According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, storm water runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks and streets prevent storm water runoff from soaking naturally into the ground.
Storm water can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system or directly into a lake, stream, river, wetland or coastal water. Anything that enters a storm sewer is discharged untreated into the water bodies we use for swimming, fishing and providing drinking water.
Portland, Ore., and the Chesapeake Bay region have been in the news lately for innovative approaches to storm water management. Many states, including North Carolina and Washington, have storm water runoff abatement projects.
Natural herbicide
The National Gardening Association suggests using powdered herbicides made from corn gluten to keep crabgrass and other weed seeds from germinating and growing.
Typically spread on established lawns, they also can be used in gardens where no seeds will be planted, such as in perennial beds. As the corn gluten degrades, it provides a small amount of nitrogen to the soil.
Crabgrass begins to germinate at about the time that azaleas, dogwoods and forsythias bloom, so, for best results, spread corn gluten at that time. Application procedures vary with the particular product; be sure to read and follow the directions on the label. Do not use corn gluten in newly seeded lawns, or in garden beds where you plan to sow seeds.
Discovered by West Virginia State University horticulturalist Nick Christians, corn gluten meal has been classified by EPA as a "minimum risk pesticide" that is exempt from registration requirements. This means that corn gluten meal products can be sold without going through EPA's registration process. EPA also has registered one corn gluten meal product as a biological pesticide.
Reach Sara Busse at sara.bu...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1249.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- It's always been a bit swampy around John Adams Middle School. The vast asphalt parking area slopes toward the building, leaving mud and water atop a hard clay base. Attempts to grow anything typically have failed.
That's all about to change. An ambitious group led by parents of current students is creating a rain garden in the worst spot in the school's landscape. Not only will the project help with beautification, it is hoped it will eliminate building erosion as well.
In a flier sent to parents and neighbors of the school, organizers explained the purpose of a rain garden.
"Rain gardens are derived from native landscaping. They are made for beautification and are a new way to prevent flooding and muddy fields. The garden captures rain runoff from rooftops. The middle part of the garden holds several inches of rain for 24 hours."
Danita Nellhous, wellness chairwoman for John Adams' parent organization, said the John Adams Sustainability Initiative was one of 11 projects chosen to receive funding from the Sustainable Kanawha Valley Initiative, managed by the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation.
Additional help is coming from many sources: the city of Charleston's Storm Water Management Program, GAI Consultants/Engineers, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, West Virginia State University Extension Office, Walker Express, TerraSalis, West Virginia University's CARDIAC Project, and the Kanawha County Board of Education, area garden clubs and the Capitol Conservation District are all involved.
Nellhous said the faculty and students of John Adams will use the rain garden to expand education opportunities in environmental studies. "The garden will provide the ultimate setting for carrying out hands-on learning," Nellhous said.
GAI Consultants created two different designs, and TerraSalis is helping with plant selection. Students, parents and teachers have all weighed in on the plans, and ground was broken while the students were on spring break in March.
A dedication ceremony is planned for May 21, in conjunction with the Kanawha Valley Sustainability Fair. There will be a "Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival" held at the school that evening as part of the celebration.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, storm water runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks and streets prevent storm water runoff from soaking naturally into the ground.
Storm water can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system or directly into a lake, stream, river, wetland or coastal water. Anything that enters a storm sewer is discharged untreated into the water bodies we use for swimming, fishing and providing drinking water.
Portland, Ore., and the Chesapeake Bay region have been in the news lately for innovative approaches to storm water management. Many states, including North Carolina and Washington, have storm water runoff abatement projects.
Natural herbicide
The National Gardening Association suggests using powdered herbicides made from corn gluten to keep crabgrass and other weed seeds from germinating and growing.
Typically spread on established lawns, they also can be used in gardens where no seeds will be planted, such as in perennial beds. As the corn gluten degrades, it provides a small amount of nitrogen to the soil.
Crabgrass begins to germinate at about the time that azaleas, dogwoods and forsythias bloom, so, for best results, spread corn gluten at that time. Application procedures vary with the particular product; be sure to read and follow the directions on the label. Do not use corn gluten in newly seeded lawns, or in garden beds where you plan to sow seeds.
Discovered by West Virginia State University horticulturalist Nick Christians, corn gluten meal has been classified by EPA as a "minimum risk pesticide" that is exempt from registration requirements. This means that corn gluten meal products can be sold without going through EPA's registration process. EPA also has registered one corn gluten meal product as a biological pesticide.
Reach Sara Busse at sara.bu...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1249.
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