Contrary Mary And Her Garden

Mary Mary quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockleshells
And pretty maids all in a row.

Ignoring the true significance of the nursery rhyme, Contrary Mary had the right idea – gardens! Our current ideas of a beautiful yard and property are so far beyond the natural, it’s freakish. Grass isn’t supposed to be short. It’s meant to grow long and lanky, only to be eaten short by the native grazers. Oh wait, we killed them all when the railroads when through. Oops!

Now, I understand not wanting a goat, sheep, cow or horse around just to get your lawn short naturally. I certain don’t want one! But what can we do to lessen our impact on this monoculture we’ve adhered to for so many generations? We own an acre, have mowed about a third of it for most of my life, but have decreased that amount by at least 1/3 over the last 4 years, and I strive to reduce it by a total of 50%. Everyone who comes over exclaims the property is like an oasis, with the flower gardens scattered about. It is gorgeous!

So you too can start by reducing the amount you mow. It is estimated that the US consumes 2.2 billion gallons of fuel just to care for their lawns. How you reduce is up to you, but the best way is by adding flower and vegetable gardens. These can be separate or integrated beds, since both the flowers and the vegetables benefit from the “companion planting”. They also add incredible depth and interest to the gardens when integrated.

Time
I have found that the amount of time spent mowing or tending flowerbeds is equal, but not constantly similar. Mowing is the entire growing season while the majority of the time spent on the gardens is in the spring. The summer is almost carefree. If you plant perennials, with an occasional annual for constant color, you’ll spend even less time in the gardens than if you only plant annuals every year. This way, you spend time admiring, rather than slaving away. I like that trade!

Emissions
The average riding lawn mower spews the same emissions as 34 cars for the same amount of time being run. That’s just wrong. And while the EPA is mandating all small engines have a catalytic converter starting in 2010, it will take a decade or more for all current small engines to be replaced. Since Americans are estimated to spend over 3 billion hours running small engines to care for their lawns and property, that’s a very long time to reduce emissions by the 35% that is estimated by the adding of the converters. If you reduce your lawn space by 30%, you will have affected the same goal the EPA is striving for with no expense to you. Considering we are spewing 44 billion pounds of carbon dioxide into the air per year, reduce that by a third is significant! Imagine being able to see the real blue of the sky from this one simple act!

Air Purification
Just as different houseplants filter different impurities from your indoor air, a variety of plants outside will help filter different impurities from that air. Nature never supports monocultures. To do so sets the stage for infestations, over-population and disease manifestations (think swine flu, which only manifests when swine are concentrated in large numbers in a small setting). With nature having hundreds of different plants and thousands of different microbes per acre, it can purify air and sequester carbon at far higher rates than our lawns. And by having this diversity, the wildlife supported is also diverse, helping eliminate the need for pest control. By adding many native varieties of perennials, along with a select number of noninvasive non-native varieties, you help offset the emissions by those who choose not to reduce their lawn.

Insects
There are very few “bad” bugs. What become bad are their affects when allowed to overpopulate. This happens when there is too little diversity in the plant life, which leads to little diversity in animal life, which controls insect life. There will always be occasions when an infestation of whatever insect occurs, but these times are moderated and become less frequent when an array of plant life is allowed to flourish. Birds and bats will flourish in the new variety, reducing all of the bugs – and you get to enjoy their activities throughout the year!

Included in the insect section are the pollinators. These little guys supply at least 1/3 of our food, but are constantly being slaughtered by pesticides and diseases created by our monoculture (planting only corn, only grass, only wheat, etc.). Honeybees have seen devastating losses over the last 3 years, for as of yet unpublished reasons. Pesticide use never decreases, giving the native pollinators no chance to contribute support.

By adding flowering plants, both native and non-native, perennials and annuals, you give the native pollinators a chance to recover and thrive, reducing the risk of an entire collapse of 1/3 of our food chain.

Oil Dependence
Farmers don’t measure their fuel consumption in miles per gallon. They measure in gallons per hour. So does your lawn mower – an average of .73 gallons per hour to be exact. Be reducing your use by 1/3, you will save the US about 730 million gallons of fuel per year, which mostly comes from outside the US borders.

Another Option
If you just can’t live without every square inch of lawn you have now, please consider raising the mower deck up to 3” or longer. This will save in a number of ways:
When the growth of the grass slows, you mow far less frequently
The longer grass needs far less water, allowing you to eliminate irrigation
The longer grass needs far less fertilizer – which comes from foreign natural gas
The longer grass supports a more diverse set of insects, which protects you from infestations.
It diminishes the chances for fungal infections, needing fewer chemicals to maintain that gorgeous green carpet you so desire.

Sources
University of Vermont Extension
Organic Gardening Magazine
EPA.gov

Be A HyperMiler Conserving Fuel

5/25/08 Comments on AC use reducing mileage: Very interesting
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_393.html

Wayne Gerdes knows how to wring a gas tank dry. He can squeeze 84 miles per gallon from your standard-issue Ford Ranger pick-up. He once averaged more than 100 mpg during the course of an entire summer. And while behind the wheel of a hybrid electric Honda Insight, he coaxed the vehicle into yielding an astonishing 180.1 mpg. Gerdes can do these seemingly impossible things with a car because he is one of a rare breed of drivers known as "hypermilers."

In Pictures: Ten Fuel-Saving Tips from a Hypermiler

These drivers are "completely obsessed" with getting good gas mileage, says Bill Robbins, spokesperson for an annual event called Hybridfest in Madison, Wis., which celebrates hybrid cars and all things related to reducing fuel consumption.

Gerdes, of Wadsworth, Ill., admits to this obsession without hesitation.

He isn't trying to get merely good gas mileage. Or even great mileage. He's intent on achieving hypermileage.

He uses specialized driving techniques that can double the normal gas mileage for any car, including non-hybrids. Some techniques are simple, even self-evident. Don't let your car idle excessively. And don't waste gas by accelerating up to red lights and stop signs.

Other techniques get a little more technical. For instance, putting the lowest weight oil in your car helps it work more efficiently. "This allows for better kinematic viscosity," says Gerdes, "which means that it's easier to pump oil through the engine, and the engine moves against itself easier."

Then, there are the more advanced techniques. Techniques with names like pulse and glide, warp stealth and ridge riding. Gerdes doesn't like to talk too much about these because, if performed improperly, they can actually be dangerous. If you're intrigued by the names, not to mention the potentially stratospheric mileage that can result, he recommends seeking out an instructor to show you how advanced hypermiling is done.

As his enthusiasm might suggest, Gerdes isn't just a hypermiler. He's the hypermiler.

"He's the man who coined the term 'hypermiler'!" says Robbins, the Hybridfest spokesperson.

Gerdes came up with the neologism during that extraordinary 100-plus mpg summer. "I live and die for this stuff," says Gerdes, who works at a nuclear power plant which, he points out, provides energy without emitting carbon dioxide. He'll go to almost any length to emit as little CO2 as possible himself and help others to do the same.

Gerdes spreads the hypermiling gospel through instruction. At this summer's Hybridfest, which drew extreme mileage enthusiasts from around the country, Gerdes and others that share his passion put on a clinic to help attendees practice what the hypermilers preach. In one exercise, Gerdes guided a driver through some basic techniques in a standard Honda Accord, and the driver extracted 51.2 mpg from a car that the EPA rates at 24 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.

The Hybridfest also puts hypermiling skills to use in the name of competition. In the MPG Challenge, drivers try to get the best mileage over a 20-mile course, an event that Robbins describes as "NASCAR in reverse." Last year, it was on this 20-mile circuit that Gerdes hit the 180.1 mpg mark on his way to victory.

Even though the MPG Challenge is a competition, it's not a particularly cutthroat one. A lot of the entrants were already friends, having met on Gerdes' Web site, CleanMPG.com, where they share fuel-saving tips and tricks. Before this year's contest, Gerdes said, "I'm looking forward to the challenge -- the field is thick with great drivers, and they are all my friends, so I'll be happy with whoever wins." This year's victor was Bill Kinney, who averaged 168 mpg. Gerdes finished second with 146 mpg.

The benefits of hypermiling are fairly apparent. "For the most part, hypermiling encourages non-aggressive driving," says Geoff Sundstrom, director of AAA Public Affairs. "Driving the speed limit and not speeding up to stop signs are all good things -- these are things that we teach new drivers."

However, when pushed to the extreme, even elementary techniques can become dangerous. Driving too slowly below the speed limit can cause other drivers to become more aggressive and perform unsafe maneuvers, and the technique of using one's brakes sparingly to conserve energy can lead to drivers rolling through stop signs. "When taken to an extreme, hypermiling can become a very selfish endeavor," Sundstrom says. "The bottom line is: Saving fuel and conserving energy are important, but so is safety -- and preventing crashes."

Then there's the questionable method of positioning one's automobile directly behind a large vehicle (such as an 18-wheeler) to catch its draft and reduce drag, which, Sundstrom says, "is called tailgating!"

But there are ways to reap the benefits of hypermiling while still driving safely. Gerdes suggests 10 things that the average driver can do to maximize fuel economy. All of them are applicable to real-world driving conditions, and none of them require the purchase of a hybrid, although surely that will help your numbers. Click on the link to the slideshow to see 10 fuel-saving tips from a hypermiler.

Worst Cars of 08

Related - Most expensive fuel in US
http://money.aol.com/special/5-gas-prices

Found this on AOL - no real link. Sorry

1. 2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2
With a mighty 5.0-liter V-10 that burns diesel at the rate of 15 mpg city, 20 mpg highway, the Touareg doesn't seem like an evil SUV. It is certainly capable on- and off-road, boasting 553 lb-ft of torque (more than the top 4 greenest cars combined). The ACEEE's scoring system marks down diesel vehicles for exhaust emissions, particularly nitrogen oxides. New technology coming in 2009 will take care of the NOx, which will help diesels get much greener.

2. Bugatti Veyron 16.4
Sensible people rightly question conspicuous consumption of all kinds ... yachts, mansions and private jets. (It can be a love-hate thing, admit it.) Regardless, the Bugatti Veyron is technically amazing with a quad-turbocharged 16-cylinder engine that displaces 8-liters (equal to eight smart fortwos) to produce a staggering 1001 horsepower (equal to almost 14 Smart Fortwos). Mileage is lousy, at 8 city/13 hwy; however, the car's top speed of almost 250 mph makes it all worth

3. 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL320 CDI
Today, diesel vehicles in the U.S. just don't run as cleanly as gasoline vehicles. It's those pesky NOx emissions. However, modern diesels running on ultra-low-sulfur fuels are much cleaner than older models. The GL320 diesel is an excellent SUV in spite of its nitrogen oxides, and does consume about 30% less fuel than its non-diesel counterpart. Mileage is a respectable 18 city/24 highway.


4. 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel
The familiar Jeep Grand Cherokee can now be optioned with the excellent Mercedes-Benz 3.0-liter V-6 diesel found in the Mercedes-Benz GL320 and R320 SUVs, but at a cost that's some $10,000 less than its German cousins. The Jeep is an excellent choice because of its fuel economy of 18 city/24 mpg and torque that rivals the powerful Chrysler Hemi engine. An exhaust treatment available in 2009 will improve the Jeep's emissions performance even more.

5. 2008 Mercedes-Benz R320 CDI
Mercedes-Benz R-Class is the company's "it's not a minivan" and "it's not a station wagon" 6-person people mover. The diesel 3.0-liter V-6 delivers V-8 type performance with mileage of 18/24. All-wheel drive is standard, and 7-passenger seating is optional. Prices start around $46,000.

6. 2008 Lamborghini Murcielago
Since the manufacturer first turned its attention toward high-performance automobiles (it used to produce farm tractors), the company has changed the face of exotic cars. Available in coupe and roadster models, the all-wheel-drive Lambo matches the Bugatti for thirsty fuel consumption but the Murcielago's 6.5-liter 632-horsepower V12 can only muster a top speed just over 200 mph. A consolation is its bargain price compared to the Veyron -- $313,600.


7. 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML320 CDI
Seems unfair to nick Mercedes three times all due to one engine, the venerable 3.0-liter diesel V-6. Really, it's a great engine; smooth, quiet, powerful, efficient. Oh well, we didn't make the rules for the ACEEE contest, we're just reporting the findings. The ML320 CDI sips fuel for a powerful mid-size SUV, and delivers 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway.

8. 2008 Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG
The famed G-Wagen can trace it roots back to a military-only SUV Mercedes-Benz used to produce. Now, tarted up in full luxury garb and stuffed with a supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 producing 493 horsepower, the G55 can sprint from 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds. Plus, the G55 is a formidable off-road tool, capable of mountain goat like feats. The main issue for the G55 is that only the brainless Hollywood starlet set seems interested in this boxy $112,000 truck.

9. 2008 HUMMER H2
The HUMMER H2 was never designed to be a "nice" vehicle. It's engineered so well that it seems capable of leaping tall mountains in a single bound. But with its 6.0-liter V-8, a curb weight of over three tons and a shape like shoe box, it's a lot of truck to move. Mileage suffers at 12 city/16 highway. Clean diesel and E85 (ethanol) powered engines are coming

10. 2008 GMC Yukon 2500
Chances are that if you're shopping for a full-size truck the size of a Yukon, you have a job to do. Well, the 2500 Series Yukon is genuine heavy-duty, and can tackle just about any job this side of a Kenworth or Peterbilt semi. Again, its size and V-8 power equates to low mileage, 12 city/16 highway. While not quite as hard-core as the Yukon 2500, the new Yukon 2-Mode Hybrid is an excellent alternative to consider.

11. 2007 Bentley Azure
It seems odd to characterize the stately Bentley Azure as "mean." There's not anything mean about these classic, old-school luxury cars from Britain. While they are lousy on fuel (9 city/15 highway), only 400 per year are built, and each one meets Low Emission Vehicle II standards. The Azure's impact on the environment is nil. You can have one delivered to your estate for about $350,000.

12. 2007 Bentley Arnage
The Arnage sedan utilizes the same 500-horsepower 6.7-liter V-8 as its sister car, the Azure convertible. It is the perfect conveyance for well-heeled Grey Poupon eaters, and seems like a handmade bargain at $250,000. Again, very few are sold, and of those, their annual mileage tends to be low. A curious emissions fact is that painting a room with 1 gallon of water-based latex paint emits the same amount of hydrocarbons as driving an Arnage some 5500 miles.

NY Auto Show is this week...
http://www.autoshowny.com/galleries - it shows the vehicles but gives no descriptions. Just an interesting peek.