More About Rain Gardens

Yesterday I posted about my town of Noblesville receiving a grant of $25,000 for a rain garden. Being fond of nature and gardens, the Rain Garden idea intrigued me and I wanted to know more about them. I found a wonderful and informative site called Rain Gardens of West Michigan. There is a five minute video on this site that does a great job of explaining what a rain garden is and why they are so important.

I'm on the email loop from our city's Public Affairs Manager, and I received this in my mail today!



I am very excited about this opportunity and will hopefully be able to attend. I think it would be awesome to help plant demonstration sites around the city. What a great community project!

I am so proud of the leaders' of Noblesville and Hamilton County for educating those in our community about this serious issue, but more importantly to be an example to the people with this wonderful project and the free workshop.

We have a river, retention ponds galore, and several lakes in our area. People don't realize that every chemical they use in their yards to kill weeds and bugs end up in our water supply through storm water runoff. Even with water purification systems, particles of these chemicals remain in our drinking water. Not only that, but those chemicals are harmful to the wildlife in our retention ponds which are located in just about every neighborhood, (mine has three). We used to have so many frogs around our neighborhood and now there are very few, I'm convinced it is due to the poisons in the ponds.

I have received brochures with my water bills telling of ways to prevent water runoff pollution.
Here is a list I found online:

10 Things You Can Do to Prevent Stormwater Pollution:

1. Use lawn and garden chemicals sparingly or use organic alternatives. Whatever you put on your lawn could find its way to a stream.

2. Choose low-maintenance, native plants that require fewer chemicals and less watering.

3. Don't dump anything into storm drains. Most lead directly into area waterways. This is a violation!

4. Wash your car on the lawn or gravel, which filter the dirt and soap out of the water. Use soaps without phosphates, which remove oxygen from the water. Or go to a car wash that recycles wash water.

5. Fix that oil leak in your car, and recycle oil and other car fluids.

6. Clean up after your pet and dispose of the waste in the garbage or flush it down the toilet.

7. Report Polluters .

8. Keep your septic system maintained to prevent leaks.

9. Sweep driveways and sidewalks instead of hosing them off. Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces.

10 Reduce the amount of impervious surfaces around your home. Alternatives such as paving blocks, gravel, cobbles, brick and natural stone can replace asphalt and concrete in driveways, parking lots and walkways.

Hamilton County Public Education Steering Committee
http://www.co.hamilton.in.us

While most of this has been about Hamilton County and Noblesville, Indiana, rain gardens are beneficial no matter where you live and each person should be aware of and concerned about stormwater runoff pollution.

I think with the recent droughts and water shortages more people are thinking of reducing their lawns and using native plants, (which require less water), for their gardens. For Indiana, a wonderful resource for learning more about native plants is Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society, (inpaws).

American Beauties Native Plants is another informative site for planning butterfly, bird and other types of gardens with native plants in your specific location of the country.

I am so excited about this new Rain Garden project! I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this and sharing with you our progress!

Just One More Reason to Love Noblesville!

CITY OF NOBLESVILLE UTILITY RECEIVES $25,000 FROM HAMILTON COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

Grant to Help Create Rain Gardens, Sculpture in Downtown Noblesville

… .The City of Noblesville has received a $25,000 Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau (HCCVB) Eight Great Towns Development Grant. The funds will be used to create rain gardens with art sculptures in downtown Noblesville

The rain garden project, which is a partnership between the City of Noblesville Economic Development Department and Wastewater Utilities as well as the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District, will be located on the northeast and northwest corners of the 9^th and Conner Street intersection.

“The project will beautify downtown and also educate visitors and residents about a rain garden’s environmental benefits,” said Christy Myers, Noblesville Economic Development Assistant Director.

Rain gardens filter runoff pollution, conserve water, reduce mosquito breeding, increase beneficial insects that eliminate pest insects, create habitat for birds and butterflies, and enhance sidewalk appeal.

“Rain gardens are inexpensive, simple to implement, and environmentally sound,” said Tim Stottlemyer, chief Operator / Storm Water for Noblesville Utilities.

The art sculptures will be created by Expo Design, a company owned by Noblesville resident and Cultural Arts Commission board member Mark Thornton. Local artists and groups were invited to submit photos or sketches of sculptures in November, and the project committee selected Expo Design for its innovative designs and low costs.

“We’re very pleased to be a part of this unique project,” said Thornton , “I think people will really be drawn to these creations.”

The Eight Great Towns Development Grant is a special initiative from the HCCVB to enhance the eight municipalities in Hamilton County to make them even better places to live and visit. Projects can be visual, structural, new or restored and must be to the benefit of the general public, permanent in nature, and part of a larger, long term plan.

“The grant will help make our already great downtown even more appealing for residents and visitors,” said Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear . He added, “We greatly appreciate this opportunity from the Convention and Visitors Bureau.”

Enlarging Photos on Blogger

I was asked tonight how I got the pictures so large on my blog posts without causing distortion, (thank you for asking Chrisss). There may be others who want to know this information and there may also be an easier way to do it. I'll tell how I do and if anyone else knows of another way with fewer steps, PLEASE let me know.

First, from Adobe Photoshop Elements, I go to "Save for Web" and adjust the size, (the pixel proportions), usually to about 600 width x 900 height and I usually have it at maximum or very high quality.

With Blogger the pictures automatically default to Picasa when loaded onto a blog post.
After the picture has been uploaded to the new blog post, I go to Picasa and locate it in my album. I then go to "Link to this Photo". Select the size "Large" copy the html code to "Embed Photo". I then go back to my new blog post click on "Edit Html" delete the original picture, (Html) and then paste the "Large" html code where I want it to go in the post.

This is probably clear as mud, and there should be an easier way, but this is the only way I know how to do it. Hope this helps you, Chrisss!

I've also been playing with putting texts on some of my pictures. I thought the picture of the lilies was perfect for this verse.

I hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend!

Year in Review Part 2

I want to start Part Two with a heartfelt thank you to all of you who take the time from your busy schedules to read my blog, especially for the comments that you leave. I read each one and I appreciate them so much. It was only two years ago, during the winter months, that I even discovered blogs. I started Robin's Nesting Place in April of '07 and it has been such a wonderful experience, made wonderful only because of the responses from you and getting to know you through your blogs as well.

Now, for the continuation of my "2008 Year in Review":



Late May and early June is the time for peonies in Indiana. They are so beautiful, I just wish they lasted longer!



The garden really comes to life in June! I think this is my favorite month for flowers in the garden. The peonies, miniature roses and lilies are gorgeous!



Right after a rain is my absolute favorite time to take pictures! I love the rich color and the water droplets in this picture of the lilies.



These are the petunias I grew from seed. In June they are just beginning to fill out and bloom well.



Just about the time the garden was abuzz with activity and things were at their peak, we got the news of my husband's job layoff. My favorite time in the garden was met with half-hearted interest. While I didn't feel much like gardening, I could always lose myself and forget about my troubles behind the camera .



I love photography and I love holding a camera in my hands. It absolutely thrills me to catch something unusual with my camera. I was amazed by this leaf cutter bee and couldn't believe I actually captured it in action!



We had no deep roots in Indiana and were open to a move any where, or so we thought. There was a job offer and it would have required a move. Maybe the roots were deeper than we had originally thought. We love Noblesville, and had just settled in to a wonderful church that was much closer than our former church. We had already gotten attached to the people. Our children had already bonded with friends. We did a lot of reflecting and praying during this time.



We decided to pass up that opportunity and hang on a little longer. Thankfully we had visits from very special friends and family during the summer and it was a most welcome and wonderful distraction.



There were other wonderful distractions as well.



In August I visited the Indiana State Fair for the first time. I went alone and had a wonderful time just me and my camera!



It was during the month of August that my husband had a job offer that he accepted. We were thrilled that prayers had been answered and he was only without a job for two months and we didn't have to move! It was a very long two months!



I could finally relax a little and start breathing normally again. It was during the month of September that I had a hummingbird drink from the feeder while I held it. That was quite a thrill!


I was never completely happy with any of the hummingbird pictures this year. I spent many hours sitting on the patio waiting with my camera in hand trying to capture the perfect shot. It never happened. Maybe next year.



I especially enjoyed the cosmos, zinnias and sunflowers during the month of September.



Once again, I collected the black swallowtail caterpillars from the garden and watched the complete metamorphosis. This picture was taken on the day that I released the newly emerged butterfly. Another thrill!



I barely remember autumn this year.



I had one virus after another, one that lasted just about the whole month of November. There was a work injury and some other health issues. It was all I could do just to keep up with work and the household necessities. I didn't feel creative at all and my blog was sorely neglected.


Before I knew it winter had settled over Robin's Nesting Place,



the holidays were upon me, and now here it is the beginning of a brand new year.

I love fresh starts and new beginnings. I am looking forward, to be quite honest, with a little fear and uncertainty, to the new year ahead. I certainly hope it will be a better year. I'm hoping that 2009 will be a great year for each of you as well.

Once again Happy New Year from Robin's Nesting Place!

Garden Blog Year in Review, Part One

There have been some really good years that I dreaded to see end and a few others that I have been glad to see go. 2008 has been an interesting and somewhat difficult year for me. There have been many wonderful things that have happened but also a lot of heartaches, disappointments and scary times. Most of the disappointments were with other people and all I could do was sit back and watch people that I love and care about hurt. Some people I know have lost just about everything this year; marriages have ended, people have lost jobs, some have lost their homes, and many have had health issues.

The tough economic times gave us a personal blow when my husband lost his job and even though he found another one soon after, it is still in the same industry. One that is really struggling right now and the fear of another job loss is always there.



Because of all of this, there were times when I was really feeling down and had difficulty blogging. I have wanted my blog to be a happy place for me and others. A place of refuge from controversy or problems. Others have told me how their days are brightened when they visit; that is my goal and it makes me very happy to hear it.

The down times affected my energy level and there wasn't as much gardening done this year. Not only that, but in May, after 21 years of being home, I got a part time job. That cut into my gardening time as well as the blogging time, as I adjusted to working outside the home and keeping up with a large house and the garden.

I don't really like sharing a lot of personal stuff on my blog, but I couldn't help thinking back and reflecting on these things as well.




Now for the more positive side of 2008! In January I started on our Home Owner's Association and was elected Vice-President. One of my immediate goals was to change the interpretation of a rule in our Covenant Restrictions regarding the planting of any perennial over 18 inches. I posted (or rather, I ranted) about this in January. I am most pleased to report that as I pressed this issue, nothing in writing could be found to show where this silly rule came from, and we all agreed that there was no way to enforce it. So, there is no longer a requirement to have things over 18 inches approved by the Architectural Committee, and even better, backyards are pretty much free from planting restrictions. Victory was sweet!



I tried outdoor winter sowing for the first time.



I was definitely more successful with my indoor system than with the outside winter sowing.



I even over-wintered four gerbera daisies which gave me beautiful blooms all winter.


In February, Jodi from Bloomingwriter, had us do a "Where in the World" post to tell about our communities. I enjoyed telling about our lovely town of Noblesville.


In March I went to the Indianapolis Patio and Garden show.


By March I am so ready for spring and this show is like a one day spring vacation for me.



I did a lot of bird watching through the winter months,



and was thrilled to see a bluebird checking out the bird house. I had a problem with house sparrows and the bluebirds wisely chose not to nest here after fighting for days with the sparrows over the house.



In April we had three ducks that were frequent visitors to the patio for the bird seed.



After a dismal spring in 2007, I was delighted that the weather cooperated and the blooms on the trees were spectacular.

I started my new job the first part of May.



Also, during the month of May I visited the Butterfly Exhibit at White River Gardens



and the zoo.


It was during the month of May that I found "George" in the Milkweed container,



and I had lilacs for the very first time.

Well, it is long past mid-night of the new year, and this post is long enough already. I'll finish part two hopefully tomorrow.

Happy New Year!