Yard & Gardening

The March of the Emerald Ash Borer Takes Carmel Trees by Storm

By Ashley Mulis
I know what you are thinking: What is the deal with all of the dead trees this spring? Now that the trees have produced leaves, it has become pretty obvious that the dreaded emerald ash borer we have been hearing about for five years has started to take a major toll on Carmel's beautiful ash trees. For those of you who have not heard the emerald ash borer (EAB) story, here’s a short recap: This bug is actually an exotic beetle that showed up near Detroit in 2002. It is believed that the pest arrived in packing material from ships or airplanes with freight originating in Asia. The adult beetles eat leaves; but it is the larvae that cause the big problem by tunneling under the tree bark and essentially cutting of the ash tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients.

Holiday Lighting Makes Carmel Neighborhoods Sparkle

holiday_lighting by Serina Kelly, Greensketch Concepts

‘Tis the season to decorate your home and yard with bright sparkling holiday lights. You might think that lights are only meant for the holidays, but the finishing touch to any well landscaped yard is lighting year-round. The rule of thumb: “less is more.” This is especially true with holiday lights. Try to stick to one or two colors or have a theme. Too many colors and designs can appear busy and distract from the picture you are trying to create.

Home Energy Efficiency Tax Credits Expire Soon

IR-home By John Milligan, Goals2Green

Make energy efficiency improvements to your home before year's end and reap the benefits of tax credits! A tax credit equal to 30% of the cost of energy efficiency improvements expires on December 31, 2010. For example: if you spend $1,000 on upgrades, your 2010 tax liability will be reduced by $300 (30% of $1,000).* Think of these savings as the equivalent of Black Friday sales for energy efficiency improvements.

Local Master Gardeners Offer Native Plant Bargains

LogoHcmga Hamilton County Master Gardener Association will hold its 11^th Annual Plant Sale on Saturday, May 15, from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall in Noblesville.

Over 10,000 plants will be available, mostly perennials, such as irises, hostas, and daylilies. Annuals, grasses and shrubs will also be sold. New this year will be an assortment of native trees (order at sale and pick up the following weekend), an expanded inventory of Indiana native plants, and a large selection of vegetable plants. Plants are priced below Garden Center selections.

Seminar on Wildlife-Friendly Ponds and Invasive Plants

Western Meadowlark If you've got an interest in backyard ponds for wildlife or are concerned about exotic, invasive plants, then plan to attend the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District's (HCSWCD) Annual Meeting on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. (registration at 8:30) at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds Exhibition Center.

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AroundCarmel.com

The March of the Emerald Ash Borer Takes Carmel Trees by Storm

Holiday Lighting Makes Carmel Neighborhoods Sparkle

Home Energy Efficiency Tax Credits Expire Soon

Local Master Gardeners Offer Native Plant Bargains

Seminar on Wildlife-Friendly Ponds and Invasive Plants

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