bostonzest

Category: Boston Green

  • Russet May Be the Color of Autumn 2016 in Boston

    When we think of autumn colors in New England, we conjure up images of reds, yellows, and brilliant oranges. But, with this year's drought, we may be seeing russets and browns. Here's a link to the drought map to give you some idea of the places where colors will be weak.

    IMG_1786 copy

    As leaves are falling, they have a bit of color in some spots, but a lot of dry brown edges. The Boston Globe ran an article this week predicting less color in Massachusetts and recommending that you visit Northern New England if you want your annual color feast.

    IMG_2144

    On my morning walks this week, I've only seen a few hints of bright color on trees, even in well watered gardens.

    IMG_2234

    In most cases, the trees are turning a russet brown.

    IMG_2245

    Obviously trees are suffering in places where no one cares for them. This week's rain will help, but making a habit of watering the trees in your area into November would help even more! 

    Here's a link to the city's page on Boston's trees. You can download instructions on watering, mulching, and planting around street trees. In case that page disappears as the city "improves" its website, you can download that PDF here. Download Street Tree tips.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photography: © 2016 Penny Cherubino  

    Related articles
    Steamers Leaving for Bass Point and Nahant from Lincoln Wharf
    Where to Recycle Eyeglasses in Boston – Updating a Reader Favorite

  • The Lawn Is Brown and the River Is Green!

    On a walk this week, we passed the Muddy River and saw this contrast in colors.

    IMG_9805

    The lawn in the small park at Charlesgate East is dry and brown, while the surface of the Muddy River running alongside is emerald green.

    IMG_9808

    What the specific growth on the river's surface is, we don't know. But this page from the Charles River Watershed Association does give some alerts for some types of blooms. In the past, there have been potentially toxic blooms on the Muddy.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • The Lawn Is Brown and the River Is Green!

    On a walk this week, we passed the Muddy River and saw this contrast in colors.

    IMG_9805

    The lawn in the small park at Charlesgate East is dry and brown, while the surface of the Muddy River running alongside is emerald green.

    IMG_9808

    What the specific growth on the river's surface is, we don't know. But this page from the Charles River Watershed Association does give some alerts for some types of blooms. In the past, there have been potentially toxic blooms on the Muddy.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • The Million Pollinator Garden Challenge

    As with so many things that have to do with gardens or nature, I learned about the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge from the The Garden Club of the Back Bay's website. It is an amazing resource!

    Screen Shot 2016-07-31 at Sunday, July 31, 20164.30.58 PM

    The garden club post explained that they will be joining with others to help restore and protect pollinators' habitats, "… members will be providing food and habitat for pollinators in our home gardens (can even be a container on a deck or a condo window planter), as well as through public garden projects, youth garden projects, nursing homes, botanical gardens, business areas, and government offices."

    20100730IMG_4567 - Version 5 (1) copy

    You can help by taking the three steps outlined in this handout. 

    Screen Shot 2016-07-31 at Sunday, July 31, 20164.27.50 PM

    If you have your own garden, all the resources you need to get underway are at this site. If you live in a rental or condominium, ask the management company or board of trustees to take a pollinator mindset when planning the common area gardens. 

    When you consider the importance of what pollinators do for us, learning more and taking action is the least we can do to help turn around this critical shortage. 

     

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2009 Penny Cherubino  

    Related articles
    Snow Drops, Crocus & Daffodils Popping Up in the Back Bay
    Protecting the Very Sensitive Toes of a Famous Boston Elm with FlexiPave

  • The Million Pollinator Garden Challenge

    As with so many things that have to do with gardens or nature, I learned about the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge from the The Garden Club of the Back Bay's website. It is an amazing resource!

    Screen Shot 2016-07-31 at Sunday, July 31, 20164.30.58 PM

    The garden club post explained that they will be joining with others to help restore and protect pollinators' habitats, "… members will be providing food and habitat for pollinators in our home gardens (can even be a container on a deck or a condo window planter), as well as through public garden projects, youth garden projects, nursing homes, botanical gardens, business areas, and government offices."

    20100730IMG_4567 - Version 5 (1) copy

    You can help by taking the three steps outlined in this handout. 

    Screen Shot 2016-07-31 at Sunday, July 31, 20164.27.50 PM

    If you have your own garden, all the resources you need to get underway are at this site. If you live in a rental or condominium, ask the management company or board of trustees to take a pollinator mindset when planning the common area gardens. 

    When you consider the importance of what pollinators do for us, learning more and taking action is the least we can do to help turn around this critical shortage. 

     

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2009 Penny Cherubino  

    Related articles
    Snow Drops, Crocus & Daffodils Popping Up in the Back Bay
    Protecting the Very Sensitive Toes of a Famous Boston Elm with FlexiPave

  • Time to Trim the Magnolias!

    Back in 2011, Penny wrote an article for the Back Bay Sun about caring for the trees damaged in a blizzard. Today we ask that those of you responsible for the beautiful magnolias and other lush trees around the city prevent this from happening again. 

    IMG_8295

    Currently the magnolias along Commonwealth Avenue, for example, are lush, full, and offer lovely shade. We enjoy walking under their protection on hot summer days. However many of them the are very much in need of pruning before the next round of winter or early spring storms.

    BBS0125tree-care copy

    Broken magnolia after a blizzard in 2011.

    Back in 2011, arborist Bobby Loree of Boston Tree Company reassured homeowners saying, “The first thing is don’t panic. It may look awful, but magnolias are resilient and grow fast. Many of the magnolias that got broken up badly in the April Fools day storm of about a dozen years ago recovered nicely though they looked hopeless at the time.”

    IMG_8265

    The Trees Have Recovered

    And now they need pruning for a few reasons. Trees with dense foliage and branches are more likely to be damaged in hurricanes and northeasters because they resist the wind rather the letting it pass through.

    The weight of heavy snow that collects on branches can cause breakage even when the foliage is not out. Should it be a spring storm when the trees are in leaf, it can be much worse. A good pruning can make a world of difference in the outcome. 

    IMG_8291

    As a courtesy to pedestrians, trees should be trimmed high enough above the sidewalk so that people can pass under them even when rain and snow lower the branches. Right now you have to be well under 6 foot to walk under some of these trees. 

    IMG_8260

    Call a Pro

    Take a few minutes to examine your tree canopy. How dense is it? Are there branches rubbing on one another that might cause damage in a wind storm? Would a heavy snow be caught up in your tree with branches breaking from the weight? If so, it's time to call an arborist to evaluate and perhaps prune your trees.

    As Boston’s Tree Warden Greg Mosman said back in 2011, “Trees should be cared for by professionals and proper pruning can reduce damage in extreme weather conditions, though no amount of pruning can totally prevent damage.” He advised, "Pruning should be done by a certified arborist."

     

    Related articles
    Confused Plants and More November Foliage
    November Foliage in the Heart of Boston
    The Hope of Spring …
    Growing Fond of the Boston Public Garden Fence

  • Time to Trim the Magnolias!

    Back in 2011, Penny wrote an article for the Back Bay Sun about caring for the trees damaged in a blizzard. Today we ask that those of you responsible for the beautiful magnolias and other lush trees around the city prevent this from happening again. 

    IMG_8295

    Currently the magnolias along Commonwealth Avenue, for example, are lush, full, and offer lovely shade. We enjoy walking under their protection on hot summer days. However many of them the are very much in need of pruning before the next round of winter or early spring storms.

    BBS0125tree-care copy

    Broken magnolia after a blizzard in 2011.

    Back in 2011, arborist Bobby Loree of Boston Tree Company reassured homeowners saying, “The first thing is don’t panic. It may look awful, but magnolias are resilient and grow fast. Many of the magnolias that got broken up badly in the April Fools day storm of about a dozen years ago recovered nicely though they looked hopeless at the time.”

    IMG_8265

    The Trees Have Recovered

    And now they need pruning for a few reasons. Trees with dense foliage and branches are more likely to be damaged in hurricanes and northeasters because they resist the wind rather the letting it pass through.

    The weight of heavy snow that collects on branches can cause breakage even when the foliage is not out. Should it be a spring storm when the trees are in leaf, it can be much worse. A good pruning can make a world of difference in the outcome. 

    IMG_8291

    As a courtesy to pedestrians, trees should be trimmed high enough above the sidewalk so that people can pass under them even when rain and snow lower the branches. Right now you have to be well under 6 foot to walk under some of these trees. 

    IMG_8260

    Call a Pro

    Take a few minutes to examine your tree canopy. How dense is it? Are there branches rubbing on one another that might cause damage in a wind storm? Would a heavy snow be caught up in your tree with branches breaking from the weight? If so, it's time to call an arborist to evaluate and perhaps prune your trees.

    As Boston’s Tree Warden Greg Mosman said back in 2011, “Trees should be cared for by professionals and proper pruning can reduce damage in extreme weather conditions, though no amount of pruning can totally prevent damage.” He advised, "Pruning should be done by a certified arborist."

     

    Related articles
    Confused Plants and More November Foliage
    November Foliage in the Heart of Boston
    The Hope of Spring …
    Growing Fond of the Boston Public Garden Fence

  • Here’s a Peek at a Back Bay Hidden Garden

    Have you ever wondered about those gardens behind the walls along the Back Bay Alleys? We were dinner guests of a friend with a charming walled, English-style garden in the rear of his home.

    IMG_7671

    Penny has always been a fan of green and white gardens, especially those that are used the most in the evening. This corner is a great example of a charming use of that concept with just a pop or two of color.

    IMG_7688

    Accessories are fun in a garden. As your eyes move around, you see one interesting object after another. 

    IMG_7669

    Comfortable seating and handy tables added ease to the hospitality.

    IMG_7667

    A dining table gives options for dinner or for working in a lovely setting. 

    IMG_7668

    Notice the bed of herbs near the door leading to the kitchen.

    IMG_7629

    We were totally enchanted with these roses that seemed to be growing in bouquets.

    IMG_7672

    It was so quiet and peaceful that it was easy to forget we were in the heart of the city – until we looked up!

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Here’s a Peek at a Back Bay Hidden Garden

    Have you ever wondered about those gardens behind the walls along the Back Bay Alleys? We were dinner guests of a friend with a charming walled, English-style garden in the rear of his home.

    IMG_7671

    Penny has always been a fan of green and white gardens, especially those that are used the most in the evening. This corner is a great example of a charming use of that concept with just a pop or two of color.

    IMG_7688

    Accessories are fun in a garden. As your eyes move around, you see one interesting object after another. 

    IMG_7669

    Comfortable seating and handy tables added ease to the hospitality.

    IMG_7667

    A dining table gives options for dinner or for working in a lovely setting. 

    IMG_7668

    Notice the bed of herbs near the door leading to the kitchen.

    IMG_7629

    We were totally enchanted with these roses that seemed to be growing in bouquets.

    IMG_7672

    It was so quiet and peaceful that it was easy to forget we were in the heart of the city – until we looked up!

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Safe Drug Disposal in Boston Updated for 2017

    Walking through the lobby of Massachusetts General Hospital last week, I was reminded of this post and this container for the disposal of prescription drugs. We have updated the links to help our readers who would like to clean out drugs from their own medicine cabinet or help an older relative or neighbor deal with the medications they no longer use.

    IMG_8112

    This particular site is just for prescription drugs. But when I did a bit of research on the topic, I found some sites for other classes of drugs.

    Screen Shot 2016-07-11 at Monday, July 11, 201610.22.24 AM

    The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) has a page with locations of other Drug Take Back Kiosks.

    These take human and pet medication and over-the-counter meds. They don't take needles, aerosols, or a few other categories, so read the list before you pack that bag from your medicine cabinet cleanout. 

    Sharps_disposal

    For safe needle and syringe disposal, the BPHC offers these locations.

    M1_01

    As long as we have your attention on this important topic, here is a great resource for the safe use, storage, and disposal of meds.

    Updated 07/13/17

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino  The last photo is courtesy of www.learnaboutrxsafety.org