeners who want to correct water runoff problems on their properties.

By LyNN JeNkINS

People, Parks and Perceptions: A History and Appreciations of Indiana State Parks, by Glory-June Greiff, Woodsprite Press, 2009, Trafford Publishing. $19.95

Glory-June Greiff’s narrative runs like a river west to Shades State Park, south to O’Bannon Woods State Park, east to Whitewater Memorial State Park and from central Indiana’s Fort Harrison State Park — north to Indiana Dunes State Park in Lake County. Greiff, a public historian and Indiana treasure known widely as just Glory-June, was raised in LaPorte County by her parents, who loved forests and dunes. Part one is background beginning with a map and historic images, includ-ing that of Richard Lieber (1869-1944) recognized as the “Father of Indiana State Parks.” Black and white photo-

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bOOK revieWs

graphs document parks across Indiana as Greiff’s lens crops and edits, a reminder that land is scarce and water is vulner-able. Part two discusses the 24 present state parks followed by a chapter, “Former State Parks” which begins “In 1921 the site along the Muscatatuck River known as Vinegar Mills became Indiana’s fourth state park; it briefly retained the quaint original name before being changed to that of the river.” What happened next is a journey for all Americans, especially those who love creeks and rivers. Greiff’s research on automobiles and parks connects Gary to Evansville, begin-ning with World War I, when “Frequent-ly farmers headed toward town, but city dwellers invaded the rural countryside in droves, forever changing the landscape.” Inspired by Grieff’s vision, I have be-gun to plan trips to Indiana’s state parks. Professionally documented for elected officials, students and conservationists, this is a book to share with friends and family; to make a list of places to visit; to look again at historic images and to explore People, Parks and Perceptions.

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Poetry Garden, Editor, Michael Rogers, Parkside Publications, $5

Michael Rogers, editor of Poetry Garden, publishes a bi-annual poetry review, inspired by parks and gardens in urban and rural Indiana. The fourth collection of poems, in planning while Rogers recovers from heart surgery, will appear as the seasons do — in spring or fall, 2010. Each issue includes 35 to 40

The book is available from the author at: [email protected] and at the following shops: Save the Dunes Gift Shop, Beverly Shores (Porter County), Abe Martin Gift Shop, Brown County State Park, The Book Loft, Nashville, The Book Corner, Bloom-ington, Howard’s Bookstore, Bloomington, Bookmamas, Indianapolis, Books on Sale, Indianapolis, Artifacts Gallery, Indianapolis State Museum Gift Shop, Indiana Historical Bureau.

poems from about 30 poets. Poetry Garden is part of an in-dustrious arts community in Garfield Park, the Garfield Park South neigh-borhood and beyond. Neighborhoods everywhere should be so fortunate to have a Rogers, a retired architect, design a publication which nurtures home, garden, park and people. Rog-ers feels Poetry Garden is a “collec-tion of visual things coming together to make a whole.” In selecting poems, he aims for a broad range in terms of form, subject and expression from current writ-ers, age 17 to 90 years. The base for Poetry Garden is community. The Garfield Park Poetry Circle meets in Garfield Park the third Sunday, each month, as do other groups with inter-ests in music, literature and the visual arts. A garden theme, evident in his poem, “My Words” begins:

Searching deep I find my words, big beautiful words,

and concludes:

Find in them some comfort, that I had something to say, because I felt something and you can feel something too.

B y e L I z A B e T h k r A J e C k

For submission guidelines and to purchase copies, contact: E-mail: [email protected] Rogers328 E. Southern AvenueIndianapolis. IN 46225


A Green Crawl Space — Healthier for You and

Your Home

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Crawl spaces. It’s a perfectively descriptive part of the house — a tiny space with enough room to crawl around.

But what exactly is crawling around your crawl space? Rodents? Mold growth? Mildew? Unfortunately, the crawl space tends to be one of the more ignored areas of the home. It’s a cool, dank layer un-derneath your main floor and it could be wreaking havoc on your home’s air quality and making your heating and cooling equipment work overtime while you foot the energy bill. In Indiana, homes have a full basement and no crawl space, partial basement with some crawl space or a traditional crawlspace. Some homes are built on a slab. Crawl spaces allow room for pipes, ductwork and other behind the scenes home infrastructure when basement space isn’t feasible.

To Vent or Not to Vent For decades, conventional wisdom was to install foundation vents for crawl spaces to help control moisture in the area. As it turns out, venting the crawl space actually contributes to moisture is-sues. Indiana summers tend to be humid and when that wet air seeps through the vents, condensation forms on pipes, joists and just about every surface in the crawl space area.

“It’s like taking a glass of ice tea outside on a hot summer day—you get condensation,” says Ken Swain, the gen-eral manager of Americrawl, a basement and crawl space repair company. In the winter, moisture is no longer the issue, but the vents allow cold air to enter the crawl space, waging a seasonal battle against your furnace that’s liter-ally being fought at ground level, said Swain, who chuckles when people refer to him as ‘godfather of crawl spaces.’ Tom Saucier, owner of Crawlspace Doctor, says “a crawl space is noth-ing but a short basement. If you have a basement, you would never leave your windows open year around.”

It Ain’t the Heat, It’s the Humidity Vents aren’t the only way moisture enters a crawl space. A dirt floor is com-mon in the crawl spaces of older homes. Moisture enters the area through the soil, even if it isn’t raining. “Day in and day out, there’s a lot of moisture in the surface of the ground in a crawl space. Ten to 15 gallons of moisture is evaporating into the house everyday,” estimates Saucier. Ideally, a concrete floor would be installed to seal out moisture in an

Structural damage as a result of too much moisture in the crawl space. Photo courtesy of Crawlspace Doctor.

An encapsulated crawl space includes sealing the dirt floor and walls. Photo courtesy of Crawlspace Doctor.

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“unfinished” crawl space. However, that is a challenging and costly process in an existing home and not as friendly on the wallet as the method of sealing the crawl space with a heavy-duty vapor layer. A quality crawl space contractor will use a plastic product that mixes heavy and light gauge fibers such as polyethyl-ene and nylon to line the dirt floor and other areas of the crawl space that need to be sealed. (This is one type of plastic you don’t want to be biodegradable!) Vince DiFrancesco of Everblue Energy Inc., a LEED training institute, also recommends installing some type of rigid insulation underneath the main floor and sealing the edges with spray foam insulation. Without the insulation and sealing, “air is allowed to migrate from a place that is unconditioned and outside the building envelope,” he said. “The whole idea is to keep the crawl space at the same conditions as the liv-ing space,” Swain points out. As an alternative to insulation, a contractor can add registers that blow

conditioned air into the crawl space. Saucier calls this a new way of think-ing, “Let’s treat the crawl space like any other room in your house.” Conditioning the space in addition to watersealing makes the crawl space more energy efficient because the heat-ing and cooling systems don’t have to work as hard. If conditioning the crawl space isn’t an option, some form of dehumidifier is recommended. “It’s also going to be a healthier home,” adds DiFrancesco, “keeping out mold, mildew, dirt, dust, and even radon.” The other major advantage to elimi-nating moisture and airflow into a crawl space is how it protects the home from wood rot and termites. “Moisture is the number one cause of structural failure,” said DiFrancesco.

Retrofitting Your Crawl Space: So what’s a homeowner with a dirt-floor crawl space and “Jekyll and Hyde” indoor climate to do? Call a certified

inspector who’ll make specific recom-mendations for your home. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to derive estimates for a “typical home” because there are many variables to consider such as the type of foundation, the pres-ence of insulation, and whether or not there are existing foundation vents. DiFrancesco recommends that hom-eowners look for inspectors with build-ing analyst certifications from organiza-tions such as the Business Performance Institute (BPI). BPI-certified analysts are experts in residential energy efficiency retrofitting and weatherization. You can also find auditors at the U.S. Depart-ment of Energy’s Energy Star Web site. www.energystar.gov/homeimprovement. n

Ryan Puckett is a freelance writer and communi-cations specialist focusing on all things pertaining to sustainability including green living, conserva-tion, environmental issues and healthy living. He lives in Broad Ripple. Contact him at rmpwriter@

gmail.com

• Advanced Energy, a nonprofit that deals with applied building science, built 12 test houses with a variety of crawl

space designs to determine the best configuration. The findings on its Web site are accompanied by videos and reports that can help a homeowner determine how to best improve their crawl space, www.crawlspaces.org

• Ever Blue Energy, is a LEED training institute founded by veterans,

www.everblueenergy.com

• Americrawl, http://americrawl.com

• Crawlspace Doctor, www.crawlspace- doctor.com/

• Business Performance Institute, http://bpi.org/home.aspx


On countless levels, a universal awaken-ing has begun: the eagerly anticipated age of enlightenment, peace and understand-ing. The slumbering beast has awakened, experiencing a burning-bush moment. Success ensues when we get out of the way. Enlightening your green food mentality simply indicates you’re learning and grow-ing, the reason for being on this earthly plane. Post Industrial Revolution food process-ing practices are at the root of the health-care catastrophe, not us. To apply blame to this lunacy, we only need to face Capitol Hill’s good ole boys, lap-dogs of agribusiness. You didn’t cause disease rates to soar; they did. It was their inexpert Recommended Daily Allowances. Our only blunder was we trusted. Poor, substandard food, seasoned with colorfully decorated deception, raw greed and smart-bomb misinformation is enthusiastically endorsed by the deadened U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Plus, our “leaders” pat themselves on the back, seek photo-ops and constitu-ent approval for sending low-grade food to distressed third-world countries. However, the ‘foods’ they dispatch are inferior to what’s available indigenously to these downtrodden. White rice, all-purpose flour, sugar, succulent military meals-ready-to-eat, valueless canned food with Bisphenol A and canned SPAM are all nutritionally insolvent and exacerbate disease, providing little or no substantial nutrition, just unoccupied calories and self aggrandizement. Why not hold a gun to their heads? Time’s ripe for “green” free thinkers to confront America’s current food Zeit-geist of industrial-strength, almost, but not quite edible food-like substances and then to return to a lucid, wholesomely Locavore approach of eating and living designed by the great creator. The current limelight on health indicates an admis-sion we’ve been wrong; however, no one is held culpable. I was shopping with the grandkids one afternoon when they noticed one sec-tion dedicated to “Health Foods.” Their astute observation, “Grandpa, if this is the healthy section, does it mean all the other food is unhealthy?” And a child will lead them. n

Chef Wendell Fowler (www.chefwendell.com) has been a vegan vegetarian for 20 years, prompted by his near-death from terminal viral heart disease. He lost 100 pounds and over-came alcohol, cigarettes and fast food. Death can be rather motivating.

e a t r i g h t n o w bY WeNDell FOWler

We’ve Got To Get Ourselves Back to the Garden

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Maggie BagsThese bags are made of seat belt webbing that was rejected because of slight flaws or color variations. Made in Tennessee, the material creates high quality shoulder bags, clutches, totes, laptop bags, diaper bags and backpacks. Cost: $59 and up. Avail-able at www.CeleryStreet.com, www.MaggieBags.com and other retailers.

Berlin Gardens Adirondack ChairAmish craftsmen in Ohio make Berlin Gardens, Adirondack and other outdoor furniture out of polylumber made of recycled milk jugs. The color is through and through on this high quality, extremely durable furniture, assembled with alumi-num hardware. Items include gliders, tables, patio and bar stools. Available in many single and two-tone colors, including tropi-cal and natural hues. Cost: $299. Available at Sullivan Hardware & Garden, www.sullivanhardware.com in Indianapolis, Dars in Fort Wayne (260) 482-2099, and online retailers.

greeN FiNDs


Co-op Crazy Kyle Hendrix would likely tell you that he had some notion in 2007 of the total effort a neighborhood co-op would take, but that he had no idea it would bring so many diverse people together for the pursuit of a healthy food option. And as Indianapolis’ first food co-op store opens its doors, Kyle believes everyone’s work will pay dividends to the members, the neighborhood and beyond. To find out more about this unique grocery store, Indiana Living Green spoke with Hendrix, president and chairman of the board of the Indy Food Co-op, about the process, hopes and dreams.

ILG: When do you expect Pogue’s Run Grocer to open?

Hendrix: We are hoping for a late spring/early summer opening. We had a few delays with regards to getting our building permit, but we have taken care of those issues and are proceeding with the store renovation.

ILG: Describe what people will see when they enter the Pogue’s Run Grocer. Will it seem like a supermarket, the corner grocery store, a natural food store, a farmer’s market?

Hendrix: It should look like a combina-tion of the corner grocery/natural foods market. The produce area might be a little more like a farmers market stall.

ILG: What is the mission statement for the Indy Food Co-op?

Hendrix: Our mission is to provide healthy, natural food from as many local

sources as possible at the most afford-able price possible, while paying living wage to local growers and producers.

ILG: Why a co-op?

Hendrix: We wanted this store to be an integral part of the community. The best model for that is a co-op, as it is owned by its members, allowing for input on the direction the Indy Food Co-op should go. Any profits from sales stay local.

ILG: Is this store really just for the neighborhood? If not, why would some-one make the effort to travel past other markets to shop here?

Hendrix: It’s not just for the neighbor-hood. Outside of farmers markets, Pogue’s Run Grocer will be a central location to get local products seven days a week. I’ll reiterate that a community-owned store has a direct positive impact on the local economy, as any profits, stay local.

ILG: Then, what is the main area of Indianapolis that you will be serving?

Hendrix: We are focusing on the down-town and near east side, but we would like to be a regional draw as well. We do have members from as far away as Carmel and Greensburg, so I think we can achieve that goal.

ILG: If two other major supermarkets pulled out of the area, why do you think Pogue’s Run will thrive?

Hendrix: I believe people will see this as a community asset and, literally and

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figuratively, put their money where their mouth is. I mean, here is an opportunity to truly lead a better life by accessing healthier foods and supporting local people, companies and endeavors to sustain the local economy.

ILG: Where has the significant fund-ing come from, and how important are memberships?

Hendrix: Our vision for Pogue’s Run would not have been possible if it were not for organizations and people like the Chase Foundation, Local Initia-tives Support Corporation, East 10th Street Civic Association, the John H. Boner Community Center, Community Health Networks, the Central Indiana Community Foundation, Codo Design, One Ten Studio, Architects for Human-ity, Pam Frazier and Martha Hoover. These partners are invaluable to helping us complete our mission, but it is only half of the equation. The other half is our members. Being a member not only helps to ensure our success, it is an opportunity for people to be directly involved in how we as a community access healthy food that translates into better quality of life.

ILG: What else do you want people to know about the co-op?

Hendrix: I want them to know that we are not just a natural foods grocery store. We are an advocate for better health. Once up and running, we begin cooking and nutrition classes. There will be volunteer opportunities at the co-op and in the neighborhood. One of our long-range goals is to be involved with the urban farming movement and

Pogue’s Run Grocer2828 E. 10th St., IndianapolisHours: Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. Parking: Plenty of on-site parking.Web: www.indyfoodcoop.org

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provide resources to neighborhoods for community garden development. As you can see, we want to be an integral part of the community.

Indiana Living Green also spoke with Greg Monzel, the general manager of Pogue’s Run Grocer, for more specific answers to the shopping experience.

ILG: Must I be a member to shop?

Monzel: Membership is not required; anyone may shop at Pogue’s Run Gro-cer. This is consistent with other retail food co-ops.

ILG: What’s the advantage to joining?

Monzel: There are some financial advan-tages to membership. Members will re-ceive discounts on case purchases, sales items and participate in discount days. Membership also entitles voting rights in organizational direction, the right to run for election to the board of directors, and working volunteer opportunities to have hands-on experience exploring where our food comes from. Further-more, membership is an investment in a

common community asset, capital cen-ter, community gathering place, sustain-able health and food advocate and local economy center.

ILG: What does it cost?

Monzel: Membership fees include a $125 one-time common capital contri-bution as well as a $25 annual adminis-tration fee per shopper in the household. Thus, for a one-shopper household, the initial membership is $150; for three shoppers, it amounts to $200. Some scholarships have been funded through our partners, and we are working on details to extend these memberships to those in the community who cannot otherwise afford them.

ILG: What foods will you stock?

Monzel: At Pogue’s Run Grocer, shoppers may purchase all of their basic needs and staple foods, as well as value-added products and farm-fresh local produce. We will also carry a full dairy department, a wide selection of bulk foods, frozen goods, body care products and supplements, environmen-

Indy isn’t the only city buzzing with co-op excitement this summer. In June, Blooming-foods will host the Consumer Cooperative Management Association’s annual confer-ence in Bloomington with a theme, “Love What We Do and Do What We Love.” The meeting is a gathering for food co-op staff and board members, as well as people from other cooperative organizations. The conference will showcase the three Bloomingfoods co-op stores, which have had upgrades and redesigns, including an expanded garden center at the East store and a covered patio at the Near West Side store. “It is an exception and an honor for Bloomington to have been chosen as host this year,” said Ellen Michel, marketing man-ager for Bloomingfoods. Previous host cities have been Pittsburgh, Portland, Chicago and Boston. As many as 400 attendees will tour area quarries, the historic West Baden Hotel, the Lost River Community Co-op in Paoli, local farms and community gardens. They’ll also visit attractions on the Indiana University campus — Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction; Lilly Library; Art Museum; and Kirkwood Observatory.

tally friendly cleansers and household products, locally roasted brewed coffee, breakfast pastries and more. The co-op will also have a small deli open all day for fresh sandwiches, soups and salads. As Kyle stated, the feel will be somewhere between corner market and natural food store, with a local, urban ambience.

ILG: What else do you want people to know?

Monzel: Pogue’s Run Grocer will be a center for people to come together around food. We will hold events and community gatherings to work toward solutions for our imperiled food system. The Indy Food Co-op exists for the ben-efit of all Hoosiers to anchor the local food network here in Indiana and help drive local product development. The store will be a safe and inviting place to all who are passionate for sustainability in food. n

Volunteers painted a colorful mural to identify the Pogue’s Run Grocer in the East side neighborhood. Photo courtesy Indy Food Co-op.

Madison Tucked away in southeastern Indiana on the Ohio River is Madison, one of the state’s most charming and naturally beautiful communities. Madison is home to the country’s largest district on the National Register of Historic Places. The 133 blocks on the register include shops, a winery, restau-rants, a broad sampling of significant architecture and spectacular views of the Ohio River. Nearby are Clifty Falls State Park, a name that truly reflects its topography, and the lovely Clifty Inn. The third weekend in May is the an-nual Ohio River Valley Folk Festival on the banks of the Ohio, to celebrate the history of the region in song, storytelling, food and art. For more info about the festival May 21, 22 and 23, go to www.ohiorivervalleyfolkfestival.com or call (800) 559-2956. In June, the Jefferson County seat celebrates Lanier Days, complete with a Civil War encampment and reenact-ments, talks, period music, historic trades fair and children’s crafts. The

Lanier Mansion State Historic Site is the centerpiece of the three-day festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 19 and 20. For more information, got to www.indiana-museum.org/sites/lanispec.html or call (812) 273.0556.

New Harmony In the southwest corner of the state on the Ohio River is New Harmony, a still-vibrant community founded by the Rappists as part of their religious philosophy. Probably the most spectacu-

lar venue is the Historic New Harmony Labyrinth. Originally planted by the Harmonists as a place of meditation and thought, the labyrinth symbolizes life’s difficult path to harmony and perfec-tion. At the center is a log cabin where visitors can rest and meditate. One of Indiana’s Hidden Treasures (http://hid-dentreasuresindiana.org) it is part of the New Harmony State Historic Site. The labyrinth is open year round, and admis-sion is free. For more info: www.usi.edu/hnh/labyrinth.asp. For other New


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RiveR towNS make GReat Summer Getaways

Above: Clifty Falls State ParkRight: Labyrinth at New Harmony draws thousands of visitors.

© Photos courtesy Indiana Department of Natural Resources/Outdoor Indiana

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Harmony events, including an annual antique fare, writers’ projects and summer theater, go to www.newharmonyinfo.com/events.html While in the Posey County area, visitors also are drawn to Harmonie State Park. Go to www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2981.htm for more activi-ties. The place to stay, or at least dine, is the New Harmony Inn and its Red Geranium Restaurant, www.newhar-monyinn.com. n

RiveR towNS make GReat Summer Getaways

Harmonie State Park offers many family activities, including swinging in the summer sunset.

Spring bulbs adorn Lanier Historical Site in Madison.


Here’s a sampling of how Indiana’s college students have found ways to live green.

Ball State University The third-largest university in Indiana is about to make history with the largest heat pump complex in the nation. Ball State plans to install a geothermal system that will use Earth’s natural temperature to heat and cool 45 buildings on the 660-acre campus. Al-though the upfront cost is steep, the heat pump will save the university $2 million annually in fuel and slice carbon dioxide emissions in half. It’s only fitting that a campus this environmentally conscious is home to a slew of student organizations dedicated to sustainability. One is Emerging Green Builders, whose members mostly major in architecture, landscape architecture and urban planning. Amanda Bosse, the 2009 club president, says it is about educating themselves on environmental concerns within the building and devel-opment industries. “We learn about green buildings through green tours and lectures, as well as conferences such as Indiana Building Green,” said Bosse. The group also hosts study sessions

According to the Princeton Review, 63 percent of college applicants look for a commitment to the environment when they search for a school. For prospective undergraduates, Indiana has plenty of colleges to choose from that are dedicated to reducing their carbon footprints. Simple steps such as switching light bulbs, taking shorter showers and recycling positively affect the economy and the environment.

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Indiana colleges earn top grades for going green

for students to become LEED Accredited Professionals. Besides learning, they also pursue volunteer work such as cleaning up the White River in the Muncie area, and collecting used electronics to be recycled.

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Located in Terre Haute, Rose-Hul-man is a small, private college known for nationally ranked engineering, math and science programs. It’s no wonder that it was one of 17 schools selected to participate in EcoCar: The NeXt Chal-

lenge, a three-year competition spon-sored by the U.S. Department of Energy and General Motors. The advanced vehicle engineering competition chal-lenges teams of students to transform a Saturn VUE into a hybrid electric/hybrid fuel cell/electric vehicle. Now in its second year, Rose-Hul-man’s EcoCar team finished its design, and this past fall received a car donated from GM. The goal is to modify the vehicle to increase gas mileage and cut back on greenhouse gas emissions without compromising the performance of the car and keeping it marketable to consumers. Efficient vehicles aren’t the only rea-son for Rose-Hulman’s decreasing car-bon footprint. The Sustainability Team is a group comprised of students, faculty and facilities operators who work to meet the school’s present needs while being environmentally conscious. Recent initiatives include green cleaning in all buildings; nighttime temperature set-backs; use of compact fluorescent lights; testing waterless urinals, each of which saves 45,000 gallons of water annu-ally; and, the commitment for all future buildings to meet LEED standards.

Indiana UniversityThe university’s Office of Sustainability is home to the Student Sustainability Council, which consists of 14 collabo-rating organizations. Emilie Rex of the sustainability office describes the council’s overarching mission as a way for groups to coordinate efforts so projects won’t be duplicated. The office employed 82 student interns to apply their diverse ventures, ranging from

Rose-Hulman’s EcoCar team strives to in-crease gas mileage, reduce greenhouse gas emissions without compromising the perfor-mance or consumer marketability of the car. Photo courtesy Rose Hulman

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planning the annual Energy Challenge to native prairie implementation and grow-ing organic gardens. The Energy Challenge, which lasts four weeks in April, is a contest between the dormitories and Greek houses to see who can conserve the most energy and water. Last year, the program’s success resulted in saving $46,000 in just those few weeks, all due to behavioral change by the students. Sustainable food options have also surfaced at I.U. Interns Christina Mus-grave and Kate Rogoski designed two permaculture gardens, one for organic food production and another for a forest garden to grow fruit-bearing trees. Last summer, intern Nora Kayden coordi-nated with Indiana Memorial Union and food services to compost pre-consumer food waste. Finally, this fall will kick off the second Themester, the topic being “Sustainability: Thriving on a small planet.” Themester is an initiative for faculty and staff to engage students with knowledge, creativity and exploring new ideas in the ways of sustainability. University of St. Francis This small college in Fort Wayne has taken big steps towards reducing its environmental impact. In fall 2009, it founded Eco Club, a new student group led by President Liz Hamman. In just one semester, Eco Club planted a rain garden, put trees in Shoaff Park, re-cycled electronics, cleared and mulched a trail on campus, raised funds and pur-chased eco-friendly household products to donate to Habitat for Humanity. Another project started the previous year is the Tour de France, a bicycle loan program for students on campus who need transportation. A growing group of bikes is available for students to borrow instead of driving their cars to class. The university has installed more bike racks to encourage the use of this program. An interesting effort on campus includes salvaging wood from trees after storms and using it in woodworking projects or as fuel in the ceramics kiln. Also, discarded furniture from students moving out is retrieved and sent to schools and churches in Honduras.

—Continued on page 22

Purdue University Purdue is going Black, Gold, and Green with the developments of the student organization, Boiler Green Initiative. BGI is a group of students from many different majors who focus on committees such as recycling, storm water management, carbon neutrality, environmental policy and alternative transportation. But the underlying rea-son for the group is the installation of a green roof on Schleman Hall, a major student services building. A $68,700 grant from State Farm Insurance made the project possible.

BGI, along with other organizations, works to monitor the energy efficiency, storm water runoff, vegetation and wildlife that result from the green roof. One benefit is that 99 percent of rainfall is absorbed into the plant life that lives on top of the building. On a normal tar roof, this runoff would take pollut-ants into storm sewers. The green roof also insulates the building, significantly lowering heating and cooling costs. Installed in 2009, Purdue’s green roof is accessible to the public. BGI members give tours to anyone who wants to learn more about how it works.

Gillian Molnar is a recent Purdue University graduate who wrote this article as an Indiana Living Green intern.

COLLEGES GOING GREEN— Continued from page 21

Purdue’s Boiler Green Initiative focuses on recycling, storm water management, carbon neutrality, environmental policy and alterna-tive transportation, including a green roof on Schleman Hall. Photo courtesy Purdue University

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High Energy Washers: Use As Directed

Laundry nirvana at last. For months, I ogled front-loading washing machines and gushed about their energy-saving advantages to my reticent husband. Now I finally have one — all chrome and lights and silver buttons. Every green cell in my body quivered with anticipation: less energy! less water! cleaner clothes! A faster spin cycle! To top it off, this appliance looks so cool. I could tell a difference with my first load. After it tumbled my clothes clock-wise, then counter-clockwise, then spun them at a blistering 1100 rpm, my new machine turned out a clean, bright and practically dry load of laundry. I didn’t have to stop the machine to rebalance the load or untangle underwear from the agitator. It worked quietly, in contrast to my old top-loading washer, whose squeaky crescendo shook the house like a space shuttle launch. After a few weeks, however, there was trouble in Paradise. Transferring clothes from the washer to the matching dryer required me to crouch in front of the machines or bend over awkwardly, inviting eventual back surgery. I couldn’t pop extra items in once the washing had started because the door locked (and even if I could open it, soapy water would spill onto my shoes). What really concerned me, though, was the condensation on the drum and water that collected inside the door gasket after each cycle. Should I wipe it down? Leave the door open? I never had this problem with my old washer. I began to wonder if my high-efficiency front loader had some dirty secrets.

The Advantages of High Energy Consumer Reports tested and com-pared both top- and front-loading wash-ing machines. According to the trials, high energy front-loaders use less energy than regular top-loaders. They also use up to 50 percent less water per load. Though they use a fraction of the water top-loaders do, front-loading high energy washers clean clothes more effectively. Clothes are tumbled through sudsy water, rather than pulled through with an agitator, which can damage fabrics. Front-loading washers also use a super-fast spin cycle, which reduces dry-ing time whether you use a clothesline or a dryer.

Overall, the front-loading washers Consumer Reports tested rated consis-tently better on both washing perfor-mance and energy- and water-usage than the top-loaders, even the top-loaders listed as Energy Star models.

The Reality Check Despite all their advantages, high-en-ergy front-loaders have a few disadvan-tages. Front-loading washers cost more than top-loaders. True, they might be a

—Continued on page 24

Thomas the cat approves of the Peters’ high energy washer. © Marianne Peters


HIGH ENERGY WASHERS: USE AS DIRECTED — Continued from page 23

better investment in the long run, but even with discounts and rebates, expect to spend between $700 and $1,500 for the top-rated models, according to Consumer Reports. There are energy-efficient top-loaders available, but the most efficient ones are in the $800 to $1,000 range and don’t score as high on washing performance as the front-loaders. Front-loaders, if not used correctly, can harbor mold and mildew. Their design does not allow for evaporation, and the heavy rubber door gasket col-lects water in its folds, even as it seals it in during wash cycles. A few appliance manufacturers are facing class-action lawsuits related to mold growth in their machines. There are ways to discourage mold growth in a front-loading machine. It’s imperative that consumers read the

owner’s manual and use the washer properly to prevent future problems. I checked my owner’s manual and under the section entitled “Common Washing Problems,” I found the manu-facturer’s solutions for dealing with and preventing mold, odor and extra water in the door gasket. The manual in-structed me to use the proper amount of high energy detergent and to avoid cold water washes unless the load requires it, so that the detergent will dissolve. Using the right amount of low-sudsing detergent is key to preventing mildew. My manual also instructed me to take the clothes out of the washer im-mediately after the cycle finished and wipe out the gasket fold with a dry cloth after each wash. (On a typical busy day, I can’t imagine myself faithfully wip-ing out the gasket). I can also perform a monthly “system clean” cycle, us-

ing bleach, to prevent mildew or mold build-up. Is this maintenance reasonable, or does my washer have a design flaw? This is still up for debate. While I’m a little disappointed with the moisture issues, I still love my washer, and I can’t argue with the performance or the en-ergy-savings or the soft whir as it spins my load. No more space shuttle. n

Marianne Peters is a freelance writer and editor living in Plymouth. She has a Web site: www.wordsmithwritingservice.com and Weblog: http://hoosierwordsmith.typepad.com.

reSOUrCeS:

Consumer Reports has the complete ratings and reliability report on high-energy washers, as well as reviews and laundry tips, www.consumerreports.com

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Controversial Clotheslines

The humble clothesline is stirring up con-troversy nationwide as advocates tout their energy savings and opponents complain they are an eyesore. Michael Bittinger of West Lafayette says his family started line-drying shortly before the birth of their baby. “Even on chilly spring and fall days, I find myself hauling a basket out back to catch the mid-morning sun,” he says. “Often it’s a pleasure, occasionally it’s a pain, but we know we are doing a good thing for the baby, our wallets, and the planet.” By contrast, Mani Subramaniam, an IT consultant residing in Fishers, says his wife is afraid to hang out laundry. In their suburban community, strict covenants prohibit the use of clotheslines. “I would love for my clothes to be sun-dried,” says Mani. “When you hang out your clothes, you get a good chance to do some reflection. You don’t just dump your clothes in the dryer and move on to the next thing.” A native of India, he is perplexed by Midwestern attitudes. “The people in my home owner’s as-sociation have grown up here and they don’t see a need for a clothesline,” he says. “They don’t know what they are missing.” Clothesline advocates have gotten organized. Alexander Lee (who claims he was raised by a frugal, line-drying Yankee mother) started Project Laundry List, an organization based in Vermont that promotes “the right to dry.” He is concerned that so-called “labor-saving devices” such as clothes dryers have made our lives more complex. He also believes that tasks such as hanging laundry can be meditative mood-lifters for busy people. More information on his group can be found at www.laundrylist.com and through their newsletter Hanging Out.

U.S. Department of Energy Energy Star lists laundry best practices for saving energy and money, www.energystar.govConsumer Research has helpful articles such as “Washing Machines: What to Look For” and “Washing Machines: Full Report,” www.consumerresearch.com


Set priorities in this order

1. Newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials. It is critical to these plants’ overall health, vigor and long-term sur-vival that they get at least an inch of rain or supplemental water every week or 10 days. Water newly planted stock at least the first year, preferably the first three years. 2. Vegetables need regular watering for the best production. Irregular water-ing may contribute to blossom end rot in tomatoes and some other vegetables. Make sure to water the soil and not the plants. The most efficient way to water is with a drip irrigation system, soaker hoses or by hand with a bucket or watering can. Large veggies, such as tomatoes and peppers need about a gal-lon (or one inch) of water every week or 10 days. Smaller plants, such as beans or squash use about half that. 3. Annuals and other plants in containers usually need to be watered every day or every other day. The larger the container, the less you may have to water, depending on the weather. Water the annuals in the ground, too. This can be done every week or 10 days. 4. Established perennials, those in the ground for three years or more, can be kept flowering with a good drink of water every two weeks. Many estab-

USE WATER WISELY THIS SUMMER AND ALL YEAR ROUND

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As we head into summer and the prime growing season for food and flowers, here are some reminders on how to conserve water in the landscape.

lished perennials, will survive a drought without any supplemental water, but flowers will be greatly reduced. Native plants are particularly well suited to our environmental challenges and can usu-ally withstand dry conditions without supplemental water. 5. Established shrubs or trees, those in the ground for three years or more, can be watered deeply about once every month or two, especially if they are showing signs of stress. Make sure to send established plants into winter with at least one good soaking. 6. Lawns can go five to eight weeks without water, without thinning or death. The length of time varies accord-ing to the overall health of the lawn, soil, amount of fertilizer, foot traffic and other factors.

Drip irrigation is efficient and easy with the right equipment.

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Other tips:

• Use native and low-water-use plants. Native plants not only withstand Indiana’s environmental conditions, they also serve as a source of food or shelter for native wildlife.• Limit turf for practical uses, such as a play area.• Use efficient irrigation systems that are well timed or flexible in how the schedules are set. Make sure the system does not irrigate during the rain or wet periods.• Make sure soil is healthy by adding

organic matter and using natural fertilizers, rather than synthetic ones. Natural or organic fertilizers feed the soil. Synthetic fertilizers do nothing for the soil. Healthy soil teems with microorganisms, earthworms and other beneficial creatures, which pro-mote strong roots and plants. Healthy plants are better able to withstand environmental conditions, such as drought or an infestation of insects or disease.

• Mulch to control evaporation of moisture from the soil. Mulch reduces weeds, which rob desirable plants of nutrients. Mulch also moderates soil temperature to keep roots cool or warm, depending on the season.

For more information:

• Purdue University’s Floyd County Extension Office: http://bit.ly/aaj8h3• Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society www.inpaws.org• Illinois Natural History Survey’s Drought Tolerant Plants http://bit. ly/atlDIg• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, www.wildflower.org• Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Efficient Landscaping, http:// bit.ly/bBOQqQ• Consumer Reports Home & Garden Blog, http://bit.ly/9TxqbK n

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The first spring after we moved to our farm, we were tickled to find that the edges of our woods were sprinkled with wild raspberry and blackberry canes. Bigger patches lined the lane that led up to our place. The neighbor’s meadow, too, was practically overrun with canes, mostly blackberry. Every year, these nice folks assured us, the berries came on like clockwork and gave them a little taste of paradise. Better yet, they weren’t able to use all this bounty for themselves, so they kindly offered to share, as long as we left the outermost berries for them and stuck to plucking the harder-to-reach fruit deeper in the bushes. I couldn’t argue with the fairness of their proposal, as it already seemed to me that picking wild berries was one of the few ways left in the world to get something for free. As soon as the fruit turned the shiny purple-black that signaled ripeness, I headed down the lane, cheerfully swinging my bucket. I wound my way past a rusted hay bailer that someone had left decades ago, and dove eagerly into the first patch. Oblivi-ous to the scratches from the thorns that snagged my arms and legs, I picked the canes clean several times a week for the precious month or so that they produced heavy fruit. I sold the sweet, fragile morsels for a decent profit. It only took me a couple of seasons to figure out that wild berries were anything but free. Pain, irritation and effort were the up-front payment for the privilege of enjoying this luscious gift of summer. Far from tossing in my bucket and turning to easier pleasures, how-ever, I remained eager as ever to get my share. This was berry greed, plain and simple. In my zeal not to miss that last handful of luscious fruit deep in a stand

Wild, but not free

of canes, I often overreached, or caught my boots in the tangles of honeysuckle vines that were starting to invade our part of the countryside. Gravity did the rest, and I would find myself introduced face-first to the thorniest and most unpleasant side of the raspberry patch. After a few such episodes, I was no longer as oblivious to the scratches as I had been the first year, and reluctantly donned pants, long sleeves, and rubber gloves before heading afield, even on days when the heat and humidity made such clothing nearly unbearable. It still beat showing up at farmer’s market having to explain why I looked like the aftermath of a cougar attack. I also learned the hard way that chig-gers, those microscopic larval mites that dig into tender skin and leave oblong, itchy red welts, greatly favor old berry patches. The only prevention was to cover oneself in smelly insect repellant from neck to toe before dressing. While

effective, it nevertheless only added to the torture already imparted by long pants and shirtsleeves. I started to long for the days of my childhood, when berry picking was an easy trip out the back door of my dad’s well-tended garden-variety raspberry bushes that lined up in a neat hedgerow against the chain-link fence. Chiggers and headlong catapults into beds of tangled canes were never an issue there. So these days, I deal with my berry greed in new ways. I pay someone else to pick the wild ones for me. But I also took a page from my dad’s book and planted a big patch of garden-variety raspberry bushes. Never hurts to have a little insurance. n

Maria Smietana is a refugee from the corpo-rate world who now writes and grows organic produce on her mini-farm in Boone County.

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t h e l a s t r o w bY mAriA smieTANA

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May/June 2010 - Indiana Living Green