Paul Stamets’ Mycelium Running is a must have reference book for anyone working the land in any form, whether it be farming, forest management or environmental cleanup. But also for people who, like me, enjoy growing things, especially delectable edibles.

The book is filled to the brim with valuable information on how to improve soils for farming, gardening and forestry; create simple, low-cost biofilters for waste water (mycofiltration); and clean up toxic waste (mycoremediation).

For example, an easy do-it-yourself method of creating a mycofiltration bed for filtering waste water is delineated in detail. Recommended materials are listed along with suggested mushroom species to use and the ideal dimensions of the bed. In Stamets’ examples, these mycofiltration beds are used to effectively filter and neutralize farm runoff but they could also be used to filter industrial waste water.

Not only does it solve the problem of farm runoff and E. coli contamination of nearby streams, it can also yield highly palatable food mushrooms, and the bed itself can be dug out every 2-3 years and then used as an excellent fertilizer for the farm.

Now that temperatures are finally warming up across the Northern half of the US and Canada, it is time for organic lawn care lovers to get out and get started for the season. We’ve all had to wait just a little longer than our friends who like to use quick releasing synthetic products, but it is well worth it in the long run!

Naturally treated or organically fertilized lawns respond just a little slower because organics need proper, prolonged heat in order to release their nitrogen and other nutrients into the soil. Traditional synthetic fertilizers, however, only need water to dissolve and hit the soil line. This means that organics won’t produce any results until later in the year. Organics, however, do have the advantage of being slow release, feeding the lawn over time.

Fear not, however, my organic lawn care friends, because your commitment to our environment will pay off not just in being a friend to the Earth, but more so in the better results you get. That’s right guys, organically treated lawns look better in the long haul! That is because organically treated lawns get their nutrients slowly in readily available form, thus increasing health and vigor in a systematic, natural manner. Synthetically fertilized lawns show great promise quickly, but tend to fade over time; like a child coming down from a sugar high!

History reveals that the Hanging Gardens of Babylon is a big evidence of a hydroponic garden. Moreover, the Aztec Indians in the now Mexico had a system of growing crops on rafts. These rafts are in shallow lakes that you can still see in floating gardens near Mexico City. Therefore, history shows the great significance of hydroponic system of growing plants even in ancient times.

Developments with hydroponics did not however take place in Europe until 1699 when Woodward discovered it. He found out that he can grow plants in a solution of water to which soil had been added.

On the other hand, Liebig, a German scientist, originated using nutrient solutions to study the nutritional requirements of plants in the 1850′s. It was then followed by Sachs in 1860. Knop also did some studies of nutrient elements in water solutions in 1861. They grew plants in nutrients-rich solutions with mineral salts. This does away with the soil as a main requirement for growing crops.

Many researches on the nutritional requirements of plants extended through even until the 1870′s. By 1925, practical applications of hydroponics were being introduced for the vast development in the greenhouse industry.

So you want to save some green? All you have to do is drive smart to save green. It is not just about having an eco friendly car. Common sense tells us that if more people took up the challenge our whole country – even the whole world – would benefit in a

1. It has to be said: the very best thing you can do to help the environment with your car is stop driving it! Well unless you are a college student, you may not have that option any longer. The best alternative then is just to drive slower instead. You see, most cars appear to save gas when driven at speeds of between 50 mph to 60 mph. So drive like Goldie Locks, not too slow and not too fast. This is how to drive smart, save green.

2. If you desire to make your car more fuel efficient you could conserve a staggering 20% of your car’s fuel consumption just by reducing tire roll resistance! If you are to drive smart and save green then you need to think about this. Simply spend a bit more and buy quality tires. Even though they might cost a little more they will perform better. It is important to note that under inflated tires cost you more in gas bills! So here is another simple way to increase fuel economy, imagine if everyone did it.